The Grand Dowager chuckled, "This child is just full of energy." She clapped her hands, "Come to grandmother." She glanced at Mrs. Zhou and Second Young Madam Lou, signaling them not to assist, letting him walk on his own.

The two of them understood and did not help Zhi.

Zhi looked at Second Madam Lou, feeling unfamiliar, then looked at the Grand Dowager, and grinned, showing his small teeth. When the Grand Dowager clapped her hands, he immediately pushed off with his little legs to walk over but, finding no one to support him, quickly retreated and clutched Second Young Madam Lou’s skirt, feeling timid.

"Zhi, come to grandmother." The Grand Dowager laughed cheerfully. Zhi looked at the Grand Dowager, then looked around, shuffled his little feet, his gaze shifting between himself and the Grand Dowager as if measuring the distance. Then he swiftly pushed off with his little legs and took a quick step forward.

"Oh my, oh my, my dear little one!" The Grand Dowager caught the sprinting Zhi, affectionately kissed him on the face several times, "Well done!"

It was merely four or five steps, but for Zhi, it was the first time in life he walked unaided. Seeing the Grand Dowager happy, he burst into laughter. Madam Lou, witnessing this joy, stroked Zhi’s face, "This child is truly sturdy and lovable," filled with affection.

Second Young Madam Lou glanced at her mother-in-law, then enviously at Zhi. She quickly turned her head, her eyes reddening.

Madam Huang and Madam Xu were seated in the row behind, laughing along with the Grand Dowager. Madam Xu glanced at Miss Huang, who was already ten, and said with a smile, "You needn’t worry; children grow quickly." She pointed at Miss Huang, "I still remember how she looked as a child, and now she’s already a big girl."

Madam Huang, full of exclamation, touched her own face, "Indeed, in the blink of an eye, we’ve grown old." Madam Xu laughed and asked, "Have you found a match in the past two years? Secure it early, and after the betrothal, she will be coming of age, just in time."

Madam Huang sighed, "I know, I’m planning to find a matchmaker." Looking at Madam Xu, she added, "If you know anyone suitable, please help keep an eye out."

Madam Xu nodded with a smile, seeing the well-behaved Miss Huang blush, she laughed even more joyfully.

"What are you talking about that’s making you so happy?" First Young Madam Tang approached with a smile and sat down beside them. Madam Xu repeated their earlier conversation to her. First Young Madam Tang gave Miss Huang a careful look and, jokingly, said, "Such a pretty girl, why not let her be my daughter-in-law?"

Though a joke, Madam Huang’s heart was moved, but she laughed outwardly, "That would be wonderful, having such a capable mother-in-law would be my daughter’s fortune."

"Look at you." First Young Madam Tang pointed at Madam Huang and said to Madam Xu, "She already fears I’ll bully her daughter even before she’s married."

The three of them covered their faces and laughed. Miss Huang, blushing, quietly retreated, looking around, and saw Ruan Pingrong and Le Xiu standing aside, talking. The three of them, close in age, laughed and greeted the two, "Miss Ruan, Sister Le."

"Is your health better?" Ruan Pingrong knew Miss Huang had always had poor eyesight and had caught a cold not long ago. "I had someone bring you Cassia Seed, did you receive it?" She paused, then continued, "This Cassia Seed is different from what we usually see. It’s specially processed by Nurse Zhang and grown on Fourth Madam’s field, they say the effect is different." Ruan Jingliu was, after all, her cousin.

Miss Huang looked surprised, "I was wondering why you sent me Cassia Seed out of the blue. It’s not something hard to find normally. So there’s more to this." She added, "To be honest, I had it put away as soon as you sent it, haven’t used it yet. I’ll look for it and start using it when I get home today."

"Hmph!" Ruan Pingrong playfully glared at her, "I knew you hadn’t used it, which is why I brought it up today, lest my kindness be wasted."

Miss Huang quickly hugged Ruan Pingrong, "Good sister, don’t be angry. It was my fault." Seeing Ruan Pingrong turning her head away, she looked at Le Xiu, "Sister Le, please help persuade her not to be mad at me."

Le Xiu covered her face and laughed, her smile as brilliant as spring flowers, "She’s just sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, don’t mind her, she’ll be fine soon."

Ruan Pingrong hurriedly said, "Where am I sharp-tongued but soft-hearted? I’m telling you, I’m just sharp-tongued and sharp-hearted." After she finished speaking, all three laughed, and Miss Huang, looking at Le Xiu, paused in amazement, "Sister Le is truly beautiful!"

Le Xiu blushed, "What nonsense, where am I beautiful?" She said, glancing at Fourth Madam who was talking with First Young Madam Tong and Fourth Miss Tong.

Ruan Pingrong expressed disdain, looking at Le Xiu and waving her hand, "She is indeed nice, but I still think Fourth Madam is more beautiful, be it appearance or temperament, she’s truly excellent."

Le Xiu’s gaze paused, pursed her lips, and smiled without any apparent concern.

Miss Huang also looked back at Xiqiu, then at Le Xiu, earnestly comparing, then frowned with trouble showing on her face, "I think they’re not of the same type. Fourth Madam is cool and elegant, hmm... like a cup of Dragon Well tea, its fresh aroma is distant, making one feel tranquil at heart. Meanwhile, Sister Le is like a cup of floral tea, with a fragrant aroma that makes one want to draw close and savor it."

"Ha ha..." Le Xiu covered her mouth and laughed, "Look at you, speaking so poetically."

Ruan Pingrong nodded in agreement, looking at Miss Huang, "Using tea as a metaphor is very apt. Fourth Madam is indeed like a cup of green tea, mild and comforting." As she spoke, she was about to boast about the pair of earrings she had obtained... Le Xiu gestured with her hand, "Stop! Don’t mention those earrings again; I’ve grown calluses in my ears from hearing about them."

Miss Huang giggled, looking at Xiqiu, "She really wears rather plainly today, not even wearing any jewelry on her head..." She turned to Ruan Pingrong, "Tell me, did I miss something?"

"You didn’t miss anything." Ruan Pingrong laughed, "She’s in mourning, so she naturally wouldn’t wear those jewelries. Besides, she doesn’t usually like them; this is how she normally is!"

Le Xiu looked at Xiqiu with a thoughtful expression, frowning, "I’ve heard that the Great Governor was quite dissolute in the past, right? How do you think Fourth Madam managed to keep him?"

"I don’t know." Ruan Pingrong shook her head innocently, "If you want to know, you should ask Fourth Madam yourself." Then she actually seemed like she was about to go ask Xiqiu.

Le Xiu hurriedly pulled her back, pinching her plump face, "What nonsense, I was just saying, don’t be foolish." She stopped, waved her hand, "Alright, alright, pretend I didn’t say anything, let’s go find my aunt!" Saying this, she separated from Ruan Pingrong and Miss Huang and headed towards Madam Ruan.