Soon it was October again.

Frequent victory reports from the border allowed both court and countryside to breathe easier.

The Northern Rong had gradually grown stronger in recent years, while Great Qin was visibly weakening, with poor harvests year after year.

If the Northern Rong broke through the passes at this time, the realm might truly fall into chaos…

That Duke Pingguo could hold the border passes was naturally the best outcome.

However, the Emperor hadn’t rescinded his command—he still had the First Prince training troops in the capital’s suburbs, preparing for any contingency.

Letters kept arriving from the capital. These past months, the Grand Master conferred daily with his advisors in the outer courtyard, rarely even visiting Yarn-Washing Cove. Each day he would only sit briefly in the main courtyard before heading to the outer courtyard with an exhausted expression.

The Grand Madam felt rather distressed. She invited a skilled physician from the Ouyang family to prescribe tonics for the Grand Master, and carefully instructed Steward Zhang to take good care of the literary guests and advisors.

“Though these people seem powerless and without influence, merely depending on our family for their livelihood, each one either has strategies, connections, or a clever tongue.” The Grand Madam instructed Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss. “Ordinarily, we must never slight them. Otherwise, kindness becomes enmity—that would be endless trouble we couldn’t shake off.”

Both Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss nodded in acceptance of the teaching.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help being somewhat curious.

“I’m afraid another letter has come from the capital?”

These past months, the number of families writing from the capital to Suzhou had been unprecedented.

Even Imperial Tutor Qin had exceptionally written a letter personally and sent it by express horse to the Yang household.

The Grand Madam’s face inevitably showed some worry.

“Liu Zheng’s case is about to go to trial.” She let out a long breath.

Fifth Miss merely looked puzzled, but Seventh Miss also drew a sharp breath along with the Grand Madam.

Though the womenfolk didn’t need to understand official matters too clearly, Seventh Miss wasn’t ignorant of the principles involved.

Right now was when the Crown Prince’s faction was triumphant. To try Liu Zheng’s military provisions case at this time—the Liu family would certainly have no good outcome, and at minimum, the position of Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commissioner could no longer be preserved.

After the Wang family, another important general had fallen—an irreconcilable deep grudge had formed between the First Prince and the Grand Master.

“Who knows who will ascend to succeed as Provincial Administration Commissioner of Zhejiang!” Seventh Miss changed the subject.

The Grand Madam responded absently, then pondered for a long while before slowly saying, “Your father is also working hard for this position. Though Jiangsu is prosperous, Zhejiang is also a land of fish and rice. It’s best to have one of our own people occupy this position.”

Fifth Miss had already understood and spent a while with the Grand Madam sighing over the changes in personnel and circumstances.

Though the Liu family wasn’t aligned with the Grand Master, they were colleagues of many years after all. The Liu family’s madams and young misses had all been met before.

Just one wrong move, and now they’d fallen from the clouds into the mud. If Liu Zheng was determined to have committed a crime warranting collective punishment, they would instantly become criminal family members…

Who wouldn’t feel some sentiment?

Perhaps borrowing this sentiment, after sighing for a while, the Grand Madam revealed the predicament the Grand Master currently faced.

“The Empress has used Crown Prince’s Senior Secretary Zheng Changchun’s name to write three letters, wanting us to take the lead in petitioning for the Crown Prince to establish his own household, based on our great merit in transporting grain.”

Both Seventh Miss and Fifth Miss suddenly understood.

This was what truly troubled the Grand Master!

No wonder even Imperial Tutor Qin had personally written to act as persuader.

The family all knew that for years the Grand Master had held firm, refusing to take sides in the succession struggle.

But now he’d offended the First Prince and indirectly helped the Crown Prince—the Empress wanted to seize this opportunity to recruit this frontier official into her camp.

Since Liu Zheng’s case was going to trial, a verdict would certainly be decided. If he was guilty, then the Grand Master who captured him had merit. His standing in the Emperor’s heart would likely rise even higher.

If he then spoke up for the Crown Prince… even the Emperor himself would have to give face to the Grand Master and Duke Pingguo!

