Nanny Tang responded softly, ready to leave, when she heard First Young Madam Tang’s laughter at the door: "Excuse me, excuse me, I’m the last one to arrive today, truly sorry!" She entered with a smile, paid her respects to the Grand Dowager, and then to Xiqiu: "I was delayed by something on the way out, my apologies."

"It’s fine as long as you’re here, what’s the rush? Besides, you manage the household, which must keep you busy, don’t worry about it." The Grand Dowager replied with a smile, and Xiqiu nodded and said: "Mother is right, we’re just happy you could come."

First Young Madam Tang smiled: "I was indeed impolite." Then she turned and greeted Madam Shen, Madam Qian, and the other ladies before sitting down on the arranged seats, glancing at the First Madam, whose expression was unreadable, not revealing joy or anger. Nanny Tang shifted her gaze and said nothing more.

"Is everyone here? Let’s get things set up and start," the Grand Dowager commanded. Xiqiu turned to ask Nanny Cen and Nanny Rong to arrange the items, while Bihuai approached and whispered to Xiqiu: "Nurse Zhang sent a message, saying she’ll come tonight!"

Xiqiu nodded, then was asked by Nanny Cen: "We’ve set out the book, pen, seal, green onions, and ingot..." listing them off one by one. Xiqiu scanned the table and nodded: "That’ll do."

Nanny Cen noticed the absence of swords and helmets, realizing Fourth Madam must not want Young Master Zhi involved with such things, so she said nothing more.

Madam Jiang, the elder aunt, placed little Zhi on the table. When Zhi sat in the middle, he was immediately attracted by the small items around him. From a distance, Madam Qian remarked: "If he grabs a book, he’ll become a top scholar in the future."

Everyone chuckled, and First Young Madam Tang said: "I think the seal looks good!" The chatter was lively.

Yet, little Zhi just looked around and didn’t make a move.

Tong Minzhi, nearby, waved his hands, hoping to encourage his sister’s wish, leaning towards the book: "Zhi, this book is very nice." Trying to tempt him, Madam Ruan laughed: "Seventh Master of the Tong Family, with a future scholar like you as an uncle, if he pursues knowledge, he’ll have your guidance. It’s excellent."

Tong Minzhi blushed and said nothing more.

Little Zhi kept staring at Tong Minzhi, then looked at the seal, the green onion, and the red apple. His attention was then drawn by a shiny abacus... Everyone grew anxious, but he still didn’t move.

The Grand Dowager chuckled, while Xiqiu was quietly worried, noticing little Zhi’s gaze linger on a well-made writing brush, and she sighed in relief.

Xing and Min stood beside Tong Minzhi, tiptoeing to watch little Zhi, noticing their brother under the table. Little Zhi suddenly wriggled towards his brother. Tong Minzhi exclaimed, placing the curved knife he had been holding on the table, reaching to prevent him from falling, since he was the closest.

Little Zhi, upon seeing the newly appeared curved knife, his eyes lit up with interest. His small hand moved quickly, grabbing and swinging it before Tong Minzhi could retrieve him, giggling as he tried to pull the blade from its sheath.

As if he found a treasure.

"This..." Tong Minzhi knew he had made a mistake, aware his sister disliked Zhi handling swords, yet he accidentally let him get the knife.

Everyone was momentarily stunned; it was an unexpected situation. Seeing the table’s items, they understood Xiqiu’s wishes for the child, but here he grabbed the knife, making everyone look towards Xiqiu.

Xiqiu was also startled. Watching little Zhi happily holding the curved knife, she secretly sighed!

"This doesn’t count, it wasn’t originally placed on the table," Xiao Yanzheng, sharing Xiqiu’s hopes, laughed as he stepped out: "Why not let him try again?"

Everyone remained silent, looking towards Xiqiu.

Xiqiu then laughed, shaking her head: "Forget it, it’s his fate. It’s said that once children grow up, they aren’t under their mother’s control anymore, and isn’t that exactly the case now!"

Everyone laughed behind their hands at this, and Madam Qian added with a laugh: "That Zhi is clever too. If he truly grabbed the abacus, wouldn’t that be worrisome later on?"

The whole room laughed along, gathering to watch Zhi play happily with the knife: "He’s truly like the Great Governor, destined to be a versatile general who can lead armies."

Xiqiu observed the joyfully giggling little Zhi, inwardly sighing.

Tong Minzhi, seeing his sister relieved, burst into laughter, lifting little Zhi and spinning him around: "Our little Zhi is amazing!"

The Grand Dowager and First Madam exchanged glances and joined in the laughter.

Madam Zhou stood beside Tong Xi, glancing at her with a slight smile, and asked: "Has Fourth Miss been well recently?"

As an elder, taking the initiative to inquire, even if Tong Xi felt awkward, she couldn’t be impolite, so she turned slightly and replied: "Madam, all is well."

Madam Zhou smiled and nodded, her gaze resting on Tong Xi’s face.