"Father." Xiqiu stood in front of the First Master, who nodded slightly and pointed to the chair opposite, "Why did you come back suddenly, is there something the matter?"

Xiqiu sat down in the chair, paused for a moment, and replied, "Yes, there is indeed something." The First Master’s eyebrows slightly raised, and he sat up straight. Xiqiu continued, "The day before yesterday, the Empress summoned me into the palace, and yesterday morning I took Zhi along and went to the palace."

The First Master already knew about this, so he nodded, knowing that the matter Xiqiu wanted to discuss was certainly not this, and he focused intently on her next words.

"It’s like this." She recounted the conversation she had with the Empress in Fengwu Palace to the First Master: "...and she mentioned the marriage of my eighth sister."

As he listened, the First Master’s expression darkened. Being appointed a marriage by the Empress was certainly an honor and a pride for the Tong Family, yet now Consort Le was pregnant, making the situation subtly intricate. Neither Xuanning Marquis Mansion nor the Tong Family wished to get involved, as historically, engaging in party conflicts over inheritance rarely ended well.

This contradicted his usual pursuit of stability; otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent so many years outside in Yongzhou.

"I understand." The First Master nodded slightly, looking at Xiqiu with trust in his eyes, "Afterwards, discuss this matter with your sister-in-law, and make sure your eighth sister’s marriage is arranged promptly."

Xiqiu agreed, having nothing more to deliberate with the First Master. After speaking, she stood up: "Then I’ll go find Sister-in-law."

The First Master nodded, abruptly calling her before she left the room, "Sixth Girl!" Xiqiu stopped, looking back at the First Master, "Father, what are your instructions?"

"About Qian Xiaolian..." The First Master looked at Xiqiu, hesitated for a moment, and continued, "Did you hear anything from your sister-in-law?"

Was he asking her opinion? Xiqiu was momentarily stunned, turned to face the First Master, who was seriously looking at her, waiting for her to speak. Xiqiu’s mind churned, she thought for a moment and replied, "I only heard Sister-in-law mention it. Later, the Fourth Master sent someone to inquire and learned that Qian Xiaolian is straightforward, enjoys good social connections, and is accomplished academically..." The First Master said nothing, so Xiqiu continued, "Though his family is ordinary, he now holds a title, and with your and Big Brother’s support, he could secure an external post to live stably with my eighth sister, which wouldn’t be bad." She spoke objectively.

Seeing the First Master nod slightly, Xiqiu paused, then continued, "It is merely my personal view, and what I’ve heard about him comes from hearsay. Ultimately, Father’s judgment is needed for my eighth sister’s marriage." She paused, smiled at the First Master, and added, "After all, it’s a lifelong matter." After saying much, this last sentence was her real intent. Regardless of her attitude towards Tong Xiyu, she genuinely hoped they would have a good life. Marriage is a woman’s lifelong business. If marriage is unhappy, what hope is there for women?

"I know." The First Master nodded his head, "You may go, I’ll think this matter over." Then he paused and added, "You should also help her look out while outside, if you find someone suitable, discuss it with your sister-in-law."

Xiqiu agreed and left to directly head to Madam Jiang’s room. Madam Jiang knew Xiqiu was coming, and she waited for her early at the door, smiling from afar, "I’ve sent the children to play in the outer courtyard, wanting to have a good chat with the Sixth Lady."

Xiqiu also left Zhi at home in the care of Mrs. Zhou, she nodded and laughed as she entered the room with Madam Jiang, and the two sat down in the Warm Pavilion. Madam Jiang quickly asked, "I saw you went to see the First Master this morning, is there something urgent?"

Xiqiu did not hide the matter from Madam Jiang, for she was the matriarch of the family. She narrated what the Empress had said to Madam Jiang, who listened, her face turning serious, "Sixth Lady means, the Empress wants to appoint a marriage for my eighth sister?"

"Not necessarily." The Empress might just be asking: "But since she mentioned it, likely she’s thoroughly investigated."

Madam Jiang’s expression darkened slightly. The inner household might appear peaceful, but everything is indeed connected to external affairs. The rise and fall of the Tong Family’s glory directly impacts the household’s stability. On a broader scale, even the court’s undercurrents affect it, so after Xiqiu spoke, Madam Jiang understood why she waited for the First Master so early this morning...

"Right now, finding someone is too late." Madam Jiang anxiously stood up, looking back at Xiqiu uneasily, "...Could we really marry my eighth sister to Qian Xiaolian?"

Xiqiu paused, "Sister-in-law need not worry. Even if the Empress has this intention, it’s unlikely she would immediately decree the marriage." She paused again and added, "Why not have Sister-in-law carefully consider Qian Xiaolian once more."

Madam Jiang nodded, sat back on the bed, sipped tea, and looked up at Xiqiu, "What about the Han Family, any news, Sixth Lady?"

"I sent Nanny Cen over, and she met with the Han Family’s concubine." Xiqiu briefly explained, and added, "Lord Han said he’d go back and consider... I’ll inform Sister-in-law once there’s a reply."

Madam Jiang nodded; she then said, "Last night, I mentioned it to your brother, and he has interacted with Han Cheng often, finding him agreeable."

Xiqiu nodded, she pulled Madam Jiang aside and said, "I should go talk to Fourth Sister, see what her thoughts are. Whatever we plan and inquire will be futile if she’s not willing."

"Alright!" Madam Jiang replied, "I’ll have Nanny Qiu escort you to the West Courtyard, Fourth Sister should still be in her room at this time."

Xiqiu nodded, Madam Jiang called Nanny Qiu in, and Xiqiu went together with Nanny Qiu to the West Courtyard.

Tong Xiyan was indeed in the room reading, the tabletop scattered with many sheets of Xuan paper. Seeing Xiqiu enter, she grinned, put the book down, and greeted her, "I knew you were coming, thinking you must have something to discuss with Father and Sister-in-law, planned to look for you later, but you came on your own."

"I came to see what you’re up to." Xiqiu smiled and walked to the table, noticing seven or eight sheets of Xuan paper, some scribbled with minuscule calligraphy, verses of five-character poems, and chaotic doodles. Xiqiu tilted her head to read and saw the line: Leaning against the banister, there’s no spirit or mood! Where are people? Endless fading grass, gazing sadly at the road back home...

"Don’t look." Tong Xiyan hurried over and gathered all the Xuan papers from the table in her hands, "Don’t look, they’re all written messily."

Xiqiu looked at her and lightly laughed, though her heart was quietly pondering.

Tong Xiyan swiftly tidied the table, then guided Xiqiu to sit in the chair, "Standing all the time, aren’t you tired?" she said, before sitting beside Xiqiu, "So tell me, what brings you to me?"

"Why assume I have something? Perhaps I’m just back to see you all." Xiqiu sipped tea and answered with a smile.

Tong Xiyan feigned a glare and retorted, "With so many things in the mansion, you don’t leave for trivial matters, even only visiting the Grand Dowager for greetings every first and fifteenth, but today you unexpectedly left Zhi at home and returned yourself. If you say there’s nothing, I don’t believe it." She paused and raised an eyebrow at Xiqiu, looking curious, "Is it about my eighth sister’s marriage?"