The residence quickly calmed down.

It was as if nothing had happened at all.

The Great Master and First Madam showed even more concern for their three nephews at Shantang Academy than before.

Nanny Lü from the Second Branch also frequently came to the residence on behalf of the Second Madam to pay respects.

Aside from Nanny Yao from the small storehouse taking an extended leave, there was nothing amiss about the Yang family.

They even sent grain and oil to Huiqing Temple in the name of Fourth Concubine fulfilling a vow, and the Great Master took the initiative to allocate ten additional qing of monastic land to Huiqing Temple.

Monastic land was tax-exempt. In this Jiangnan area where Buddhism flourished, the government always watched such matters closely. For Huiqing Temple to gain ten qing of land at once was already considered an exceptionally generous gesture.

The several close households also seemed unaware of this upheaval in the Yang family.

The Zhang family indeed had Madam Li come to convey: since Second Young Master had passed the provincial examination and could marry, whether considering birth status or age order, the Zhang family felt Third Young Master was not sufficiently qualified for a marriage proposal. Therefore, the candidate for this union had been changed to Second Young Master.

Although changing candidates at the last moment was somewhat improper, since it was changing from a concubine-born son to a legitimate son, and the Great Master had already agreed first, the First Madam could only nod in acceptance.

She couldn’t even afford to feel aggrieved. Entering the twelfth lunar month, there were countless matters to attend to, and this year they also had to arrange the marriage with the Zhang family. The First Madam was so busy her feet barely touched the ground. Even Fourth Concubine couldn’t avoid work and had already begun putting effort into Third Miss’s dowry.

Third Miss was too embarrassed to see people for several days in a row. Fourth Miss directly claimed illness. With the twelfth month arrived, the family school was on break, so Fifth Miss, Sixth Miss, and Seventh Miss spent all day together playing—at this time, the First Madam didn’t want Fifth Miss at her side, finding it too chaotic.

Although the residence seemed peaceful on the surface, when several young misses gathered together, how could they not discuss the adults’ private actions?

“I heard several loose-tongued women from the small kitchen were given muting medicine and dragged directly to the estate to work…”

Fifth Miss often spread rumors with great solemnity.

In ancient times, illiteracy rates were high, and rough servant women mostly couldn’t read many characters. After being given muting medicine, they could only communicate with others through sign language from then on.

Wanting to spread their master’s secrets with just a pair of hands was insufficient.

The First Madam was making an example to warn others.

“They were all caught red-handed by Sister-in-law Cao while gossiping.” Fifth Miss described it vividly. “She reported it to the Madam on the spot. Within half a day, scalding medicine was poured down their throats…”

“Mother is quite merciful really.”

Even the softest-hearted Sixth Miss looked completely accustomed to it. “If it were another household, they could be beaten to death on the spot… Then report it as sudden illness, sell the whole family far away to the ends of the earth, without anyone knowing…”

In large households, over ten deaths a year wouldn’t show on the outside at all.

A faint shadow crossed Seventh Miss’s brow.

“These matters are quite frightening to talk about!” She smiled with effort and changed the subject. “When is the Zhang family planning to formally come propose marriage?”

“Probably within the next few days.” Speaking of the Zhang family, Fifth Miss became happy, her large eyes squinting into lines with her smile. “I heard their second young master isn’t particularly talented. He took the examination this time just as a trial attempt, but unexpectedly made it onto the bottom of the list—quite lucky really.”

Before Seventh Miss could speak, Sixth Miss teased Fifth Miss: “Could it be our Fifth Sister is anxious to marry? Third Sister got a good match and you’re so happy about it!”

“I… I’m happy that several young masters from the Li family also passed!” Fifth Miss became somewhat flustered.

Sixth Miss had only been joking casually, but Fifth Miss’s anxious explanation revealed her true feelings.

Seventh Miss’s eyes flashed.

The matter of Feng Jin becoming the provincial graduate had been interrupted by Master Tongguang’s interference and still hadn’t caught the First Madam’s attention.

For Fifth Miss to be so happy, nine parts out of ten was probably for her idol, right?

If she let something slip in front of the First Madam, that would be another storm.

