The Grand Dowager laughed warmly as she received the gift, waving her hand, "This child is truly beautiful, what is her name?" The young lady lowered her head, blushing as she replied, "Le Xiu, the Xiu in ’red sleeves add fragrance.’"

"A lovely name, a lovely name! If one could have such a beauty with red sleeves adding fragrance, one could henceforth seek Moxiang elsewhere, for it would no longer scent the same."

Le Xiu blushed, and everyone laughed along with her. Xiqiu glanced at Madam Qian and Madam Ruan, noticing their eyes were filled with satisfaction and anticipation.

The Grand Dowager then asked Ruan Pingrong a few questions and pulled the somewhat shy Miss Qian to sit by her side: "...Just sit here with me; even your mother often sits by my side to act coquettishly."

Madam Qian covered her face, laughing: "You are just like my own mother, so naturally, I would act coquettish in front of my dear mother."

The entire room burst into laughter.

People turned to coax Zhi to speak, and meanwhile, Nanny Cen had already set up the redwood step-by-step high round table for ten, covering it with bright red satin, placing the pen gifted by Xiao Yanzheng, the seal given by Xiao Yanyi, and the books brought by Tong Xiyan on it, along with scallions, abacuses, and other items...

Although not everyone had arrived, the people present continued to chat.

Soon after, Xiao Yanzheng arrived, paid respects to everyone, and greeted Xiqiu, "My husband is in the outer courtyard, he won’t come in to avoid inconveniencing all the ladies." Xiqiu did not insist as the outer courtyard was also holding a banquet today.

Not long after, Tong Minzhi came. Being still quite young, there was no need to avoid suspicion. Tong Quanzi stayed in the outer courtyard and did not come in but sent a petite and exquisite curved knife identical to the one Tong Quanzi usually wielded. He said, "Third Brother asked me to bring this, saying it’s for Zhi’s grabbing ceremony. If he grabs it, he must take him to the battlefield in the future."

This was what Xiqiu feared most, so she quickly smiled and said, "You hold onto it first; if there isn’t enough later, we can add it, alright."

Tong Minzhi understood his sister’s thoughts, chuckled, and did not insist, standing by the doorway with it in his hand.

Just then, Madam Lou arrived: "I’m sorry for being late." She was holding the hand of a young woman behind her: "This is the second daughter-in-law from our family; she’s not in great health and doesn’t often come out. Today, hearing I was coming for the ceremony, insisted on coming along. I couldn’t refuse, so I brought her."

It was clear that the relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was very good.

Second Young Madam Lou gave a respectful greeting to Xiqiu, who glanced at her. Her complexion was pale with a hint of greenish-black, not quite masked by makeup, indeed as rumored to be unwell. She smiled and said, "It’s a rare honor for Madam and Second Young Madam to be here, please come in."

Madam Lou laughed, holding Second Young Madam Lou’s hand as they entered the main hall.

Soon after, a small sedan chair stopped at the entrance of the main hall, and Xiqiu wondered inwardly, thinking the guests were nearly arrived. As the sedan door opened, Madam Zhou, dressed in a crisp and neat red-purple overcoat, stepped down with a smile on her face: "I didn’t expect it to be you...."

"Fourth Madam, even if you didn’t invite me, I still came on my own. I hope I haven’t brought you any trouble." Xiqiu waved a hand and laughed, "Not at all, I’m delighted you came; please, go inside." Saying this, she accompanied Madam Zhou into the main hall.

Madam Zhou’s gaze swept over the ladies in the room, her eyes landing on Tong Xiyan before she nodded slightly and moved forward to greet the Grand Dowager, "Grand Dowager!"

Madam Qian and Madam Ruan came over, exchanging pleasantries with their sister-in-law...

Tong Xiyan felt a bit awkward, shifting slightly upon seeing Madam Zhou.

Xiqiu stood by the door, shortly after which Lord Qian’s wife arrived. Xiqiu greeted her with a smile: "I haven’t congratulated you yet; Lord Qian has been promoted!" Madam Qian laughed, "Thanks to the Great Governor; otherwise, how could he have such ability?" She glanced inside towards the lively laughs in the main hall and said, "With so many people here, I won’t go in, just delivering my gift to you will do."

"Come in for a cup of tea, and have some noodles before you leave," Xiqiu smiled and tried to persuade her, "It’s rare for you to come!"

Madam Qian waved her hand, smiling gently, "I won’t go in, I’ll come another day to visit the young master; you should be busy, I’ll take the sedan chair back." Saying this, she bowed to Xiqiu and turned to board the sedan chair. Unable to stop her, Xiqiu escorted her, "Thank you for your generosity, do visit often!"

Madam Qian acknowledged, drew the sedan curtain, and left.

Officials who rise through the imperial examination path tend to look down upon those from families with distinguished military merits, considering them as mere parasites prospering off ancestral glory without actual capability, living a life of superior status and enjoying luxuries unobtainable within a lifetime’s efforts. Thus, there is limited interaction between the groups. In contrast, military officers face disdain from civil officials, being deemed as unrefined brutes only capable of wielding weapons, yet also scorned by noble families with military glory, deemed as uncouth and only fit to fight and die at the forefront of battles...

Therefore, Madam Qian’s decision to stay out was understandable to Xiqiu, who did not insist.

As these thoughts passed, another sedan chair had arrived; Madam Shen stepped out cheerfully, "Fourth Madam, it’s been so long!" Xiqiu also approached, "Indeed, it’s been such a long time since I’ve seen you."

Madam Shen took her hand, looked her up and down, "You’re just the same; from afar, I almost thought you were some young lady standing here, graceful and pure as an orchid..."

Xiqiu covered her face with a laugh, "Not as good as you say!" She said this while walking inside arm in arm with Madam Shen, "Are both of your boys alright? I haven’t seen them in such a long time either."

"One has just learned to walk, and now runs around everywhere, so I dared not bring him. The other is with his father in the outer courtyard..." she covered her face laughing, "saying he doesn’t wish to mingle with the women!"

Xiqiu couldn’t help but laugh.

Once they entered the room, the lively voices in the main hall paused for a moment, but within the blink of an eye, everyone resumed their laughter, greeting Madam Shen. Madam Shen returned their greetings, then turned to the Grand Dowager and noticed Zhi sitting beside her, "This must be the second young master, what a lovable boy." She gave him a small box, "Your aunt doesn’t have much to offer, take this to play with."

Zhi had received many such boxes today and, no longer finding them novel, merely glanced at it then turned his attention to Kun sprinting around the room.

Madam Shen extended her hand a bit awkwardly, at which Xiqiu smilingly took the box, "You’re too generous." Madam Jiang laughed, "He thinks it’s too precious to accept, this child is so sensible!"

Madam Shen laughed as well, easing the awkward moment. She glanced at Madam Ruan, her gaze skating over Le Xiu, before unobtrusively greeting Madam Xu.

First Madam glanced around, murmuring to Nanny Tang beside her, "Go see if the First Young Madam has arrived." First Young Madam Tang has yet to show up.