Dongling responded and turned to ask Min, who led him into the study.

Meanwhile, Xing and Sheng arrived: "Fourth Aunt!" They looked towards Min’s courtyard, "This courtyard is truly beautiful!"

"Did you come by yourselves?" Xiqiu looked at the two children and smiled while speaking, then glanced behind them. Xing nodded and said, "The two of us took a carriage here, but Grandmother already mentioned it."

Xiqiu nodded and pointed in the direction of the study, "Min and Zhi are inside, go on in."

Xing and Sheng nodded, each taking things from their respective servants’ hands, holding them. Sheng laughed and said, "We prepared gifts for Min..." then rubbed the back of his head, "Just...it’s a bit embarrassing."

Xiqiu laughed at his expression, "It’s the thought that counts more than the value. Why worry about such things among brothers?" Both children laughed together.

Xiqiu then entered the study with them. Min was tidying the desk with Dongling, while Zhi searched the room as if looking for treasure. When he saw Sheng and Xing, he immediately ran over with a smile, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother!"

The three laughed and embraced as a group.

Min set down the book in his hand and clasped his fist at the two, Sheng then took his gift: "This is a pair of Hu Zhou Ink, a celebratory gift for you, you can’t disdain it!"

"Thank you, Eldest Brother." Min smiled, accepted it, and handed it to Dongling, "It’s Eldest Brother’s thought, how could I disdain it?"

Sheng giggled, and Xing also presented his gift: "I painted this artwork, had it mounted..." Embarrassment showing: "It’s not as good as yours."

Min smiled as he opened it, and Xiqiu noticed it depicted a pastoral scene, with poetry beside it. Though the strokes were a bit raw, the artistry was emerging, and Xiqiu nodded quietly.

Min had the painting hung behind the desk. Xing brimmed with smiles, while things sent by the Grand Dowager, including brushes, inkstones, paper, and the First Madam’s books, were brought inside...

"We’ll have dinner here tonight, right here in Min’s room," Xiqiu laughed and said.

The three children nodded, with Zhi anxiously saying, "Third Brother, what will I do if I don’t have a gift for you..." appearing quite guilty, "I’ll go find something!" Saying this, he sprinted out, while Mrs. Zhou and Wenyu chased after him.

Everyone laughed.

That evening, Xiqiu had the kitchen prepare dishes to serve in Min’s room, letting the three children eat by themselves. Zhi, after searching all afternoon, reluctantly handed over his favorite parrot to Min: "It can’t eat powdery things, it’ll choke... It also doesn’t like worms, it only likes corn and also likes eating buns..." He explained extensively and then looked at the parrot one last time with reluctance, "You need to listen to your brother; I’ll check on you every day."

Min knew Zhi liked this parrot very much, so he didn’t want to accept it, but Xiqiu shook her head at Min, signaling him to take it; Zhi’s willingness to give his favorite thing showed he understood priorities and the importance of letting go... She felt gratified.

Min accepted it, nodding, "Okay, if Brother can’t take good care of it, will Zhi help me look after it?"

"Sure!" Zhi nodded, grinning, "Don’t worry, when you go to school, I’ll come check on it every day."

Min nodded while Xing and Sheng laughed beside him, Sheng looked at the parrot a bit embarrassed, pursed his lips wanting to speak, but Xing secretively pulled his sleeve, "We’ll go buy one another day, don’t worry just yet!"

Sheng was startled and hurriedly held back his words.

That evening, Fourth Master Xiao returned, and Xiqiu accompanied him as they visited Min’s room, smiling and nodding.

The next day, Madam Jiang visited, and Xiqiu asked, "I heard Madam Lou went to the mansion, what did she say?"

Madam Jiang exhaled deeply and replied, "She visited three times, yesterday she came with Lord Lou. The first few times my father hadn’t given consent, I couldn’t say much and just kept him company talking. But yesterday, with Lord Lou visiting personally, my father finally relented in the evening; it seems like he agreed."

