"How about this." Xiqiu thought for a moment and said to Madam Jiang, "A few days ago, some companions came over and brought some large dates and donkey-hide gelatin from Shandong. Tomorrow, I will have Nanny Cen send some to the Han Mansion to see if she can meet this Han family’s concubine. If she can’t find anything, then have Fourth Master directly ask Lord Han!"

Madam Jiang found this reasonable and nodded, "I will trouble Sixth Lady with this matter." Xiqiu waved her hand and still said, "I’m thinking, after all, this is a matter concerning Fourth Sister. She is not marrying for the first time, and we should ask her opinion. What do you think?"

Madam Jiang paused, looked at Xiqiu with a serious expression, and replied, "That’s true. Things are different now; if she gets angry, we can’t predict what might happen." Xiqiu had thought of this point; if Tong Xiyan is unwilling, she could do anything, perhaps even cut her hair and go to Puning Temple.

After Madam Jiang finished speaking about this matter, she added, "There’s another thing I need to tell you. An official matchmaker came yesterday with a marriage proposal for Eighth Sister." Xiqiu was taken aback and asked, "Which family is it?"

"I don’t know if you’ve heard of him, but Seventh Brother and Third Brother both know him. He used to visit our mansion and took the autumn examination in the same year as our cousin..." Xiqiu couldn’t recall this person, so Madam Jiang further explained, "He’s from Zhejiang Shaoxing with the surname Qian. He became a scholar last year, is currently studying at the Imperial College, comes from an average family, but according to First Master’s description, he is quite decent."

Xiqiu thought for a moment and seemed to remember Tong Minzhi mentioning a Scholar Qian but wasn’t sure if this Scholar Qian and this Qian Xiaolian are the same person.

"How old is this person?" Xiqiu found him rather promising, a potential stock, and Madam Jiang answered, "He is eighteen this year. He has been living in the Capital with his elder brother because his mother passed away early, delaying his marriage... They have a house, but it’s not large. If Eighth Sister marries, she might have to squeeze in and live with his brother and sister-in-law for the time being."

With such conditions, Madam Mei probably wouldn’t agree. Xiqiu asked with a smile, "What does Father think about this matter?"

Madam Jiang paused before replying, "Father’s intention is to wait a little longer; there’s no rush. This Qian Xiaolian might be good, but next year’s spring examination might see him elevated, whether appointed as a scholar or given an official role. Eighth Sister wouldn’t suffer by marrying him... But Lady has just finished the mourning period, so there’s no harm in waiting a bit more."

In other words, First Master wasn’t very favorable towards this Qian Xiaolian.

"In that case, let’s just wait a bit longer." Xiqiu said with a smile, "Who knows, a better opportunity might come along."

Madam Jiang listened and then smiled bitterly!

In the evening, Fourth Master Xiao came back, and Xiqiu recounted Madam Jiang’s words to him: "I also had similar thoughts; we do not know about this concubine’s situation, so it’s better to clarify first."

"Then I’ll ask Han Cheng about it tomorrow." Fourth Master Xiao did not object, then turned his eyes to Xiqiu and asked, "Why? You don’t seem very supportive of this marriage proposal."

Upon hearing this, Xiqiu slightly raised her eyebrows and smiled, "No!" She stood up to refill Fourth Master Xiao’s teapot with hot tea and added, "I’m just afraid that Fourth Sister might have other ideas. It’s better to understand the situation with the Han family first, and I’ll explore her opinion on it."

Fourth Master Xiao had no further doubts, "Very well." He said, pulling Xiqiu to sit on his lap, embracing her as usual, and asked softly, "Is Zhi asleep?"

"Hmm." Xiqiu nodded, still thinking about the matters of Tong Xiyan and Tong Xiyu, then brushed away Fourth Master Xiao’s restless hand and asked, "Have you met this Qian Xiaolian, Fourth Master?"

"No!" Fourth Master Xiao replied, "But I’ve heard that there are seven or eight scholars and graduates regularly dining and discussing poetry at Hongyan Building. I’ll have someone inquire tomorrow to see if he is among them."

"Ah?" Xiqiu didn’t expect such a thing. The spring examination had just passed, and everyone was still immersed in the joy of making the list or in disappointment. If this Qian Xiaolian is still referred to as Qian Xiaolian, it means he hasn’t made it this year. Whether to praise or be surprised by how quickly he has freed himself from disappointment to indulge in wine and poetic discussions, she couldn’t decide.

