The next morning when Seventh Miss saw the First Madam, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat anxious.

However, the First Madam’s expression was composed. Not only did she show no signs of distress, she even asked Seventh Miss with exceptional warmth: “In the twelfth month, we’ll be elevating Ninth Concubine’s status. According to custom, we need to add a memorial tablet for her in the ancestral hall. However, not many people in the household know Ninth Concubine’s birth date. As her daughter, do you know what year and month she was born?”

After all, the news had only come out the previous night, and few people knew about it yet. Everyone’s faces showed surprise.

Seventh Miss was also genuinely shocked.

With the First Madam’s temperament, how could she so easily accept the matter of elevating Ninth Concubine’s status?

This so-called elevation meant that for the merit of bearing an only son, Ninth Concubine would be posthumously granted the ninth-rank official title and awarded the honorific of Lady.

From then on, when the children of the Yang family’s First Branch worshipped their ancestors, they would need to additionally worship Second Mother. In the future, after the Great Master and First Madam passed away, a burial plot would be reserved beside their joint grave for Ninth Concubine to rest.

Precisely because these two light words “elevation” concealed so much meaning, Seventh Miss didn’t dare easily agree to the Great Master’s request.

Not to mention that during Ninth Concubine’s lifetime, she and the First Madam probably never got along harmoniously. Even if it were First Concubine or Fifth Concubine being elevated, the First Madam wouldn’t easily agree.

How could she have been so angry yesterday that she was smashing things left and right, yet this morning show a completely different face?

“Why so suddenly…” Fifth Miss couldn’t wait to inquire.

A trace of indescribable emotion flashed through the First Madam’s eyes.

“Ninth Concubine gave birth to your brother, so she has rendered merit to our Yang family after all.” She smiled at Ninth Brother. “Granting her Second Wife status means in the future our Ninth Brother’s birth status will be even more noble. Both his birth mother and adoptive mother will be proper ladies…”

These words were probably self-consolation.

Seventh Miss could only answer lightly: “Ninth Concubine was born in the thirteenth year of Yuande… As for the exact month and day, I don’t know.”

As she spoke, she gave Ninth Brother meaningful looks.

Ninth Brother’s eyes had been shining bright, but upon receiving Seventh Miss’s signal, his expression became more composed.

Ninth Concubine being elevated—naturally the twin siblings were the greatest beneficiaries of this.

But they were precisely the ones who couldn’t appear too happy about it.

“Oh,” Fifth Miss showed no jealousy. She glanced at Seventh Miss and smiled slightly with lowered head. “Then won’t someone need to be sent to the clan registry when spring comes to update the genealogy?”

The First Madam smiled. “Yes.” She slowly picked up her teacup. “At that time, we’ll also be dividing from the Second Branch… We’ll need to remove the Second Branch from our family register.”

Although the First Madam appeared perfectly normal, the faint hatred in her words was impossible to completely disguise.

It was unclear whether it was directed at the Second Branch, or at Ninth Concubine, or perhaps at the Great Master and this pair of Ninth Concubine’s twin children.

Seventh Miss slowly let out a long breath.

She couldn’t help feeling somewhat vexed.

Was posthumous honor really that important?

Why did the Great Master repeatedly want to elevate the Feng family? Even after Ninth Brother became a legitimate son and had relatives like the Xu and Qin families, why did he still relentlessly pressure the First Madam to grant Ninth Concubine an official title?

She couldn’t quite see through the Great Master’s intentions anymore…

Once the First Madam mentioned dividing the family, even Fifth Miss found it inappropriate to continue the conversation.

Ninth Brother kept his eyes on his nose and nose on his heart, refusing to say another word.

The First Madam gazed at Ninth Brother in a daze.

The atmosphere in the room became somewhat awkward for a moment, and everyone was distracted.

In the eyes of several concubines was undisguised envy.

To be a concubine to Ninth Concubine’s extent—though she died young, it could be considered worthwhile.

