Zhi smiled broadly, and Xiqiu looked at Tong Minzhi and asked, "Xing is here. Why don’t you take them to play later."

"Understood." Tong Minzhi nodded, "We’ll go to the study to find him later."

Madam Xia held Zhi in her arms, lovingly stroking his head, yet couldn’t stop her tears from falling... Xiqiu was happily married and had such an obedient son, standing firmly in her husband’s family, her stepson being filial and obedient. As Tong Minzhi grew daily, in the future, he would have his father, elder brother, and brother-in-law to care for him—even if not scoring high in exams, finding a job wouldn’t be difficult. Tong Xihua stayed cheerfully by her side as a companion. Madam Xia felt immensely satisfied, believing she lived a fulfilled life...

After a while of lively chatter, Tong Minzhi took Zhi and Min to find Xing, while Xiqiu bid farewell to Madam Xia and headed to Madam Jiang’s room.

Madam Jiang hadn’t returned yet; at the door, Tong Xihua was accompanying Kun in the courtyard reading, Kun seriously flipped through the book while Tong Xihua quietly sat beside him, occasionally feeding Kun candied fruit. Kun, each time, always said, "Thank you, Twelfth Aunt," before opening his mouth to eat.

Xiqiu chuckled as she entered, and Tong Xihua, upon seeing her, sweetly smiled, her big eyes curving like crescent moons, running over, "Sixth Sister!" Xiqiu smiled, squatted, held her delicate little hand, and asked, "What are you doing with Kun?"

"I’m accompanying him in reading." She said, explaining, "I’m afraid he’ll be bored!"

Xiqiu chuckled softly; Tong Xihua was indeed very obedient. She stroked Tong Xihua’s tender little face, praising, "Huan’er is so good!" Tong Xihua blushed shyly.

Kun carefully bookmarked his book, placed it neatly on the table, stood and tidied his unwrinkled coat, then bowed earnestly with clasped fists, saying solemnly, "Sixth Aunt!"

"Kun, are you reading?" Xiqiu asked with a smile. Kun nodded and replied, "Yes!"

"Can you understand it?" But he hadn’t started formal education yet.

Kun shook his head and then nodded, "To answer Aunt, some I understand, some not." Tong Xihua laughed, explaining for Kun, "He basically understands it all; just now he even read the Three Character Classic to me."

Kun glanced at Tong Xihua without speaking.

Xiqiu held both their hands, "Shall we go inside to continue our talk? The sun’s strong now; don’t get sunburnt." Tong Xihua eagerly nodded, "Okay!" Kun then sternly ordered his servant, "Put the book back on the shelf and return the table." After the servant complied, Kun turned back to follow Xiqiu indoors.

"Sixth Sister, has Zhi come?" Tong Xihua asked with a smile. Xiqiu replied, "Yes, he’s gone fishing with your Brother Qi in the outer yard."

"Fishing?" Tong Xihua’s eyes lit up. She looked at Xiqiu and then contained her joy. Xiqiu, puzzled, asked, "What’s wrong?"

"I think I’ll find him later." Tong Xihua cheerfully replied, "It’s rare for you to come back, Sixth Sister. If I leave, no one will chat with you." She looked at Kun, not expecting much from his conversational skills.

Even Nanny Qiu, holding tea, couldn’t help but laugh, saying to Xiqiu, "Twelfth Miss is very considerate; every day, she keeps Kun company fearing he’d be bored..." Whispering to Xiqiu’s ear, "Actually, she herself feels bored; she just won’t go out to play unless Big Brother is willing to go, then she’ll take a walk."

Xiqiu smiled and stroked Tong Xihua’s head, softly asking, "Do you want to play at my place for a few days, with your aunt?" She looked at Kun, "Kun, would you like to go too? You can play with Zhi."

No matter if it’s bringing Zhi, Min, or Xing back, Xiqiu’s aim is to have these cousins interact often, growing tight bonds for mutual support in the future—a great wealth others seek in vain.

"Sure!" Tong Xihua was delighted to go to Sixth Sister’s place with her aunt, ensuring Madam Xia wouldn’t frequent thoughts about Sixth Sister, and getting to play with Zhi. She looked at Kun, "Kun, let’s go together."

Kun thought for a moment but still shook his head, "Thank you, Sixth Aunt, but I won’t be going. Father mentioned scheduling a teacher’s visit to the mansion; I need to read more so I’m prepared when questioned."

Seeing Kun, Xiqiu suddenly felt secure in the Tong Mansion’s prosperity for the next forty years.

"Sixth Lady!" Madam Jiang entered, "Don’t bother speaking to this child; after three sentences, he won’t reply with one, word by word—it worries me so much."

Madam Jiang’s lively temperament can’t stand this type, yet currently, the two most important men in her life are like this. If you don’t speak first, the house stays quiet all day, and even if you try to converse, they’ll respond just question by question.

"I find it very nice." Xiqiu smiled, touching Kun’s head, "If he were boisterous like Zhi, you’d surely say he’s too noisy."

"Impossible!" Madam Jiang waved, "Zhi is great, lively and adorable. Most importantly, whatever you say, he can respond."

Kun silently glanced at his mother, lowering his head to pull out Nine Rings from behind, deftly dismantling it.

Xiqiu and Madam Jiang exchanged looks and both started laughing.

"You play inside, I’ll chat with your Sixth Aunt." Madam Jiang greeted Tong Xihua but not her own son—doing so would be pointless. Tong Xihua obediently nodded, "Big Sister-in-law, you chat with Sixth Sister, I’ll keep Kun company; don’t worry."

Considerate enough to touch one’s heart.

Madam Jiang, beaming with smiles, evidently adored Tong Xihua, instructed Nanny Qiu, "Bring some candied fruits so Twelfth Miss won’t feel bored."

Nanny Qiu hastily agreed.

Xiqiu and Madam Jiang stepped outside heading to the adjacent room, where the maid served tea, Madam Jiang sat and looked at Xiqiu, asking, "Sixth Lady mentioned needing to discuss something—I’ve been thinking about it all morning, eagerly wanting to ask."

Xiqiu chuckled, waiting for the maids to leave before whispering, "Promise not to be startled." Madam Jiang nodded; Xiqiu then lowered her voice, mentioning Lord Han, "Do you know Lord Han?"

"I know. Didn’t Madam Han pass away? Everyone knows this, and Lord Han received a commendation from the Emperor for his merits in pacifying bandits." Madam Jiang nodded, puzzled why Xiqiu suddenly brought up Lord Han.

"It’s like this." Xiqiu conveyed what Fourth Master Xiao mentioned about Lord Han’s wish to marry her fourth sister as his successor, seeking her as an intermediary to probe her and First Master’s, as well as her fourth sister’s sentiments. If agreeable, he’d hire an official matchmaker, marrying her like a first wife with a grand dowry.