Because Madam Xu had been sleeping poorly all spring, the old nanny came early to Leshan Residence to relay a message, asking everyone not to disturb her rest. Seventh Miss didn’t return to Mingde Hall either, but instead had Lixia explain the major and minor matters of recent days to Fifth Young Madam, lest Fifth Young Madam suddenly resume managing household affairs and be unable to keep up.
Fifth Young Madam smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Seventh Miss. “Ah, I’m only helping Sixth Sister-in-law manage the household for a few more days—I’ll muddle through somehow. Why is Sixth Sister-in-law being so polite? There are some matters you’ll need to take charge of too.”
First Young Madam had left early with First Young Master to return to Zhishan Hall. Fourth Young Madam hadn’t left yet. After emerging from the washroom, she planned to accompany the Grand Madam in sorting Buddhist beans, and was just walking to the entrance of the small flower hall.
Hearing Fifth Young Madam’s words, she couldn’t help but turn around, casting a scornful glance at the pair of sisters-in-law before turning and striding into the inner hall.
“Old Ancestor,” her coquettish voice could still be heard through the curtain. “Last time when I returned to the Mo family, my mother said…”
Fifth Young Madam’s expression immediately darkened.
Fourth Young Madam was a relative of the Grand Madam’s natal family—the relationship was quite close.
Previously, when she held the power of household management, no matter how favored Fourth Young Madam was, there wasn’t much conflict of interest with Fifth Young Madam. But now that management authority was about to be handed over, the Grand Madam’s favor had suddenly become fundamental to the Fifth Branch’s survival.
Seeing Fourth Young Madam competing for favor at this moment naturally displeased her.
Seventh Miss observed with a smile, taking in every nuance of Fifth Young Madam’s changing mood.
She thought for a moment but didn’t immediately provoke Fifth Young Madam. Instead, she changed the subject, making small talk with Fifth Young Madam. “Yu Qiao’s marriage prospects seem quite promising.”
Mentioning Yu Qiao’s marriage reminded Fifth Young Madam that in this matter, Seventh Miss was an ally.
“The Fan family is well-off after all, and the household is simple.” She smiled slightly. “Grandmother and Madam are both very satisfied. Third Aunt also thinks Yu Qiao is a good girl. Once we return to Yangzhou, this match should be settled.”
“Truly a marriage destined by fate.” Seventh Miss was also quite moved. “It’s good too—once Yu Qiao marries out, we can then arrange matches for Yu Ping and Yu An.”
After a few more polite exchanges with Fifth Young Madam, Lixia and Little Fuchun emerged hand-in-hand from the side room. Little Fuchun whispered a few words to Lixia with a grin before releasing her hand and murmuring to Fifth Young Madam.
But Little Luowen was again nowhere to be seen today…
Seventh Miss smiled as she rose and bid farewell to Fifth Young Madam, then left Leshan Residence with Lixia.
Before they even reached the main gate of Little Cuijin, a young maid from Qingping Garden came rushing up breathlessly and invited Seventh Miss to Qingping Garden.
#
When Seventh Miss entered the inner chamber, Madam Xu was leaning against the edge of the kang having breakfast. Though she looked quite haggard, her spirits seemed good.
“Little Qi has come.” Madam Xu beckoned. “Come, sit down and eat some more!”
Although Madam Xu had always treated Seventh Miss well, she had never been this warm before.
Seventh Miss naturally wouldn’t play at being aloof at such a time.
A faint smile crossed her face as she obediently sat across from Madam Xu, softly inquiring, “Did Mother sleep poorly again last night?”
“An old ailment.” Madam Xu waved her hand dismissively and, with a young maid’s assistance, took a spoonful of almond tea before smiling. “This morning your father-in-law came to see me and said a few words. My heart relaxed, and didn’t my spirits improve considerably?”
Madam Xu’s illness stemmed from years of worry, leaving her unable to sleep soundly. Now that Seventh Miss’s actions in the manor were exemplary, causing Duke Pingguo himself to propose transferring household management while the Grand Madam and the Fifth Branch couldn’t utter a word of opposition—how could her mood not improve? With an improved mood came improved spirits.
Seventh Miss smiled faintly, allowing Madam Xu to regard her appreciatively while she lowered her head and took a bite of date cake without saying much.
