Entering November, the military provisions storm that had entangled Suzhou for nearly half a year seemed to finally gradually subside.

From Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commissioner Liu Zheng’s arrival in the capital to his downfall took only half a year. Subtracting the two or three months of travel, it essentially meant that as soon as he reached the capital, the Emperor began arranging to deal with this regional official. The various officials of Jiangnan gradually realized the Grand Master’s exceptional qualities: in this dispute, he had once again from the very beginning stood where the Emperor wanted him to be.

Thus no one in the three Jiangnan provinces dared oppose military provisions. This year’s harvest was fairly good. Rice collection and storage, transportation and shipping… all encountered no troublesome obstacles.

But the Grand Master didn’t become idle because of this.

Governing three provinces, his affairs were already numerous. Now having to personally supervise all matters large and small in Zhejiang province, he was even busier with his feet barely touching ground. He also had to face all manner of overtures, and obvious or subtle sabotage… so busy he rarely entered the inner courtyard.

The Grand Madam wasn’t much more idle either.

Though the Left Pillar of State reward the Grand Master received was glorious, it had little substantive benefit.

It merely proved his position in the Emperor’s heart.

The accompanying troubles could be described as endless…

The First Prince apparently hadn’t developed resentment toward the Grand Master because of Liu Zheng’s downfall. Several frontier officials under him continued as always to enthusiastically court the Grand Master’s favor.

The Crown Prince wanted to seize this opportunity to draw the Grand Master to his side, frequently pulling strings through the Xu and Qin families’ connections to win him over.

Both the Grand Master and Grand Madam had headaches.

After all, the Qin and Xu families were relatives—they couldn’t very well break off relations completely.

But the Grand Master clearly didn’t plan to take sides in the succession struggle… How to tactfully decline both sides without offending both to death had become the topic the Grand Master and Grand Madam most frequently discussed recently.

“Your grandfather and Third Aunt’s family also have no choice.” The Grand Madam couldn’t help complaining to Seventh Miss. “But who thinks of our family’s dilemma? If we show the slightest inclination toward either side, the Emperor will probably change expression and erupt!”

Seventh Miss could only smile apologetically.

However, entering late November, the Grand Madam ultimately managed to deflect both families of relatives and began concentrating on arranging the marriage between the Zhang and Yang families.

Though the two families were close, they didn’t have superior-subordinate official relationships like the Li or Wang families with the Yang family, so they couldn’t first obtain Young Master Zhang’s birth chart for the bride’s family to match horoscopes.

Everything followed standard procedure. Minister Li and Mrs. Li both acted as chief matchmakers, waiting for the Zhang family to prepare the six types of grand gifts before coming to perform the betrothal ceremony.

Third Miss was even more shy and refused to leave Seven-Fragrance Lodge. Fourth Concubine also stayed behind closed doors, rarely appearing in Hundred Fragrance Garden. This made the Grand Madam particularly energetic in handling these matters.

Even when Fifth Miss clamored to go to Hanshan Temple to worship and burn incense, she was rarely refused. “The entire household is busy with your Third Sister’s marriage. Going to burn incense at this time—isn’t that adding to the commotion?”

Fifth Miss came dejectedly to the west side courtyard to talk with Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss amiably chatted with Fifth Miss about how Striped Tiger’s several kittens were gradually growing up, how the lark under her eaves sang ever more clearly, how spectacular Fifth Miss’s backgammon game the other day was…

But Fifth Miss responded absently, replying sporadically and carelessly, only staring into space.

How could Seventh Miss not know her thoughts?

After all, she was a young lady. Ordinarily in Hundred Fragrance Garden, she was subject to many restrictions.

Not to mention outside matters.

How much did Fifth Miss actually know?

Even less than Seventh Miss, who had Uncle Zhou and had some dealings with the Feng family, learning in the first half of the year that Feng Jin would take the examinations this year.

But Seventh Miss didn’t dare at all to stir up Fifth Miss’s thoughts.

