The Grand Lady sighed, tapped Fifth Miss on the forehead, and waved her hand.
Fifth Miss hurriedly performed another bow to the Grand Lady before rising to sit opposite Second Miss.
It was nearly dinnertime now—the hour for morning and evening attendance when daughters from each household came to pay their respects to the Grand Lady.
The Grand Lady took a sip of tea and was about to speak when Ninth Young Master’s cheerful laughter came from outside the door.
Ninth Young Master had reached the age to begin his education. During this period, every afternoon he would go study with his tutor for two or three hours. The Grand Lady had gone to great lengths to find him an extremely amiable tutor, so Ninth Young Master always returned from his lessons in high spirits.
“Mother! Mother!” He burst into the main hall and threw himself into the Grand Lady’s arms. “Today the tutor praised my calligraphy!”
Ninth Young Master’s small face was round and plump, his large eyes sparkling as he beamed with excitement.
The Grand Lady’s expression immediately softened. “Ninth Young Master is so well-behaved!”
Ninth Young Master laughed proudly, then got down to bow to his sisters.
“Second Sister, Fifth Sister, Seventh Sister!”
Second Miss was very fond of Ninth Young Master. She beckoned him to her side and took out a handkerchief to wipe away a smudge on his nose.
“Be more careful when writing in the future—don’t splash ink everywhere.”
Ninth Young Master giggled. Noticing Fifth Miss’s displeased expression, he asked Second Miss in a small voice, “Second Sister, what’s wrong with Fifth Sister? Did she make Mother angry again?”
Fifth Miss’s originally stiff and cold expression softened. Amused by Ninth Young Master’s timid attitude, she showed a hint of a smile. “Little rascal, talking behind my back? Come here, let me pinch your face!”
Ninth Young Master covered his face and refused to go over. Fifth Miss went after him personally. The two siblings chased around the room, their laughter filling the air.
Seventh Miss couldn’t help but smile as well. The atmosphere in the room imperceptibly lightened.
Lichun breathed a sigh of relief—she was in the most awkward position, unable to avoid reporting Fifth Miss’s actions to the Grand Lady, yet afraid that if the Grand Lady grew angry, Fifth Miss would take it out on her.
She approached the Grand Lady with a smile, massaging her back while telling amusing stories.
Before long, the concubines all arrived.
First Concubine arrived earliest, smiling as she greeted the Grand Lady and the young ladies, then stood behind the Grand Lady.
Fifth Concubine and Seventh Concubine arrived together. Seventh Concubine was accompanied by Sixth Miss. After Sixth Miss paid her respects to the Grand Lady and bowed to her sisters, Seventh Miss also rose to bow to Sixth Miss, then moved down one seat to let Sixth Miss sit in the place of honor above her. The Grand Lady’s brow furrowed slightly, but she said nothing.
Fifth Concubine and Seventh Concubine both properly kowtowed to the Grand Lady before rising and standing in proper order. The concubines glanced at each other and smiled, nodding to one another.
The Yang family was, after all, a prominent household in Jiangnan. Proper etiquette had to be maintained.
In the Grand Lady’s quarters, dinner was always served at the second quarter of the Hour of Shen, and the concubines and young ladies were dismissed around the first quarter. It was well past the first quarter when Fourth Concubine finally entered the main hall with Third Miss and Fourth Miss.
“I’ve arrived late. Please punish me, Madam.” Fourth Concubine’s face perpetually wore a smile. Third Miss and Fourth Miss also paid their respects to the Grand Lady. Third Miss’s face still glowed with joy, but Fourth Miss wore a stiff expression without a trace of a smile—those who didn’t know might think someone owed her something important and hadn’t returned it.
The Grand Lady said with a slight smile, “I know you have many matters to attend to,” and let the matter pass. Fourth Concubine kowtowed to the Grand Lady, greeted the young ladies, then said to Seventh Miss, “Seventh Miss moved to the main courtyard today? Are you settling in well?”
Seventh Miss quickly replied with a smile, “Very well, very well,” and sought no further conversation with Fourth Concubine.
A spark flashed in Fourth Concubine’s eyes as she stood smiling behind the Grand Lady. The Grand Lady glanced at the clock and asked, “Is Eighth Concubine unwell again?”
Nanny Liang quickly said, “When we sent someone to inquire today, she didn’t mention anything.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Eighth Concubine entered the hall gasping for breath, supported by a young maid.
“…Just as I was about to leave, I began vomiting again. It took so long that I had to change my clothes before I could come. Please forgive me, Madam.” She spoke pitifully, making as if to kneel.
“You’re carrying a child—no need to kneel.” The Grand Lady quickly said.
Master Yang was nearly fifty this year. With seven daughters, he had only Ninth Young Master as his sole male heir. If Eighth Concubine could give birth to a son, the Grand Lady would be pleased as well.
Eighth Concubine then stood up and weakly took her place behind the Grand Lady. The Grand Lady asked her daughters about their studies at home, then said to Seventh Miss, “You should attend lessons with your sisters tomorrow as well. At six years old, you should learn to recognize some characters.”
Seventh Miss rose with downcast eyes and replied, “Yes.”
Seeing nothing else required attention, the Grand Lady dismissed everyone.
First Concubine always stayed to serve the Grand Lady during meals and didn’t leave. Eighth Concubine was the most delicate—without waiting for the Grand Lady’s word, she left first, supported by her young maid’s shoulder. As she was carrying a child, she had immunity from criticism, and the Grand Lady wouldn’t quibble with her over this.
Fourth Concubine prepared to leave with her daughters. As Third Miss rose, she said to Seventh Miss with a smiling face, “Seventh Sister, it’s such cold weather—why are you dressed so lightly? I have a grey squirrel cloak that I’ve outgrown. If you don’t mind, Sister will send it to you shortly?”
The Grand Lady raised an eyebrow. First Concubine and Second Concubine lowered their heads in silence. Second Miss glanced at Third Miss, her gaze sharp as a blade.
In truth, no one had been fooled by any of this.
Seventh Miss sighed inwardly, rose with a smile, and took Third Miss’s hand. Third Miss looked at her with slight surprise.
“Mother has already arranged for a master from Xianxiu Workshop to make me new clothes. They should be ready in the next few days. I appreciate Third Sister’s kind intention.” Seventh Miss showed a sincere smile. “Tomorrow at the schoolroom, I hope Third Sister will look after me.”
Third Miss seemed somewhat flustered. Fourth Concubine glanced at her, and only then did she smile and withdraw her hand.
“Not at all—we’re family, so of course we should look after each other.” She glanced meaningfully at Fifth Miss, bowed to the Grand Lady, then left the hall with Fourth Concubine and Fourth Miss. Fifth Concubine and Seventh Concubine hastily took their leave as well, fleeing the hall as if escaping.
Throughout it all, Fifth Miss didn’t dare raise her head. The Grand Lady gave her a glance and sighed.
Fortunately Seventh Miss was sensible! Otherwise, wouldn’t she have lost all face? If this matter reached Master Yang’s ears, she would be blamed again.
“Let’s eat.” She said wearily. “Lichun, send Ninth Young Master to wash his hands.”
Lichun struggled to lift Ninth Young Master and carried him toward the washroom. Second Miss and Fifth Miss also rose and followed behind Lichun, with Seventh Miss hurrying after them.
Ninth Young Master blinked but made no sound, only squirming restlessly when Lichun washed his hands.
Second Miss frowned and looked coldly at Ninth Young Master. He was somewhat afraid of her and quieted down.