Her guess was correct—in the following period, Fourth Concubine was indeed frequently brought along by the Master to socialize outside.
Nanny Wang greatly disapproved of her frivolous conduct, often complaining to Lichun that Fourth Concubine acted so unreliably that the Grand Madam’s reputation inevitably suffered along with her.
No one thought of Third Miss’s marriage prospects. Second Madam and Fourth Concubine had never been close and had no dealings—during this period, it was only when Second Madam sent some seasonal fresh fruits to the Yang household that Fourth Concubine also had someone send back some viburnum flowers.
Seventh Miss observed all this without revealing her thoughts.
Everyone was quite peaceful this month without any incidents. Third Miss seemed to have forgotten her quarrel with Seventh Miss—when they met, she was still warm and affectionate, full of “Seventh Younger Sister” this and that.
Soon it was May. From the Dragon Boat Festival onward, every morning after rising, Bailu would bring realgar wine to paint the character for “king” on Seventh Miss’s forehead. Recently whenever Lixia had free time, she twisted longevity threads—not only making exquisitely colored five-color cords to hang on Seventh Miss’s arms, but also suspending them at the head and sides of the bed to bless Seventh Miss with a hundred years of life. Nanny Wang and Lichun had discussed it—starting from the Dragon Boat Festival, they fumigated with mugwort and wormwood every day, making both inside and outside smell of mugwort’s intense yet refreshing fragrance.
Sixth Miss sent two sachets to the west side courtyard, one for Ninth Young Master and one for Seventh Miss. “I painstakingly made just these two—please don’t disdain them!”
Ninth Young Master and Seventh Miss had just finished eating. The two sat chatting in the main hall about matters at Ninth Young Master’s school. Seeing Sixth Miss arrive, they both stood up to greet her. Hearing her say this, they both said, “Thank you for Sixth Sister’s kind thoughts.”
The sachets Sixth Miss sent were indeed exquisite, containing peace talismans, auspicious coins, and realgar powder. The one for Ninth Young Master was embroidered with a monkey climbing a tree, while Seventh Miss’s showed a tiger dozing—both were cute and amusing patterns with fine embroidery, lifelike and vivid. Both loved them and kept turning them over to examine them.
Ninth Young Master discussed with Seventh Miss: “What gift should we give back to Sixth Sister? Sixth Sister’s hands are so skillful—I don’t know what would be appropriate to send.”
Seventh Miss, seeing how thoughtful he was, felt somewhat emotional. Disregarding Lichun watching from the side, she patted his head and said with a smile, “Anything is fine—it’s just for good luck.”
Ninth Young Master became very angry, holding his head and crying out, “Don’t pat my head! I’m not a child anymore!”
Lichun and Bailu laughed until they doubled over. Even Lixia in the east inner room and Xiaoxue in the west inner room laughed.
While laughing, Seventh Miss agreed, “Yes, not a child anymore. Ninth Young Master is an adult now.”
“Exactly.” Ninth Young Master puffed out his chest, very pleased. “I’m a man now. From now on, it’s my turn to pat your heads.”
Seventh Miss was smiling and about to say more when she saw Shuangjiang enter the west side courtyard.
Everyone’s laughter subsided.
Why was Fourth Concubine sending someone to the west side courtyard at this time? It was midday, and Nanny Wang wasn’t in the west side courtyard either.
Lichun descended the steps and walked to Shuangjiang’s side to inquire in a low voice.
Shuangjiang said a few words quietly to Lichun. Lichun looked back at Seventh Miss in surprise.
Seventh Miss frowned.
Unexpectedly, she recalled the scene of her unexpected encounter with Shuangjiang at Juba Immortals Hall.
Ninth Young Master looked at Seventh Miss somewhat uneasily with an inquiring glance.
His eyes, beyond being lively and spirited, always carried some melancholy—dark and lustrous like two small gemstones, bright and mysterious, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.
Yet Seventh Miss discerned the concern contained within.
Her heart warmed as she smiled and shook her head at Ninth Young Master, signaling him not to worry.