“Alright,” she smiled and smoothed things over. “They’re not our relatives, and they’re all quite old already. Let’s stop talking about outside men.”

“Such false propriety.” Fifth Miss was the first to be displeased.

“Little pedant!” Sixth Miss joined in the teasing.

Seventh Miss made a face. “With Cousin Xu out at the border fighting and shouting, who has the heart to think about young masters from other families?”

These words were seven parts false and three parts true.

This battle had already been going on for a year. Under Duke Pingguo’s command, the battle was gradually showing signs of victory. The Northern Rong could now only barely hold on and showed signs of decline.

Under such circumstances, Xu Fengjia shouldn’t encounter any great danger, right?

But Fifth Miss’s attention was immediately diverted.

“That’s true!” She began worrying about Xu Fengjia. “I wonder if Cousin has already returned to the capital or is still in the northwest!”

In ancient times, news transmission was inconvenient, sometimes delayed by several years. Since Gui Hanchun’s departure, the young misses had received no information about Xu Fengjia.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but look contemplative.

Sixth Miss looked left and right, also showing considerable understanding.

For a moment she too frowned in silence. After a moment, she slowly let out a long breath.

She looked quite worried indeed.

Seventh Miss found it strange. “What is it, Sixth Sister—what are you thinking about?”

Sixth Miss smiled. “I was thinking that we probably won’t be able to go to Fragrant Snow Sea this year. Counting it up, that’s a whole year without going out!”

The monotonous life of ancient aristocratic young ladies was evident.

Fifth Miss was also tempted to recall the plum blossoms at Fragrant Snow Sea. “The white plums should all be blooming now, shouldn’t they?”

Several young misses sighed repeatedly, speaking one after another about the holidays they’d spent at Fragrant Snow Sea.

Inevitably they spoke of the Li family, who also visited Fragrant Snow Sea every year.

“Madam Li didn’t go to Guangfu this year.” Fifth Miss spoke with some disdain. “She said there were many matters at home…”

When the First Madam went to Guangfu for a short stay, the Li family hadn’t been too busy.

Seventh Miss thought Madam Li might not be speaking falsely.

“The Li family’s eldest, third, and fourth sons all passed the provincial examination—three successful candidates in one family is a rare honor. I heard two of them already have marriage proposals, and they’re about to marry. Fourth Young Master hasn’t been proposed to yet, but matchmaking should certainly begin… Madam Li must be busy beyond measure.”

Even concubine-born sons wouldn’t be treated as ordinary concubine-born after passing the examination, not to mention the legitimate son’s marriage. Concubine Cui, who managed the Li household, couldn’t handle such grand occasions alone.

Moreover, Madam Li also had to serve as chief matchmaker for the Zhang and Yang families’ marriage.

“Even Uncle Li is busy.” Fifth Miss smiled with pursed lips. “The position of Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commissioner is still vacant. Father has no time to manage provincial affairs at all, so it’s all fallen on Uncle Li’s shoulders. Now everyone in Suzhou calls Uncle Li ‘Little Governor.'”

In recent years with many affairs at court, and with the Great Master in this position, working from dawn to dusk was normal. The private secretaries and advisors in the outer courtyard were also increasing—these were all trusted associates; those who weren’t trusted all resided in the Governor’s office.

The young misses chatted about this and that, and Fifth Miss suggested cutting some lotus root to cleanse their palates.

Being able to eat fresh lotus root in the dead of winter—only wealthy households like the Yang family could manage this.

Guyu had only been gone a short while when Bailu entered the room with a smile.

“Fifth Miss, Sixth Miss.” Her manners were impeccable.

Both Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss smiled and nodded in greeting. “Sister Bailu.”

This past year, Bailu seemed to have returned to the main household—even the young misses had to show her respect.

This was called rising with the tide…

Bailu smiled and nodded to greet the several maids in the room while making eye signals to Seventh Miss.

Seventh Miss understood. “You’ve come at just the right time—come with me to the washroom.”

She led Bailu into the washroom.

While dusting off her clothing, she listened to Bailu speak in her ear.

“Nanny Liang just came by and said the Second Madam tried to hang herself last night…”

Bailu’s voice was very low.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but shudder.

