"A little better." Xing replied with a smile, "The teacher said I’m learning fast, so he gave me a day off to relax a bit." Xiqiu nodded slightly as she listened and continued, "I heard you went out with Father to meet some guests a few days ago? Who did you meet?"

Xing’s little face immediately showed a look of displeasure, and he replied listlessly, "We met Lord Wu, Lord Liu, and Count Dongchang, Lord Qian!" After speaking, he lowered his head to play with the Jade Pendant hanging at his waist.

Seeing his somewhat downcast look, Xiqiu sighed silently.

Xing seemed to be overwhelmed by his studies and didn’t seem to enjoy such social occasions very much, which made him feel tired. In contrast, Min was usually quiet, but when Lord Han and other officials visited the household a few times, he answered questions clearly without being nervous or self-conscious; even Fourth Master Xiao showed a look of admiration in his eyes when he spoke of it.

"Since you are resting today, why not play here at your Fourth Aunt’s place? I’ll arrange for someone to send you back later!" Xiqiu said with a smile and then turned to Min, "Are the courses from Mr. Ji important today? If not, why not ask Mr. Ji for half a day off and have fun with Sheng and Xing?"

Hearing this, Min’s interest was piqued, and after some consideration, he nodded, "This afternoon is for review, and I have two pieces of calligraphy to finish, but it’s not urgent. I’ll get Erquan to speak with Mr. Ji."

Xiqiu nodded slightly.

Sheng and Xing then both laughed, and Sheng pulled them both aside, saying, "Why don’t I take you guys to the back hills to fly kites this afternoon? The wind is strong today, perfect for kite flying. We have a centipede-shaped kite at home with many legs; it looks great in the sky."

Xing’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and his expression improved markedly as he nodded, "I’ll tell them to go back and fetch my snake-shaped kite." He then looked at Min, "What about your eagle kite?"

Min wasn’t particularly enthusiastic but still nodded, "It’s stored in my room."

Sheng clapped his hands excitedly, smiling, "Alright, it’s settled then!" Zhi, standing on the side, became anxious and waved his hands, "Me too, me too!"

"You?" Sheng turned to look at Zhi, "Do you have a kite?"

Zhi was momentarily stunned, his head drooping, "No!" Sheng then displayed a knowing look, "If you don’t have one, you shouldn’t go. Otherwise, you’ll end up crying when you see us flying ours!"

"I want to go, I want to go!" Zhi frowned defiantly at Sheng, "At most, I’ll make one now!"

Since Zhi was still young and the area was near Qinghe, she was concerned and tried to persuade him, "How about we practice reading at home with Mom this afternoon? We learned three characters yesterday, and today’s task isn’t done yet."

"No!" Zhi insisted on going, but Sheng coaxed him, "When you grow up, I’ll take you to play. Besides, I bought you some salt-baked chicken today, so you can enjoy the chicken and stay home peacefully."

Zhi wore a dissatisfied look, and Xing came over to hold Zhi’s hand, "Don’t be upset. If big brother doesn’t take you, I will, but you mustn’t run around."

"Okay!" Zhi leaped up and clapped his hands, and Xing laughed along with him.

Min hugged Zhi, "Be careful not to fall." He patted Zhi’s back, "If you promise not to run around, I’ll let you play with my kite!"

"Yes." Zhi nodded, "It’s a deal, not even four horses could break it!"

"Silly!" Min tapped Zhi on the forehead, "Mom teaches you to read every day, but you still won’t learn. It’s ’not even four horses could chase it down!"

Zhi chuckled.

Xiqiu continued to watch the children with a smile. Just then, Nanny Cen came in and asked, "Madam, where should the meal be set up?"

"Set it up in the Warm Pavilion!" Nanny Cen agreed, and Xiqiu told the children, "Go wash your hands, it’s time to eat!"

Sheng went with Xing and Min to wash their hands, while Zhi ruffled around on the bed, making a mess. Xiqiu asked curiously, "Zhi, what are you searching for?"

"Looking for the fishing rod Dad made for me," while tossing away books and rattles.

Xiqiu couldn’t help but laugh, "How could the fishing rod be here? Ask your nanny later if it’s stored in your room."

"In my room?" Zhi frowned and thought for a long time without a result, but since he believed Mom would never lie, he nodded, "Oh, I see!"

Meanwhile, Min and the others returned from washing their hands, and Zhi slipped off the bed, took Min’s hand, and walked to the table, asking as they walked, "Brother, can I bring the sparrow over too?"

"Sparrow? Where did you get a sparrow?" Min was taken aback and seated Zhi at the table.

"Outside. I just caught it with Qishan and Qiyu. It’s in a cage!" Zhi said before slipping down and running outside despite calls from others. Soon, he returned with a birdcage, lifting it laboriously to show off, "Look, my sparrow!"

Sheng watched the little sparrow inside, which seemed always droopy, and laughed heartily: "Just a sparrow, what’s there to be so happy about." He patted his chest and said, "This is boring, big brother will find you a parrot someday!"

