Madam Mei must be feeling unsettled, as the Eighth Miss, who needs a marriage most, doesn’t have a match yet, while over here, the recently divorced Fourth Miss has a high-status proposal. How could she be content with this? 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

However, with Tong Xiyan’s temperament, she shook her head and said, "Marriage is a significant matter; how can it be discussed in anger?"

"Indeed, that’s true," Madam Jiang sighed, as Xiqiu furrowed her brows and said, "Here’s what I think: let’s not return the news to the Han Family just yet. Let Fourth Sister consider it some more. If she truly wishes for it, we can discuss it again. What do you think, Sister-in-law?"

Madam Jiang paused slightly; originally, she had some reservations about Lord Han. But since he showed sincerity by personally coming to propose yesterday, even though it was somewhat unconventional, she now leaned towards agreeing with the Han Family’s proposal, with her only concern being Tong Xiyan. She feared Xiyan might act impulsively and regret it later.

"That makes sense. I actually came to ask you to persuade Fourth Sister, and hearing what you said, it seems right to let her think it over!" Madam Jiang said as she stood up, "I’ll be heading back first!"

"I’ll see you out," Xiqiu escorted Madam Jiang. At the door, Madam Jiang sighed deeply, glanced at Xiqiu, seemed to want to say something but then descended the steps without speaking.

"Mother!" Zhi came running over, holding a birdcage in one hand and a kite in the other, "Mother, my kite is ready. Shall we go fly it?"

Xiqiu looked down and smiled. Although it was called a parrot kite, it was merely a drawing that resembled both a bird and a fish. She asked with a smile, "Did you draw this?"

"Yes, isn’t it beautiful?" Zhi giggled and asked, "Doesn’t it look just like the parrot on your card?"

Xiqiu nodded approvingly, "It’s even prettier than Mother’s." Then, she helped him carry the birdcage, "Let’s go, Mother will accompany you to fly the kite!" Lately, she had been too busy to play with Zhi.

Zhi jumped up and laughed joyfully, "Kite flying time!" Xiqiu pulled him back, "Wait a moment for me; Mother needs to change clothes first, alright?"

As long as he got to go, waiting a bit longer was no issue, so he nonchalantly replied, "Okay!"

Xiqiu entered the room, and Nanny Cen followed to assist her. As she helped Xiqiu find clothes, she whispered, "Last night, I sounded out Chunliu’s thoughts, and she outright rejected it." Saying this, she held up a light green overcoat for Xiqiu to see. Xiqiu glanced at it and nodded, so Nanny Cen helped her put it on. She then said, "I think Yiquan is quite good; why not invite him to the residence for Madam to meet him?"

Xiqiu’s gaze shifted slightly, and she looked at Nanny Cen saying, "Alright, invite him over sometime for me to see. If Chunliu is unwilling, let’s not mention it for now and revisit later." Nanny Cen agreed, and Xiqiu added, "Nurse Zhang came by yesterday, asking me to find a reliable spot in the residence for Wan’er; could you keep an eye out for that?" Nanny Cen was taken aback, then recalled with a nod. Last year, a marriage was proposed for Baizhi with a steady-looking second son of a steward from the outer court, but Baizhi was so stubborn that she packed up and left alone for Tongzhou. It’s said that Mrs. Zhu found her a family there.

Now, Nanny Cen was especially cautious when discussing matches for the maids, originally meant as a good deed but often turning out poorly!

Xiqiu dressed and fixed her hair into a neat bun, securing it with a comb, then turned to smile at Nanny Cen, "Does this look tidy?" Nanny Cen beamed and nodded repeatedly, "No matter how Madam dresses, it’s always beautiful."

Xiqiu chuckled, turning to leave the room. Zhi sat on the steps, resting his chin in his hand, waiting for her. Upon hearing her approach, his face lit up with a smile, "Mother!"

"Let’s go." She glanced around, "Where are Qingyuan and Qingshan?" Zhi hopped down the steps, replying, "They’re getting the fishing rods..." Just then, Qingyuan and Qingshan came running up, one carrying a small jar, the other a fishing rod, with Qingyuan also holding a bamboo hat...

Led by Zhi hopping along, maids and elderly women surrounded Xiqiu and Zhi as they headed to the back hill. Zhi was visibly excited, running ahead a few steps before stopping to wait for Xiqiu, who followed with a smile, instructing, "Slow down, don’t fall."

"I know!" Though he said he understood, he didn’t slow his pace. Xiqiu shook her head, telling Qingshan to keep up with him, then turned to see Chunliu walking behind with her head lowered and asked, "What’s the matter? Feeling down?"

"Nothing!" Chunliu waved her hand, "I’m quite happy; isn’t what we’re doing today like a spring outing?"

Xiqiu paused her gaze on her, then nodded, "Yes, it’s like a spring outing!" She looked back at the bustling group behind, carrying chairs, stools, teapots, and umbrellas, slightly raising her eyebrows.

"Mother!" Zhi pointed ahead, "Look." Following Zhi’s gaze, Xiqiu saw the gently rippling Qing River with clusters of lotuses emerging from below, in soft pink and pale white, swaying gently with the water alongside the blooming camellias on the riverside slope, a picturesque view!

Having lived here for some time, she hadn’t had the chance to enjoy the scenery in the back garden, and Xiqiu sighed, realizing when had she lost even the mood for such pleasures.

"Where shall we fly the kite?" Xiqiu’s enthusiasm grew, looking down at Zhi and pointing to an open space in front of the grove, "There?" Zhi nodded eagerly, "Yes, that’s where we flew it last time."

Xiqiu nodded, holding Zhi’s hand, "Mother doesn’t know how. Will you teach me?"

"Of course." Zhi nodded and took the kite from Mrs. Zhou’s hands, earnestly teaching Xiqiu how to handle it. Xiqiu listened intently, nodding occasionally. The mother and son began running around the garden, with Zhi’s clear voice echoing in the air, "Mother, run faster, lift it higher... Mother, you can let go now!"

Seeing Xiqiu struggle to lift the kite, Chunliu rolled up her sleeves and jumped in, "Madam, let me help!" She took the kite from Xiqiu’s hands and sprinted across the hillside—Zhi laughed gleefully...

The kite wobbled and shakily ascended into the sky.

Zhi held the reel, expertly pulling and releasing the string. The Qing brothers laughed, watching with joy. Xiqiu smiled, shaking her head, "It’s been so long since I’ve been out that even this simple activity feels exhausting."

"Madam should come out more often," Nanny Cen said, setting up a chair behind Xiqiu and pouring her a cup of tea, "Please take a rest."

Xiqiu sat, wiping sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief, sighing, "Yes, keeping Zhi at home constantly isn’t suitable for his growth." Suddenly remembering, she instructed Nanny Cen, "Why don’t we visit Puji Temple in a few days? With mountains and water, Zhi would surely love it." Pausing, she added, "I’ll discuss it with Mother tomorrow."