"Ah?" Xiqiu was shocked beyond words, never expecting such a situation had developed between father and daughter: "How did it come to this?" So that’s why she avoided going back, and only returned to the Capital after Seventh Master Ruan passed away?

Ruan Jingliu raised her eyebrows, smiled gently, and said indifferently, "But he never knew, even if I went back, he couldn’t come back to life..."

So that’s why she avoided going back. If their father-daughter relationship had truly deteriorated to this extent, and everyone in the family believed she had the ability to save Seventh Master Ruan, but in the end, if she went back and couldn’t do anything, others might not only disbelieve her inability but might also blame her for not trying her best...

And she would unnecessarily bear the name of being unfilial.

"Don’t worry, it’s already over between him and me. I am no longer part of the Ruan Family, so whether he is alive or dead, it has nothing to do with me." Ruan Jingliu took a sip of tea and continued, "Speaking of Madam Zhou, she is quite a good person. At first, I also had high hopes for the marriage between Fourth Miss and Bohan. They were a well-matched couple, but I didn’t expect it to end up like this." She showed a look of pity after saying this.

Xiqiu’s emotions were still caught up in her story, and she thought for a while, frowning. She looked at Ruan Jingliu and asked, "Chunyan said that after you returned to Tongzhou last time, you didn’t visit the Zhang Family. Have you... also stopped associating with the Zhang Family?"

When she initially didn’t return to Tongzhou but settled in the Capital, Xiqiu was a bit puzzled.

"These matters are a long story." Ruan Jingliu appeared unwilling to elaborate, "I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to overthink, so I simply didn’t mention it. Anyway, it’s all in the past. Don’t let your thoughts wander. Without them, I’m doing better than before!"

Xiqiu knew she genuinely didn’t care, otherwise, she wouldn’t have been practicing medicine outside and not returning for so many years. She also hadn’t heard of anyone from the Ruan or Zhang Families coming to look for her, except for Madam Zhou.

"Alright then." Xiqiu didn’t want to press further. After all, everyone has their own secrets and past, just like she herself had unspeakable experiences. After some thought, she asked, "Can the medicinal seedlings in Tongzhou begin to be harvested now?"

Ruan Jingliu nodded and said, "Considering the time, some can indeed be harvested." After a pause, she added, "Another day, let Tianyi go and take a look."

Xiqiu nodded, and Ruan Jingliu stood up, "I’ll head back to the clinic now!" Xiqiu saw her to the door, "You’re not leaving again, are you?"

Ruan Jingliu stopped and smiled, "Don’t worry, if I go out, I’ll let you know." With that, she smiled and headed towards the outer courtyard. Xiqiu stood at the gate, watching her leave, then turned to the little garden to find Zhi and Min. Chunliu followed behind, whispering, "Qiuhong from First Young Madam’s side just came and said that First Young Madam asked her to inform you that First Master will be departing tomorrow."

Xiqiu frowned. Recently, Tong Shen Zhi had a farewell banquet at home, and the past days had seen the Tong Mansion hosting many guests, possibly because everyone knew First Master was about to get promoted, or for other reasons, delaying Tong Shen Zhi’s departure to today.

"Tomorrow morning, go and give Uncle two hundred taels of silver as part of the journey rituals, and also bring over the set of clothes and shoes I made before." Fortunately, Baoding is not far, so going back and forth isn’t too troublesome: "Did they mention anything else?"

Chunliu nodded. "There is one more thing." She paused, then continued, "Nanny Fang... passed away."

Xiqiu was taken aback. Ever since Lady passed away, Nanny Fang had been by her side, keeping vigil. When the body was placed in Puji Temple, she stayed there and didn’t return home. Tong Shen Zhi planned to bring Nanny Fang back to Baoding for his mourning period, intending for her to retire there instead of returning. There was dissatisfaction from First Master towards her, and resentment from the maids and attendants in the household. Without Lady’s protection, Nanny Fang would surely face hardship if left in the mansion. First Master, after some persuasion from Tong Xiyan, agreed to let Nanny Fang go to Baoding. So how did she end up passing away?

"Did they mention when it happened?" Xiqiu asked as she stopped, standing with Chunliu under a plantain tree.

Chunliu recalled Nanny Fang’s once domineering presence in the household. Now, thinking back, it seemed like a lifetime ago: "Yesterday, in Lady’s room, she hanged herself with a piece of white silk from the beam..." Chunliu finished, her gaze dropping, a bit dimly: "It was discovered this morning. The doors and windows were closed, and it had already started to smell."

Xiqiu frowned tightly, feeling that Nanny Fang’s death was strange. If she could indeed go to Baoding, it was a good thing for her. Why would she seek death before leaving? Judging by this, Nanny Fang held much resentment towards Tong Mansion. Otherwise, with so many ways to die, why would she choose to hang herself in the mansion, probably intentionally leaving behind a bad omen?

"What did First Master say?" He should be furious.

As expected, Chunliu nodded and said, "He was furious and wanted to have Nanny Fang’s body thrown to East Mountain. It was Fourth Miss who stopped it, managing to get a thin coffin for her after much effort."

Xiqiu said nothing more, nodding, "Go back yourself tomorrow as well, and visit Fourth Sister while you’re at it." They didn’t have affection for Nanny Fang, but Tong Xiyan was different. Nanny Fang had doted on her since she was a child.

Chunliu agreed, and she and Xiqiu continued towards the garden. Before they saw Min and the others, they heard Min’s childish voice, "You can’t keep standing here, Mother says there will be mosquitoes."

"I know. As long as Young Master Min says where to go, we’ll go there, okay?" It was Mrs. Zhou’s voice, with a hint of flattery.

Although Xiqiu was good to Min, ever since Zhi’s birth, the people in the mansion had been quietly observing. After all, a legitimate mother is different from a concubine’s son. No one believed a concubine’s son could compare to a legitimate son, and many harbored suspicions. They thought that with Young Master Zhi’s birth, Young Master Min’s life of being uniquely respected as the eldest would end. The lady might not ignore him, but would no longer take care of him as before.

What no one expected was that after Young Master Zhi’s birth, the lady not only did not neglect Young Master Min but was even more attentive to him. Often, the three of them would stroll in the courtyard together. She patiently listened to him play tune after tune on his instrument, even if they were not always pleasant and sometimes quite jarring, yet she always listened with a smile, discussing each piece with him for quite some time.

At moments like these, everyone noted it down in their hearts, realizing that in this household, both young masters were to be treated equally, without favoring one over the other.

"Then let’s go see the camellias. They are blooming well now, and the fragrance is wonderful." Min proposed, and Mrs. Zhou hesitated, "Will there be many mosquitoes over there?"