Today everyone arrived quite promptly. Even Duke Pingguo Xu Heng had rarely entered Little Cuijin—his last visit to Pleasant Mountain Residence had been seven or eight days ago, on the day the brothers had discussed eating roasted meat.

With Duke Pingguo gracing them with his presence, naturally the Grand Madam couldn’t treat it casually either. She had entered the small flower hall earlier than usual and was discussing joyous family occasions with Duke Pingguo.

“The ninetieth birthday celebration will be at the end of September. Truly a venerable elder! Last time I saw them at someone’s house, they were still sharp and vigorous…”

Seeing Seventh Miss and her husband enter, the Grand Madam stopped talking and showed a benevolent smile to the young couple. “Fengjia is here.”

Everyone in the room looked toward Xu Fengjia—and Seventh Miss beside him.

Fifth Young Madam and Fifth Young Master had arrived early and were seated in their usual places. Fifth Young Madam’s spirits didn’t seem very good. Between her brows was an indescribable hint of resentment. Hearing the Grand Madam’s words, she shot a glance, then quickly turned her head back with a trace of complaint.

Such a performance!

Seventh Miss couldn’t help but silently applaud.

After all these years of cultivation, she herself had only reached a basic level of acting. She could fake general superficial emotions, but most of the time, she relied on outward calm to conceal her deeper feelings.

Fifth Young Madam was different. When she performed, it truly encompassed all seven emotions with complete investment. Just looking at her expression, if Seventh Miss didn’t know the truth, she would think Fifth Young Madam had suffered tremendous grievances but couldn’t conveniently speak up for herself. The frustration bottled up inside—how great it must be!

Unfortunately, someone as cold-hearted as Fifth Young Madam—how could she easily feel wronged for herself?

Seventh Miss calmly greeted the Grand Madam and Duke Pingguo, then sat down beside Xu Fengjia.

Duke Pingguo glanced at Fifth Young Madam, then at the Grand Madam, and lowered his head to drink tea, saying nothing for the moment.

As for the Grand Madam, her eyes flickered. Who knew what she was thinking? Sometimes she looked at Seventh Miss, sometimes at Fourth Young Madam. After a long while, she smiled and said, “Speaking of which, Yuqian should arrive home in the next day or two, shouldn’t he?”

Fourth Young Madam’s face immediately filled with joy. “Exactly! Yesterday’s message said at the soonest he’d arrive tonight, or by tomorrow noon at the latest—he’ll definitely be home!”

The Grand Madam looked toward Seventh Miss. “Yuqian rarely comes home, and the Dowager Consort has joyous news in the palace. This year’s Mid-Autumn should be properly celebrated. Sixth Granddaughter-in-law, see if it’s convenient—why not invite the Spring Harmony Troupe to perform!”

“I’ll send someone to inquire shortly,” Seventh Miss quickly replied with a smile. “If they haven’t been booked by another household, we’ll set up a stage in the Flowing Wine Pavilion. We can dine in the Moon-Viewing Pavilion—from above looking down, not only will we hear clearly, but we’ll see clearly too. What does Grandmother think?”

The Grand Madam nodded with a smile but said nothing. Duke Pingguo remembered to ask Xu Fengjia, “When will you go fetch your mother back?”

The Eldest Young Master answered instead, “Doctor Zhong said Mother’s condition most fears poor sleep. Last time when she went to Little Hot Spring Mountain, Mother said she wouldn’t return for Mid-Autumn, to avoid everyone staying up too late moon-viewing. If she got tired, the vitality she’d carefully nurtured would deteriorate again.”

Duke Pingguo’s eyes flashed. He nodded but said nothing.

Only then did Seventh Miss appreciate Madam Xu’s wisdom. When she said she wanted to avoid the chaos, she truly had to stay at Little Hot Spring Mountain. Otherwise at this very moment, she would inevitably be unable to help herself and would be drawn into the vortex of household affairs again.

She gently tugged Xu Fengjia’s sleeve. Xu Fengjia smiled and said, “It’s nothing. Our family is like this—aren’t we celebrating Mid-Autumn every day? We can’t compare to small households who don’t eat many delicacies all year round and thus value the festival more. After Fourth Brother returns, we’ll go stay at the estate with Mother for a few days. It’s the same.”

