Early the next morning, Seventh Miss went to Leshan Residence to report to the Grand Old Madam that she would be going out. She also mentioned “making a detour to Tanzhe Temple to personally see whether it’s peaceful there,” and soon obtained the Grand Old Madam’s permission to leave. Xu Fengjia didn’t go to the Chiliarchy either, but instead boarded the carriage with Seventh Miss. The two only brought Lixia and one of Xu Fengjia’s trusted young servant boys, Xiao Fuquan, who sat on the running board. The couple left Coal Alley and headed straight for Anfu Ward.

Since the Emperor had already tacitly permitted the interaction between Xu Fengjia and Feng Jin, there was no need for the group to be too low-key. In the past they would first make a turn to the Xiao family residence, but today even this step was omitted. The group circled around Houhai Lake and proceeded slowly. Xu Fengjia raised the bamboo curtain high and half-opened the carriage window, pointing things out to Seventh Miss. “Further in from here, it’s all the families of the Capital’s garrison guards, plus some people from other places doing business, though not many. Eunuchs with power and influence have also purchased many residences here. However, after the new dynasty began, because Eunuch Lian never engaged in such things, they’ve gradually moved away to who knows where.”

Seventh Miss stayed sequestered at home all year round and rarely went out. Even when she did, she had to be mindful of propriety and only dared to peek through the crack of the carriage window. Now seeing the street scenes, her eyes practically wanted to fall out. She was somewhat embarrassed. “If people saw me and went back to gossip, Grandmother would say I was being disrespectful again.”

Xu Fengjia said nonchalantly, “Look at this area—the road surface is almost as high as the eaves. Who among the residents could see you? Those on horseback are higher than us, and as for those in carriages, well, they’re too respectful—they all keep their curtains tightly drawn, so they can’t see you either.”

This set of twisted logic actually made Seventh Miss laugh a little. She ultimately pulled down half the bamboo curtain—but afraid Xu Fengjia would mock her timidity, she tugged at him and said softly, “Listen to what Xiao Fuquan and Lixia are saying.”

The two indeed quieted down and heard Xiao Fuquan ask Lixia, “Good sister, how old is Miss Zhongyuan in your quarters this year?”

Lixia’s voice carried laughter. “She’s the same age as Young Madam.”

Xiao Fuquan seemed to be counting on his fingers. “Our family’s Young Madam entered the household at seventeen, and it’s been over two years now, so Miss Zhongyuan must be nineteen this year!”

He seemed greatly shocked. “Oh no—a nineteen-year-old girl, wouldn’t her marriage already be arranged?”

Seventh Miss couldn’t help laughing so hard she nearly collapsed onto Xu Fengjia’s lap. “This little servant of yours is truly quite amusing.”

Xu Fengjia blushed somewhat. “He’s seventeen this year. When he was with me in the Northwest he was quite clever, but after entering the capital, his brain seems to be getting duller and duller.”

He raised his voice. “Fuquan, what nonsense are you spouting? Are the maids in Young Madam’s quarters something you can casually inquire about?”

Though he had no way to control Seventh Miss and often let her have her way with him, he was quite authoritative with servants. Xiao Fuquan was so frightened he trembled, his voice changing. “Y-Young Master, forgive me—Fuquan deserves death, Fuquan spoke out of turn!”

As he spoke, he seemed to slap himself several times. Light, crisp sounds came from outside the carriage. Seventh Miss was startled. She glared at Xu Fengjia reproachfully. “He was just asking—I didn’t even say anything. Why are you so angry, making him slap himself?”

“That boy is sly as can be. You think he really slapped himself?” Xu Fengjia rolled his eyes and raised his voice to ask Xiao Fuquan, “Xiao Fuquan, did you really slap yourself? How many times? Tell your master.”

Before Xiao Fuquan could answer, Lixia’s laughter already provided the response. “Young Madam, this boy is sly as anything. I’d say he’s no worse than Zhongyuan. Don’t let him fool you.”

Xu Fengjia loved freedom, and Seventh Miss didn’t control him much. Usually he often had someone return home with a message that he wouldn’t be back for lunch. The Xu family had strict rules—female family members couldn’t easily leave the inner quarters, and naturally male family members couldn’t casually enter the inner quarters either. Therefore, Xiao Fuquan wasn’t familiar with Seventh Miss, but he often had the gatekeepers call out the maids from Mingde Hall to relay messages. Presumably through these repeated interactions, he had become familiar with the maids of Mingde Hall. Even Lixia’s words carried a trace of familiarity and affection.