Fifth Miss thought to ask the Grand Madam, “What does Father think?”

The Grand Madam asked back, “What do you think?”

Fifth Miss was startled.

But Seventh Miss understood: with Fifth Miss’s status, she would certainly marry into an aristocratic family in the future and become the mistress of the household.

She was nearly thirteen years old now—it was time to start teaching her these matters.

“Your daughter thinks…” Fifth Miss seemed to understand as well. Biting her lip, she slowly analyzed, “If Father wanted to stand with the Crown Prince, he would have shown his position years ago. I’m afraid… he’s always been worried about being suspected by the Emperor?”

A flash of joy crossed the Grand Madam’s eyes, but she said nothing.

How could Fifth Miss fail to catch this hint of emotion from the Grand Madam?

She became more and more confident as she continued, “Right now Father has just accomplished great merit. By all reason and sentiment, the Emperor can hardly not reward him. But we must be even more cautious, lest we violate the Emperor’s taboos and instead lose imperial favor.”

The Grand Madam couldn’t help but softly applaud. “I hadn’t expected Xiao Wu to have quite good insight in this area.”

Seventh Miss also felt enlightened.

All along, she had only known the Grand Master refused to take sides, but hadn’t thought deeply about the reasons behind it.

Now Fifth Miss’s few words had analyzed a clear train of thought.

A frontier official colluding with an imperial prince would certainly violate the Emperor’s taboos. Even if there was only one Crown Prince at court, the Emperor would never wish for his important ministers to pledge loyalty to the Crown Prince prematurely.

Otherwise, whose realm was this—his, or the Crown Prince’s?

The Emperor was only in his forties this year, in the prime of life. Though his health wasn’t robust, over the years he hadn’t had any serious illness.

Offending the Crown Prince—there would be plenty of time in the future to repair the relationship. Even if it couldn’t be repaired, when the Crown Prince ascended, there would still be the Xu family and Qin family to shield them. A safe retirement could still be managed.

But offending the Emperor and losing favor was an immediate matter.

No wonder the Grand Master had never been willing to get involved in succession matters.

“Don’t assume we womenfolk living year-round in deep courtyards and great estates have nothing to do with outside affairs.” The Grand Madam instructed her two daughters further. “But the mistress of an official household must have a grasp of major court affairs and her family’s conduct. Only then can she coordinate with the menfolk and manage the household prosperously. ‘A wise wife brings few disasters to her husband’—these words couldn’t be more true.”

Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss rose together to receive the teaching.

Seventh Miss was even more moved: Though the Grand Madam was petty in household struggles, she truly had her own exceptional qualities.

After speaking at length, the Grand Madam inevitably showed fatigue. Leaning against the large pillow, she slowly sipped clear tea while asking Nanny Liang casually, “Has anything happened in Suzhou these past days?”

Nanny Liang hurriedly smiled and replied, “Yes, quite a few things. The Li family sent word they’ve had another young miss. The Zheng family of the Fujian Provincial Administration also sent someone to pay respects with this year’s gifts—rather more generous than usual. And also…”

Various matters—more than ten trivial affairs of relatives and old friends interacting with the Yang family.

Fifth Miss grew somewhat impatient, puffing her cheeks and merely studying the main beam of the ceiling.

The Grand Madam was also inattentive, only asking, “All handled properly?”

Getting an affirmative from Nanny Liang, she didn’t inquire further, merely adding a few instructions: “Don’t get too close with the Zheng family. The Li family is familiar—gifts must be especially thoughtful…” A few casual orders, and she asked no more.

Seeing the matrons reporting affairs had all received their tokens and withdrawn, Fifth Miss breathed a great sigh of relief.

“Come on, let’s go play at Moon-Coming Pavilion!” She pulled at Seventh Miss while rising to take her leave.

The Grand Madam shook her head and sighed, too lazy to restrain Fifth Miss. “Such a big person, still so childish!”

Seventh Miss had no choice but to follow Fifth Miss in withdrawing to the outer room.

Only then did she break free. “Fifth Sister, you go ahead… I still have something to discuss with Mother.”

