The First Madam noticed and smiled, presenting a set of writing tools to Zhi.

Soon after, Madam Jiang, Tong Xiyan, Tong Minzhi, and Tong Quanzi all arrived. Madam Jiang brought along Kun, while Tong Xiyan and Xiuzhi brought Tong Xihua. Everyone gathered inside the room, and the three children played boisterously on the rose bed. Kun could walk steadily, Tong Xihua was just learning to walk and was quite timid, always needing someone to hold her hand before she dared take a step, while Zhi used hands and feet to stand up by holding onto the table or cabinet, managing to stand fairly stably.

Xing respectfully cupped his fists towards Xiqiu, saying, "Fourth Aunt, I’m here to celebrate my brother’s birthday; when do we eat the longevity noodles?"

"Once all the guests have arrived, shall we eat?" Over the year, Xing had grown taller and increasingly resembled Xiao Yanyi in appearance. While she was thinking this, outside, Nanny Cen came in with a red lacquered box. "Madam, the Marquis just sent this through someone from the outer courtyard."

Xiqiu glanced at the Grand Dowager, who smiled warmly and gestured, "Open it and see what was sent."

Nanny Cen looked at Xiqiu and, following the Grand Dowager’s words, opened the box, revealing a rectangular stone where green and yellow met. The Grand Dowager, seeing this, raised her eyebrows and smiled, saying, "It’s a seal." Then she turned to Zhi, "This is what your second uncle excels at..."

Xiqiu smiled happily and had Nanny Cen take it, instructing, "Place it on the table in the main hall later."

Nanny Cen nodded in agreement.

On the side, Tong Xihua suddenly cried out, startling everyone, who then all looked over, seeing Kun and Tong Xihua fighting over Xiqiu’s blue-and-white octagonal lion-headed censer placed at the bedhead. Each was pulling a censer leg; Tong Xihua lacked Kun’s strength, and with her round eyes brimming with tears, she started to cry but wouldn’t let go.

Kun, frowning with his tiger-like face, scolded her, "Not obedient, hit you, let go!" His words were few and concise, but the meaning was clear.

Madam Jiang got up, went over to gently pull Kun’s hand, "My good boy, how about we let your sister play with the censer, and later, mommy will find you something else interesting." Kun didn’t comply and only held on tighter.

Tong Xihua looked pitifully at Xiuzhi standing nearby, seeming to plead for help with pursed lips.

Zhi, holding onto the wall, shakily stood up. First, he gave Kun a sweet smile, then extended his hand, not snatching the censer, but instead shaking the Nine Rings in his hand, its crisp jingles catching Kun’s attention. Zhi then slid the Nine Rings into Kun’s hand. Kun reluctantly accepted it, releasing the censer leg.

Zhi then clung to the censer and wouldn’t let go, turned back to look at Tong Xihua, and continued to smile broadly, while Tong Xihua looked stubbornly at him, not letting go of her end or giving any reaction.

Since Zhi couldn’t walk, he crawled slowly towards Tong Xihua, hands pulling the censer leg, babbling away. Tong Xihua couldn’t understand and turned her head to call, "Concubine... Concubine..." Since Madam Xia was absent, she called for Xiuzhi, "Auntie, Auntie..."

Xiuzhi, full of affection, wanted to hold her, but Tong Xihua wouldn’t let go of the censer or leave without it. Zhi crawled over, grasped Tong Xihua’s clothes, stood up wobbly, swaying until he steadied himself.

The Grand Dowager waved at Xiuzhi and others, gesturing them to watch what Zhi would do next.

Xiqiu silently watched her son, as long as the children weren’t in any danger, she preferred to let them resolve their issues themselves.

Everyone watched eagerly to see Zhi’s next actions.

Tong Xihua didn’t know him well and just stared at him with her big eyes.

Zhi giggled foolishly, and in the instant Tong Xihua let her guard down, he suddenly threw his short arms around her, and with his other hand, swiftly took the censer into his possession. Released from Tong Xihua, he fell back with a thud onto the bed, then flipped over and crawled rapidly over the bed’s edge, turning his gaze back towards Tong Xihua.

Tong Xihua looked at her now empty hands and then at the culprit, who was already far from her. Unable to retake it, she burst into tears.

The Grand Dowager laughed heartily and pointed at Zhi, who was sneaking away with his treasure, "This little one actually knows how to use strategy to confuse his opponent." She said this while watching Tong Xihua sobbing heartily in Xiuzhi’s arms, and quickly took off her bracelet, "Here, play with this... good girl, stop crying." Saying this, she brought out a handkerchief to wipe Tong Xihua’s face and gave her the bracelet, "Take it, play with it; let’s stop crying now, Twelfth Aunt!"

Tong Xihua took the bracelet, was attracted by it, and, sniffing, stopped crying.

Xiuzhi looked at the quality of the bracelet and knew it wasn’t an ordinary item, appearing troubled, "Grand Dowager, this... is too precious." She then looked towards Xiqiu.

The Grand Dowager waved her hand, "This is our first time meeting Twelfth Aunt. It’s nothing too valuable; as long as it makes her happy for a moment, it’s worth it."

Xiqiu gave a slight nod to Xiuzhi, who then helped Tong Xihua give thanks to the Grand Dowager. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Meanwhile, Kun and Zhi had begun playing together again. Tong Xihua also slipped from Xiuzhi’s arms to join the other two in play.

The room was filled with laughter and chatter when Nanny Rong came in and reported, "Madam, several madams have arrived together." Hearing this, Xiqiu looked towards the Grand Dowager, who smiled and said, "Let’s go to the main hall together."

Everyone moved to the main hall. Outside, Madam Qian arrived with Miss Qian, who was around ten years old, and bore a strong resemblance to Madam Qian. She was lively and adorable, though her eyes slightly squinted when looking at people. Xiqiu recalled hearing about a miss in the Qian Mansion with naturally poor eyesight; she must be the one. She stood hand in hand with Ruan Pingrong, and the two cousins, sharing a resemblance, stood beside Madam Ruan.

Xiqiu nodded and smiled at everyone, then her gaze fell on the young lady behind Ruan Pingrong. She was around fourteen or fifteen, with a tall and shapely figure, slender waist like a willow, and expressive eyes. Most notably, she had a beauty mark between her brows. Dressed in a pale pink coat with hibiscus flowers, and a skirt edged in lake blue, she stood gracefully, making even the spring scenery of the whole garden pale in comparison to her elegance.

Secretly admiring her, Xiqiu felt a hint of curiosity about this young miss.

Madam Huang brought along Miss Huang. Since last year, her sister-in-law had settled down, and the marriage was approaching, so she hadn’t been out much lately. Madam Xu followed with a constant smile.

Xiqiu quickly and warmly welcomed everyone in. Madam Ruan said with a smile, "What a coincidence today; we all met at the mansion door." Madam Xu nodded with a laugh, "Indeed, it’s never happened before." Then, noticing the Grand Dowager sitting inside, they went up to pay their respects.

The Grand Dowager chuckled, "No need to stand, please be seated." As she spoke, her gaze lingered on the young lady beside Madam Ruan, who then smiled and said, "My eldest brother’s daughter!" Turning, she pulled the young lady forward, "Xiu Girl, quickly kowtow to the Grand Dowager!"