Miss Huang and Ruan Pingrong faced each other with confusion, not knowing why Le Xiu suddenly became upset.

Just then, someone called out, "The banquet is starting." Everyone then took their seats, with the Grand Dowager sitting at the head. She invited Madam Jiang, the eldest sister-in-law of Zhi’s older uncle, to sit on her left side: "The nephew’s first-year celebration, naturally the elder sister-in-law should preside."

Madam Jiang declined initially but, with a flushed face, sat down next to the Grand Dowager. Madam Shen sat on the right side of the Grand Dowager, followed by several other madams. Next to them were the seats for several young ladies, each with their own nurses and maidservants attending to the young masters at another table, all with different dishes prepared thoughtfully...

Madam Qian smiled and said, "Whenever Fourth Madam arranges something, there’s always a pleasant surprise." As she looked at the table full of dishes, she remarked, "Look at the dishes in front of us, they are all our favorites."

Initially, no one noticed, but upon closer inspection, they found it to be true and exclaimed, "Only Fourth Madam could be this considerate."

Xiqiu covered her face and laughed, "It’s not about being considerate; it’s more that I’m a dull person. Without proper cooks at home, I can only rely on learning everyone’s tastes to manage."

Everyone laughed at her words.

Le Xiu looked at the dishes in front of her, momentarily stunned.

After eating the longevity noodles followed by lunch, everyone drank tea at their original seats. Madam Lou, along with Second Young Madam Lou, stood up to bid farewell first, "We still have many things at home, so we will take our leave."

The Grand Dowager cheerfully nodded, "Remember to tell your mother-in-law that she should come visit me if she has time. If she’s busy, just send a message, and I’ll come to her." Her playful manner made Madam Lou nod with a smile, "I will relay your exact words to her."

Everyone knew that the Grand Dowager had a good relationship with Old Madam Lou, so they all smiled and went to see off Madam Lou and Second Young Madam Lou.

Second Young Madam Lou gave a salute to Xiqiu, her gaze lingering on the tired little Zhi in her arms, and softly smiled, "I’ve often heard people mention you, and today I’ve finally had the chance to meet you, though I didn’t get a chance to speak with you..." she said rather sadly.

Xiqiu smiled back, "We’re not far apart, feel free to visit when you have time. I don’t go out often, so we can keep each other company." The Second Young Madam’s eyes lit up, nodding, "With what you’ve said, I’ll be sure to gather my courage and visit again." She then held Zhi’s chubby little hand, "Adorable!"

Xiqiu watched her with a slight smile and personally saw her and Madam Lou to the door. The blue-top sedan chair was already prepared at the entrance. Madam Lou turned back to bid farewell to everyone before getting into the sedan chair. Second Young Madam Lou paused in front of the sedan, glanced at Xiqiu, then at Zhi, smiled softly, and got into the sedan.

"Would you like to play some mahjong?" The Grand Dowager looked at Madam Qian and First Young Madam Tang, "I don’t have the energy, but maybe you younger ones can?"

Madam Qian glanced at Madam Ruan and then at Madam Zhou, shaking her head, "No, we should be heading back as well. We’ve already intruded on you all day, so we’ll let you have some peace now." Madam Ruan nodded, "We’ll come another day; we have prepared your birthday gift."

The Grand Dowager smiled and nodded, not urging them to stay. Madam Qian, Madam Ruan, Madam Zhou, along with Ruan Pingrong and Le Xiu, went outside. The Grand Dowager remained seated, while Xiqiu handed the somewhat sleepy Zhi to Mrs. Zhou, and she and the First Madam sent them off, "Sorry for not being better hosts today."

"You’re always so polite, we’ll be afraid to come next time." Looking at Zhi leaning on Mrs. Zhou’s shoulder, she added, "You go about your business, don’t see us off. We’ll go together, sister-in-laws and sister, and talk some more!"

Xiqiu felt a slight jolt in her heart, but on the surface, she nodded, "Alright, take care." She then said farewell to Madam Ruan and Madam Zhou. Ruan Pingrong pulled Le Xiu over, looked at Xiqiu, "Fourth Madam, can we come visit you another day?"

Xiqiu hesitated, then nodded, "Certainly." Madam Ruan already frowned, "Rong, that’s not proper."

Ruan Pingrong seemed not to hear her mother, grinning at Xiqiu, "Then we will come for sure another day." Pulling Le Xiu aside, she whispered, "I told you she would agree, so when you come and she isn’t around, you can ask for her advice."

Le Xiu blushed, looking back nervously at Xiqiu, who was busy speaking with Madam Zhou and hadn’t noticed them. She let out a sigh of relief and quietly chided Ruan Pingrong, "Speak lower!"

Ruan Pingrong stuck out her tongue and said no more.

After seeing off Madam Qian and others, Xiqiu turned to ask Nanny Cen, "Have you checked the outer courtyard, is anyone drunk?"

Nanny Cen smiled, "You can’t tell at this point; a few lords and gentlemen are still drinking." Xiqiu pondered and instructed, "Prepare some sobering soup to be served after they’re done drinking."

Nanny Cen nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Madam Xu and Madam Huang also left, one after another. Miss Huang, as she was leaving, asked Xiqiu, "What did Pingrong say to you just now?" Xiqiu chuckled, thinking how delightful girls of their age were, carefree, and wondering how many such carefree years they still had. She hoped they could retain this innocence forever: "They said they would come here to play another day."

Miss Huang earnestly nodded and left with Madam Huang.

First Young Madam Tang and the First Madam were talking at the doorway. Xiqiu vaguely heard something about family inheritance, and the First Madam’s face was not looking good, neither was First Young Madam Tang’s demeanor. She looked at the Grand Dowager in confusion, only to find her, although speaking with Madam Shen, looking at the First Madam and First Young Madam Tang with a slightly dark expression.

First Young Madam Tang came in to bid farewell, smiling forcedly, "I’ll be leaving too. I’ll come to congratulate you again on the Grand Dowager’s birthday." The Grand Dowager slightly nodded and looked at Xiqiu, "See First Young Madam off."

Not having the First Madam see her off, Xiqiu nodded and smiled, "Please, First Young Madam!"

First Young Madam Tang bid farewell to Madam Shen and, walking alongside Xiqiu, stopped at the entrance of the sedan. She turned to look at Xiqiu and said, "Fourth Madam, knowing you’re close with my aunt, I have an improper request."

Xiqiu was slightly stunned, and asked, "Please tell me, First Young Madam, although I’m not sure if I can help."

First Young Madam Tang smiled, "It’s a bit embarrassing to say it, but our family has been in turmoil lately. Our ancestral home is in Henan, where something happened in Weihu before the New Year. The family’s estates and ancestral hall there were affected. My husband’s idea is to sell the estates in Weihe and move the ancestral hall to the Capital for easier management. However, my father-in-law disagrees, insisting that those estates, though small, are ancestral property and should not be touched. He even declared to visit there before his passing." She paused, looking worried, "You know, although the war has stopped there, many aspects remain unstable. The people missed this year’s spring plowing, and if not properly consoled before winter, there might be issues. My father-in-law’s visit this time is... I wish your aunt could persuade him..."