“Oh?”

“But Nanny Yao discovered it in time… However, I heard Nanny Lü has been quite restless these days… The Second Madam’s food and drink are still being managed by her own people.” Bailu’s voice was as light as a breeze. “Nanny Yao asked Nanny Liang to inquire about your intentions, saying it depends on how you want to handle things…”

“Me?” Seventh Miss couldn’t help being somewhat surprised.

Nanny Yao had always worked in the small storehouse and rarely came to the main courtyard, nor could she be said to have any relationship with the western side courtyard.

Bailu just smiled implicitly. “In the future, more and more people will gather around you…”

Seventh Miss also understood.

Which steward mother in a large estate didn’t act according to the prevailing winds?

With even Nanny Liang and Nanny Wang on such friendly terms with her, Nanny Yao had simply never found an opportunity to curry favor before. Now that the chance had arrived, she came calling.

Everyone could see the conflict of interest between the Second Madam and Seventh Miss and Ninth Brother.

Now that she was set on dying… it just depended on whether Seventh Miss wanted to grant her wish.

#

The Second Madam irritably turned over, facing the dark bed railing.

This was the large rosewood bed with black lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay that she’d brought as part of her dowry. This bed was a small world unto itself—once the bed curtains at the headboard were drawn, one could eat, drink, and relieve oneself without leaving the bed at all.

How could she have imagined back then that one day she would be imprisoned on this very bed?

Ever since she’d tried to hang herself last night and been discovered by Nanny Yao, a lock had been added to the bed railing.

Though not sturdy, trying to break it open would make noise…

The First Branch was determined to break with the Second Branch!

If she died under Nanny Yao’s supervision… dead people tell no tales.

Second Master would then have leverage to negotiate with the First Branch.

Her sons wouldn’t all be implicated by her and shunned by the First Branch.

Perhaps in three or five years, when fortune turned, there would be another opportunity. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—one day her Min’ge might be able to look down upon the First Branch’s daughters from on high…

If she hadn’t thought of this, how would she have had the courage to hang herself?

Thinking of that moment of weightlessness and suffocation, the Second Madam felt waves of lingering fear.

Involuntarily, she touched her neck and began trembling finely.

“How… how did things fall to this state?” She couldn’t help asking herself in a low voice.

Now looking back at the past, events seemed veiled behind a thin layer of mist—no matter how hard she tried to look, she couldn’t see clearly…

Why did that bitch Fourth Concubine betray her?

And how did she so easily switch the concubine-born Third Young Master for the legitimate Second Young Master?

Was Qin Xiufei a dead person? Always obsessing over suppressing Fourth Concubine, suppressing Fourth Concubine—instead she’d created a huge joke!

She couldn’t help but shudder.

From the moment the Great Master sent someone to urgently summon her to the residence, everything that happened was like a nightmare she couldn’t wake from.

Just because of a misunderstanding, she’d suddenly fallen from the clouds into the filthiest mud?

No, this was absolutely not a misunderstanding!

How could she not be familiar with Fourth Concubine’s speaking style?

She always spoke evasively, shrouded in mystery.

At that time she’d said, “Whenever I have troubles, I quietly go to Huiqing Temple to light a few lamps and make a vow, requesting some calming medicine… It’s never failed to work. Back then, Third Concubine received retribution precisely because she didn’t respect the gods and Buddhas.”

“Since Second Madam values me so highly, I’ll naturally make a trip to Huiqing Temple on Second Madam’s behalf…”

But then she’d run into obstacles with the First Madam and couldn’t personally go to Huiqing Temple to handle matters for her.

Given how incompatible the First Madam and Fourth Concubine were, how could they possibly collude to deceive her?

But could this really all just be coincidence?

She thought again of what Fourth Concubine had said at the time.

“Even though our family isn’t as prosperous now and is entangled in lawsuits, I wouldn’t even glance at a Zhang family young master—without official title, he’s just a commoner! Even if the Zhang family’s legitimate eldest son came to propose, I wouldn’t be willing to give him Third Miss!”

That’s why she’d believed the Zhang marriage gave Fourth Concubine and her another opportunity to join forces…

Otherwise why, before news of this marriage spread, had Fourth Concubine played dumb and pretended not to understand her hints?

