When Seventh Miss emerged from the room, Feng Ling had already dozed off with her head on the table. Her delicate face was filled with exhaustion, which made Seventh Miss feel somewhat reluctant to disturb her.

There was nothing more wearisome than caring for an invalid. Even though the Feng household now had no shortage of servants, Feng Ling’s mental burden was still quite heavy.

She quietly instructed the two maids in the room, “Maternal Aunt has already fallen asleep. You should all go in and watch over her, lest the old lady wake up with no one at her side.”

She also stopped Feng Ling’s personal maid from waking her, saying softly, “It’s fine. I’ll go out for a walk. Let Cousin sleep!”

The maid then brought Lixia out from the side room and said quietly, “Young Master said that once Young Madam emerged, he would like you to speak with him in the outer study. This servant will take you there now.”

As she spoke, she brought in three or four young maids with hanging hair to attend to Feng Ling—some draping clothes over her, others gently fanning her. Seventh Miss glanced back and saw these people moving in an orderly fashion. Their bearing was no less refined than young ladies from ordinary families. Thinking of Madam Feng’s ups and downs in this life, she couldn’t help feeling deeply moved.

She sighed softly and, supported by Lixia, left the room. Lixia raised an oiled paper parasol to shade Seventh Miss from the sun. The group passed through the small garden with its lush flowers and trees, exited through the inner gate, crossed the deserted bluestone walkway, and turned into the outer study.

The outer study presented an entirely different scene. Having passed the Dragon Boat Festival, it was now midsummer and the weather was quite hot. As Madam Feng was an invalid who couldn’t tolerate cold, they hadn’t used ice in her room. But the outer study had two small ice mountains set up, with several maids slowly waving fans near them to send the coolness throughout the room. As soon as Seventh Miss entered, she felt nine-tenths of the summer heat dissipate. After greeting Feng Jin, she sat down beside Xu Fengjia.

Xu Fengjia and Feng Jin had clearly been discussing the situation at court. Seeing Seventh Miss enter, Feng Jin only said, “Whether this matter can succeed still depends on Grand Master Yang’s intentions,” before breaking into a smile and saying to Seventh Miss, “The elderly inevitably tend to be long-winded—I’ve delayed Cousin for so long.”

This was his politeness. Seventh Miss naturally couldn’t take it seriously. After both sides exchanged a few courtesies, Feng Jin said, “Regarding the two matters Cousin entrusted to me, Feng Jin has already investigated them thoroughly. It all happened just these past few days. I was quite busy earlier and delayed Cousin’s business.”

He was always this courteous. Even Xu Fengjia couldn’t stand it. He laughed and said, “Why are you being so formal with us, Zixiu? We all understand clearly that you’re busy. That you can help with this matter is already your kindness. If you’re too polite, it makes everyone seem distant.”

His words carried intimacy. Feng Jin smiled but didn’t reply, and instead began discussing Fifth Young Madam’s matter. “Among the families in the capital who walk the dark path, the Yanyun Guards actually keep quite close watch over them privately. Those who lend money at usurious rates—in the capital there are a total of nineteen major establishments. Though not explicitly stated, this number is fixed. Until one establishment falls, no new one can be established. These nineteen major establishment heads either depend on large merchant houses or simply attach themselves to great families and clans. Though several families connected to Cousin maintain their dignity and refuse to get involved in such matters, there are also some nobles whose hands aren’t very clean behind the scenes and who have dealings with such people. To obtain evidence would inevitably offend the families behind these establishments. Especially the establishment that your manor’s Fifth Young Madam found—the family behind it has an extremely exalted status. Though obtaining the account books is not impossible, making such a big move would inevitably be too conspicuous and might defeat Cousin and her husband’s original purpose in entrusting this to me.”

Feng Jin always did things in an understated manner. He would never reveal how much effort he put in behind the scenes. This time, it was rare for him to describe the investigation process in such detail. Seventh Miss’s heart had already risen to her throat, but she didn’t rush him. Instead, she patiently watched Feng Jin, waiting for him to continue.