Mentioning Madam Xu’s illness, neither the Grand Madam nor Duke Pingguo could say much. The Grand Madam added, “This is your mother’s good fortune—all her granddaughters-in-law can manage household affairs, so she has leisure to recuperate. In earlier years, didn’t she have to serve at my side even while ill? If she’s not returning, so be it. Let her rest well at Little Hot Spring Mountain.”

These words had hidden barbs. Xu Fengjia’s pupils contracted and he was about to speak when Seventh Miss quickly smiled, “I don’t know what Fourth Brother likes or dislikes eating, so it’s hard to arrange what the procurement managers should send. Fourth Sister-in-law, when you think of any rare dishes, just tell me. I’ll have Stewardess Peng Hu purchase and send them over—Elder Sister-in-law, Fifth Sister-in-law, Yuning, Yutai, and the younger sisters, you all mustn’t complain that I’m playing favorites!”

Everyone immediately laughed. Yuning said, “I won’t complain Sister-in-law is playing favorites. When mealtime comes, I’ll just go to Cautious Solitude Hall. I don’t think Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law have the face to chase me away!”

Fourth Young Madam laughed so hard the pearl hairpins on her head swayed wildly, reflecting the sunlight and trembling out strings of halos. “If you love hanging around your Fourth Brother so much, when Fourth Brother returns to the northwest, he’ll take you along and you can eat with him every day!”

Yuning shrank her head and didn’t dare speak again, putting on a frightened expression. Everyone laughed—among the Xu family children, Yuning and Yutai both disliked martial pursuits and most feared rough-and-tumble activities, but had some talent for studying.

Fourth Young Madam hummed proudly. Just as she was about to speak again, Yuping pointed at her laughing, “With Fourth Brother coming home, our sister-in-law is like she’s taken a miraculous elixir—radiant and glowing!”

The room immediately erupted in another round of laughter. After sitting together a while longer, everyone rose to leave. The Grand Madam stood up to use the washroom. Seventh Miss let Xu Fengjia go ahead while she deliberately lagged behind a step, pulling aside the Grand Madam’s maid to ask in detail, “Does Grandmother still enjoy dishes from Spring Splendor Tower? Which opera from the Spring Harmony Troupe does she like to hear…” She dawdled until everyone had dispersed and the Grand Madam had emerged from the washroom before seeming to suddenly realize and taking leave of the Grand Madam.

“There are many matters at home, so Xiaoqi will return to Bright Virtue Hall first.”

The Grand Madam’s eyes flickered. Watching Seventh Miss walk a few steps, she suddenly smiled, “Sixth Granddaughter-in-law, wait a moment.”

Seventh Miss pulled out her pocket watch from her bosom to glance at it, then turned back to look inquiringly at the Grand Madam, asking, “Does Grandmother have some instruction?”

The Grand Madam pondered for a moment, then smiled and pressed Seventh Miss’s shoulder, saying, “Sit.”

She actually granted Seventh Miss unprecedented honor—allowing her to sit beside the Grand Madam on the imperial concubine couch.

For a time neither spoke. They watched the maids swiftly clear away bowls and dishes, return chairs and stools to their places, then file out of the small flower hall one by one, leaving only the Grand Madam’s few trusted attendants. Only then did the Grand Madam clear her throat and ask Seventh Miss in a low voice, “Have you heard the idle gossip that’s been spreading in the household recently?”

As expected, it was about that gossip.

Seventh Miss moved her eyebrows. Without much effort, she put on a troubled expression. She lowered her head, avoiding the Grand Madam’s gaze, and mumbled, “The servants’ mouths really aren’t very tight… Actually, it’s all baseless matters. I don’t know how the rumors started. This kind of thing is the most difficult to address. The only method is a thorough strict investigation, but…”

But Fifth Young Madam herself probably couldn’t withstand investigation.

The Grand Madam became somewhat anxious. Her mind racing, her tone softened a bit more. “You’re now the household manager too, so you know many things aren’t what the person in charge wants to do, but can do…”

She drew out her voice.