Seventh Miss’s heart stirred. She desperately wanted to ask Lixia a few private questions immediately. She glanced at Xu Fengjia but still didn’t speak, only laughing. “Truly servants resemble their masters. You’re so wicked, and your attendant follows suit.”

Xu Fengjia laughed heartily. “Then I won’t dare say a word about your maids in the future, otherwise, wouldn’t that be a roundabout way of scolding you?”

The couple bantered back and forth through the carriage door with those outside, pointing out the street scenes again. With a light carriage and swift horses, they soon entered Anfu Ward.

Feng Jin was still waiting in the carriage hall as before. Seeing the two disembark, a smile appeared on his face as he came forward and said slowly, “Shengluan and Cousin have arrived.”

When had they reached the point of addressing each other by courtesy names? Seventh Miss couldn’t help feeling somewhat surprised, but Xu Fengjia was all smiles. He thumped Feng Jin’s shoulder with moderate force. “On such a hot day, Zixiu, you’re also waiting outside? Come, let’s go inside to talk!”

Feng Jin smiled slightly, still not losing his composed demeanor. He glanced at Seventh Miss, then smiled again with narrowed eyes, praising her. “Cousin has more color in her cheeks—you look healthier.”

Without waiting for Seventh Miss to respond, he arranged, “It’s been rare for you to come over these few times. Mother’s health hasn’t been good, so she hasn’t had the energy to see Shengluan…”

Xu Fengjia hurried to say, “I was just about to pay respects to Maternal Aunt!”

At this moment, he had very naturally acknowledged this family connection with the Feng family. The words “maternal aunt” came out quite resoundingly. Feng Jin swept him a glance, the smile at his lips deepening, and continued, “Also, last time Feng Ling didn’t get to pay respects to Cousin’s husband. We might as well see everyone at once today, then we can go outside to talk.”

In Xu Fengjia’s previous visits, Feng Jin had absolutely never mentioned having Feng Ling pay respects to Cousin’s husband. This arrangement today showed he truly regarded Xu Fengjia as family.

Seventh Miss couldn’t help feeling somewhat curious. She deliberately fell back a few steps with Xu Fengjia and asked quietly by his ear, “What did you and Cousin do at the Yanyun Guards? How come this time you meet, you look like old acquaintances…”

Xu Fengjia didn’t answer her at first. Only after Seventh Miss pinched his waist did he reluctantly answer in a low voice, “You know perfectly well I have a loud voice… It’s nothing special! Your cousin needs a friend at court, and I need a friend outside the family. We’re also relatives—if we’re not close, who would be closer?”

He paused, then said quietly, “I originally thought he would reconcile with your father, but unexpectedly, these past days, the two sides have remained neither distant nor close, not at all like they have a private friendship.”

Seventh Miss immediately thought of those few words Feng Jin had said to her back then.

It seemed that no matter what, Feng Jin still couldn’t overcome that emotional barrier from years ago.

Seventh Miss’s heart filled with mixed feelings. After thinking for a moment, she didn’t say anything. After all, as the Grand Master’s daughter, there were many things she couldn’t properly say.

Suddenly, she understood why Xu Fengjia had repeatedly emphasized that the Grand Madam was her legitimate mother after all.

Even with the relationship between Feng Jin and herself, she couldn’t possibly agree with any criticism Feng Jin had of the Yang family. Everything she had came from what the Yang family had given her. Those who forgot their origins and betrayed those who fed them would be despised everywhere. Therefore, even someone as close as Feng Jin couldn’t give her any support in the matter of taking revenge on the Grand Madam.

Unless she told Feng Jin the truth about Ninth Yiniang’s death—but at that point, Ninth Brother would face an unavoidable question: regarding his birth mother’s death, did he know about it or not? Between the grace of giving birth and the grace of raising, how should he choose…

As Seventh Miss walked and thought, her steps slowed.

When she accidentally looked up, she saw that both Xu Fengjia and Feng Jin had stopped to wait for her. One raised his eyebrows with a look of impatience on his face, the other smiled slightly—but both had patiently stopped walking.

She suddenly seemed to cast all these troubling matters aside, quickening her pace to catch up with Xu Fengjia and smiling apologetically. “I was distracted for a moment—I’ve kept Cousin waiting.”

