Zhi saw his father was happy, stopped crying, and called out: "Dad!"

"Fourth Master." Xiqiu turned around to look at Fourth Master Xiao, then placed Zhi on the ground to stand, squatted down and said excitedly: "He can say ’Dad’ now." Xiao’s eyes were full of a warm smile, he quickly walked over, picked up Zhi, lifted him high up, and twirled around the room, laughing heartily.

Zhi showed no fear at all, waving his hands as Xiao lifted him up and down, laughing joyously. It seemed he knew the word "Dad" could make his parents happy, and kept calling out lovingly.

Though still speaking word by word, for a child, learning a new word is a new achievement. She took her son from Xiao’s hands, gave him a kiss on the cheek. Zhi giggled happily, holding onto his mother’s arm while tugging at his father’s finger.

At night, the family of three lay on the bed. After a tiring day, Xiqiu was resting against the side, unwilling to move. Yet Zhi was full of energy, crawled to the head of the bed and called out "Mom," then rolled over to the foot and giggled, calling "Dad," repeating it back and forth, having a great time.

Xiao gently touched Xiqiu’s face and whispered: "You get some sleep first." Xiqiu nodded, suddenly remembered the matter with Tong Quanzi: "Is Third Brother doing well in the outer courtyard?"

"He woke up once, took some medicine and went back to sleep. He should be alright." Xiqiu was reassured, nodded, then remembered the incident with Tong Xiyan today, and told Xiao about it. Xiao didn’t see any rudeness, smiled and said: "Han Cheng told me in the afternoon. He said he didn’t know whom he offended. I first thought it was eldest sister-in-law, but later asked Tianjing and found out it was Fourth Aunt." Xiao spoke calmly to comfort Xiqiu: "They’re not rash people, surely wouldn’t speak recklessly."

Xiqiu was relieved, sat up, waved to Zhi: "Come to sleep, otherwise Mom will sleep first and there won’t be any story to listen to!"

Upon hearing, Zhi scrambled over, obediently nestled into Xiqiu’s arms, found a position and stared eagerly, waiting for her to start telling a story.

Xiqiu laughed, patted Zhi’s head, exchanged a glance with Xiao. Xiao smiled and said: "Let me turn off the lamp." He then got out of bed, walked to the corner, and trimmed the lamp wick. The room dimmed. Returning to bed, he saw mother and child speaking in whispers head to head.

In the warm yellow light, the mother and child tucked under the quilt with reddened cheeks, Xiqiu’s low voice echoed in the room.

He stood there, smiling, watching mother and child whisper. Xiqiu would pause after each sentence, observing Zhi’s reaction, then continue. Zhi listened carefully, and after one story, started yawning, looking sleepy. Xiqiu gently patted, soon he fell asleep.

Looking again at Xiqiu, she too fell asleep with her arm resting on the son.

He chuckled, adjusted Xiqiu’s arm under the quilt, but felt no sleepiness, leaned against the bedhead for a closer look.

Zhi’s skin was fair, seemingly delicate like Xiqiu, his features resembled him. He thought of the son’s agile tumbling on the bed, remembered how Xiqiu intentionally didn’t give him blades during the reaching ceremony, and sighed while touching Xiqiu’s face...

Xiqiu seemed to feel itchy, brows furrowed slightly, childishly shrank under the quilt, covering face with it, as if it would stop the itch.

He laughed, withdrew his hand after all.

Early the next morning, Xiqiu was awoken by faint rustling sounds. She sat up and saw Xiao already standing by the table, head down, getting dressed. She asked: "What hour is it?"

"1 a.m." Xiao turned to her, walked to the bed, pressed her shoulder: "Sleep a bit more!"

"I’ll prepare breakfast for Fourth Master." Saying so, she pushed off the quilt to get out of bed. Xiao helplessly grabbed the clothes on the screen and put them on her. Xiqiu quickly tied up her hair, looked up at Xiao: "Fourth Master, go wash up, breakfast will be ready soon." Draped in clothes, she opened the door and called Chunliu in, who brought water and went to the kitchen to arrange breakfast.

After attending to Xiao’s breakfast and seeing him off, the stewards from various sections of the mansion had arrived. During her pregnancy, Nanny Cen and Nanny Rong managed the household affairs. Normally, they would report to her once. After her confinement and recovery, she met the stewards every two weeks to arrange the next half month’s duties. Unlike the Marquis Mansion, here it was only their family, things were simpler and easier, managing without much thought.

After handling the home affairs, Tong Quanzi and Tong Minzhi greeted her. Seeing Tong Quanzi was alright, she was relieved but couldn’t help saying: "We were truly startled yesterday; you mustn’t drink recklessly anymore."

"No worries." Tong Quanzi smiled: "I hold my liquor well. Yesterday, if not matching Lord Han and Lord Qian, I wouldn’t have been intoxicated, you know, I drank for two!" Looking proud.

Xiqiu glared at him: "If you’re intoxicated in the barracks, it could cause trouble."

"Did the Grand Commander speak to you of anything?" Tong Quanzi’s eyes lit up with inquiry. Xiqiu helplessly shook her head: "No." Then added: "Breakfast is ready for you, eat before you go."

Tong Quanzi looked deflated, Tong Minzhi pulled him: "Today you’re dueling with Senior Brother, let’s go quick." Then turned to Xiqiu: "Sixth Sister, we’re off."

Xiqiu saw them out: "Seventh Brother, visit Aunt often." Tong Minzhi would observe mourning for three years, couldn’t take civil exams during this period.

"Got it." Saying so, the two disappeared from sight.

Min woke up, Xiqiu had breakfast with the two children, then Min went to the academic hall. She took Zhi into the room to practice walking, from door to bedside, then back, sometimes sneakily letting go, Zhi could unknowingly step five or six steps, but upon realizing no support, stopped and sat down, seeking security.

Xiqiu patiently guided him to walk independently.

Noon, Min returned for lunch, saw Zhi clutching the curved knife gifted by Tong Quanzi, crawling at the door awaiting him, dashed up the steps, tossed his bag to Dongling, crouched in front of Zhi and smiled: "Were you waiting for me? Do you want to go out and play?"

Zhi looked at him, then at outside, pointed to the courtyard babbling, Min glanced at the sun overhead, coaxed: "Let’s wait a bit okay, it’s hot now, wait till later brother takes you out to play." Saying, he bent to pick Zhi up.