Two years later

"A letter from Third Brother?" Xiqiu smiled at Tong Minzhi, laughing as she said, "Did he not get into a fight this time?"

Tong Quanzhi went to Xuantong two years ago. Fourth Master Xiao didn’t specifically ask Qin Mu to take care of him, but Tong Quanzhi naturally has a good rapport with people. Within a month, Qin Mu had promoted him to stay by his side. Following the General inevitably led to some gossip, and within half a year, Fourth Master Xiao heard about two fights he had been involved in. Even the Second Master wrote from Baoding, suggesting that he return if things didn’t go well, to prevent any trouble for Fourth Master Xiao in the military.

"No!" Tong Minzhi said with a smile, "He mentioned that last month he went into the mountains with General Qin to eliminate bandits, and he even earned military merits."

Xiqiu breathed a sigh of relief and nodded assuredly, "That’s good!" Then she looked at Tong Minzhi, who had grown much taller than her. His big eyes, which were no longer as lively and adorable as when he was a child, had gained a sense of maturity. His refined features were just like a younger version of the First Master, no wonder the First Master grew increasingly fond of him: "These three years have delayed your exams, but you must not be careless with your studies. Strive to pass both the provincial and prefectural exams next year."

Tong Minzhi, full of confidence, nodded with a smile, "I intend to do just that!" He had waited long enough!

"Don’t speak too hastily!" Xiqiu tapped his head and mentioned Madam Xia, "How are Aunt and Twelfth Sister?"

"They are doing well. Twelfth Sister is very well-behaved, playing with Kun every day. However, recently, Kun isn’t as keen to play with her. He spends his days taking apart all kinds of Nine Rings. Last month, Third Brother sent back a peculiar box, and Sister-in-law said it would occupy him for several days. Yet, unexpectedly, he dismantled it all in no time."

Xiqiu couldn’t help but laugh. Tong Xihua was very obedient and sweet-tongued, often ingratiating herself with the First Master and playing with Kun in front of Madam Jiang. She felt sorry for her, such a young child already aware of her identity, and deliberately seeking to secure her position in the household.

As for Kun, it wasn’t apparent when he was younger, but now he is indeed like the second Tong Shen Zhi, whether in speech, expressions, or hobbies. Madam Jiang plans to discuss with Tong Shen Zhi about hiring a tutor for Kun when Lady Shan’s mourning period ends, jesting that if they don’t find a teacher to divert his attention, he might become too introverted.

Thinking of this, Xiqiu asked, "Big Brother is supposed to be coming back in a few days, right?"

"He’s already started his journey, so about six or seven days more." Tong Minzhi suddenly stood up, remembering, "I forgot, Mr. Zhao asked me to buy wine for him. I need to hurry back, or he’ll have nothing to drink at noon!"

"Go on, then!" Xiqiu stood up to see him off, "There are still some jars of Jinhua Wine at home, take some of those to Mr. Zhao as well." She pointed to Chunliu at the door, "Go with Seventh Master to the wine cellar and take a few jars." Then she looked at Tong Minzhi, "Let Erquan drive you!"

Tong Minzhi nodded, "The teacher loves Jinhua Wine." Saying this, he walked out, waving to Xiqiu as he went, "I’ll come to see you another day!"

"Mm, take care of yourself, don’t be like your Third Brother who randomly drinks wine." She paused, remembering she needed to prepare for Lady Shan’s mourning period, and added, "When Big Brother returns, have him come here. Tell him Fourth Master wants to discuss something with him." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Tong Minzhi acknowledged and quickly ran out.

Xiqiu turned back into the room, where Bihuai was bringing out a cup of tea. Xiqiu asked, "Where is Zhi?"

"In the backyard catching sparrows!" Bihuai said with a smile, "He spread corn kernels all over the ground and has been lying still in the bushes with Qingshan and Qingyuan all morning." Qingshan and Qingyuan are Siliu’s two sons, brought into the household last year. They play with Zhi all day. Xiqiu plans to start their education along with Zhi in the latter half of the year, not only to give them company but also to save Siliu’s children from having to attend outside schools.

Xiqiu sighed and asked, "Who else is there with them?" Bihuai put down the curtain and replied with a smile, "Mrs. Zhou and Wenyu, with Ziyang attending them."

Xiqiu said nothing more, turned around, and returned to the Warm Pavilion. Picking up a knee pad she was making for the Grand Dowager, she threaded a needle and continued sewing. Nanny Cen lifted the curtain and came in, reporting to Xiqiu, "Madam, several room attendants and stewards from the estate have arrived in the Capital. Would you like to see them today or tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, perhaps." Xiqiu thought for a moment before responding, "Let them rest at Yangpi Lane first, then leisurely come to the residence tomorrow. No need to rush!" Nanny Cen nodded, and Xiqiu after a pause instructed, "When Erquan returns, have him send ten taels of silver back to his mother. Let her buy something good this evening, it’s been years since everyone last got together, let’s have a lively gathering!"

"Yes, I’ll take care of it." She said, heading out the door.

Xiqiu resumed sewing, reflecting on the Grand Dowager’s knees that hadn’t been well. Last winter, she had a gout flare-up and had been eating bland foods, avoiding any rich or meat dishes. Only recently had her gout improved slightly, but the rheumatism in her knees flared up again, tormenting her all winter long.

She paused, touching her own knees. The past two winters had been better, with only a dull ache during snowy days. Resting for a couple of days on the bed made it better. Fortunately, each year the symptoms became milder...

After sewing for half a day with no sign of Zhi, nor had Min returned from school, Xiqiu couldn’t help but lift the curtain and ask Biwu standing outside, "Go and see if Zhi and Min are together, why have they not returned yet?"

"I’ll go have a look." Bihuai responded and left the courtyard.

Xiqiu put down the curtain and stood by the window to watch the courtyard’s view. Shortly after, a sapphire figure dashed in through the door, quickly running in. In his left hand was a small sparrow. As he ran, he shouted, "Mom, Mom, I caught a sparrow, I caught a sparrow!"

Zhi had grown quickly and was very sturdy, often racing with Min in the yard like the wind, which worried Xiqiu, afraid he might fall. However, he always managed to reach the finish line steadily.

"Slow down, slow down!" Xiqiu went out and lifted the curtain, but within a blink of an eye, Zhi rushed in, hugging her leg and proudly holding up the sparrow in his hand, "Mom, look, I caught a sparrow."

His head was covered in sweat, his nose smudged with dirt from who knows where. Xiqiu squatted down to look him in the eye, focusing on his hand, smiling, "You really caught a sparrow? Zhi is amazing. Did you catch it all by yourself?"

"No." Zhi shook his head honestly, "Qishan and Qiyu helped me catch it." He often struggled to differentiate Qingshan and Qingyuan at first, yet now he could easily tell them apart. Even Xiqiu sometimes couldn’t without them speaking, so she asked Zhi, "How can you tell them apart?" Zhi answered in his childlike voice, full of secrecy, "I made marks on them."