Even knowing Fifth Miss came to linger at the west side courtyard with ulterior motives, she had to pretend not to know.

Fifth Miss would be thirteen after New Year’s.

In previous years when Great Qin’s national power was weak, if a thirteen-year-old girl wasn’t yet married with children, the government would forcibly arrange matches.

Only because the population had become more abundant in recent years had this marriage law gradually relaxed.

With ancient people’s early maturity, thirteen-year-old maidens mostly already had thoughts of spring romance.

If Fifth Miss never learned news of Feng Jin, this thread of affection would likely gradually fade with time.

But if she could receive news of the Feng family from Seventh Miss from time to time, things might truly blow up.

With the Feng family’s status, even if Feng Jin became the top scholar, he probably wouldn’t qualify to seek a Yang family daughter.

This romantic fancy—the earlier it was severed, the better.

Fifth Miss ultimately had a thin face. After coming several times and seeing Seventh Miss always seemed completely unaware, she gradually put away her distracted manner.

However, on the day results were posted, she was still restless, pacing back and forth, unable to listen to even the Tang poetry commentary the teacher lectured on.

Just leaving family school, she couldn’t wait to ask Seventh Miss.

“Do you know the provincial examination results are posted today?”

Seventh Miss sighed inwardly.

Yet she also felt slightly nervous, unsure if infected by Fifth Miss or out of concern for Feng Jin.

“I know.” Her expression was calm. “I wonder if the young masters of the Li and Zhang families can pass!”

Given the families’ relationships, Seventh Miss’s concern for the young masters was natural.

Fifth Miss’s eyes brightened. “Exactly! I think we should send someone to the front courtyard to find an advisor and copy back this examination’s roster to look!”

Sixth Miss listened with rolling eyes, saying nothing.

Seventh Miss was helpless. “We should still first inform Mother… Our inner courtyard maids shouldn’t casually go to the outer courtyard.”

“Why are you so inflexible!” Fifth Miss dismissed this, patting Seventh Miss’s shoulder, then directly chattering with Guyu who came to receive them.

Though Guyu looked troubled and hesitant, she still agreed.

Fifth Miss didn’t even want to enter Hundred Fragrance Garden, directly eating lunch with the Grand Madam in the main courtyard hall.

Finding the Grand Madam constantly correcting her manners, after half a bowl of rice she stubbornly stopped eating, entered the west side courtyard, and mooched another meal from Seventh Miss.

After lunch, she began pacing all over the room, her anxiety and agitation overflowing.

Seventh Miss watched, deeply puzzled.

Fifth Miss was absolutely not a flower-obsessed fool who’d never seen men in several lifetimes.

Xu Fengjia, Quan Zhongbai, Gui Hanchun… Though these youths’ beauty might not match Feng Jin’s, each had their own strengths—hardly letting Feng Jin alone dominate.

So why was Fifth Miss so concerned about Feng Jin?

Speaking of it, they’d only met once years ago…

Seventh Miss only regretted she couldn’t ask.

This kind of thing, even if everyone knew, shouldn’t be brought into the open.

She normally had afternoon nap habits but now had to suppress them, sitting dryly at the table to wait with Fifth Miss. Soon she couldn’t help yawning.

Fifth Miss felt somewhat embarrassed. “You sleep, you sleep. I’ll go to the study to practice calligraphy.”

Seventh Miss simply didn’t sleep. “I’ll go write with you, calm the mind and spirit.”

The two sisters had just left the east side room when through the half-raised cotton curtain at the door, they saw a glimpse of green skirt.

Fifth Miss’s spirits immediately lifted: Guyu was wearing a pale green half-skirt today.

She lifted the curtain to go out, standing at the door waiting for Guyu to enter.

Seventh Miss also had to follow Fifth Miss out.

Suzhou’s winter was damp and cold. Just stepping outside, a cold wind swept over. Seventh Miss couldn’t help but shrink her neck.

“Guyu’s expression seems wrong.” Fifth Miss carried some surprise.