The twin children she bore were both written under the legitimate wife’s name, and she herself was elevated to Second Wife—wasn’t this all that a concubine could hope for?

Fourth Concubine was especially full of thoughts.

Although she’d long given up hope of being elevated to Second Wife, this didn’t mean she could remain indifferent when a second lady appeared in the Yang household.

Should she act coquettishly toward the Master and request some dignity, asking him to promote her as well, so that when her daughter married, she’d have more face…

Just as she was thinking this, she sensed two cold gazes.

Fourth Concubine jolted awake immediately.

Seventh Miss was giving her meaningful looks.

With Fourth Concubine’s cleverness, how could she not understand Seventh Miss’s meaning?

“Madam.” She spoke with lowered brows and submissive eyes.

At this moment, only she was suitable to divert the Madam’s attention.

After all, the children were young and it wasn’t appropriate for them to discuss elevation or family division too much, nor did they have many matters to consult the First Madam about.

Only she could always find countless reasons to ask the First Madam to make decisions, distracting her so she wouldn’t obsess over things.

“A few days ago, the Zhang family sent word wanting to set the wedding date for next summer.” Fourth Concubine looked cautious and careful. “But Third Miss’s dowry hasn’t even begun to be prepared…”

The First Madam immediately snapped back to attention.

She let out a somewhat weary breath.

“I was just thinking of discussing this with you!”

Since Third Miss was raised in the side quarters, for her dowry, the First Madam indeed needed to consult with Fourth Concubine.

The daughters took the opportunity to rise and take their leave.

Even the concubines all dispersed.

The First Madam stood and led Fourth Concubine into the western side room.

“Third Miss is the first concubine-born daughter from the side quarters to be married.” The First Madam got straight to the point. “I’m thinking we’ll reduce it one level from First Miss’s dowry. The public funds will provide forty thousand taels of silver—that’s already quite a generous dowry. Any more and it would be too much for the Zhang family’s eldest daughter-in-law to bear.”

The Zhang family’s eldest daughter-in-law’s dowry had totaled only a few thousand taels of silver.

This was beyond Fourth Concubine’s expectations.

She’d thought the First Madam would only provide twenty thousand taels.

She naturally had private savings to supplement Third Miss’s dowry. All together, that would be at least fifty thousand taels in dowry… The Li family’s several concubine-born daughters’ dowries, all converted to silver, totaled only seven or eight thousand taels each.

She hadn’t expected the First Madam to be so generous with money, actually promising forty thousand taels all at once.

Knowing when to stop, Fourth Concubine didn’t dare show any sign of dissatisfaction.

“The Madam is virtuous!” She flattered respectfully. “This servant thanks the Madam on behalf of Third Miss.”

The First Madam couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

She finally revealed a bit of her inner unwillingness and resentment.

“If I’m not virtuous… what else can I do?”

Fourth Concubine was startled.

Since she’d married into the family, she’d never had such a conversation with the First Madam.

Whenever they met, it was always daggers hidden in smiles, direct confrontation…

This was the first time the First Madam had shown weakness before her.

“Madam…” Fourth Concubine wanted to speak but hesitated.

“Not bearing a son means this kind of desolation…” The First Madam stared fixedly at the account book in her hands. “In the future, even this household will belong to Ninth Brother. What does elevating a concubine matter? Never mind elevating her to Second Wife—even if she were elevated to First Wife, aside from smiling and agreeing, could I say no?”

“Madam…” Fourth Concubine felt somewhat awkward. “Please don’t overthink it. Even if Ninth Brother inherits the family estate in the future, won’t he still defer to you?”

She felt somewhat heartbroken for a moment.

No matter how dejected the First Madam was, she was still the legitimate mother.

As long as Ninth Brother didn’t want to bear the name of being unfilial, he would certainly care for the First Madam well and support her in her old age.

After all, the First Madam had raised him from childhood and written him under her own name—she had done everything humanly possible for him.

And what about herself?