Fifth Miss was curious. “What is it that’s so secretive?”

Seventh Miss looked around for a moment before mysteriously leaning close to Fifth Miss’s ear. “I’m not telling you!”

“You!” Fifth Miss stamped her foot in frustration.

Only then did Seventh Miss smile shyly. “It’s about Third Sister’s marriage.”

“Oh.”

Fifth Miss curled her lip, showing complete disdain.

“Then I’ll wait for you at Moon-Coming Pavilion!”

After all, she was a legitimate daughter—that inherent pride couldn’t be removed no matter what.

Fifth Miss couldn’t even be bothered to involve herself in Third Miss’s marriage.

Seventh Miss watched her leave the hall before turning back into the east secondary room.

Nanny Wang was speaking with the Grand Madam. “Who knows who they’ll appoint as chief examiner for next year’s spring examinations…”

This year, the ninth month happened to be the Emperor’s fortieth birthday, so the autumn examinations were postponed to October. Since it was an examination year, next spring would also include a special examination—another metropolitan examination session. Traditionally, the chief examiner for metropolitan examinations was held concurrently by a cabinet minister, which involved many complications.

“Hmm?” Seeing Seventh Miss return, the Grand Madam raised one eyebrow. “What, did you leave some jewelry behind?”

Seventh Miss glanced at Nanny Wang. “I do have something I’d like to ask Mother’s opinion on…”

Nanny Wang tactfully rose. “I still have many things I want to instruct the subordinates about.”

The Grand Madam waved her hand.

She was rather curious. “What matter is so important that even Nanny Wang cannot hear it?”

“This matter should be kept somewhat discreet…” Seventh Miss was slightly embarrassed. “It’s also to preserve some dignity for Fourth Concubine!”

The Grand Madam sat up straight.

“What?” She finally showed some interest. “Has Brookside Lodge been thinking of making trouble again?”

These past years, Fourth Concubine hadn’t been particularly favored.

With official business keeping him busy, the Grand Master also favored the three sisters of Yarn-Washing Cove. Though Brookside Lodge still enjoyed honor and favor, compared to the situation years ago when Fourth Concubine monopolized favor, it was inevitably somewhat diminished.

Third Miss’s marriage wasn’t going smoothly, and Fourth Miss’s face was ruined… Fourth Concubine had gradually grown silent, being extremely careful before the Grand Madam, not daring to make the slightest mistake.

The Grand Madam had gradually stopped taking Fourth Concubine seriously.

“Isn’t it still about Third Sister’s marriage?” Seventh Miss seemed somewhat embarrassed. “Actually, Fourth Concubine has privately sought out Xiao Qi several times since summer, asking Xiao Qi to advocate before Madam, hoping Madam would relent and allow Third Sister to be married off.”

The Grand Madam raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” She was rather surprised. “Why would she approach you?”

But Seventh Miss wasn’t concerned at all.

Lying required nine parts truth, one part falsehood.

Even if Seventh Miss’s people wouldn’t report to the main courtyard, who could guarantee Brookside Lodge had no eyes for the main courtyard?

Better to speak plainly and tell the Grand Madam directly that she and Fourth Concubine had made contact several times privately.

“But Xiao Qi felt,” Seventh Miss lowered her eyes, “that having been favored for just a few years, to privately curry favor and meddle in matters one shouldn’t interfere with would truly be too imprudent. Therefore, I never gave her a definite answer…”

The Grand Madam’s expression softened.

“Xiao Qi is still the most sensible one.” She praised Seventh Miss. “You didn’t easily agree…”

“However, recently Fourth Concubine’s standards have gotten lower and lower.” Seventh Miss smiled. “Previously she had set her sights on Second Young Master of Mr. Zhang Weiting’s family. Now, she’s even willing to settle for the Third Young Master.”

Though the Zhang family had substantial means and Zhang Weiting was a famous Jiangnan scholar, he ultimately had no official position. A common-born son from a white-robed family—strictly speaking, would greatly disgrace the Yang family’s status.