"A parrot?" Zhi asked uncertainly, and Sheng nodded confidently, about to speak when Xing pulled him aside: "If you can’t find one, don’t promise him. You’ll make Zhi sad later."

Sheng, acting like a big brother, widened his eyes at Xing: "You don’t believe me, eh? Just wait!" Then he turned to Zhi: "Tomorrow, tomorrow I’ll find you a parrot that can talk!"

As soon as Zhi heard about a talking parrot, he started dancing with excitement: "It must be fun, thank you, big brother!"

Min helplessly watched Zhi, gently coaxing: "Why don’t we put the bird cage away and eat now?"

Zhi obediently nodded.

In the afternoon, Xiqiu gave careful instructions, having Nanny Cen and Nanny Rong personally accompany them, with young servants and maids guarding the three as they went to the back mountain to fly kites. Fourth Master Xiao left work early, Xiqiu greeted him: "Fourth Master!" As she ushered him into the Warm Pavilion, she smiled and said, "Why so early today!"

Fourth Master Xiao smiled and replied, "Today the Imperial Physician discovered, Consort Le has a pregnancy pulse, the Emperor at this moment could care less about court affairs." He chuckled softly as he sat at the edge of the kang, then asked in puzzlement: "Where’s Zhi?"

"Went to fly kites." Xiqiu handed him tea, sitting opposite him and asked, "Did they only discover the pregnancy today?"

Fourth Master Xiao took a sip of tea and confirmed with a nod: "The Emperor issued a special decree summoning Marchioness Zhongshan to the palace, and the imperial decree has been expedited to Huainan." After a pause, he continued, "Madam Ruan and Madam Qian have already entered the palace."

Indeed, the Emperor is happy; otherwise, he wouldn’t have immediately summoned Marchioness Zhongshan to the palace.

"That’s truly good news." Xiqiu smiled lightly and said.

Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly and added: "Qian Zhong will come over later, don’t wait for me for dinner tonight." Xiqiu agreed, then he asked Xiqiu again in puzzlement: "Why suddenly go kite flying? Who followed them?"

Xiqiu then recounted the visit of Xing and Sheng to him and also brought up Xing’s pressure, saying to Fourth Master Xiao: "...Should we reduce his lessons a bit? He’s only seven."

Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brow lightly: "I understand, I’ll mention it to Second Brother later!"

Xiqiu said no more.

Fourth Master Xiao turned around, took her hand, and smiled: "Do you want to visit Shandong? How about we venture around Shandong near Zhi’s birthday?"

"Why the sudden urge to go out?" Xiqiu raised her brows, showing a puzzled look: "Is there something up?"

Fourth Master Xiao pinched her nose: "Always imagining things." He said, holding her hand, pulling her over to his side, encircling her like a child, and whispered: "Since there’s nothing major at court, why don’t we take this chance to relax, after April it might not be peaceful again, we’ll hardly find time to go out."

After he finished, Xiqiu showed a tense expression and asked: "What’s going on? Is something wrong?"

"No, just told you to stop overthinking." Fourth Master Xiao chuckled softly, embraced her and slowly explained: "Chief Lei will return to report in April!"

So it was this matter, the sea ban has been ongoing for four years, since opening Ningbo Port it seems to have hit a bottleneck, unable to move forward. This time, Chief Lei returns to court likely to stir the sea ban matter once more.

Now with the political situation stabilizing, the Emperor’s throne is steady, the Eldest Prince healthy and intelligent, is said to begin formal education this year, the Emperor is ready to execute grand plans!

"Big brother will return in a few days, I spoke to Seventh Brother today to have Big Brother come see you when he returns." Xiqiu said and continued: "He’ll report to Hanlin Academy, that won’t cause any trouble, right?"

"No!" Fourth Master Xiao shook his head and replied: "Hanlin Academy has no connection with the sea ban." After a pause, he continued: "But Father, this year he’ll be even busier."

Ever since First Master took the role of Vice Minister of Ministry of Industry, he’s been tasked with building the dike at Weihui Henan Road, with Xiao Yanyi’s former advisor Mr. Bao, one commanding at the frontline, one supporting at the rear for a year and a half, finally completed the Weihui section of the dike, last year’s flood season passed safely at Weihui, for which the Emperor specially commended First Master and Mr. Bao.

"Busier is good too." Xiqiu covered her mouth lightly with laughter, her eyes revealing a cunning look, in the past two years, marriage proposals for Tong Family were numerous but First Master refused all, claiming no time to care, Madam Luo and Madam Jiang managed household affairs well, Madam Xia attended meticulously to his private matters, till now First Master hasn’t shown intentions of remarrying.

Thus, drag on for a few more years, if he doesn’t remarry these years, later when Tong Minzhi marries off, chances for him to remarry decrease.

As long as no new wife enters, Tong Family can thus remain stable!

Fourth Master Xiao understood her intention, smiled faintly.

While they were talking, outside Zhi and Sheng’s giggling voices already reached in, Fourth Master Xiao quickly kissed Xiqiu’s cheek, and said with a smile: "The children are back."