When Fourth Master Xiao and Tong Xiyu returned home, the sky was already getting dark. Xiqiu felt a heavy discomfort on her heart and sat on the bed staring blankly at the picture book. Zhi nudged her: "Mother, what happened next? Did the little turtle go into its dark, small shell to sleep?"

Xiqiu glanced at him, finally revealing a smile, kissed Zhi’s cheek, and continued with the story: "Franklin knew he had to sleep... so, when there was no one around, he quietly lit a candle by his bedside..." After finishing, she closed the picture book and looked at Zhi: "Go to sleep now."

Zhi was wearing a bellyband and wrap pants, his white, chubby legs were long and straight like Fourth Master Xiao’s. He suddenly raised them high and did a "carp leap" to sit up, although a bit clumsily, he managed it. Sitting, he stared at Xiqiu: "Mother, does everyone have something they’re afraid of?"

Xiqiu was full of surprise, never expecting Zhi to not only run very fast but also perform such technical movements. She was secretly amazed but smiled and nodded: "Yes, everyone is afraid of something... Fear isn’t necessarily bad, as long as we find ways to overcome our fears..."

Zhi seemed half understanding, thought for a moment then leaned forward to Xiqiu: "What about you, are you afraid of anything? Is Father afraid of something? Is Brother afraid of something?"

"Yes." Xiqiu thought for a moment and replied: "Mother, just like Franklin’s mom, fears our Zhi not living happily." Then she added: "As for your father and brother, how about asking them yourself tomorrow?"

Zhi nodded thoughtfully, then hugged Xiqiu and curiously asked: "Mother, the little turtle’s name is so strange..." Xiqiu paused and laughed: "Because it’s a little turtle..."

"Go to sleep now, it’s late. Only by sleeping early can you grow tall." Xiqiu soothed him, covering his belly with a blanket and patting him: "Sleep tight."

Zhi’s body snuggled: "Hmm, I want to be as tall as Dad!" He closed his eyes and soon fell asleep.

After leaving the room, Xiqiu instructed Mrs. Zhou and Wenyu: "Even though it’s summer, it’s still necessary to be covered at night. Be alert when sleeping." Mrs. Zhou and Wenyu nodded. Xiqiu then took Chunliu and Bihuai to check on Min, who was practicing writing at his desk. Dongling opened the curtain for her, Xiqiu went in, and Min immediately smiled and put down the pen, running over: "Mother, why are you here? Is Brother asleep?"

"Yes, he’s asleep." Xiqiu held his hand and walked to the desk to look at the calligraphy sheet Min had just finished. The writing was neat and strong with its own style. She smiled and said: "It’s late, you should rest early too."

"Yes, just one more sheet, once I finish it I’ll go to sleep."

Xiqiu nodded and pointed at the calligraphy sheet: "Then go ahead and write." She sat down beside him, smiling as she watched.

Min’s eyes lit up; his mother was going to accompany him while he practiced calligraphy. He smiled happily, sat back in the chair, picked up the pen, and earnestly wrote. After each character, he turned to look at Xiqiu. Each time he saw Xiqiu smiling and watching him while fanning him, Min happily turned back to write...

In a blink, he finished two sheets, and Min happily announced: "Mother, I’ve finished." Xiqiu nodded: "Wash your hands and go to sleep."

Min nodded, followed directions to wash his hands, and went to the bedroom with Xiqiu. He obediently lay on the bed, and just like Zhi, she helped cover him with a blanket. Once he was asleep, she returned to the main room.

In the courtyard, only the gatekeeper granny spoke softly, alongside the clear frog croaks from the flowerbeds on either side. Xiqiu, supported by Chunliu and Bihuai, walked slowly. Chunliu glanced at Xiqiu in the dim light, worriedly asking: "Madam, will Eighth Miss really be sent to the temple?"

With First Master Tong Xi’s temper, Tong Xiyu would surely be sent to the temple tomorrow. Whether she would be made a nun is uncertain, but punishment is inevitable: "Tomorrow, you and Nanny Cen go to Shouning Bo Mansion and inform Madam Lou, schedule a time for a meeting with First Young Madam."

"I understand." Chunliu nodded. The three had already reached the main room door, where Nanny Cen was waiting. Xiqiu asked: "Where is Fourth Master?"

"He went to the outer courtyard; Lord Han just arrived. Fourth Master asked me to inform you." Nanny Cen replied, took Chunliu’s hand, and supported Xiqiu inside, then turned to look at Chunliu with a low chuckle: "Madam, the compatibility of their eight characters was checked; it’s a match made in heaven... I picked three dates with Jin Dairui’s family and marked them with red paper for you to pick one."

Finally, a happy event. Xiqiu looked back with a smile at Chunliu, who was already flushed and mumbled in embarrassment. She nodded and said: "Let me see." She sat down on the rose bed.

Nanny Cen brought out the red paper, and Xiqiu saw the dates: October 8th next year, May 8th next year, and August 10th this year... Xiqiu frowned: "Next year is too late." She looked at Chunliu: "Why not choose this August, it’s a good time, the weather is neither too cold nor too hot..." Pausing, she asked Chunliu: "What do you think?"

Chunliu hung her head, stunned by Xiqiu’s question: "Ah?" Realizing what she meant, she stomped her feet: "I understand nothing... Madam, you decide." Finishing, too embarrassed to speak, she ran outside.

Xiqiu laughed and said to Nanny Cen: "Ask Jin Dairui’s family whether this date is suitable for them; if it is, set it for this date." Nanny Cen smiled, took the red paper, and nodded: "I’ll arrange it tomorrow!"

Xiqiu nodded with a smile and added: "You and Bihuai handle Chunliu’s dowry. Don’t bother with embroidery, buy ready-made ones from Fourth Sister’s embroidery shop, it’s cheaper that way." Nanny Cen agreed and left. Bihuai helped Xiqiu pour tea as Xiqiu instructed her: "Back when Siliu got married, we didn’t have money, and I only gave her forty taels to add to the dowry. Things are different now; we’re better off. So, each of you, when you get married, I’ll add one hundred taels daily. How does that sound?"

"Madam." Bihuai looked at her in shock; it was no small amount. She had never heard of any family giving their maids a hundred taels as marriage dowry: "I... I don’t know." Xiqiu laughed and tapped her forehead: "It’s decided then. Later, look through my jewelry and see if there is a silver hairpin set; if not, go to Brocade Pavilion and have one made. You’ll handle the dowry, so you’ll gain experience for your own future."

Bihuai blushed deeply: "Madam, you’re teasing me." At that moment, Biwu walked in with a food box: "Madam, you barely ate tonight. Have something to fill your stomach now."