Feng Jin’s gaze briefly swept across Seventh Miss’s and Xu Fengjia’s faces before withdrawing. He looked at the small note in his hand, his face showing a contemplative expression. After a moment, he continued slowly, “However, though I didn’t copy it out, I still have some modest influence and was able to look through their account books. Over the years, Madam Zhang has accumulated compound interest. Starting from an initial ten thousand taels of silver, with several subsequent investments, by the time she withdrew it all in the autumn of the second year of Chengping and stopped doing business, the principal and interest combined already totaled fifty thousand taels of silver deposited with the establishment head.”

Even with Seventh Miss’s composure, she couldn’t help exchanging glances with Xu Fengjia. Seeing this, Feng Jin’s elegant brows furrowed slightly. He continued, “In the capital, the white path has the white path’s rules, and the black path has the black path’s rules. Though the establishment head walks the despicable route of usurious lending, he’s still a man who keeps his word. The fifty thousand taels of silver were withdrawn for Madam Zhang without the slightest difficulty. Your cousin could only investigate this far. As for how Madam Zhang ultimately spent those fifty thousand taels in banknotes, I couldn’t find out.”

That he could provide this information already exceeded Seventh Miss’s expectations. Even Xu Fengjia said, “Cousin shouldn’t say such things. Without your information, where would we go to investigate such matters?”

He added with some regret, “It’s a pity the account books still can’t be copied out. This matter—everyone just knows it in their hearts…”

Halfway through speaking, Seventh Miss tugged at his sleeve and he stopped talking.

Feng Jin smiled and said, “It doesn’t matter. The next piece of news might be even better for you.”

He pushed a stack of colorful papers in front of Xu Fengjia and smiled. “See for yourselves. This old earthworm has quite substantial assets behind him.”

Before Xu Fengjia could look through them, Seventh Miss had already pulled out a multicolored contract deed and was examining it carefully. As she read, she exclaimed in surprise, “How did Cousin manage to obtain even the original contract deed?”

Feng Jin said casually, “The Yanyun Guards turned his home upside down. How could such things not be found?”

He praised Seventh Miss again. “Cousin still has experience managing a household. You pulled out his most valuable possession in one go. Your eye is much sharper than Shengluan’s.”

Xu Fengjia took no offense and also leaned over to examine what Seventh Miss held. His gaze immediately froze. After a long while, he said in a low voice, “This ship along with the cargo on it—wouldn’t it be worth exactly one hundred fifty thousand taels?”

Feng Jin clapped a few times before saying, “Though not one hundred fifty thousand taels, it’s not far off. The entire ship plus cargo is worth two hundred thousand taels. One hundred forty-four thousand five hundred taels is Old Earthworm’s capital. The remaining fifty thousand taels belongs to another local investor who personally supervised the ship’s construction. Another five thousand taels is stipulated as dry shares for the ship’s captain and others. This ship has already obtained authorization and can sail out with the first batch of military vessels under Marquis Sun. At the earliest this autumn, at the latest next spring, it will set sail. However, this matter naturally still depends on what Cousin’s husband thinks.”

Given Second Miss’s and Seventh Miss’s relationship, even if the ship owner had connections all the way to the most favored deputy officer beside Sun Liquan, as long as Seventh Miss said one word, detaining him would be effortless. Both Seventh Miss and Xu Fengjia understood Feng Jin’s subtext. Seventh Miss hurried to stand and bow to Feng Jin. “I truly don’t know how to thank Cousin properly!”

Feng Jin waved his hand and used Xu Fengjia’s words to block her. “If you’re too polite, it makes everyone seem distant.”

He smiled at Xu Fengjia again. “I know you definitely want to interrogate him, so I didn’t make you go to extra trouble. I’ve already locked up his whole family and brought them to the capital. They’re being held in the imperial prison now. Whenever it’s convenient for you, Shengluan, just write a note to have them brought out.”

Just seeing that Feng Jin had considered things this thoroughly for Xu Fengjia showed that he had indeed taken this matter to heart. He had even likely already vaguely guessed the inside story about Xu Fengjia’s past injury and the internal struggles within the Xu family.

Xu Fengjia grinned broadly and thanked Feng Jin casually. “That’s perfect! Tomorrow I’ll arrange a place and come find Cousin to collect the person.”