Seventh Miss also saw the alarmed expression on Guyu’s face.

It didn’t look like coming to report good or bad news, but like being startled somewhere.

“Fifth Miss, Seventh Miss!” She hurried up the steps to bow to the two young ladies.

“Did you copy it?!” Fifth Miss’s voice went shrill.

Guyu pressed her lips and shook her head.

“Just reaching the outer courtyard, I heard that Master Tongguang of Huiqing Temple had come!” Her expression was tense. “Though Master was busy with official business, he still made time to see him… I heard he slapped the table on the spot and sent someone to the Hanlin residence demanding Second Madam immediately come speak. He also sent someone into the inner courtyard to fetch Madam—Madam was napping. When I came in just now, she had just finished dressing and left by carriage… her expression looked very poor!”

The two young ladies exchanged glances.

What matter made the Grand Master so angry… and immediately summoned Second Madam to speak…

The dim, gloomy sky seemed to lower another fraction.

Fifth Miss forced herself to rally and ordered Guyu, “Go find out more information!”

Seventh Miss also beckoned to Bailu, quietly giving instructions.

The two maids left the west side courtyard together, finding ways to investigate news from the outer courtyard.

Fifth Miss’s brow already showed depth.

After pondering a moment, she instructed Shangyuan just emerging from the tea room, “Go tell Lichun at Ninth Brother’s place! See if Ninth Brother is asleep. If not, call him over too.”

Regardless of what Master Tongguang said, just seeing the Grand Master both urgently summoning Second Madam to the residence and ordering the Grand Madam to leave immediately showed this matter was certainly not small.

It might well be a family storm.

As the heir son, Ninth Brother should of course follow the news closely at this time.

Seventh Miss felt Fifth Miss truly resembled the Grand Madam.

No matter how willful ordinarily, at critical moments, she could always hold the situation.

Ninth Brother quickly entered the west side courtyard.

As he walked, Lichun followed behind wrapping his cloak.

His face still bore fading pillow marks.

“What happened?” His face was full of confusion.

Fifth Miss quietly recounted the matter to Ninth Brother.

Speaking while entering the hall, sitting at the plum blossom table.

Ninth Brother also raised both eyebrows, listening with great surprise. “In our family, only Fourth Concubine sometimes goes to Huiqing Temple to burn incense. These past years Fourth Concubine rarely goes out—she must have even less dealings with Huiqing Temple, right?”

What matter did Master Tongguang come to discuss?

If it concerned Fourth Concubine, what relationship did it have with Second Madam?

Fifth Miss also couldn’t say.

She could only sit dryly at the table waiting for news.

Not long after, Fifth Miss excused herself to the west inner room to use the facilities.

Lichun had also long returned to the east side courtyard to hold the fort. Only Lixia remained serving in the room.

Only then did Ninth Brother signal Seventh Miss. “Seventh Sister, what exactly is this about?”

Seventh Miss looked at Ninth Brother and gently shook her head.

“The affairs within—you’re better off not knowing.”

Her voice was very soft.

But her tone was meaningful.

Ninth Brother’s face immediately showed understanding.

He immediately concentrated in contemplation, his eyes filled with complications Seventh Miss couldn’t comprehend.

After these years of tempering, Ninth Brother was long past being the child who wore his heart on his face…

Not long after, Guyu entered the hall panting.

“Master erupted in extreme anger. In the outer side courtyard, only Master Tongguang, Madam, and Second Madam are present.” Guyu’s face still showed fear. “Only know that Madam is also extremely angry! Nanny Liang and Nanny Wang were both called out, along with several strong matrons… Bailu is still outside waiting for news.”

Fifth Miss abruptly stood, pacing back and forth.

“What on earth happened…” Her face was full of confusion and worry.

“Still unclear… all households sent people to investigate news.” Guyu let out a long breath. “All know nothing…”

Soon Bailu returned to report. “Fourth Concubine also went to the outer courtyard! She also looked bewildered… completely at a loss.”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but silently applaud Fourth Concubine.

