She took the return gift brought by Le Xiu and showed it to Fourth Master Xiao, as if unconsciously murmuring: "... This return gift is too heavy."

As she spoke, she returned it to the box and called Bihuai to put it away.

Fourth Master Xiao took his tea and sat down at the round table, his face showing little expression, but his eyes narrowed slightly and he did not respond to Xiqiu’s words. Xiqiu came over, sat opposite him, frowned, and asked, "Fourth Master, what do the Qian, Ruan, and Le families mean by this? Do you and Second Brother know about this?"

"Qian Zhong has mentioned it to my Second Brother and me." Fourth Master Xiao explained after taking a sip of tea: "Marquis Zhongshan is far away in Huainan, and during the late Emperor’s time, he remained silent for a long time, never taking the lead in court matters and acting with restraint. Even interpersonal interactions in the Capital mostly followed Marquis Jinxiang." He said, looking at Xiqiu, and continued: "But it was Qian Zhong who came up with the idea, selecting from the three families before deciding on Le Xiu. A year ago, he hired a nanny to carefully educate and train her, raising her under Marchioness Zhongshan’s care, and only then brought her to the Capital after the New Year, reporting to the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

It is indeed like this, the decision for Le Xiu to enter the palace was made by the three families already a year ago. A year ago was precisely when Prince Rong rose in rebellion. For some unknown reason, she recalled the night Madam Han passed away, and the next day when Madam Qian came to the manor to speak with her, she mentioned Old Madam Shen’s attitude and words.

She seemed to understand about seventy to eighty percent.

Qian Zhong had always been around the Emperor and earned his trust. Although he appeared slick on the surface, from the way he usually dealt with Fourth Master Xiao and Xiao Yanyi, it was evident that he was not only stable but also deep-minded. Such a person would not rashly send a woman into the palace.

As she had thought earlier, most of the women entering the palace selection in Great Zhou were the relatives of lower-ranked officials or civilian women of clean family background. Daughters from reputable families rarely entered the palace because such a move was extremely risky, placing the family’s prosperity on a palace maid, with stakes being high and risks being great. True noble families would not rely on a woman to gain influence; moreover, the intrigues of the inner palace, those born into luxury and prosperity, few had the schemes and skills needed. Even if they did, the elders wouldn’t bear to let their pampered daughters suffer, as a single misstep might lead to a tragic fate.

Thus, whether it was Qian Zhong, Marquis Zhongshan, or Marquis Jinxiang, they naturally had such considerations and concerns. Even though Le Xiu was not from their families, the risk they had to bear did not decrease. But now they have done it, Xiqiu believed they must have a compelling reason to do so.

Unconsciously, she thought of the Emperor.

Only the current Emperor could command the three great families and act without fear of the mighty Shen clan that stands tall today.

Politics is about balance. Whether calm or dominated by one, neither is good. What those in power most want to see is a turbulent undercurrent. Only when various factions and forces restrain each other can the situation be truly stable. Only through mutual supervision, exposure, and resistance can the situation be stabilized.

Not only the court, but also the inner palace. Currently, the inner palace still favors Empress Shen, with her dominating the Six Palaces. This selection is both a challenge and an opportunity. The Emperor desires balance, to prevent a single family from overshadowing all. The only way is to elevate a consort in the inner palace, and promote a force in the court.

It’s unrelated to dissatisfaction, just politics.

And the forces of Count Dongchang happen to be chosen by the Emperor. Although Count Dongchang’s rank is not high, his marriage alliances are strong. Even Marquis Xuanning is quite close to him. If these forces are united...

Xiqiu shuddered at her bold conjecture, discarded her drifting thoughts, but her mind continued to whirl.

"What are you thinking?" Fourth Master Xiao held her hand in his palm, softly asking, "Are you worried about the future court or inner palace?"

Xiqiu snapped back, looked at Fourth Master Xiao, and nervously asked: "Fourth Master, tell me, will you and Second Brother be implicated or affected?" Among the crimes, there’s one called sitting with a faction, without direct involvement, yet even indirectly, if investigated, it’s difficult to escape blame.

She naturally wished such a thing wouldn’t happen, not out of fear but unwillingness to endure unwarranted calamity or indirect burdens.

"Silly girl." Fourth Master Xiao brushed the stray locks from her cheek to her ear, calmly saying: "I never told you, but when Qian Zhong was young, because he was too attached to Second Brother, he lived and ate at our house for a long time. Mother treated him very warmly, and was close like sisters with the Grand Dowager of Count Dongchang... Hence, after deciding, Qian Zhong mentioned it to my Second Brother and me..." After finishing, he quietly looked at Xiqiu, gently smiled and said: "The Emperor has his own thoughts, rather than us being anxious at home, it’s better to stand somewhere. Even if in the end things turn out as you suspect, we have a way out."

Xiqiu was taken aback, looked at Fourth Master Xiao, and asked: "What way out?"

Fourth Master Xiao smiled lightly, his gaze locked onto Xiqiu, smilingly saying: "We could go to Zhenyuan to find Cheng Chong, if you don’t like that place, we could go to Shu, buy a house, you weave in the front yard, I grow melons in the backyard... wouldn’t this be wonderful."

As he kept speaking, Xiqiu couldn’t hold back her laughter, gave Fourth Master Xiao a glance in disapproval and said: "I’m talking about serious matters." Yet, Fourth Master Xiao still smiled: "What I’m talking about are serious matters too!" Without waiting for him to finish, he lifted his arms and scooped Xiqiu into his lap, whispering in her ear: "Silly girl, haven’t you already understood the details within? Since the Emperor is aware, as long as the Qian, Ruan, and Le families aren’t too foolish, what you feared won’t happen... Madam has met the two madams of Qian and Ruan, and met Le Xiu too, what do you think now?"

Listening to this, Xiqiu raised an eyebrow, looking at Fourth Master Xiao’s long, curved eyes, seeing certainty and tranquility, she slowly relaxed... 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Hopefully, she was just overthinking or worrying unnecessarily!

Outside, Zhi’s voice came in, Xiqiu turned to look and nodded: "I will have Chunliu prepare water for Fourth Master, you should wash up."

Fourth Master Xiao embraced her, gently nibbling on her nose with his white porcelain-like teeth, and without saying anything, released her and rose to the washroom. Xiqiu stood from a distance watching his back, unable to prevent her face from reddening.

After settling Zhi, she returned to find Fourth Master Xiao already lying in bed reading a book. Upon seeing her come in, he asked: "Has Zhi fallen asleep?" Xiqiu nodded, affirmed herself, poured a cup of tea, and looking at Fourth Master Xiao said: "Fourth Master, rest early, I’m going to wash up."

Fourth Master Xiao hummed softly in acknowledgement, Xiqiu went into the washroom, soaking herself into the tub filled with hot water, only then feeling relaxed. She took a deep breath and exhaled, the day’s tension finally started to dissipate, Fourth Master Xiao was right, she was worrying too much.