Nanny Mao wasn’t reserved either; she nodded with a smile and said, "They will take Madam to the side hall to wait for a while, and then Chief Chang will bring the Second Young Master back!" Xiqiu nodded calmly, and Nanny Mao returned to Fengwu Palace.

After she left, Xiqiu followed the leading female official, walking out along the original path, her head lowered. Despite her calm appearance, it felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe... The palace is home to noble royalty; Zhi, being so young, must bow to everyone he meets. If someone were careless and he got hurt, what could be done!

Feeling uneasy, her pace quickened. In the blink of an eye, they reached outside Fengwu Palace. The leading female official stopped, pointed to an empty hall nearby, and said to Xiqiu, "Madam, please wait here. Chief Chang will soon bring the young master here."

Xiqiu nodded slightly. The female officials all returned to Fengwu Palace. Xiqiu stood at the hall entrance, surveyed her surroundings, and was about to turn inside when suddenly a female official in a pink vestment appeared from the side. She paused, and the official curtsied to her: "Fourth Madam, I am Jinyu from Le’an Palace."

Le’an Palace? Isn’t that where Le Xiu resides? Xiqiu wondered silently. Jinyu continued, "Our Imperial Concubine knows you are here, but it is inconvenient for her to invite you over for a chat, so she sent me on her behalf." She paused, took out a small box from her bosom, and said, "Knowing the young master is also here, this is a meeting gift from our lady for the young master. Please accept it, Fourth Madam."

A small, exquisite, and luxurious cloisonné enamel and gilded box. Xiqiu hesitated a little but received it nonetheless. Jinyu added, "I cannot stay long; please take care, Fourth Madam!" With that, she glanced at Xiqiu, paid her respects, and then left.

Holding the small box, Xiqiu frowned deeply. Once Jinyu left, a little eunuch emerged stealthily from the side, waving at Xiqiu from a distance. Xiqiu recognized him as someone she’d seen in the palace before and approached him. The eunuch whispered, "I am here to escort Madam out of the palace. Fourth Master is waiting with the young master at the palace gate for Madam."

Hearing this, Xiqiu breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Thank you!" She followed the eunuch out of the inner palace, and upon reaching the palace gate, she saw Zhi running around and Fourth Master Xiao standing by with a smile. Zhi waved excitedly upon seeing Xiqiu, "Mother!" and dashed towards her.

Xiqiu met him, embraced him, and quickly checked him over. Only when she found him unharmed did she truly relax. Holding his hand, Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao left the Imperial City with Mrs. Zhou, then regrouped outside with Chunliu and others, and together they returned to the Governor Mansion by carriage.

Once inside the carriage, Xiqiu coaxed Zhi, "Could you let mother see the dagger?" Zhi nodded and handed it to her. Xiqiu carefully unsheathed it, revealing a sharp blade with a cold gleam. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly sheathed it again, smiling at Zhi, "This dagger is so exquisite and valuable. Let mother keep it safe for you until you are older, is that okay?"

"No! I like this dagger!" Zhi was unhappy, but Xiqiu calmly persuaded him, "Tomorrow, we can ask Tiancheng to carve a wooden one for you. If it gets damaged, we can make another. But if this dagger is broken or lost, we can’t replace it. Let mother hide it for you, where no one can find it and where it won’t be damaged, alright?"

Zhi looked hesitant. Fourth Master Xiao coughed and patted his son’s head, "Listen to your mother!" Zhi pouted but nodded in agreement.

Xiqiu placed the dagger in a hidden compartment in the carriage, leaned against the wall, holding Zhi in her arms, and fell silent.

Fourth Master Xiao watched her, feeling slightly concerned.

Upon returning to the mansion, Xiqiu entrusted Bihuai with carefully storing the dagger, and asked Mrs. Zhou to take Zhi for a rest. She and Fourth Master Xiao entered their room, and upon entering, she closed the door. Fourth Master Xiao asked in a deep voice, "What’s wrong? Did something happen?"

"No!" Xiqiu shook her head, replied, "I just feel uncomfortable!" Sitting down in a chair, she looked at Fourth Master Xiao, "Whenever I think about how small and defenseless Zhi is, I feel scared!"

Fourth Master Xiao was taken aback, walked over to embrace her, and comforted her softly, "It’s because he’s small and weak that he needs our protection..." Xiqiu looked up, interrupting him: "Fourth Master, in the future, no matter who summons us, I don’t want to take him into the palace again."

"I understand," Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly, stroked her back, and softly repeated her words, "We won’t take him into the palace anymore."

Xiqiu hugged Fourth Master Xiao’s waist, resting her head on his chest, and remained silent for a long time.

After a while, she took out the meeting gift from Le Xiu, placed it on the table, opened it, and saw a pearl as large as a pigeon’s egg, glowing with a jade-like luster, invaluable... She closed the lid with a sigh, realizing that even Le Xiu’s life in the palace was not easy — otherwise, she wouldn’t walk on thin ice so cautiously.

No matter what, Le Xiu has wealth, with the Ruan and Le families protecting her, so there’s no worry. Yet, the Empress’s behavior today was puzzling; she looked at Fourth Master Xiao, recounting the Empress’s words, "... Why would she suddenly ask about Eighth Sister’s marriage?"

Fourth Master Xiao slightly raised his eyebrows and replied, "Your father’s position in the court is steadily gaining prominence step by step; her concern about the Tong Mansion is understandable."

So, was the Empress considering using a marital alliance to draw the Tong and Shen Mansions closer, thereby bringing Xuanning Marquis Mansion and Fourth Master Xiao closer as well?

If that’s the case, her expression turned solemn: "I shall return tomorrow and discuss this matter with my father. What do you think, Fourth Master?" Fourth Master Xiao pondered for a moment, then nodded, "That would be best. After all, Eighth Aunt’s marriage is not ours to decide; better to let your father make the decision."

Xiqiu nodded slightly, also needing to discuss the Han Family matter with Madam Jiang.