There was no trace of Fourth Master Xiao in the room anymore. She felt the clothes on her body and realized she was dressed neatly, and even the bedsheets had been changed. Her face reddened involuntarily, and she coughed as she looked at Mrs. Zhou and said, "I know, go call Chunliu, you can go rest."

Mrs. Zhou nodded hastily and retreated. Xiqiu then took Zhi’s hand and sat up. "Did you miss your mother, Zhi?" she said as she lifted the quilt and got out of bed, squatting to hold Zhi in her arms. "Have you had breakfast?"

"Yes, yes!" Zhi nodded in response to Xiqiu, then pointed outside, "Play, play!"

These past two days, he learned several new words, but still couldn’t say two-word phrases. Xiqiu nodded as she listened. "Mother needs to freshen up, I’ll take you out to play in a bit, okay?"

Zhi pouted briefly but did not insist further.

Chunliu came in, "Madam, you’re awake." Saying this, she placed the copper basin on the shelf, "Lord Han is here, and Fourth Master has gone to the outer courtyard."

Xiqiu nodded, handed Zhi to Chunliu, and went to the shelf to wash her face. She turned to Chunliu and asked, "Did you take Min to the study this morning?" Chunliu nodded, blushing slightly, "I thought you were ill..." Chunliu’s face reddened as it was Fourth Master who had called her and Bihuai to change the bedsheets. Fourth Master had stood by with the sleeping lady in his arms. She and Bihuai wished they had three heads and six arms to finish quickly and leave. "Fourth Master didn’t want us to disturb you, but it seems we still woke Young Master Zhi."

"What time is it now?" Xiqiu, imagining how the bedsheets had been changed, blushed again, turned around, and wiped her face with a wet cloth for a long time before feeling better.

Chunliu replied, "It’s 7 a.m."

Xiqiu sighed, realizing she had slept for quite a long time.

After Chunliu helped her tidy her hair, Xiqiu went outside to play with Zhi for a while. Nanny Cen and Nanny Rong came back, and Xiqiu instructed, "Go to the outer courtyard and ask if Lord Han will be dining here for lunch."

Nanny Cen responded and shortly returned, saying, "Lord Han has other matters and left after staying briefly."

Xiqiu said nothing more upon hearing this. When Min returned from his studies, the mother and her two sons played together. Xiqiu showed Zhi the animal drawings she and Min had made in the last few days, trying to teach him. Zhi watched her lips move but wouldn’t speak...

Xiqiu placed him on the ground, then she and Min stood on either side of the rose bed, clapping. Xiqiu squatted, supporting Zhi, and pointed at Min, "Go to your brother, he’s calling you."

Zhi looked at Min and then at his mother, moving his legs but not daring to walk.

Min clapped his hands, "Brother, come here!" and lured him with the rattle.

Zhi giggled, released Xiqiu’s hand, and toddled quickly towards Min. Halfway through, realizing no one was holding him, he stopped in fear, struggled to stand, and then fell onto the ground, hurting his bottom, making his lips tremble.

Xiqiu gestured for no one to help him, and watched as she moved to Min’s side. "Stand up by yourself, come over here." Zhi stopped crying as he wobbled up, but after several unsuccessful attempts, he gave up and crawled over on all fours.

Xiqiu chuckled; after she and Min tried a few times, Zhi managed to walk the length of a bench, making their efforts worthwhile.

When Fourth Master Xiao entered the room, he saw his son learning to walk, got excited, and sat by clapping. "How about I take you horse-riding?" Though Zhi didn’t know what horse-riding meant, he knew that any game with his father was more fun than those with his mother.

Instantly deciding, Zhi let go of Min’s hand and ran towards Fourth Master Xiao, steady all the way.

Xiqiu stood there stunned, reflecting on how today she finally saw Zhi walking steadily on his own. The feeling was complex—both joyous and heart-wrenching. Joyous because he was growing up day by day, heart-wrenching because he would someday grow up and fly far away, no longer needing his mother’s embrace.

Her eyes reddened as she watched father and son laugh heartily, feeling no moment more satisfying than this one.

"Mother!" Min tugged on her clothes and smiled up at her, "Brother can walk now."

Xiqiu blinked away her tears, smiled in return, and nodded, "Yes, your brother is growing up."

Zhi, as if slipping, wobbled from one end of the room to the other. When afraid, he held onto something, then released it to reach the next destination, laughing when tired after sitting on the ground!

"Madam, the meal is ready, where should it be served?" Nanny Cen entered, saw Zhi walking, and excitingly picked him up, "Oh my, the young master can walk!"

Zhi, not wanting to be held, twisted his chubby body in dismay, so Nanny Cen laughed and released him. Zhi then waddled towards the table, attempting to climb onto a chair, as if waiting for his meal.

Everyone in the room laughed, even Fourth Master Xiao couldn’t hold back a smile. Nanny Cen sat him on the chair, nodding and laughing, "I’ll quickly serve the meal, looks like our young master is hungry."

The family of four sat together to eat. After finishing his meal, Fourth Master Xiao drank tea and looked at Xiqiu, "I have already written to Qin Mu. When you have time, invite Third Brother over."

"Third Brother?" Xiqiu echoed, momentarily surprised, then understood what Fourth Master Xiao meant, "You mean to have Third Brother go to Xuantong this year?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, "Though he’s young, I see his skills have improved significantly these past two years. Staying in the Capital isn’t beneficial. It’s better for him to gain experience in the military." Pausing, he continued, "Let him spend two years in Xuantong first. If he feels ready, then move to Liaodong. With Huang Da there, I’m relieved. Moreover, the border sees annual conflicts, he could gain valuable experience there."

Liaodong differs from Xuantong, with Xuantong safeguarding the Capital, Mongolian soldiers don’t easily invade. In contrast, Liaodong often faces conflicts. Tong Quanzi should adapt and train in Xuantong for two years, then move to Liaodong—to gain experience and have the opportunity to earn military achievements that might lead to promotion.

Seeing Xiqiu remain silent, Fourth Master Xiao added, "If you’re worried, we can wait another year!"

"No," Xiqiu shook her head, "It’s been Third Brother’s wish to serve in the military. We should ask him, and if he’s willing, Fourth Master, please help arrange it. We also need to inform Second Uncle. The military is different, and Third Brother is the only legitimate son of the second branch."