Madam Jiang left the Governor Mansion and indeed visited the Ren Mansion twice. Somehow, she managed to work things out with Tong Xiyang. Before the new year, Xiqiu heard that Madam Jiang helped Tong Xiyang change to a two-entry house. Although the location was a bit remote and not spacious, it was still better than a quadrangle courtyard.

Xiqiu did not show up, presumably because Tong Xiyang did not want to see her at that moment.

On Fourth Master Xiao’s day off, he took Min and Xing riding, just as expected. Xiqiu and Chunliu along with two or three others hastily made two sets of clothes and two pairs of leather boots for Min and Xing. The two children played wildly for the whole day. When they returned in the evening, Min happily chatted with Xiqiu for quite some time, appearing particularly joyful. Since then, Min seemed to become closer to Fourth Master Xiao, no longer as frightened when seeing him.

On the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month, the day to worship the Kitchen God, Fourth Master Xiao welcomed the triumphant return of Han Cheng, Huang Da, and Qian Wenzhong, three great generals, outside the city gates. Furthermore, the news that Cheng Chong would also return after reporting his victory three days later reached them, causing a stir as the court celebrated. The chaos over Jiangnan’s Min Family and the riots by the refugees from Wei Hui over the past year had finally concluded.

The Emperor awarded the three generals honors. As Huang Da had previously commanded the West Mountain Camp, Elder General Chen took over during Huang Da’s absence. Before Huang Da’s return, Elder General Chen visited Fourth Master Xiao to discuss submitting his resignation. Xiqiu did not know what Fourth Master Xiao discussed with Elder General Chen, but subsequently, Elder General Chen did not submit his resignation. Instead, Huang Da was reassigned to guard Liaodong.

Huang Da was naturally delighted. Madam Huang brought several jars of pickles to thank Xiqiu profusely, saying, "We will never forget the kindness you and the Great Governor have shown to our family." Their ancestors were from Liaodong, and they couldn’t adapt to life in the Capital, having struggled for a year or two, feeling like birds trapped in a cage, unable to soar freely.

Xiqiu replied with a smile, "This is what Lord Huang deserves, earned through military achievements. Madam, you really don’t need to be so courteous!" Yet Madam Huang continued to express her heartfelt gratitude, promising to send specialties from Liaodong to Xiqiu. Indeed, in June of the following year, Madam Huang transported a full cart of Liaodong specialties from there, along with numerous cow and sheep furs, but that is a story for another time.

General Han was awarded a residence and promoted to a First-class General. Upon returning home, he held Madam Han’s memorial tablet and cried throughout the night.

During the New Year, the family went to the Marquis Mansion. Like last year, the courtyard was filled with silver trees. Xiao Yanzheng also came to stay for a few days. On the fifth day of the lunar new year, the Grand Dowager and First Madam visited the Governor Mansion, while Xing, Min, and Zhi played around the courtyard. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

On the fifteenth of the first lunar month, Xiao Yanting brought the Fifth Madam with him. The Grand Dowager only saw Sheng, not the Fifth Madam. Fourth Master Xiao carried Zhi, while Xiao Yanyi took Xing and Min, meeting Xiao Yanting outside. The three brothers, accompanied by the four children, went to watch the lanterns, playing until midnight before returning home.

When they returned, Zhi was sound asleep on Fourth Master Xiao’s shoulder, while Min was carried alternately by the brothers Yiquan and Erquan. Xing lay exhausted in Xiao Yanyi’s embrace, with eyes barely open. Fifth Young Master took Sheng directly back to his own mansion.

The Grand Dowager reprimanded them all the next day, at which Xiqiu could only laugh. Even the First Madam, holding Zhi, remarked, "We can’t allow this kind of playing again next time."

After the fifteenth of the first lunar month, the Emperor’s selection of concubines for the second time since his accession was put on the agenda. Since the Emperor’s offspring were not many, everyone in the court was busy over this matter. Most of the concubines of Great Zhou were selected from the families of low-ranking officials or chosen from among the populace where the family background was clean and appearance pleasing.

Xiqiu did not care about the events happening outside, as there were many affairs at home; after Tong Xiyan’s birthday on the second day of the second lunar month, the Shen Family sent an invitation, saying there would be a spring banquet on the third day of the third lunar month. Xiqiu understood that since the palace was about to welcome new members, the Shen Family would naturally want to socialize more.

Due to her mourning period, Xiqiu declined the invitation, but later, Madam Qian mentioned it with some disdain, "It was a very lively event, with a female storyteller and a stage built. Even the Empress granted wine..."

Xiqiu listened and nodded quietly. It seemed that the Shen Family’s spring banquet was indeed bustling.

"It’s a pity you didn’t go," Madam Qian said with a half-smile, "as all the madams from various households in the entire Capital attended."

Xiqiu replied with a smile, "There is so much happening at home, and the children are young, I really couldn’t get away."

Madam Qian nodded in agreement.

A few days later, on March sixteenth, it was Min’s birthday. Xiqiu invited Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan to come over, as well as the Grand Dowager, First Madam, Xing, Xiao Yanting, and Sheng. The family had a meal together, and Xiao Yanyi announced, "...We have invited a few usual acquaintances and set up a stage within the mansion for some festivities." In April, it would be the Grand Dowager’s birthday. Although Xiqiu, along with Xing and Qiuniang’s children, were still in mourning, the Grand Dowager hadn’t celebrated her birthday in years and desired to celebrate this year.

The family naturally agreed, and the Grand Dowager watched everyone with a smile, forgoing her usual objections over the past years.

In late March, the Ren Mansion split the family and Tong Xiyang, with the third branch, moved into the house purchased by the First Master and Madam Jiang. Xiqiu didn’t visit, but heard from Madam Jiang that they cried a lot... Tong Xiyang flew into a rage and sent several childless concubines off to the countryside to be married off there.

Xiqiu was busy with the First Madam preparing for the Grand Dowager’s birthday, which also coincided with Zhi’s first birthday. Since he had no grandmother, Madam Jiang took the responsibility. Although there was no banquet, the first birthday ceremony had to be observed.

Xiqiu initially did not want to make a fuss but had not expected that Marquis Wuwei, Marquis Jinxiang, Count Jinyuan, and several other madams sent people over to inquire. Madam Jiang cheerfully suggested, "The mourning period is almost over; why not have a bit of merriment since we missed Zhi’s full-month banquet, we can’t skimp on his first birthday!" She affectionately patted Zhi’s head, adding, "Suppose people outside heard about it, they’d understand."

Xiqiu sighed with a smile, nodding in agreement.