Problems in the accounts under Fifth Young Madam’s management had two possibilities. The first was that she herself had deliberately embezzled—no need to elaborate on that. The second was that she lacked ability and was deceived by those below her, remaining obliviously ignorant.

Though the Grand Madam’s words were veiled, to Seventh Miss’s ears they were no different from a great bell tolling.

She was eagerly acknowledging that there were problems with the accounts, and moreover had directly set the entire tone as the second possibility: Fifth Young Madam lacked ability and was deceived by those below her.

So Fifth Young Madam had indeed used public resources for private gain, profiting herself. Only her methods were far from as crude as she appeared.

This Fifth Young Madam truly had audacity. Even the Grand Madam had been calculated into this scheme, yet still worried so wholeheartedly about the Fifth Branch.

Countless speculations immediately surfaced in Seventh Miss’s mind: How did she profit? Was it really through usury? Why, when she’d already made the accounts look so perfect, did she still conceal it from the Grand Madam, making her worry and fear for the Fifth Branch?

She blinked and went along with the Grand Madam’s words. “Actually, Xiaoqi didn’t plan to pursue much. When family lives together, turning a blind eye allows many things to pass. Nothing is more important than family harmony…”

The Grand Madam clearly breathed a sigh of relief.

For the first time, she showed Seventh Miss a genuine smile—one that came from her eyes.

“Good child, it’s good you think this way.”

The Grand Madam sighed again. “Your Fifth Brother’s family hasn’t had an easy life. He grew up by my side from childhood. In many matters, Grandmother is old now and my heart has grown soft. I only hope to see the family living harmoniously together, and I don’t want to pursue anything.”

These words she spoke with genuine emotion, as if truly from the heart.

Seventh Miss sneered inwardly but appeared quite earnest on the surface. “Xiaoqi thinks the same. For prestigious noble families, the greatest fear is internal strife. When some matters can be overlooked, it’s best to overlook them.”

#

Coming out from the Grand Madam’s presence, Seventh Miss walked back to Bright Virtue Hall with a smile the entire way.

Several maids found it strange. “Young Madam is happy today—smiling all day long.”

Even the stewardesses could see Seventh Miss was in a good mood today. A few bold ones like Stewardess Li Geng and Stewardess Lei Xiangqing teased Seventh Miss, “The Heir is leaving on business, yet Young Madam smiles so happily. Aren’t you afraid the Heir will philander outside…”

Everyone laughed together. Seventh Miss laughed along. “There’s no cat that doesn’t steal fish. As long as the Heir doesn’t make trouble in front of me, I don’t care!”

“Young Madam is so virtuous!” Everyone immediately competed to flatter Seventh Miss. Shortly, Stewardess Guo Fu came to report, “The Spring Harmony Troupe is already booked for Mid-Autumn at the Lin family of Earl Yongning for a private performance and isn’t available. The troupe master mentioned a newly arrived group called Phoenix Ceremony who also sing well. They’re even performing in the palace in September. He asks if we want to try their skills. This servant didn’t dare decide and must ask Young Madam first.”

Seventh Miss said casually, “Why don’t you go listen? Take one of the men outside who understands opera with you. After listening, come back—if they’re good, book them. If not, ask about the Qilin Troupe. After all, this time it’s far enough away that we needn’t worry about taboos.”

Everyone laughed, “We’d rather invite the Qilin Troupe anyway. After all, they’re an old established troupe with a good reputation.”

Stewardess Guo Fu also said, “Then this servant will first send someone to ask the Qilin Troupe’s manager, then report back to Young Madam?”

“Good,” Seventh Miss waved her hand with a smile. “You’re all opera enthusiasts. I don’t understand opera, so in this matter, I’ll just follow your lead.”

Everyone smiled even more broadly. Those with business reported it. In less than a shichen, Seventh Miss had arranged all matters properly and returned to the western secondary room to drink tea, read, and chat idly with maids like Lixia and Shangyuan. She also called Little Huangpu before her to ask in detail about her background and family, for casual diversion.