Once her two daughters married, they’d be like water splashed out.

As she aged, losing favor was inevitable.

Would she also have to learn from First Concubine and Fifth Concubine, devoting herself to vegetarian meals and Buddhist prayers, trembling with fear, greeting everyone with a smiling face?

She still had to curry favor with Seventh Miss, curry favor with Ninth Brother, in order to secure a decent life under their control in the future…

No wonder the First Madam had agreed.

From the day the First Madam wrote Ninth Brother under her own name, the inner courtyard had already become the twin siblings’ domain!

Even the usually authoritative First Madam had to compromise on Ninth Concubine’s official title. Otherwise she’d offend Ninth Brother and sow discord between mother and son…

The First Madam also slowly let out a long breath.

For a moment, looking at Fourth Concubine, her hatred diminished somewhat.

“In the end, it’s because our Yang family’s descendants aren’t prosperous.” She became more sincere. “In the future when Third Miss goes to the Zhang family, never mind anything else, she must first bear several sons. Only then will she have confidence in speaking and acting.”

Thinking of Second Miss, she became sad again.

“It’s all fate, all fate… Even if you bear sons, what then? What can’t stand firm simply can’t stand firm…”

Second Miss had given birth to a big fat baby boy this past May, but he hadn’t survived. Just after the full moon, he died.

Fourth Concubine could only gather her spirits to comfort the First Madam: “You’re being sentimental. I think Ninth Brother is very good—he’s a thoughtful child!”

The two were talking when they heard low voices from outside.

Shortly after, Lidong lifted the curtain and entered the western side room.

“Second Master has arrived!” She reported in a low voice. “He’s currently in the outer courtyard, waiting for the Master to return home.”

The First Madam stood up abruptly.

She couldn’t help but exchange a glance with Fourth Concubine.

They hadn’t expected Second Master Yang Haixi to return so quickly.

#

Although it was already the twelfth month, since the yamen hadn’t sealed its offices, the Great Master couldn’t find leisure time.

Year-round, the yamen staff were also exhausted. He needed to give year-end gifts, host several farewell banquets, and then release them to go home for New Year.

Today the Great Master was arranging these matters. This morning he hadn’t even entered the inner courtyard before going to the Governor’s office.

As soon as Second Master entered the residence gates, he knelt down outside the small study in the outer side courtyard.

“What?” The First Madam was inevitably somewhat shocked. “He just knelt down?”

Nanny Wang couldn’t help but feel some admiration.

Second Master was indeed the Great Master’s blood brother.

“Yes.” She spoke softly. “I heard he only arrived in Suzhou this morning. Without even changing clothes or entering his own home, he came straight here. He’s even limping, as if he rubbed his legs raw on the saddle…”

The First Madam felt somewhat irritated. “This… No one saw him, did they?”

A dignified Hanlin scholar, kneeling in the courtyard on such a cold day without even changing clothes, looking completely disheveled.

This was truly shocking.

If visiting guests saw and spread the word, who knew what stories would emerge.

Nanny Wang shook her head. “Steward Zhang is at the outer side courtyard and has already cleared out all idle people.”

She hesitated somewhat. “However… Steward Zhang invited him several times, but Second Master refused to rise, saying he would kneel here waiting for the Master to return.”

The First Madam was rendered speechless.

“Someone should go tell the Master.” She also lost her composure.

Although the couple had discussed Second Master’s possible reactions, they hadn’t expected the brother-in-law would be so direct…

Fourth Concubine’s eyes also flashed repeatedly.

She suddenly stood to take her leave. “Since the Madam is busy here, this servant won’t add to the confusion…”

“Yes, go rest.” The First Madam was somewhat distracted. “We can discuss the dowry again after spring—there’s no rush.”

Fourth Concubine left the main courtyard and slowly strolled into Hundred Fragrance Garden.

From afar, she could still hear silvery laughter like bells from Little Fragrant Snow.

Sixth Miss was swinging again… Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss were probably by her side too.