This wait lasted until mid-afternoon before the Grand Madam and Fourth Concubine returned.

“Fourth Concubine went straight back to the garden.” Guyu reported again. “Madam entered the hall… currently throwing things… Nanny Liang and Nanny Wang don’t dare enter!”

Fifth Miss rose to leave. “I’ll go ask!”

Ninth Brother and Seventh Miss joined forces to stop Fifth Miss. “Don’t touch that sore spot!”

Anyone not blind could probably see the Grand Madam was at the height of her anger.

Wasn’t Fifth Miss rushing to be a punching bag?

Fifth Miss was spinning anxiously. “What happened! Don’t tell me Mother suffered insults outside again! That bitch Fourth Concubine—”

“Fifth Sister!” Seventh Miss’s expression changed, cutting her off sharply.

Fifth Miss stopped speaking but still looked defiant.

After all, she was the biological daughter. At times like this, only she stood unreservedly on the Grand Madam’s side, worried whether the Grand Madam had suffered insults in the outer courtyard…

Seventh Miss sighed inwardly.

But her expression was stern. “A proper young lady—how can you speak such vile words!”

A flash of stubbornness crossed Fifth Miss’s face as she was about to speak.

“Alright, alright.” Ninth Brother had to mediate. “They’re quarreling outside—must we quarrel inside too? First priority is investigating news!”

Only then did the two young ladies cease hostilities.

Nearly time for evening greetings, word came from the main courtyard that the Grand Madam’s health was poor—all households needn’t pay respects today.

But Bailu and Lichun each displayed their abilities, extracting inside information from Nanny Liang and Nanny Wang.

“Reportedly Master Tongguang came to tell the Grand Master that Second Madam somehow heard Huiqing Temple kept malicious spirits and could perform harmful spells…” Bailu recounted the matter in detail to the three siblings.

“On the spot he produced an IOU to examine—it matched Second Madam’s handprint perfectly.”

“Master Tongguang looked at the birth chart and found it familiar. Calculating by year and month, he felt it resembled our household’s Seventh Miss, Eighth Miss, and Ninth Brother’s birthdays. Being familiar with Hanshan Temple’s abbot, he inquired and learned it was Ninth Brother’s birth chart.”

The abbot of Hanshan Temple, Hongfa, was Ninth Brother’s nominal master and naturally had Ninth Brother’s birth chart.

“Not daring to delay, fearing Second Madam waiting too long without effect would develop other thoughts to harm Ninth Brother’s life, he could only steel himself to inform the Grand Master. Said he was about to enter seclusion for enlightenment but couldn’t set aside this matter—his Buddhist heart couldn’t achieve tranquility.”

Seventh Miss also couldn’t help but secretly praise Master Tongguang’s quick thinking.

“Master hearing this nearly fainted from rage. He summoned Second Madam and Madam to confront… Second Madam couldn’t say a word, only knew to cry… When Madam learned of it, she was so angry she tried to beat Second Madam to death.” Bailu’s face showed fear.

After this storm, the first and second branches would certainly be ruptured.

“Master still held steady, ordering Nanny Wang and Nanny Liang to take several strong matrons and lock Second Madam in an empty room in the Hanlin residence garden. He also left Nanny Yao from the small storeroom to attend Second Madam and Eighth Miss, and sent someone to Shantang Academy to fetch the three hall young masters…”

“Madam was so angry she fainted several times. Returning to her room, she threw another tantrum. Now she’s screaming of chest pain and can’t get out of bed.” Bailu quietly added, “Nanny Liang is very afraid Madam will be angered into illness…”

“That won’t do!”

Fifth Miss shot to her feet, crying out in alarm.

“Has a good physician been called?” Ninth Brother also asked urgently.

Seventh Miss took a deep breath.

Only then did she step forward showing concern. “Yes, this is no joke!”

The three siblings spoke while leaving the west side courtyard, heading to the hall to visit the Grand Madam.