Little Huangpu rarely had opportunity to appear before Seventh Miss. Naturally she was flattered and honored. While fingering the tip of her braid, she chatted and laughed with Seventh Miss. “Yes, Second Sister is the most accomplished in the whole family. It was also her luck—when the most skilled palace attendant in the Dowager Consort’s palace passed away, Madam happened to be in the palace talking. The Dowager Consort took one look and favored her hair styling. One thing led to another, and Second Sister entered the palace to serve the Dowager Consort… Now the family has several hundred mu of land! In the Tianjin area. Though life isn’t luxurious, it’s extremely stable.”

Mentioning her second sister, Little Huangpu’s face showed unconcealed envy. Even maids like Lixia couldn’t help but show admiration.

At that time, the main marriage prospects for household maids were still the household’s male servants. This wasn’t because the masters were stingy, but rather that ordinary commoners rarely wanted to marry slaves, since being in the servile registry meant their descendants would face restrictions in taking the imperial examinations and studying. While merchants might be willing to marry household maids, these sophisticated young ladies who had seen the world mostly refused them. Like Little Huangpu’s second sister—released from palace service with commoner status, completely removed from the registry, thus able to marry into a good family—not one in a hundred had such fortune. No wonder mentioning her experience made everyone envious.

Seventh Miss observed this and formed her own calculations. She smiled faintly at Little Huangpu but said nothing more.

This girl had been in the household less than three months. She still needed to observe her temperament more.

Seeing Seventh Miss fall silent, Little Huangpu hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping. After a long moment, she blurted out, asking Seventh Miss, “Does Young Madam know… right now the household is spreading some gossip…”

Seventh Miss’s expression shifted. “What gossip? Tell me.”

“It’s about examining the accounts…” Little Huangpu mumbled. “Yesterday when I went home, I heard Third Sister mention it. She said Eldest Young Master and Eldest Young Madam were discussing it, both saying they didn’t know where the news came from. They said that when examining the accounts, problems were found with the kitchen procurement and gold and silver storehouse accounts. Behind it, vaguely implicated Little Luowen and Accountant Zhang’s aunt, and behind that, behind that is…”

This rumor directly accused Fifth Young Madam of embezzlement. Though there was no clear evidence, people’s hearts were like this—once one statement spread, listeners would naturally imagine a thousand explanations. Even if the old stewardess, when spreading the news, had only mentioned Little Luowen without explicitly naming Accountant Zhang’s family, how could the connection between these two escape the observant? With just a bit of thought, one knew whom this rumor truly targeted.

Seventh Miss smiled and nodded. “Oh, that matter. I know about it.”

Her attitude was natural. Little Huangpu instead didn’t know how to continue. She glanced at Seventh Miss and timidly went on, “This servant’s Third Sister also said, said that when Accountant Zhang’s aunt heard about this, she was so angry she beat her chest and stomped her feet, swearing to heaven that her accounts could withstand anyone’s scrutiny. She said whoever spread this gossip deserved to be struck by lightning and die a terrible death… She also said, said…”

Seeing Seventh Miss watching her expectantly for the rest, Little Huangpu gritted her teeth and finally said, “She said Young Madam hasn’t investigated the truth of the matter even now, clearly intending to frame her…”

The room immediately fell quiet. Even Seventh Miss said nothing for a moment, only widening her eyes slightly.

However, her surprise didn’t last long before dissipating.

“Fifth Sister-in-law really knows how to climb up the pole when handed one,” Seventh Miss merely commented casually, then changed the subject. “Does your Third Sister still have status at Perfect Goodness Hall? How is it that when I look at Elder Sister-in-law’s hairstyles, they’re always the same few styles with no innovation?”

Little Huangpu immediately felt relieved and began chattering away in Little Minjiang’s defense. “Third Sister’s hands are quite skillful! It’s Eldest Young Madam who has an odd temperament. Normally she doesn’t care about these things at all. Only when going out to offer incense does she dress up beautifully and have Third Sister style fashionable hairstyles for her—”

Outside, scattered footsteps suddenly sounded. Zhongyuan burst through the door panting, crying out, “Young Madam, disaster! Accountant Zhang’s wife has hanged herself—”