Xiqiu raised her eyebrows slightly, standing afar listening to the conversation here, Min paused showing an uncertain look, saying: "Maybe... let’s forget it, you are right, too many mosquitoes might bite Zhi." As if pondering where to play: "We can’t go to Qing River either." He finally understood why his mother always stayed within the courtyard.

Everyone fell silent, yet Min’s face was full of indecision, Xiqiu saw everyone exchanging glances, their eyes revealing a peculiar expression.

"What are you doing?" Xiqiu asked with a smile, walking over. Seeing her appear, Min quickly ran over, somewhat embarrassed, saying: "Brother doesn’t want to go back, I wanted to take him to the backyard to see the camellias, but there must be many mosquitoes in the woods, so..." a hard decision to make. Xiqiu laughed and held his hand, saying: "Then let’s go see the camellias, but we will only stay for a while, how about that?"

Min laughed upon hearing this, nodding: "Okay!" Xiqiu smiled at everyone, instructing Dongling: "Go back and bring a few fans."

Dongling agreed, and Xiqiu walked over, took Zhi in her arms and talked to Min: "Why do you want to see the camellias?" Min thought for a moment and replied: "They said mother likes camellias the most, and now is when they bloom the fullest, I also want Zhi to see them."

Xiqiu laughed, and walked alongside Min, whispering gently: "Then which flower do you like?" Min paused for a moment before replying: "I like camellias too." His voice was full of certainty.

Xiqiu freed one hand, holding Zhi with one arm, and took Min’s hand with the other, the three walked ahead. Xiqiu whispered: "Then why don’t we also plant a few in the courtyard someday, so you can see them right when you step out..."

"Okay, let me and Erquan do it." he replied: "I know how to transplant them... just dig them out with the roots and plant them in the courtyard..."

"Great." Xiqiu said with a smile: "Then I’ll leave this task to you, alright?"

Min nodded repeatedly, with a face full of seriousness.

They walked to the slope in the backyard where the camellias were planted, surrounded by maids and nanny. Xiqiu stopped and someone placed a stool behind her. She sat down and said to Zhi: "Isn’t it beautiful? Your brother brought you here to see it."

Min’s cheeks flushed slightly, as Dongling brought over straw fans, standing beside them fanning the three people. Min stared at Zhi’s little face, and reached out to touch his head: "Zhi is sweating." Saying this, he took the fan from Dongling’s hand and stood seriously in front of Zhi fanning him: "This way it’s not hot, and no mosquitoes will bite."

Xiqiu smiled at him: "Take a rest, your arms will get tired after a while." Min shook his head, leaned over beside Zhi who was drowsy and whispered: "Mother, is Zhi going to sleep?"

"That’s because elder brother is fanning so well." Xiqiu touched Min’s head: "He’s comfortable."

Min pursed his lips and laughed softly.

Fourth Master Xiao walked over from a distance and saw the scene of the three under the sunset, Xiqiu and Min chatting softly with their heads close together, Zhi sprawled across Xiqiu’s arm. The light was dim, tea flowers bloomed like fire in the distance, fragrance spread throughout the air... He couldn’t help but smile and slowed his steps to walk over.

Mrs. Zhou and others, upon seeing Fourth Master Xiao, were about to perform courtesy, but saw him waving his hand, indicating everyone not to make a sound...

"Fourth Master!" Upon hearing footsteps behind, Xiqiu turned to look at Fourth Master Xiao: "Back so early today."

Fourth Master Xiao stopped beside her, Min immediately straightened his posture and greeted: "Father." Fourth Master Xiao glanced at the fan in his hand and nodded: "Did you come back from there? Was it hot on the way?"

"Not hot." Min shook his head: "But Mr. Song had me practice calligraphy today, he said he was going to teach Xing a new lesson... leaving me to read and practice writing alone."

As Xing gradually grew older, the education of the Princely Heir had to keep up, so inevitably Mr. Song would focus more energy on Xing.

Xiqiu furrowed her brows slightly, exchanged a glance with Fourth Master Xiao. She stood up and handed Zhi to Mrs. Zhou: "Take him back." Mrs. Zhou agreed.

Xiqiu then took Min’s hand and said to Fourth Master Xiao: "Let’s go back and eat; doesn’t Min have homework to do?"

Min nodded, unwillingly glimpsing at the camellias. Xiqiu seeing this laughed softly and said: "Remember the transplanting task for tomorrow." Min immediately nodded. Fourth Master Xiao, hearing their soft conversation, asked: "What were you talking about?"

Xiqiu and Min exchanged glances; it felt like they shared a secret others couldn’t know. They both shook their heads saying: "Can’t tell."

Fourth Master Xiao paused for a moment, with a twinkle of smile in his eyes.

At night, the family of three had dinner in the side room, Xiqiu asked Chunliu to send Min to sleep: "Ask Tiancheng to send some ice over." She further instructed Min’s nursemaid: "Though it’s hot at night these days, still cover him with a blanket to prevent catching a cold at night."

The nursemaid agreed, Xiqiu saw Min to the door, watched him head to the backyard before turning back to the side room, seeing Fourth Master Xiao sitting by the rose bed drinking tea, she asked: "Did you hear the news about the gentleman from Count Dongchang’s family retiring?"

Fourth Master Xiao put down the tea cup and replied: "A letter has been sent, a reply should arrive these days, his surname is Ji, I’ve met him once and found him quite decent." Xiqiu listened and nodded, sitting beside Fourth Master Xiao asking: "Do you have any assurance? It’s said he wants to return to his hometown to study and take the imperial examination next year. What if he declines, do you have other candidates in mind?"

Surely, a teacher shouldn’t delay Min’s studies.

"There’s another one surnamed Zhang." Saying this, he glanced at Xiqiu: "Introduced by Lord Jiang, originally taught at Qianshan Academy, said to have a bit of health issues..." Qianshan Academy isn’t like a private school, in boarding schools the curriculum is far heavier.

Xiqiu furrowed her eyebrows: "Health issues?" Her voice carried a hint of doubt.

Whether Jiang Shilin recommended him isn’t the point, but since the person has health issues, could he be sporadic in attendance? This wouldn’t be favorable for Min either.

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, saying: "So I haven’t agreed yet, waiting for Mr. Ji’s reply, I’ve also promised to teach for a year. Next year if he’s still interested in the exams, I could recommend him to Grand Scholar Liu... let’s see what he thinks. If not feasible, I’ll ask others to search."

Xiqiu nodded, understanding finding a teacher shouldn’t be hurried. There are many teachers available but not many who truly teach well. After all, individuals have differing insights. She finds Mr. Song teaching effectively, but such a teacher suits their household because their children aren’t aimed at achieving fame through examinations but gaining knowledge and insight. Mr. Song’s method of combining teaching with fun is beneficial; changing to someone else might instead delay their studies.