Lichun entered the room and whispered in Seventh Miss’s ear, “Mrs. Feng has come and is waiting outside the side gate…”
Ninth Concubine’s maiden family surname was Feng.
Ninth Concubine’s parents and younger brother had all died several years ago. The family circumstances had never been good to begin with—otherwise Ninth Concubine wouldn’t have had to work as an embroiderer to supplement the household income.
Now still living was Ninth Concubine’s sister-in-law, with a pair of children, who ordinarily relied on embroidery to earn their meals. Previously, they’d never approached the Yang household, until two or three years after Ninth Young Master was born when Mrs. Feng’s eyes became bad and she could no longer embroider. Only then was she forced to shamefully appear at the Yang household gate.
At that time Ninth Concubine was still in the Northwest. The Grand Madam hadn’t actually shorted them—every year in the twelfth month when they came calling, she’d always give ten or twenty taels of silver along with some medium-quality fabric to send them away. Last year in the twelfth month, Lixia had learned that the Grand Madam had additionally given a pair of gold bracelets.
A concubine’s family members didn’t count as the Yang manor’s proper relatives. Each time Mrs. Feng came calling, she had to seek someone at the back gate to report to the main courtyard. Sometimes when the Grand Madam was too lazy to see her, she’d have someone send things out and give them at the main gate without even offering tea.
However, now the Grand Madam wasn’t home. Managing the concubines was Fourth Concubine’s responsibility, so the servants at the second gate reported to Fourth Concubine—that was natural and proper, nothing to doubt. That Fourth Concubine sent Shuangjiang to inform Seventh Miss was also appropriate—when the Feng family came, they should at least tell Seventh Miss.
Why come calling again just at the Dragon Boat Festival? Could something have happened at home?
Seventh Miss couldn’t sit still. She looked at the curious-faced Ninth Young Master and gave him a meaningful look.
Ninth Young Master stood up yawning and entered the west inner room.
Only then did Seventh Miss have Shuangjiang come up the steps and cross the threshold, asking in a low voice, “Did they say what the matter was?”
A trace of disdain flashed in Shuangjiang’s eyes.
Though Fourth Concubine served as a concubine, her maiden family was fairly wealthy. Over these years the Master had also frequently visited them. Each time they came calling, it was in the capacity of the Master’s maternal family home, entering through the main gate and sitting in guest seats.
How could they be like the Feng family, skulking about and seeking someone at the back gate to report?
“Nothing in particular,” she answered quite reservedly.
Seventh Miss’s face reddened: nothing in particular meant they’d come to ask for money.
She’d never met Mrs. Feng. Ninth Concubine also hadn’t seen relatives in many years. Last year it had been Lixia who secretly went to the back gate to see Mrs. Feng once, bringing a few words of greeting for Ninth Concubine.
Now Nanny Wang happened to be away. There was nothing for it—she’d have to use her own private funds. Seventh Miss felt somewhat dejected, though it wasn’t about caring for this bit of money: when Nanny Wang found out and reported to the Grand Madam, the Grand Madam would think her heart leaned toward Ninth Concubine’s maiden family and she wasn’t close to herself. She’d only just arrived at the main courtyard—how could she withstand such turmoil?
“Fourth Concubine asks if Seventh Miss wants to see Mrs. Feng?” Shuangjiang’s tone was thick with disapproval.
Seventh Miss bit her lip and looked inquiringly at Lichun.
Lichun had something to ask of her—over this small matter, she wouldn’t obstruct.
“I’ll accompany Seventh Miss,” Lichun said with a smile. “When Nanny Wang and Madam ask later, we’ll have an explanation.”
Seventh Miss looked gratefully at Lichun, called Lixia to her side and gave some instructions, then entered the room to change into a bright outfit suitable for receiving guests.
“Why bother?” Walking ahead on the covered corridor, Shuangjiang curled her lip and remarked to Lichun, though her voice was loud enough for Seventh Miss to hear. “Just looking at Mrs. Feng’s clothes, even our third-rank maids going out could outshine her!”