Of course, the Zhang family was from the Guanlong aristocracy with strong influence in their homeland, and Zhang Weiting’s brothers all held office… This match would slight Third Miss specifically, but viewed from the Yang family’s perspective, it was actually a good marriage.

The Grand Madam gradually smiled. “Fourth Concubine is like this—she hears the wind and assumes rain. The family has just started litigation, and she’s so frightened she can’t keep her composure.”

Why were Fourth Concubine’s “standards getting lower and lower”? Wasn’t it because she was frightened by the Yang family’s lawsuit with the Liu family, fearing that if the Yang family fell, Third Miss would be even harder to marry off?

Previously, when the Grand Master was steady as a mountain, Fourth Concubine might not even have considered the Zhang family’s status worthy.

After all, she was a daughter from a small, humble background—she lacked that magnanimity. A little trouble, and she was frightened into making a show…

“Since Fourth Concubine herself thinks this way.” Seventh Miss said tactfully. “Why don’t we fulfill her wish?”

Though news of Liu Zheng’s trial had reached the Yang household, Fourth Concubine might not understand the implications.

So anxiously pulling strings privately, asking Seventh Miss to advocate with the Grand Madam—all to marry Third Miss to such a common-born son?

The Grand Madam might as well fulfill her wish. Once the match was settled, news of Liu Zheng’s conviction would probably reach Suzhou.

At that time, to appreciate Fourth Concubine’s regret… Even if she regretted it, to whom could Fourth Concubine complain? This was the marriage she had begged and pleaded for!

The Grand Madam patted Seventh Miss. “You’re almost catching up to your eldest sister!”

She enthusiastically strategized with Seventh Miss. “You privately agree to Fourth Concubine! Have Fourth Concubine speak to the Master. On my end, I will certainly nod approval.”

She was curious. “Has Fourth Concubine promised you any benefits?”

Seventh Miss was rather shy. “She did promise some silver, probably still treating me like the little girl who just entered the main courtyard… I didn’t agree, so I didn’t ask about the amount.”

The Grand Madam clapped and laughed heartily. “Just ask for the moon! However much you can extract is yours!”

Seventh Miss laughed along. “Yes, Mother. Xiao Qi knows how to handle this.”

The Grand Madam was also thoughtful. “I thought she had set her sights on your Second Aunt again! At the farewell banquet that day, your Second Aunt made a special detour to Brookside Lodge to chat with her for half an hour…”

“Fourth Concubine’s character—don’t you know it?” Seventh Miss just smiled. “She always reads the situation… For her to rely on Second Aunt now—wouldn’t that be pure foolishness?”

In the current Yang household, besides Madam, those whose words carried most weight were Ninth Brother and Seventh Miss, this pair of siblings.

The Grand Madam laughed self-deprecatingly. “Yes, she wouldn’t rely on your Second Aunt now!”

However, Second Madam might not refrain from relying on Fourth Concubine.

Seventh Miss also understood the Grand Madam’s unspoken meaning.

But she didn’t take up the topic, only rising to take her leave. “Fifth Sister is still waiting at Moon-Coming Pavilion…”

“Go quickly, go quickly.” The Grand Madam came back to herself. “It’s good to marry Third Miss off too, lest we drag on day after day. Fifth Sister is nearly thirteen in the blink of an eye, and still has no arranged marriage.”

She smiled ambiguously at Seventh Miss. “Third Miss cannot be promised to the Li family—that’s good! In the future, whichever family you fancy, Mother will allow it!”

Seventh Miss looked confused and puzzled.

But the Grand Madam wouldn’t say more, only urging Seventh Miss. “Go play at Moon-Coming Pavilion quickly. You’ve tired yourself most of the day—you really should relax.”

Seventh Miss had no choice but to enter Moon-Coming Pavilion and chat with Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss, drawing flower names together.

After lunch, she returned to the west side courtyard.

She instructed Lixia, “Go see your cousin Xiao Man. While you’re there, pass word to Fourth Concubine that I’ve already spoken to Madam, and Madam has also nodded approval… What she promised me, she should start handling now.”

Lixia nodded silently, turned and left the courtyard, entering Hundred Fragrance Garden.