Only with this address of “Cousin” did he speak with genuine feeling, calling out with a trace of true emotion.

Seventh Miss also had no time for further courtesies with Feng Jin. She had already begun intense thinking.

Feng Jin’s gaze fell on her, then narrowed slightly. He suddenly said to Xu Fengjia in a low voice, “If Shengluan doesn’t mind, there are some matters I’d like to ask Cousin privately about. They concern our elders…”

Xu Fengjia also glanced at Seventh Miss and saw her completely absorbed, her eyes flashing with strange light, her fingers tapping on the low table—now showing joy, now frowning. He couldn’t help laughing. “Yang Qi has lost herself in thought again.”

He patted Seventh Miss lightly on the shoulder. “You talk with Cousin here. I’ll go out for a bowl of tea.” Without asking what Feng Jin actually wanted to ask Seventh Miss, he stood up and sauntered out of the room.

Only then did Seventh Miss come back to herself. She felt somewhat embarrassed and apologized to Feng Jin. “Shengluan’s behavior is uncouth—he’s offended Cousin.”

Feng Jin waved his hand with a smile. “The Young General is a broad-minded person. That Shanheng can be with him is your good fortune.”

As he spoke, he pushed open a window and raised his hand to shade his forehead, looking toward the blazing sun on the horizon. The intense sunlight fell upon him, actually making his skin appear like the most beautiful white jade, glowing brilliantly in the sunlight, impossible to look at directly.

Seventh Miss thought of how fate toyed with people—making the small Feng family rise and fall over the years. Feng Jin had transformed from a son of a prosperous family to an impoverished youth, then leaped through the dragon gate to now occupy a high position. Yet he didn’t seem much happier than before. Her heart also filled with emotion. She sighed and said quietly, “Does Cousin want to know what Maternal Aunt said to me?”

Feng Jin turned around, half his body still leaning against the window frame—he was deliberately exposing his private meeting with Seventh Miss to the view of anyone outside.

“Haven’t you always wanted to find Huang Xiuniang’s whereabouts?” he said in a low voice. “Actually, she’s living in a small village in the suburbs of the capital. At the end of last year, she married a local widower. The dowry was even personally arranged by Mother. I only accidentally discovered clues about this matter recently. Following the trail, I learned it was Mother’s doing. If Shanheng has questions you want to ask her, though it wouldn’t be good to disturb the peace of her life, Zixiu can also convey them for you.”

Seventh Miss’s pupils contracted. Almost reflexively she wanted to agree, but after thinking it over repeatedly, these words of gratitude ultimately transformed into a sigh.

The events of those years, if told from Huang Xiuniang’s mouth, might be yet another different story. But what significance would that story have?

Ninth Yiniang had already turned to dust. As a failure in life, she would never speak for herself again. In the story of her life, whether Huang Xiuniang, Uncle Feng, the Grand Madam, the Grand Master, Eunuch Lian, or even Madam Feng—all might have made their own mistakes in her tragedy. Yet standing from each person’s perspective, they all seemed to have their own helplessness. How could grievances and resentments possibly be black and white?

Even if Huang Xiuniang had betrayed Ninth Yiniang and passed her relief embroidery technique to the people at Qianxiu Workshop, wasn’t it also because Ninth Yiniang had the idea of encouraging the Grand Madam to take her as a concubine?

And why did Ninth Yiniang encourage the Grand Madam in this way? It was because she had severed ties with her natal family and had no support whatsoever. To find her own foundation in the deep courtyards of the inner quarters, she would probably do even the filthiest things.

Uncle Feng viewing the relief embroidery technique as Feng family private property was indeed harsh and mean. But what was wrong with him forbidding Ninth Yiniang from associating with Eunuch Lian? Zheng Lianji wasn’t exactly an ideal marriage match either. As Ninth Yiniang’s elder brother, he had the standing to manage her marriage…

Trying to pursue the boundary between gratitude and resentment so many years later—even if she had already pursued the answer, what use would it be?

Should she still take revenge on Madam Feng, on Huang Xiuniang, on Eunuch Lian?

What could she use to take revenge on the Grand Master? What leverage did she have to take revenge on a man who held absolute authority under the patriarchal system without damaging her own life?