When criticized, she paid no mind; when praised, she remained equally calm, never showing joy on her face… The appreciation in Madam Xu’s eyes only deepened.
Between two intelligent people, there was never need for lengthy explanations of intentions or declarations of loyalty. Often, facts spoke for themselves. Not only had Seventh Miss accepted Fifth Young Madam’s challenge, she had responded perfectly. Her performance was already enough to astound Madam Xu.
What a pity that back then…
Her eyes couldn’t help but dim again, thinking of everything buried in the dust of the past.
“How are Shou’ge and Fu’ge doing lately?” Rather than mentioning household affairs, Madam Xu directly turned the topic to her two precious grandsons.
Though somewhat surprised, Seventh Miss answered quickly.
“Both are doing well. Fu’ge already recognizes several numbers, and his speech is getting clearer and clearer.” Thinking of Fifth Son’s performance, Seventh Miss couldn’t help but smile.
This child had been lively and outgoing from birth, truly endearing. Even his little schemes were adorable. Because Seventh Miss feared they would develop cavities from a young age, she strictly controlled sweets. Only when there were guests, or when playing at Grandmother’s, could they eat a few candies.
“Last time when their maternal grandmother came to visit,” Seventh Miss smiled as she told Madam Xu the story, “Fifth Son acted all coquettish and wheedling, coaxing over ten pine nut candies from his grandmother. But he wouldn’t eat them. Instead, he asked for a little box to store them in. Mother may remember—Fourth Son loves that little doll made by Little Zhujiang at your side, sometimes refusing to let go of it wherever he goes. Fifth Son loves teasing his brother, so with those pine nut candies, he’d eat one himself, and when Fourth Son wanted some, he’d trade with him—one pine nut candy to play with the doll for a while…”
Before she could finish the story, Madam Xu was already laughing heartily.
“What a little troublemaker!” The joy radiating from her face was unmistakable. “In a few years, when the children reach seven or eight years old, Mingde Hall will be in chaos!”
“Fourth Son is no slouch either,” Seventh Miss smiled with pursed lips. “This child can now say many words too. After he traded with Fifth Son, once the maids and nursemaids changed shifts to eat, he coaxed Chunfen who came in to serve: ‘Aunt Chunfen, want dolly’… Chunfen didn’t know what had happened and coaxed the doll away from Fifth Son to give to him. Didn’t he end up eating the candy and keeping the doll? Poor Fifth Son cried his heart out…”
Even the old nanny who had just entered couldn’t help but laugh. As for Madam Xu, in that instant she seemed to have grown several years younger, her eyes and brows radiating brilliance.
The pair of children brought endless joy to the elderly.
“How did Fourth Son suddenly learn to speak so quickly?” She enthusiastically discussed child-rearing with Seventh Miss. “Just a few days ago when they came to pay respects to me, he said ‘Greetings to Grandmother, may Grandmother be well’ perfectly clearly, not at all more mumbled than Fifth Son!”
Seventh Miss didn’t hide anything from Madam Xu. She recounted, with additions and omissions, how Fourth Son learned to speak, not even concealing the few words Fourth Son had said before Fifth Miss’s spirit tablet.
Mentioning Fifth Miss naturally prompted Madam Xu to sigh, though she was also gratified. “You always said Fourth Son understood everything—I thought that was just a mother’s bias toward her son and took it with a grain of salt. Hearing this, Fourth Son truly is perceptive inside, not confused at all in his heart, understanding everything clearly!”
Her gaze toward Seventh Miss held an added warmth.
Though Seventh Miss didn’t show it outwardly, she truly treated Fourth Son and Fifth Son well… Most precious was that she didn’t avoid mentioning their birth mother, allowing the children to remember their biological bond from a young age. Whether another stepmother could have such magnanimity was questionable.
Madam Xu slowly exhaled and reached out to pat Seventh Miss’s shoulder.
“Mother is getting old.” She leaned back against the pillow, signaling the servants to remove the small kang table covered with bowls and dishes and set it aside to be cleared. “My health isn’t good, my mind even less sharp—and I don’t want to use it anymore.”
She carefully observed Seventh Miss’s expression.
Seventh Miss still wore a faint smile, calmly waiting for her to continue, without the slightest excitement. Her bright eyes remained calm as an ancient well, as if she had neither expectation nor fear of what Madam Xu would say next.