Yet once the news came out, Fourth Concubine’s attitude changed dramatically?

Unless… Fourth Concubine had been deceiving her from the start?

But… how could Fourth Concubine have known she would come to her?

First, why would she go to such lengths to oppose her? Second, the Zhang marriage had to go through Yang Haidong and Qin Xiufei—without their approval, it couldn’t be arranged at all.

Would Fourth Concubine specifically seek out Yang Haidong and Qin Xiufei to petition them just to deceive her, arranging to match Third Miss to the Zhang family?

It didn’t make sense.

The only ones who would painstakingly scheme against her were her true enemies.

The faces of Seventh Miss and Ninth Brother floated before the Second Madam’s eyes again.

This pair of handsome-looking twin siblings both had eyes one couldn’t see through!

Seventh Miss was only ten this year—could she really have the ability to scheme against her, making her die in confusion?

The Second Madam bit her lower lip, forcing herself to calm down and carefully examine the major events between the two branches over these years.

Things had gradually been showing signs of improvement…

Qin Xiufei was still troubled by the incident at Huansha Pavilion, afraid of raising a concubine-born son with wild ambitions who would be difficult to control. She herself had seized this opportunity and made countless efforts before getting her to slightly relent and develop thoughts of observing her several nephews.

But then the miscarriage incident at Huansha Pavilion occurred, followed by the disturbance about Third Concubine’s haunting.

Whatever slight softening Qin Xiufei had developed vanished somewhere… She treated Yang Shanjiu like a father she hadn’t seen in generations, practically wanting to lick his behind!

Then Second Brother from the clan came to Suzhou, Qin Xiufei contracted smallpox, and she herself unfortunately had a bout of diarrhea, only able to send Nanny Lü to curry favor.

Once the smallpox healed, Qin Xiufei’s attitude changed completely—not only did she promote Yang Shanjiu and Yang Qi under her name, but she also became vaguely cold toward her.

Could all these matters have been calculated by children?

Could they have calculated that Qin Xiufei would contract smallpox?

No, impossible.

The Second Madam fell into confusion again.

Since the steward sent to the northwest had returned empty-handed, she’d had to seek allies within the First Branch. Fourth Concubine had been quite cold to her proposal at first, only warming up later after the Zhang family matter arose.

No matter how she looked at it, there wasn’t the slightest place where tricks could have been played…

The Second Madam felt more wronged the more she thought, more angry the more she thought, more puzzled the more she thought.

She had merely revealed a slight intention of using curse magic to Master Tongguang—even if Master Tongguang was a rigid person who came forward to expose her, it was still only attempted!

Why should all the household’s misfortunes over these years be pinned on her?

Why should it be determined that she had been nurturing little demons for many years?

Where did Qin Xiufei get these ideas from?

She couldn’t be foolish enough to believe Yang Qi’s instigation, could she?

Just as she herself wouldn’t be foolish enough to directly speak ill of Yang Qi and Yang Shanjiu…

The interior of the bed gradually darkened.

The sky had blackened again.

The Second Madam suddenly felt deep fear.

Could the First Branch be planning to keep her confined to this bed until the Master returned?

She’d had enough of these suffocating, frustrating days!

She sat up straight, wanting to shake the bed railing.

Her hands reached the bedside, then forcibly stopped.

She was a young lady from a scholarly family—even if she died, she would die cleanly and decisively!

The Second Madam could only grit her teeth and lie back down.

The sky indeed gradually darkened.

There wasn’t even a lamp in the room.

Darkness pressed in on the Second Madam from all sides, making her gradually unable to breathe, filling her with the urge to cry.

She didn’t know how much time passed before finally a bit of orange light slowly approached the hall’s window.

A ray of light leaked into the bed.

The Second Madam rolled over and sat up.

Though ashamed to admit it, she was indeed quite hungry.

Heavy footsteps, accompanied by the creaking of the door and the clattering of unlocking, gradually approached the bed.

Another series of crisp unlocking sounds.

The bed door was pulled open.

A plain, rigid face appeared before the Second Madam, most of it hidden in shadow.

Nanny Yao.