Feng Jin laughed carefreely, then turned to lead the way ahead. Xu Fengjia lowered his voice to scold her. “Being so rude even at Cousin’s house…”

The couple bickered as they entered the house. Feng Jin led Xu Fengjia directly to Madam Feng’s bedroom, laughing. “Mother, guess who’s come?”

Madam Feng’s eyes were already tightly closed. Even hearing footsteps, she didn’t open them. Seventh Miss knew she was probably completely blind now. She quickly tugged at Xu Fengjia and called out loudly, “Xiao Qi pays respects to Maternal Aunt.”

Xu Fengjia followed her in kneeling to perform the courtesy, also calling out, “May Maternal Aunt be well.”

A faint smile appeared on Madam Feng’s face. Her voice was much weaker than the two young people’s. “Peace and health, peace and health.”

Though Seventh Miss knew she was somewhat ill, because Feng Jin had downplayed it and his tone wasn’t too urgent, she hadn’t thought it too serious. But seeing Madam Feng, seeing her face like golden paper, she felt something was wrong. She couldn’t help giving Feng Ling a questioning look. Taking advantage of Madam Feng exchanging pleasantries with Xu Fengjia, with Xu Fengjia inquiring after Madam Feng’s health, she pulled Feng Ling aside and asked quietly, “I thought Maternal Aunt had only caught a seasonal illness…”

Feng Ling’s expression was grim, her voice also very soft. “We also asked Physician Quan to come examine her. He said it was years of overwork—if she passes this crisis, there will be no problem. But if she doesn’t pass it…”

Her eyes reddened and she couldn’t continue. Seventh Miss hurried to say, “If there are any medicinal ingredients you can’t obtain, send someone to tell us. We don’t have much else at home, but we do have ginseng and angelica root.”

Though she said this, with the Feng family’s current wealth and power, they were in no way inferior to the Xu family—how could they lack any medicinal ingredients? It was just that no amount of money could save a life.

Madam Feng herself seemed very accepting. “It doesn’t matter.” She replied amiably to Xu Fengjia. “With the family like this now, I have nothing I can’t let go of. Unable to see things, listening to storytelling all day is also good. Everyone has their own blessings, everyone has their own fate. Many things I don’t worry about—I just go with the flow.”

Both Feng Jin and Feng Ling showed a trace of guilt on their faces. Feng Jin said softly, “Mother…”

But his words stopped halfway with no continuation.

Madam Feng didn’t acknowledge him but gripped Xu Fengjia’s hand tightly and said, “My niece has suffered all her life, and her heart is extremely kind. This old body will take advantage of my age and speak on behalf of her birth mother—you must take good care of her and not let her be sad or upset…”

Xu Fengjia said gravely, “Nephew-in-law understands and will certainly not wrong Yang Qi.”

Though his words were brief, they carried an air of absolute determination. Madam Feng smiled with relief, released his hand, then raised her head and turned her face about blindly, saying softly, “Shanheng, where is Shanheng?”

Seventh Miss hurried forward several steps, grasped Madam Feng’s hand, and said gently, “Maternal Aunt, I’m here.”

Madam Feng immediately gripped her hand tightly, then turned her head and said, “All of you go out. Feng Jin, take the Young Master out to sit. Feng Ling should also rest—don’t always serve by this old woman’s side.”

She was sending people away because she wanted to speak privately with Seventh Miss. This intention was quite obvious. Everyone exchanged glances. Feng Ling stood up first and said, “I’ll be just outside the door. If there’s anything, Cousin just call out.”

Xu Fengjia and Feng Jin then also withdrew from the room. Even the two attending young maids withdrew at Feng Ling’s subtle signal. Seventh Miss sat beside Madam Feng and waited a while longer. Only then did Madam Feng cough several times and say glumly, “I didn’t expect I probably won’t see next year’s peach blossoms.”

Though her tone was weak, her words were clear—she didn’t sound at all like someone about to pass away. Only her complexion was truly terrible, and she was extremely thin. Seventh Miss wanted to say something comforting but really couldn’t find the words. She could only say with effort, “Cousin has worked hard all these years for nothing more than letting his family live good lives. If you just let go now, how could he bear it in his heart? You should still get through this crisis and enjoy a few more years of blessings…”

Madam Feng laughed a few times and said softly, “Niece still knows how to speak. Ah, your maternal aunt doesn’t want to depart this mortal coil so early either, but fate doesn’t obey human will. Perhaps the next moment I’ll let go—who can say?”