Xiqiu didn’t speak. She had already predicted that the First Master would consent, considering it’s the Shouning Bo Mansion. Second Master Lou wasn’t as notorious as First Master Lou; a marriage alliance between the families wasn’t a bad thing, especially since Old Madam Lou and the Grand Dowager were close, and the families frequently associated. The anger of First Master would ultimately dissipate over days.

"Did you come to ask me to talk to Madam Lou for you?" Xiqiu laughed and asked.

Madam Jiang smiled, as if relieved, and joked, "Indeed, Sixth Lady understands me best," saying this, she laughed while concealing her face and holding Xiqiu’s hand, "I have no other choice but to trouble you."

Xiqiu nodded and asked, "What about Eighth Miss, did Father say anything about bringing her back?"

"Let her stay there for now and reflect," Madam Jiang furrowed her brow. Having said that, she realized she shouldn’t criticize one sister-in-law in front of another sister-in-law and added, "Father hasn’t mentioned it, and I dare not say anything."

Xiqiu actually agreed with Madam Jiang, having Eighth Miss at Puji Temple reflecting was indeed a good thing.

The next day, as Xiqiu planned to have Nanny Cen visit Shouning Bo Mansion, Madam Lou had already come over, "...always troubling you!"

"Between our families, no need for formality," Xiqiu invited Madam Lou inside, who smiled and said, "I came hoping for your help with something, only you can assist." Having said that, she paused, then explained the visits over the past few days to Xiqiu, "I wanted to ask if you could gauge Lord Tong’s thoughts... It’s true our family’s Second was at fault, but wrong deeds require bearing responsibility; we mustn’t wrong Eighth Miss."

Xiqiu’s look paused for a moment, then she smiled and replied, "On Father’s side, I think there’s no need to ask; according to me, becoming relatives through marriage is an auspicious affair, completing a destined bond, all in all, it’s a wonderful thing."

Madam Lou’s eyes brightened upon hearing this; Fourth Madam never spoke carelessly, and if she was guaranteeing Lord Tong’s consent, it was likely a firm decision. She felt immense relief and nodded, "Indeed, as you said, it’s a beautiful union."

The cloud over her head finally dissipated.

After Madam Lou left, Xiqiu had Chunliu inform Madam Jiang: "...Say Madam Lou is discussing who to appoint as the matchmaker, and that the proposal will happen after the Chongyang Festival." Since Second Madam had passed away, there needed to be a period of waiting.

Chunliu acknowledged and went to Tong Mansion; upon return, she smiled and said, "Grand Aunt said she understands, and she’ll mention it to the First Master and the master in the evening."

Xiqiu nodded, feeling the matter was settled; as for Tong Xiyu, she should stay at Puji Temple... She turned to speak with Chunliu, as outside, Bihuai lifted the curtain and entered, looking at Xiqiu, saying, "Madam, Nanny from Madam Zhou’s side has arrived."

Madam Zhou? Xiqiu stood up, nodded, "Please invite her in."

Turning around, a woman wearing a ginger-yellow jacket entered, approximately in her thirties, with a long oval face, she kneeled upon entering to Xiqiu, "Madam, I’m the nanny from Madam Zhou’s side, our Madam has been ill for half a month, and the doctor says her days are limited. She wishes to see Madam, and we implore asking, out of past relations, if you could spare the time to visit her," saying this, she knocked her head on the floor to Xiqiu.

Xiqiu was startled, had Chunliu help the nanny up, then asked quietly, "How did she fall ill? Did you call for the doctor?"

"I am also unsure, but over the past few years, Madam often felt unwell; this past half month, it’s worsened..." she said with a broken voice, crying out, "The Marchioness called the Imperial Physician, yet the illness couldn’t be identified, many medicines have been taken, but there’s no improvement!"

Xiqiu thought for a moment and nodded, "I understand, you go back and tell your Madam, I’ll visit her tomorrow."

The nanny slowly nodded in acceptance and hurried back, Xiqiu had Chunliu see her out, meanwhile she called Bihuai, saying, "Go to the medical clinic, and invite Nurse Zhang to come."