She went directly into Seven-Mile Fragrance.

“Mother!” As soon as Third Miss saw her enter, she dropped the book in her hands. “What did the Madam say?”

Her face showed the anxiety and uncertainty of a bride-to-be.

Fourth Concubine looked at that joyful round face, and her heart suddenly filled with peace.

The decision to join forces with Seventh Miss had truly been the right one.

“The Madam gave you forty thousand taels of silver for your dowry!”

Third Miss covered her mouth. After a long moment she shrieked: “Forty thousand taels! Forty thousand taels!”

“Silly girl!” Fourth Concubine was startled. “Keep your voice down! Are you afraid people don’t know?”

Third Miss immediately lowered her voice, but still couldn’t contain her joy. “Forty thousand taels!”

Fourth Concubine couldn’t help smiling broadly. “I didn’t expect the Madam to be so generous… However, when you reach your husband’s family, don’t foolishly reveal everything you have, especially to that future sister-in-law of yours…”

She carefully instructed Third Miss at length.

But how could Third Miss listen? Her mind was completely filled with those forty thousand taels of dowry. Her joy was practically bursting from the top of her head.

She grew impatient with Fourth Concubine’s instructions. “Yes, yes, yes, I know. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for Fourth Sister… I’ll start looking as soon as I marry!”

A married elder sister looking for matches for her younger sister was perfectly proper.

Fourth Miss’s marriage wouldn’t become an impossible problem then.

Fourth Concubine glanced through the cold and quiet western wing, then surveyed the warm and lively eastern wing, and silently let out a long breath.

“What Mother can plan for you is only this much…” Her voice carried sentiment. “When you reach your husband’s family, you’ll have to earn your own dignity!”

Third Miss was already counting on her fingers and calculating, her expression showing she was half-listening.

Fourth Concubine shook her head and left Seven-Mile Fragrance, walking a few steps toward Little Fragrant Snow.

“Daxue.” She called to the approaching senior maid. “Are Fifth Miss and Seventh Miss at your Little Fragrant Snow?”

Daxue stopped and answered with a smile: “Fifth Miss is here. Seventh Miss isn’t feeling well today, so she didn’t come over.”

Was she unwell, or did she have words to instruct Ninth Brother…

Fourth Concubine stopped to ponder.

Then she smiled self-deprecatingly.

With Seventh Miss’s cleverness, even trying to curry favor now probably wouldn’t help. Why should she rush to report news and ingratiate herself?

Moreover, someone had probably already snatched up the job of delivering messages…

Fourth Concubine guessed correctly.

Seventh Miss was indeed at the eastern side courtyard.

“I don’t care what you’re thinking.” She tirelessly instructed Ninth Brother again. “Tonight you stay close by Mother’s side and tell her about things from childhood to now, one by one…”

Ninth Brother also looked impatient.

“I know.” He complained to Seventh Miss: “It’s rare for you to come to the eastern side courtyard, and you’re talking about such disappointing matters!”

Seventh Miss put on a stern face.

“Since childhood, she’s devoted her heart and soul to you. To ensure your inheritance of the family estate would be legitimate, she privately spent twenty thousand taels to have you written under her name… Yet because your birth mother is being elevated, you’re overjoyed and forget to show filial piety to your adoptive mother. How bad would that sound if word got out?”

Some things, even knowing they were performative, still had to be done.

Even if the First Madam and Ninth Brother had deep affection and no conflicts, if Ninth Brother didn’t comfort her now, she’d inevitably feel hurt.

Not to mention the many contradictions and entangled grievances between this mother and son…

“When did I ever say I wouldn’t be filial to Mother?” Ninth Brother was genuinely irritated. “As if I’m so petty, only remembering birth grace and not nurturing grace!—In any case, just don’t worry about this matter!”

Here we go again.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but press her hand to her forehead.

Ninth Brother was good in every way, except for being too clever.

Sometimes, he inevitably became somewhat stubborn and self-willed.