Xiqiu waved her hand and said, "Not feeling hungry, you all should go rest." Biwu and Bihuai exchanged glances, Bihuai secretly made a gesture, and the two quietly retreated.

"What’s wrong with Madam?" Biwu looked at the food box and said, "What a pity, I specifically had the kitchen make Madam’s favorite red jujube chestnut cake..." Bihuai pinched her cheek, "All you think about is eating." As the two descended the steps, Bihuai added, "Madam wants some time alone, let’s not disturb her."

Biwu agreed and carried the food box down the steps before asking Bihuai sideways, "Has Third Young Master sent any letters back in the past two days? I haven’t heard Madam mention it, have you?"

Bihuai was somewhat distracted and shook her head in reply, "No!" After speaking, she saw Ziyang coming inside with a feather duster, and Bihuai asked, "I was just talking about not seeing you upon return, where have you been?"

Ziyang smiled and said, "I noticed several places in Young Master Min’s courtyard weren’t tidied up, so I had some free time and went to clean up." After placing the cloth she was holding, she asked Bihuai, "Is Madam back?"

Bihuai nodded, and Ziyang wiped her hands and headed to the backyard again, but Bihuai pulled her back and asked, "Where are you going this late? I remember you aren’t supposed to be on duty today."

"I’m going to see if Young Master Min has fallen asleep." Ziyang turned back with a smile and said, "I’ll be back soon, you guys should go ahead." Bihuai just nodded, and she and Biwu went off to rest in the rear wing.

Fourth Master Xiao returned from the outer courtyard, and Bihuai, who was guarding outside, immediately saluted and lifted the curtain upon seeing him. Fourth Master Xiao paused his steps, "Is Madam back?" Knowing that Xiqiu puts Zhi to sleep every day before coming back.

"Yes, she’s inside."

Fourth Master Xiao didn’t give it much thought and walked in, seeing Xiqiu standing alone at the window, gazing outside in a daze. When she saw Fourth Master Xiao enter, she greeted him, "Has Lord Han left?"

"Yes." Fourth Master Xiao sat down by the bedside and looked at Xiqiu, "Why are you here alone?" Xiqiu took the tea poured by Bihuai at the door and handed it to Fourth Master Xiao, replying, "I just want some quiet time alone." Then she sat down in front of him.

"Are you still thinking about Eighth Aunt?" Fourth Master Xiao put down his teacup and asked. Xiqiu nodded, "Old Madam Lou and mother have always been close, and Eighth Sister is my sister... I fear mother might overthink it."

In fact, the alliance between the Lou and Tong Families is beneficial to the Tong Family; however, it does not necessarily bring the Xiao Family and the Lou Family closer, as they have always been like one family. The concern is that the Grand Dowager might consider the Tong Family too opportunistic, arriving at high doors, not only the Grand Dowager but even outsiders might think so, as a daughter of the Tong Family, she naturally cannot put it down.

The First Master was so angry partly because the behavior of Tong Xiyu was too outrageous, and possibly for this reason too, once the marriage is decided, outsiders will certainly gossip that the First Master relied on selling daughters to achieve today’s rank, only then the Tong Family has today’s prosperity.

Fourth Master Xiao understood her meaning and comforted, "Lord Lou has been living in seclusion these years, the affairs he undertakes in court are merely simple matters..." He then looked at Xiqiu, "As for Lou the Second, he just handles mundane affairs in the mansion."

Fourth Master Xiao meant that Count Shouning had already retreated behind the scenes in recent years just for preservation, and Second Master Lou is merely handling mundane affairs without any important positions within the mansion, this generation of the Lou Family does not have any outstanding individuals, so if someone truly understands, they should see that if the Tong Family had any intentions of entering higher gates, it wouldn’t choose the Shouning Bo Mansion.

Xiqiu was finally a little relieved but still felt uneasy, and couldn’t help but lean into Fourth Master Xiao’s waist and rest her head against his chest, she sighed deeply, "I hope it’s as Fourth Master says." Fourth Master Xiao tenderly rubbed her hair and said with a smile, "It certainly will be as I say."

Xiqiu pursed her lips and smiled, then remembered to ask about Han Cheng’s visit, "Was there anything urgent?"

"He said he was feeling stifled and wanted to drink with me, but I refused, so he went to find Qian Wenzhong..." He spoke gently.

Around midday the next day, Maid Chunliu and Nanny Cen returned from Shouning Bo Mansion, and Nanny Cen recapped, "Madam Lou seemed completely unaware, she only mentioned that she happens to be free tomorrow and will come to the mansion then." Xiqiu nodded thoughtfully, leaving the matters between the two mansions to the First Young Madam.

In the afternoon, Nanny Jin visited the mansion, "The servant intends to rent a room behind the clinic, these days I’ve been asking people to look around, once the house is rented, I’ll have someone come in to measure for the furniture..." She looked at Xiqiu with discomfort, "There isn’t much to prepare, it’ll be ready by August."

Xiqiu slightly raised her eyebrows and looked at Nanny Jin, asking, "What’s wrong? Is there any difficulty?" Hearing this, Nanny Jin quickly shook her head, "No, no." She paused and then said, "It’s just... I’m afraid it might wrong Maid Chunliu, after all, she is going out from beside Madam." Knowing that Xiqiu treats the maids who came as her dowry very well, she is concerned Xiqiu might think she is treating Maid Chunliu unfairly and lose face.

"Since the time is enough, let’s set this date, if you think something is lacking, come over and tell me, I’ll help you add what you need, there’s no need to worry too much!" This was her assuring her that her requirements are not high.

Nanny Jin sighed in relief, "Madam has done so much for us, I dare not let Madam worry further." With that, she thanked and said, "Then I shall speak with Maid Chunliu to see if she has any more requests, they will live there eventually, and it’s most important they are satisfied." Still, she spoke cautiously.

Xiqiu didn’t bother more, nodded and said, "Go ahead." Nanny Jin then exited.

Tiancheng carried a letter through the curtain and said, "Madam, Third Uncle has sent a letter." Upon hearing this, Xiqiu smiled and went out; Tiancheng added, "The letter came via the Ministry of War post station, there is only one letter." In the past, Tong Quanzi often sent letters through acquaintances, so he would also convey some things through them.

Xiqiu nodded, took the letter, returned to the room, and opened it, inside were just a few sentences, but Xiqiu smiled and told Bihuai, "He said he’ll return by the end of the year."

It’s been over two years, and nobody knows how Tong Quanzi has changed.

"Madam, did Third Uncle send a letter?" Biwu jumped in, asking with a cheerful smile.

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows in reply with a smile, "Yes." Bihuai then turned her head to look at her, revealing a questioning expression, Biwu looked between Xiqiu and Bihuai, smiling as she said, "No... nothing, just asking." Saying that, she ran out quickly.

Xiqiu watched Biwu’s departing figure, showing a thoughtful expression.

Early next morning, Madam Jiang came by, and Xiqiu asked, "Did father send Eighth Sister to Puji Temple?" Madam Jiang nodded, "She was sent yesterday, supposedly to have her properly reflect in the temple... Eighth Sister is quite fine, but Madam Mei stirred up trouble all day long, either by banging her head against the wall or attempting to hang herself... now she’s fasting."