"Zhi had a great time playing with Twelfth Aunt today." Fourth Master Xiao said with a smile by Xiqiu’s ear, causing a tickle there which made her shrink back. Turning her head, she commented, "Twelfth Sister has a good temperament and gets along well with everyone!" Fourth Master Xiao meant something else entirely, though, exhaling warm breaths, he whispered, "Zhi likes Twelfth Aunt so much, why don’t we give him a little sister too."

So the entire conversation led to this topic, causing Xiqiu’s face to flush as she glared teasingly at Fourth Master Xiao, "Fourth Master has no seriousness." Yet she secretly sighed, as she hadn’t conceived again after Zhi; perhaps it was due to the difficult birthing, resulting in injury.

Thinking about this, she remembered Ruan Jingliu, whom she hadn’t seen for some time.

The next morning, Zhi pulled Xiqiu from bed, "Mother, Mother, has Seventh Uncle arrived yet?" Xiqiu opened her eyes, somewhat groggily, and looked at him, asking, "Is Seventh Uncle coming today?"

"Yes, Seventh Uncle said he would bring me a parrot today." Zhi was full of joy and anticipation, "Shall we go to the second gate to wait for Seventh Uncle?"

Xiqiu chuckled, "No need for you to wait. Ask Qingshan to inform the women at the second gate if Seventh Uncle arrives; they should quickly welcome him in, okay?" Zhi heard her and found it sensible, nodding quickly, "Then I’ll find Qingshan." With that, he went off, stepping out the door.

Chunliu and Bihuai, along with others, soon entered, assisting in Xiqiu’s toiletry and dressing. Afterward, she exited and walked to the warm pavilion. Upon entering, she was greeted with the faint scent of flowers. On the window sill in front of the kang, she noticed several pink camellias. Chunliu saw her looking at the camellias and explained with a smile, "It was Young Master Min who picked them from the backyard early in the morning, and the maids found him a bottle, and he personally placed them here."

Xiqiu smiled slightly, took a cup of tea, and asked Chunliu, "Did he go to the academy?" Chunliu affirmed, and Xiqiu thought it over, instructing, "Go check the outer courtyard; see if Su Quansheng is doing okay there, and then call Nanny Cen in."

Chunliu responded affirmatively and left. After a short while, Nanny Cen came in, and Xiqiu instructed, "Go to the storeroom, take some large dates and donkey-hide gelatin; you can pick some other items as you see fit and send them to the Han Mansion!"

"I understand." Nanny Cen responded, knowing Xiqiu wouldn’t send gifts to the Han Mansion without good reason, awaiting Xiqiu’s further explanation. As expected, Xiqiu added, "Try to see if you can meet Han family’s concubine."

Nanny Cen was smart, understanding Xiqiu’s intention instantly, she replied, "I know what to do. I’ll take some people to the storeroom to pick up the items."

Xiqiu nodded slightly, and just as Nanny Cen left, Bihuai hastily ran in, "Madam, Nanny Mao from the Empress’s side has arrived!"

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow. Nanny Mao had come?

For the past two years, her interactions with the Shen family had remained normal, yet Madam Shen was noticeably less enthusiastic. In contrast, Madam Ruan and Madam Qian had been visiting her more often.

I wonder what reason the Empress might have to send someone at this time.

Thinking this, she went to welcome them personally, spotting Nanny Mao already entering the courtyard. Xiqiu approached her, smiling, "Nanny Mao!" Nanny Mao returned the smile and greeted, "Greetings, Fourth Madam."

Xiqiu invited Nanny Mao into the warm pavilion, directly asking, "Nanny Mao, did the Empress have any instructions in sending you personally?"

"It’s nothing much." Nanny Mao replied with a smile as she held her tea, "The Empress mentioned she hadn’t seen you for some time, nor had she seen the second young master. She wants to invite you to the palace for a gathering and requests you to bring the second young master along."

Xiqiu was surprised, asked to bring Zhi along?

Nanny Mao, seeming to perceive her confusion, explained with a smile, "Fourth Madam, no need to think too much. The Empress merely feels lonely and wishes for your company, and at the same time, for the second young master to meet the Eldest Prince. Although young now, frequent interactions can foster intimacy as they grow older."

Fostering intimacy should be more related to Shen Liwen rather than Zhi. Despite her inner doubts, Xiqiu smiled outwardly and nodded, "Please convey to the Empress that I shall go to the palace tomorrow morning to pay my respects."

"Alright. I’ve delivered the oral message, so I won’t stay longer. I have to go to the Imperial Uncle Mansion next. Fourth Madam, please don’t see me off."

"Let me escort you out!" Xiqiu personally escorted Nanny Mao to the door. Once Nanny Mao was gone, Xiqiu revealed a look of suspicion!

Could something have happened to Le Xiu? But if it was about Le Xiu, it shouldn’t involve her...