The best method, of course, would be to destroy the only thing he valued: his progeny.

The Grand Master’s only progeny was Ninth Brother.

If she didn’t take revenge on any of the people mentioned above, what standing did she have to take revenge on the Grand Madam? And how should she take revenge? How should she do it? Should she turn herself into a murderer to take revenge on yet another murderer, or…

Seventh Miss let out a long, soft breath. She said quietly, “Cousin’s kind intentions—Shanheng appreciates them. However, what I wanted to know, I actually already know. If I pursue it further, I’ll only gain more troubles. This matter—I think it’s better to let it go.”

Feng Jin also fell silent for a time. After a while, he laughed softly again.

“Shanheng’s words have deeper meaning.”

Hearing just this one sentence, Seventh Miss knew that Feng Jin had indeed intended to probe about that private conversation between Madam Feng and herself.

Suddenly, she felt a deep weariness.

In this world, how many matters ultimately stemmed only from two people being unable to speak frankly to each other, thus brewing layer upon layer of misunderstandings, even years of unresolved feelings.

“Maternal Aunt said she actually doesn’t care about the Feng family’s lineage,” she said in a low voice. “She only hopes Cousin and Cousin Ling can live happily, together with people they mutually love.”

She raised her eyes and looked at Feng Jin, repeating once more, “As long as there is mutual affection, everything else—Maternal Aunt doesn’t mind at all.”

Feng Jin was immediately moved to his core.

This man who was as exquisite as jade—his beauty had once been fragile, had once been gentle and refined. Now with time’s polishing, it had become increasingly restrained. All emotions seemed concealed behind a mask of leisurely courtesy.

In this instant of surprise, he seemed to become again that youth whose beauty was so fragile, radiating extreme brilliance from his entire being. In this moment, he reminded Seventh Miss of Sixth Miss on that Mid-Autumn night. They were both extremely beautiful and both extremely lonely.

Yet gradually, genuine joy also surfaced in Feng Jin’s eyes. He stood up and asked Seventh Miss, “Did Mother truly say this?”

Seventh Miss pulled up a trace of a smile. She said wearily, “The old lady has experienced storms and waves all her life—what great trials hasn’t she weathered? Cousin can rest assured. Maternal Aunt sees things more clearly than all of you.”

She hesitated, then continued, “Even if one day Cousin’s affections change and you fall in love with someone else—though others’ expressions might change, Cousin can be assured that Shanheng’s expression will absolutely not change. When that day comes, if there’s anything where you need help, Cousin please just speak up.”

Feng Jin’s joy was only fleeting. He stared at Seventh Miss for a moment, then tilted his head in thought before breaking into a smile and saying politely, “Cousin has taken Shanheng’s words to heart.”

Seeing this, Seventh Miss ultimately couldn’t help sighing.

To leave that supreme sovereign—how could it be so easy? Feng Jin now possessed extreme wealth and nobility, wielded tremendous power, and enjoyed the exclusive favor of the true dragon. Who could be so decisive as to say with a single “I don’t love him” and abandon it all?

And if he truly wanted to abandon it, how could her single promise reassure Feng Jin? Though the Xu family also stood at the pyramid’s apex, when it came to arm-wrestling with the Emperor, their influence was still somewhat lacking.

At this moment, between him and the Emperor, beyond “he treats me very well, and I also treat him very well,” regardless of whether Feng Jin himself was willing or not, there was probably now also a trace of entangled interests.

As she stood up to take her leave of Feng Jin, he asked again, “Does Fifth Miss Yang’s death have anything to do with Madam Zhang?”

Seventh Miss showed slight surprise. After hesitating a moment, she ultimately answered frankly, “Based on the situation we’ve grasped so far, I’m afraid Fifth Sister-in-law can’t escape involvement. However, to find evidence will probably still require some effort.”

Feng Jin nodded. “If there’s anywhere I can be of use, Cousin don’t be polite.”

A trace of cold light flashed through his eyes. “Though the Zhang family also has some foundation, in Zixiu’s eyes, they’re still nothing much.”

Seventh Miss only felt a chill run up from the base of her spine. She forced out a smile and said quietly, “Good. Shanheng thanks Cousin in advance.”