This was Seventh Miss’s first time attending an internal banquet for the Yang manor’s womenfolk.
She properly sat down behind the small table next to Sixth Miss according to birth order, leaving the seat closest to Second Madam for Second Miss.
Third Miss sat at Second Madam’s right side below, Second Miss sat at Second Madam’s left side below, so Eighth Miss had to sit across from Seventh Miss. In past years Second Madam would sit together with the Grand Madam. With the Grand Madam absent, she generously sat in the横 cross-positioned seat at the head.
The Yang daughters exchanged meaningful glances.
This was the first branch—the Grand Madam had only temporarily left. By rights, the visiting second branch matron should leave an empty seat for the Grand Madam to show that although the Grand Madam was away, she as sister-in-law still respected her.
Every year when the Yang family ate New Year’s Eve dinner, they left a seat beside the Master for Second Master—it was the same principle.
Second Madam also came from a scholarly family—how could she conduct herself so improperly?
After everyone was seated, Nanny Wang and Lichun busied themselves serving dishes. Fourth Concubine entered the main hall from the side hall with a smile, curtsying to Second Madam. “Paying respects to Second Madam.”
Second Madam hurriedly nodded with a smile, her attitude quite warm. “With eldest sister away during this time, you’ve worked hard.”
Fourth Concubine quickly demurred. “I wouldn’t call it hard work—there hasn’t been much to worry about.” She asked again, “Second Madam has little company today. Shall I call for some female storytellers to relieve the boredom?”
The Grand Madam never listened to storytelling in front of the young ladies. With her household duties so busy, she rarely thought of the storytellers the Yang family employed even twice a year. Second Miss’s face showed displeasure, but she said nothing.
Second Madam smiled politely. “No need. I rose early today and am somewhat tired. I thought to finish eating early and rest awhile at Juba Immortals Hall.”
As she spoke, she nodded to Fourth Concubine as if thanking her for the kind thought.
Seventh Miss felt something was amiss.
Reading expressions and observing moods—she was quite skilled at this. In her past life she’d survived over three years in an office with complex interpersonal relationships, managing to please all sides, relying precisely on her solid ability to read people.
Second Madam and Fourth Concubine should have had considerable contact in previous years. When Fourth Concubine managed household affairs years ago, the two families had daily interactions. How could they now seem like strangers? So polite to each other, without a trace of warmth.
Overdoing it made it seem false. Especially someone like Fourth Concubine—she’d show three parts affection upon meeting anyone, and even if Second Madam didn’t take her seriously, she’d still come over to ingratiate herself.
Seventh Miss took note.
Fourth Concubine didn’t say any more polite words and returned to the side hall where the concubines were eating.
Not at all like her usual conduct.
This meal passed without incident. Because Second Madam claimed fatigue, everyone remained silent, merely ate some food in silence, then dispersed. The good idea Seventh Miss had devised played no role since Ninth Young Master wasn’t present.
After eating, Second Madam didn’t leave immediately but indeed went to rest on the beauty couch in Juba Immortals Hall’s inner room, instructing Eighth Miss to follow her sisters to walk around Juba Immortals Hall and digest their food.
Entering the third month, the weather had warmed. No one left—they stood in twos and threes inside and outside Juba Immortals Hall chatting idly and admiring the viburnum flowers.
Seventh Miss and Sixth Miss stood beside the most luxuriant viburnum, discussing embroidery matters in fits and starts. Sixth Miss had already finished making the sachet for Second Miss but felt it was too plain to present, worrying about what to add—sometimes complaining an embroidered screen was too ostentatious, other times that a handkerchief was too delicate. The two discussed back and forth without reaching a conclusion.
Third Miss and Fourth Miss stood distantly by the roadside picking the profusely blooming azaleas. Second Miss had taken Eighth Miss somewhere unknown.
The area around Juba Immortals Hall became quiet. The attending maids and servants had all gone to eat. Those still on duty also stood far from Juba Immortals Hall, laughing and chatting by the roadside—Second Madam liked quiet.
The concubines had left even earlier. Their status was awkward—with Second Madam present they felt very constrained. Better to disperse and each be comfortable.
Seventh Miss then saw a flash of water-red clothing at Juba Immortals Hall’s side door.
Fourth Concubine was wearing a water-red long jacket today.
Sixth Miss chattered on endlessly. Seventh Miss looked at her and smiled awkwardly.
“Sixth Sister, I need to use the washroom,” she said softly, somewhat embarrassed.
Sixth Miss laughed. “What’s there to be embarrassed about?” She didn’t offer to accompany Seventh Miss though.
Seventh Miss called Bailu and together they entered the washroom in the east side hall of Juba Immortals Hall.
Faintly, she could hear Second Madam’s voice coming from the back hall.
Seventh Miss pricked up her ears but couldn’t hear clearly. She whispered to Bailu, “Help me climb out the window!”
Behind the washroom was a large cluster of viburnum blocking prying eyes. Climbing out the window, she could circle around to the back hall window and listen to what Second Madam and Fourth Concubine were discussing.
If it were only Fourth Concubine, Seventh Miss would naturally be happy to watch tigers fight from the mountain, but now the Grand Madam wasn’t here… and Second Madam’s thoughts were entirely focused on Ninth Young Master alone.
She had to hear what Second Madam and Fourth Concubine were actually discussing!
Bailu’s face went white as a sheet. She looked at Seventh Miss hesitantly without speaking.
Seventh Miss gazed back at her calmly.
Whether Bailu could become her confidante would be decided in this moment.
She had no time to explain the causes and consequences, nor did she want to… If Bailu’s heart still leaned toward the Grand Madam and didn’t take her as a mistress seriously, she probably wouldn’t help with such unconventional, improper matters.
But if Bailu had her in her heart, that was different. Which woman surviving in a grand household didn’t have some unsavory matters in private? Never mind climbing out windows to eavesdrop—there were times when people crawled on the ground!
Hesitation flashed across Bailu’s face. She looked at Seventh Miss’s composed expression, bit her lip, and made a decisive choice. “I’ll go for you! You wait here!”
Seventh Miss relaxed all at once, her heart softening.
Bailu ultimately sided with her.
“You’re too tall,” she said with a smile. “It’s fine. When I was in the Northwest, I was wilder than this!” During their time in the Northwest, on the limited occasions she could gather with Yang family village relatives, the children would climb trees and roofs and the adults thought nothing of it. Though Seventh Miss couldn’t claim to be particularly agile, climbing through Juba Immortals Hall’s low window wasn’t difficult.
Bailu helped Seventh Miss climb out the window.
Her small figure was concealed by the viburnum cluster. Even someone as attentive as Bailu could only faintly see the top of her head.
Seventh Miss quickly flashed to beneath the back hall window.