Madam Luo gave a dry smile and said nothing more. Madam Xia stopped beside her, held her hand gently as a consolation. Madam Luo smiled nonchalantly, and the two of them moved outside to talk: "I’ve known Fourth Miss’s temperament for many years. She’s someone who may speak sharply but has a soft heart. Don’t worry, I’m fine!"

"Just afraid you’ll overthink." Madam Xia smiled soothingly: "It’s rare for the family to get along so peacefully; who knows how long these days will last. Let’s cherish every moment we have together."

Hearing these words, Madam Luo was taken aback. Her expression changed as she grabbed Madam Xia’s hand: "What did First Master tell you?" First Master was closest to Madam Xia, so he might have said something to her.

"Don’t worry." Madam Xia reassured her: "First Master didn’t say anything; it’s just my wild imagination. The main room can’t stay empty forever. A couple of days ago, I heard from the household servants that an official matchmaker is coming to propose a marriage for First Master. It was like this before, and now that First Master has been promoted, such good news might not be far off."

Madam Luo’s expression darkened as she listened. She grabbed Madam Xia’s hand and whispered in her ear: "If this is true, then about Twelfth Miss’s dowry, before anyone new joins, you should make sure First Master prepares it in advance to avoid having to ask for help in the future, especially since we don’t know who might come in. It’s better to be cautious."

Madam Luo’s reminder made Madam Xia tense. What she said made a lot of sense. When Sixth Miss got married, she suffered a loss at the time. While she could endure hardships herself, she could not allow her three children to suffer anymore.

"If you don’t dare to speak, I’ll go and have a word." She had lost Fifth Miss back then, and now that Madam Xia had given birth to Twelfth Miss, she treated Twelfth Miss as her own.

Madam Xia shook her head: "Don’t rush; I’ll... I’ll discuss this with Sixth Lady." Madam Luo raised an eyebrow and then nodded: "That’s a good idea. Sixth Lady is thorough in her considerations."

In the afternoon, while waiting for Fourth Master Xiao, Xiqiu and Madam Xia spoke in the room about what Madam Luo had suggested. Xiqiu listened, furrowed her brow and asked: "Did Father mention anything about remarriage?"

"No." Madam Xia shook her head: "However, First Master probably wouldn’t discuss such matters with me."

Xiqiu nodded, agreeing with Madam Xia’s reasoning. She thought for a bit and then asked: "Since some in the household mentioned that an official matchmaker is coming to propose to First Master, why not investigate further to see what his stance is."

"I understand. I’ll look into it carefully tomorrow." Madam Xia nodded in agreement. Xiqiu then added: "About sister’s dowry, Madam Luo wasn’t wrong. If it’s prepared now, we won’t have to worry if anything changes in the future. Let me send you some silver notes later for safekeeping."

"That won’t do." Madam Xia immediately waved her hand: "How can I take your money?" Xiqiu pressed Madam Xia’s hand and said: "It’s not just for Twelfth Sister. Seventh Brother is also growing up, and after the three-year mourning period, he will likely be getting married too. It’s better to be prepared."

Madam Xia’s eyes flickered, and she didn’t say anything further. A few days later, she had Xiuzhi report the investigation’s findings to Xiqiu: "First Master didn’t even meet the matchmaker; he directly refused." His attitude was firm!

Xiqiu wondered if First Master had no intention of taking a wife at all?

She temporarily set this matter aside, took some silver notes, and instructed Xiuzhi to deliver them for Madam Xia to keep at the bottom of her chest for future use.

That evening, Fourth Master Xiao came over, and everyone had dinner together at home. Xiqiu returned home with Fourth Master Xiao, who asked her along the way: "Is Ren Jun’s illness better now? Are they setting off?"

"I heard he’s recovered." Fourth Master Xiao replied lightly, holding Xiqiu. Xiqiu didn’t say more but thought about Tong Xiyang. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

After some days, Kun had his first birthday. Due to the mourning period, the family shared a meal together. Xiqiu met the long-missed Madam Jiang. After the meal, Xiqiu, Madam Jiang, and Madam Jiang spoke in the room. Since meeting through a performance organized by Lady in the mansion some years ago, Madam Yang and Madam Jiang had maintained some contact. While Madam Yang’s rank was not high, she was incredibly resourceful.

Madam Jiang said: "The Jiang household is quite lively now." After a pause, she continued: "It is said that the originally married Madam Mei is causing a scene, claiming that Old Madam Jiang is biased towards Madam Jiang, almost pushing them, the concubines, to the brink... seeking death."

Xiqiu listened in amusement. Madam Mei and another concubine had been in the household for several years. While the new wife had just arrived, she managed to suppress the two concubines so thoroughly so quickly. From what Xiqiu remembered, Madam Mei was not an easy person to deal with.

"Wasn’t it said that Old Madam Jiang dotes on Madam Mei? Why has it turned around now?" Madam Jiang teased Kun to sleep, a look of disdain on her face.

Madam Jiang smiled slightly, responding: "No matter how much she’s doted on, she’s still a concubine. A main wife, with her higher status and new entry, naturally garners more affection!"

Madam Jiang seemed indifferent as she listened.

Xiqiu was equally puzzled but didn’t ask anything aloud. Madam Jiang thought for a moment and added: "I hear Madam Jiang plans to move out, saying they’re buying a house in the Capital by the end of the year."

Madam Yang indeed had well-informed sources.

It seemed Madam Jiang must have earned some money; otherwise, how would she afford to purchase a new house? In the Capital, where land is expensive, buying a residence is no simple matter.

Xiqiu felt a curiosity about Marquis Huaining’s legitimate daughter. That Madam Jiang was willing to move out of Jiang Mansion was intriguing. After all, everyone used common funds for their expenses while living together. Marquis Huaining’s brother had no income. They all depended on Jiang Shilin’s earnings, yet as soon as Miss Ma entered, Madam Jiang was moving out.

She didn’t believe that Madam Jiang was moving out merely because she was now financially comfortable.

Indeed, Madam Jiang continued: "It seems Old Madam Jiang is unwilling, even visiting Haining Marquis Mansion, possibly to persuade the family..."

Xiqiu smiled gently, realizing that things were not as simple as they seemed. Madam Jiang was indeed not an easy opponent.

As the weather turned cooler, Zhi started crawling on the kang; Xiqiu watched closely each day, afraid he might fall. Tong Shen Zhi and Tong Quanzi made several small wooden toys for him: wooden swords, axes, and a little drum. Zhi surrounded himself with them on his territory. If anyone touched them, he would pounce with eyes eerily similar to Fourth Master Xiao’s, glaring coldly until you broke into a cold sweat before he eventually turned away and hid the toys in a new spot.

Xiqiu delighted in playing games with him, frequently relocating his hidden toys. By the next day, he would invariably locate the treasures she stashed, flipping over every cupboard for them. Sometimes, after Min returned from class, he and Zhi would tumble onto the kang together, laughing triumphantly. Then Min would take Zhi aside and explain things with diligence, though Zhi rarely understood. Min followed him around, emphasizing what was off-limits, what could be dangerous, and then showing him new words he’d learned: "This word is pronounced ’Zhi’, it’s your name!"