Last month, during Consort Le’s birthday celebration at the palace, the clothes she wore were sent to the palace from Tong Xiyan’s embroidery shop. Xiqiu also saw the craftsmanship was exquisite and elegant, perfectly complementing Consort Le’s refined beauty, indeed astonishingly beautiful, even the Emperor praised them a few times.

Her embroidery shop gained great fame because of this, and now the business is flourishing.

"We should really thank the Grand Commander for Consort Le’s affairs." Tong Xiyan held Xiqiu’s hand: "I am very clear in my heart that if not for the relationship between the Grand Commander and the Marquis, how could Lord Qian possibly neglect those large embroidery shops and come here to us for custom clothes. Even Consort Le’s willingness to accept us is because of your favor." Saying this, she showed gratitude, "Please thank the Grand Commander for me."

"If it weren’t for your strength, no help would have been useful." Xiqiu replied with a smile, "You and I are sisters, so there’s no need for such formalities. As long as we all live well, that’s better than anything!"

Tong Xiyan nodded with a smile, then spoke about Tong Xiyang: "Would you like to inform the Grand Dowager? If she ends up getting together with the Fifth Madam, who knows what might come of it!" She paused and continued, "I heard that last month she gave a concubine to Lord Zhang’s eldest son from one of the concubines in her house."

Upon hearing this, Xiqiu was taken aback with surprise, and Tong Xiyan frowned with a look of displeasure: "She’s acting recklessly, with Ren Jun’s life and death unknown in Pingliang, and Old Madam Ren having suffered a stroke and receiving no care. Aren’t those concubines and their children just used for her favors? Technically, it’s not our business, but in others’ eyes, we are sisters, so it would reflect poorly on us."

Xiqiu had already heard about it, but since Tong Xiyang would not even meet with Madam Jiang now, there’s no use in worrying about it. She shook her head and said, "Let her be. If she comes to us seeking help, we can help if we can. But now that she’s completely cut ties with us, even if we offer help, who knows what kind of scolding we might receive."

"I never intended to help her!" Tong Xiyan frowned: "Let her do as she pleases. After all, those children have nothing to do with us. The most unfortunate is the Ren Family."

Both of them sighed in their hearts simultaneously. After a moment of silence, Xiqiu brought up the mourning ritual for Lady’s clothing: "Has the sister-in-law been prepared? Who has been invited to officiate the ceremony?"

"Master Puning." Tong Xiyan replied, "Big brother should arrive the day after tomorrow, and everything should be ready in about five days." As she spoke, her expression darkened.

After sending Tong Xiyan away, Xiqiu was concerned about matters in the estate, and the next day she called Su Dazhuang into the mansion. Unlike yesterday’s calm, today he seemed a bit nervous, occasionally glancing at Xiqiu, standing with his head lowered at the door without speaking. Xiqiu watched him for a while and said with a smile, "There’s nothing much today, I just saw your two sons being quite clever yesterday. They seem promising, so I wanted to discuss with you. If the affairs at the estate aren’t too busy, why not leave one of the sons here in the mansion to help? This way they can gain some insight in the Capital, and it could also ease your burdens. I wonder what Manager Su thinks about this."

Leaving one of the Su Family boys in the mansion wasn’t because Xiqiu didn’t trust him, but rather it was a further step in their cooperation, tying their interests together. Of course, it also allowed her to keep someone close to Su Dazhuang’s family as a form of control.

Indeed, Su Dazhuang was momentarily stunned, glancing at Xiqiu with unease. Xiqiu sipped her tea, gently brushing the floating leaves in the cup, and then continued, "Don’t overthink it, I really just think the two sons are very clever and had this idea."

Su Dazhuang kept his head lowered, his mind spinning rapidly. Their family had long been freed from servitude and lived peacefully in the estate. But the two boys were growing up, and though there were farmer’s daughters, neither he nor his sons considered them suitable. Now that the Madam wants to keep one of the boys in the mansion, perhaps in the future, he could ask for a match with one of the Madam’s maids. If it was one of the close maids, it would be an unparalleled honor, given how valuable maids from prominent families were compared to ordinary daughters.

He was well aware of the Madam’s intentions in keeping a boy in the mansion. The Madam considered Zou Bochang as incapable of doing substantial work, and she probably wanted to get rid of him long ago. But since Zou Bochang was brought as a dowry by the Madam, she couldn’t just dismiss him casually. First, it would affect her natal family’s face, and second, there were countless related interests that could be affected, with repercussions on everyone involved. The Madam couldn’t act lightly, but he, as an outsider, could.

He understood the Madam’s hint clearly.

In silence, Su Dazhuang continuously weighed and debated in his mind, yet there was one thing he hadn’t considered: whether the Madam would make his entire family sign a contract to become servants of the mansion again?

Thinking about it, just as he was about to speak, he heard the Madam say, "Speaking of which, you and Manager Lai from my family are quite similar, both being capable... However, he serves as a steward for my father, and many years ago my father freed him from servitude. Now, their whole family works in the mansion without being servants yet they work diligently, winning my father’s utmost trust."

Su Dazhuang felt a massive jolt in his heart; was the Madam reassuring him that she wouldn’t force them back into servitude?

If that were the case, he had nothing to worry about. Employed by the Madam, he merely needed to follow orders. If heaven falls, it’s the master’s responsibility to hold it up. He just needed to perform his duties honestly and diligently.

With that thought, he had no further concerns. He brushed aside his robe and knelt down, saying, "Thank you, Madam, for your care. I will surely serve with devotion and diligence."

Xiqiu nodded in satisfaction, smiling as she said, "Then you discuss with your family who will be left in the mansion."

Su Dazhuang agreed, bowed, and left.

Zou Bochang had been someone she wanted to send away early on, but she couldn’t act herself, and neither Jin Dairui nor Zou Bochang could be counted on since they were from the Tong Mansion, with too many complications behind them. Now with Su Dazhuang, she intended to use his hand to send Zou Bochang away and simultaneously keep Su Dazhuang for herself.

As soon as Su Dazhuang left, Biwu entered the room and reported, "Madam, the Zou Family seeks an audience."

"Just say I’ve gone to the Marquis Mansion and let him leave," Xiqiu replied, with a slight smile. "They will leave in three days, and if he comes again during these three days, keep sending him back."

Biwu glanced at Xiqiu and nodded in agreement.

Sure enough, Zou Bochang waited at the door for three consecutive days, and Biwu instructed the gatekeeper to send him away. Zou Bochang even tried to work through Erquan, but luckily, Erquan was smart and handled it softly yet firmly. On the day when the accompanying people left, Xiqiu happened to visit the Tong Mansion, not meeting any of them. Later, Nanny Cen informed her that the second son of Su Dazhuang’s family, Su Quansheng, stayed behind.