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?”