Chunliu paused her tear-wiping hand, even Bihuai was momentarily stunned. Xiqiu said, "If after you marry you can still stay by my side to work, would you still be willing to marry?"

"Madam..." Chunliu was dumbfounded and couldn’t speak.

Xiqiu smiled and said, "Don’t be in a hurry to reply, take a look at the person first, he doesn’t work in the mansion, so after you marry, you can still stay with me!"

"Sister Chunliu." Bihuai began to laugh, pushing Chunliu: "The Madam is considerate of you, yet you cried without understanding the situation." Then she helped wipe Chunliu’s tears: "Quickly thank the Madam!"

Chunliu came back to her senses, her face instantly turning red. She lowered her head, glared at Bihuai, and ran out.

Bihuai covered her face with laughter, helping Xiqiu sit down: "When it’s about others, she talks sharply, but when it comes to herself, she can’t handle it at all."

Xiqiu couldn’t help but laugh too. When Nanny Cen came in and applied ointment for Xiqiu, Xiqiu said to her, "Go to the Marquis Mansion tomorrow, and when you return, find something to let Yiquan come along, so we can take a look too!"

Nanny Cen replied with a smile. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

In the evening, after Fourth Master Xiao finished his work and returned, Zhi insisted on setting up a bonfire in the courtyard, claiming it was for grilling fish. Xiqiu, keeping her promise to him, had someone bring firewood from the kitchen. Min, Zhi, Qingshan’s two brothers, and Erquan, several children gathered around the bonfire, earnestly roasting fish with forks. Fourth Master Xiao played with Zhi until Zhi fell asleep on his shoulder, and only then did everyone disperse while yawning.

Xiqiu sat at the rose bed embroidering. Fourth Master Xiao came in with a smile and sat beside her, laughing, "Today was thoroughly enjoyable."

"He lost the kite in the morning and insisted on finding it back..." Xiqiu shook her head with a smile. Fourth Master Xiao took a sip of tea and looked at Xiqiu, saying, "Han Cheng went to see Father-in-law this afternoon."

Xiqiu was taken aback, putting down her needle and thread, surprised, "He went again?" Fourth Master Xiao nodded, "Judging by his demeanor, he’s determined."

At the Tong Mansion, Han Cheng had half a cart of gifts unloaded and said with a smile, cupping his hands to Lord Tong, "I heard Lord Tong loves bitter tea. Upon my return, I happened to see some freshly picked tea from Jiangnan this year at home for you to try!"

"Lord Han, you are too kind." Lord Tong motioned him to sit, and they both took seats, one in the primary and the other in the secondary seat, waiting for the servant to serve tea. Lord Tong looked at Lord Han and said, "Lord Han, you’ve visited several times, and I’ve received such heavy gifts from you, which truly makes me feel a sense of guilt. If you have any matters, please speak directly; you and the Grand Commander are like brothers, so there’s no need for excessive formalities between us."

"Lord Tong." Han Cheng’s sharp brows slightly furrowed, his full lips twisted into a slight, naive smile, "I’ve already made my intentions clear to you yesterday. As an unsophisticated man unfamiliar with formalities, if I’ve offended, please forgive me." With that, he stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed to Lord Tong again. "I am willing to offer all I have to marry your daughter and hope you will grant it!"

He could not be more straightforward.

Lord Tong thought of the angry words Tong Xiyan had spoken the previous night, his eyes moved slightly, "Lord Han, please sit." After Han Cheng sat back down, he sighed lightly, saying, "You must know that my daughter’s marriage has been fraught with obstacles, leaving her perpetually unhappy. As her father, I don’t wish for her to be hurt again. Therefore, regarding marriage, I do not wish to overly interfere in her decision this time. Everything will depend on her own wishes." After a pause, he continued, "Why don’t you wait a few days? Let her consider thoroughly, as it’s a matter of utmost importance. What do you think?"

Han Cheng’s expression shifted. He stood again and cupped his hands, saying, "Of course, of course. Then I will await Fourth Miss’s decision."

Lord Tong twirled his mustache, nodding slightly with a smile, "Since you are here, Lord Han, why not stay at the mansion tonight for a small drink with me?"

"To decline would be impolite!" Han Cheng nodded with a smile.

Tong Xiyan paced back and forth in her room, then turned to Daiju, "He really came?" Daiju nodded.

"Then go see what they’re doing, what they’re saying." Tong Xiyan, somewhat anxious and uneasy, instructed Daiju. The angry words she spoke last night were indeed impulsive. Madam Mei’s demeanor seemed to demand everyone to bow to her and her daughter. Soon after saying those angry words, she regretted them, fearing Lord Tong had conveyed her words to Han Cheng, leaving her no way out.

Daiju seemed to perceive Tong Xiyan’s hesitation and unease, and thus advised her, "Miss, in my opinion, although this marriage proposal is a good one, we shouldn’t rush to give a response." Tong Xiyan was taken aback and asked her, "Why not?"

"Do you remember when Sixth Lady returned that day and told you about the Han Family’s situation? Although the Han Family has no sister-in-laws, they have quite a few legitimate and illegitimate sons and daughters. Sixth Lady even specifically mentioned that concubine of the Han Family..." Tong Xiyan was slightly taken aback, and Daiju continued, "Think about it, what kind of person is Sixth Lady? She never speaks nonsense about important matters. Anything she highlights is something we should consider. Besides, given your close relationship with Sixth Lady, for her to say so much without offering even a hint of her own opinion, have you thought about why?"

Tong Xiyan paused. Indeed, when Xiqiu came, she said a lot, mostly about Han Cheng’s situation, analyzing the pros and cons without suggesting how she should decide, just urging her to choose... Daiju wasn’t wrong. Xiqiu hadn’t voiced her own opinion. At that time, Tong Xiyan merely thought Xiqiu didn’t want to influence her decision. After all, for her, a situation like Han Cheng’s might not appear again in this lifetime. Xiqiu’s cautious remarks were understandable, but now upon reflection...

She felt she was too impulsive last night.

"Go quickly." Tong Xiyan urged Daiju out. "Listen carefully." Daiju hurriedly complied, rushing to Lord Tong’s study.

Madam Jiang served tea to Tong Shen Zhi, then sat beside the sleeping Kun, pulling the blanket over his stomach, and slowly said, "My opinion is perhaps to wait on the Han Family’s matter, and first settle Eighth Sister’s marriage... Father said to go with Qian Xiaolian."

Tong Shen Zhi paused in his reading, glanced at Madam Jiang, then expressionlessly resumed reading. After a long while, he replied, "Then I will have someone inform Qian Xiaolian tomorrow, letting him arrange a matchmaker to formally propose."

Madam Jiang nodded, "Alright, then I will also prepare at home." After a pause, she added, "Husband, whom shall we get to be the matchmaker on our side?"

Tong Shen Zhi frowned and replied, "Let’s ask Lord Zhang’s wife. I’ll speak to her tomorrow. In a couple of days, you can take the gifts and visit personally." Tong Shen Zhi’s official position matters have been settled, and he will resume work after the mid-month.

"I understand," Madam Jiang agreed. She glanced at Tong Shen Zhi and couldn’t resist muttering, "If not for the Empress’s matter, Eighth Sister’s marriage could have waited a little longer." Clearly, she wasn’t very satisfied with Jiang Xiaolian.