The smile on the Grand Dowager’s face gradually faded away, and she sighed while holding the tea. Xiqiu comforted her, "Mother, please don’t worry too much."

"Alas!" She shook her head, "You are still young and don’t understand the feeling of white-haired people sending off black-haired ones." After saying this, she started crying again with a handkerchief. Xiqiu knew she was thinking of Xiao Yanji, so she walked over, held the Grand Dowager’s hand, and gently comforted her, "If you are really worried about Old Madam Lou, how about we visit Shouning Bo’s house tomorrow? That way, you won’t have to worry so much."

The Grand Dowager paused as she listened and then said, "That sounds good!" Then, she wiped her tears and looked back at Xiqiu, "Why don’t you have lunch here this noon? Sheng and Xing will be returning from school soon, won’t they?"

Hearing this, Xiqiu hesitated and looked at the Grand Dowager. Beneath her full head of silver hair, the corners of her eyes, once full and smooth, now bore the deep and shallow marks of time. Her eyes, once bright with hidden wisdom, had somehow lost their clarity. Xiqiu frowned slightly and called out, "Mother..."

"What is it?" The Grand Dowager set the tea cup down and looked over at her.

Xiqiu, however, smiled and said, "I know, they’ll be back soon. How about I accompany you for a walk in the garden to lift your spirits?"

The Grand Dowager nodded, "Alright!" She turned her head and called out, "Nanny Wu, bring that ginger-colored headband!"

Xiqiu was taken aback and saw Ziwei standing to the side giving her a bittersweet smile. Ziwei then responded skillfully, "I’ll go right away," and went into the inner room to fetch the headband and helped the Grand Dowager put it on.

Xiqiu turned her head, and unexpectedly, tears fell down.

She quickly wiped her tears and helped the Grand Dowager out the door. As they strolled through the colorful garden, Xiqiu said, "...I originally thought we would invite a theater troupe over for a performance like last time, but I fear you might not be in the mood this year." She paused and looked sideways at the Grand Dowager, "Maybe we should just follow your wishes and have a vegetarian meal at Puji Temple on your birthday."

The Grand Dowager nodded, "I should have listened to myself long ago." Xiqiu agreed with a smile, "Then I’ll have Nanny Cen go to Puji Temple tomorrow."

As they chatted casually, they unknowingly walked to the front of the First Madam’s courtyard. Outside the conservatory, pots of vibrant peonies and Clivia were brought out to bask in the sun, filling the air with fragrance. The lively voice of Zhi came from the conservatory, full of joy. Xiqiu and the Grand Dowager stood outside the door, watching Zhi crouched before a low shelf covered with a sieve filled with mulberry leaves, playfully rolling a green silkworm in his palm.

The First Madam bent down beside him, looking at him dotingly, her face flushed with a deep smile...

"Let’s go back." The Grand Dowager turned her head to look at Xiqiu. Xiqiu nodded, supporting the Grand Dowager as they walked back.

Behind them, Zhi’s cheerful laughter could still be heard.

Back in the main courtyard, Xing and Sheng had already returned. Seeing the Grand Dowager and Xiqiu returning, Xing greeted with a smile, "Grandmother!" and then bowed to Xiqiu, "Fourth Aunt." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Sheng was slightly evasive, stammering, "Fourth Aunt."

Xiqiu nodded slightly, and the Grand Dowager told Sheng, "Look at you, all sweaty. Go wash up quickly, or you’ll catch a cold."

Sheng nodded in response, nodded to Xiqiu, and as he reached the door, he turned back to Xiqiu, "Fourth Aunt, is Zhi here?" Xiqiu nodded and said, "Yes, he’s with your eldest aunt."

"Oh!" Sheng nodded, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he stopped and left. Xiqiu watched him curiously and couldn’t help but ask Xing, "What’s wrong with him?"

Xing pursed his lips with a sly look in his eyes, "He promised Zhi he’d find a talking parrot for him, but he couldn’t keep his word... he’s afraid to see Zhi."

Xiqiu and the Grand Dowager couldn’t help but laugh.

Early the next day, Xiqiu went to the Marquis Mansion and then went with the Grand Dowager and the First Madam to Shouning Bo Mansion. Madam Lou looked haggard and didn’t even have the strength to speak as she was supported out by First Young Madam Lou. Madam Lou greeted the Grand Dowager with a bow, "It’s an honor for you to come personally..." saying this, she wiped her tears again.

"You must take care of yourself too. Your mother-in-law is old, and the house depends on you." The Grand Dowager patted Madam Lou’s hand and asked, "How is your mother-in-law doing?"

"She’s resting inside; she hardly ate anything all day yesterday." Madam Lou replied after wiping her tears. The Grand Dowager nodded, "You don’t need to accompany me; go and get on with your work. There are many visitors today, and the household affairs are plenty." She then turned to Xiqiu, telling Madam Lou, "If you can’t handle everything, have Miss Qiu help you!"

Madam Lou agreed, and the Grand Dowager bypassed the mother and daughter-in-law to head towards the courtyard. First Young Madam Lou bowed to the Grand Dowager and Xiqiu as they entered, and Xiqiu glanced at First Young Madam Lou. Her appearance was delicate, with fair skin and an intelligent look. Xiqiu nodded slightly as a gesture of greeting and accompanied the Grand Dowager into Old Madam Lou’s room.

Old Madam Lou, wrapped in a Qiuxiang-colored headband, sat with effort on the Arhat Bed. Upon seeing the Grand Dowager enter, her eyes lit up, and a faint smile of joy appeared on her face, "Your health isn’t well; you should rest at home. Why did you come personally?" she said, but already she was getting up to greet them. The Grand Dowager quickly walked a few steps to hold Old Madam Lou’s hand, "I am very fond of little Miss Wan. If I didn’t come, I wouldn’t feel at ease." The two of them sat down side by side.

Xiqiu and the First Madam greeted Old Madam Lou and took seats in the lower section. Old Madam Lou looked at the First Madam, "You’re managing the household alone; your health is fine, I hope."

"I’m quite well," the First Madam replied with a slight nod.

Old Madam Lou then asked Xiqiu, "You came, is everything alright with the children at home?"

"It’s fine; the nurse is looking after them."

Old Madam Lou nodded and turned to talk with the Grand Dowager. Xiqiu sat with them for a while, as guests trickled in, some familiar, others strange. Xiqiu and the First Madam came out to find where the mourning hall was. They offered incense to Second Young Madam Lou in the hall where the ancestral tablets were placed. On either side knelt four children, three boys, and a girl, all around seven or eight years old, likely Second Young Madam Lou’s children by concubines. Behind the coffin stood a man, back facing the door, with medium build, somewhat thin, and his face obscured, but his silhouette appeared rather desolate and cold.

Hearing the sound from their side, the man turned his head. Xiqiu also looked at him. His eyes sharp, nose high and straight, bore some resemblance to Madam Lou...

Xiqiu did not expect a man to be present in the room, so she and the First Madam paused their steps at the door. The man, noticing the presence of Xiqiu and the First Madam, paused, gazed intently at Xiqiu for a moment, then hurriedly lowered his head and quickly left through the back hall.