She paused, as if considering how to phrase things. After a while, she asked Seventh Miss, “Is there any news of Huang Xiuniang?”

Seventh Miss shook her head. “Miss Huang seems to have truly disappeared without a trace. I haven’t been able to contact her.”

She couldn’t help sighing again and said softly, “Perhaps this is fate. If it’s fated that she can’t be found again, then she truly can’t be found.”

The corners of Madam Feng’s mouth curved into a smile. She said quietly, “Worthy of being Hong Niang’s daughter—truly seven times clever. You’re giving me an opening to speak.”

Ninth Yiniang’s given name was Feng Hong, but very few people called her Hong Niang. Seventh Miss almost didn’t understand at first. She smiled slightly but didn’t deny it, only saying, “If Maternal Aunt doesn’t want to speak of it, you don’t have to. Past matters are past, after all.”

Madam Feng couldn’t possibly be unaware that she was investigating the events surrounding Ninth Yiniang from years ago. She just might have her own reasons and reservations for not wanting to speak of it. Seventh Miss might have once considered extracting the truth from her through deception, but ultimately couldn’t bear to use such tactics on such an unworldly old lady. Now that Madam Feng was gravely ill, she certainly wouldn’t show her eagerness and burden Madam Feng.

“You’re a good child.” Madam Feng tightened her grip again. She said softly, “If your maternal aunt doesn’t survive this crisis, I’m entrusting Feng Ling’s marriage to you.”

Without waiting for Seventh Miss to respond, she continued, “Don’t force her. If she doesn’t want to marry, then she needn’t. Whoever she wants to marry, follow her preference. Don’t concern yourself with family background or social standing—just find mutual affection, and that would be best.”

In the Great Qin of that time, such thinking could be called extremely heretical. Especially for a family like the Fengs who had just entered upper society, Feng Ling’s marriage would absolutely be the most powerful bargaining chip. Even if Madam Feng hadn’t thought of this, at least the words “matched doors and equal households” should be unforgettable. Seventh Miss truly hadn’t expected her to say such things. She stared wide-eyed in surprise.

Madam Feng coughed a few times, then continued, “And Feng Jin… I know what’s in his heart. He thinks I don’t know, but actually a mother understands everything. I won’t stop him—as long as he’s happy, that’s better than anything.”

She raised her head again and grabbed Seventh Miss’s wrist. “But if one day he’s no longer happy, if he has a girl he likes… I’m entrusting his marriage to you, Shanheng. You have connections in the palace—whether Imperial Concubine Xu, Consort Ning, or even the Empress, you’re all distantly related. And there’s the Young Master, and… and he also grew up with him as childhood playmates. No matter what, you must let him be with the girl he likes. In this life, your maternal aunt has asked too much of you mother and daughter. I didn’t expect to have to ask again when old—this matter is the last time your maternal aunt will ask you… Shanheng, you, you…”

Her emotions were agitated. Gripping Seventh Miss’s hand, she squeezed until it hurt faintly. Seventh Miss feared that in her emotional state, Madam Feng might immediately expire. She hurried to say, “Please rest assured. This matter—Xiao Qi will certainly accomplish it for you.”

She hesitated, then made it clear. “As long as Cousin has another love and is unwilling to continue with him, I will certainly help Cousin break free.”

Madam Feng finally felt relieved. She slowly released Seventh Miss’s hand, then turned her head toward the wide-open window in the corner of the room, took a deep breath, and said softly, “The wind in the capital is truly harsh… Not like the wind in Jiangnan—even in winter it’s soft. It’s just a pity that in this life I probably won’t see the green calyx plum blossoms at the Fragrant Snow Sea again…”

Seventh Miss feared Madam Feng might expire right then and didn’t dare turn her head away at all. She stared at Madam Feng and said gently, “It doesn’t matter. When you recover, have Cousin accompany you to Jiangnan. You can stay at our family’s villa at the Fragrant Snow Sea for half a year or more…”

Madam Feng smiled. Her voice was almost inaudible. “Good. Your maternal aunt accepts your auspicious words. Even if my body can’t return, my soul will certainly return.”

Without waiting for Seventh Miss to respond, she continued, “Back then, Hong Niang also loved plum blossoms. Did Zheng Lianji ever tell you that for several years in spring, they went together to the Fragrant Snow Sea to view plum blossoms?”