Indeed, he had already guessed it, Xiqiu replied, "Yes!"

Zhou Bohan’s voice had resumed its calmness, and after a brief pause, he saluted Xiqiu through the carriage wall: "Thank you, Fourth Madam." He paused and then added, "Sorry to disturb Fourth Madam and Aunt, take care!" Then he stepped back.

Outside, the servant asked a question, and Xiqiu replied softly, the carriage slowly began to move, and Zhou Bohan watched as the carriage left.

Ruan Jingliu was no longer surprised, and softly confirmed with Xiqiu: "Is she really going to propose to Fourth Miss again?" Xiqiu nodded: "She said she wanted to fulfill her wishes before she died."

Ruan Jingliu leaned back against the carriage wall, was silent for a while, then sighed with relief: "It seems their fate is not yet finished, if it succeeds, it would be quite a story." She paused and looked at Xiqiu: "I can vouch for Bohan’s character, he didn’t have a father growing up, yet he is sensible, obedient, and responsible, although his heavy sense of duty can sometimes make him seem a bit dull. But such a person has his advantages; once he is committed, there won’t be any turbulence."

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows slightly, although she was still a bit bothered by the previous cancellation of the engagement, upon reflection, she understood it was reasonable. A single man and woman living together in a household will naturally develop feelings. Moreover, as Ruan Jingliu said, Zhou Bohan is very responsible, and Miss Chen is an orphan with a pitiful life, someone like Zhou Bohan might feel more sympathetic.

Xiqiu thought of Lord Han, and then sighed to Ruan Jingliu: "...I’ve encountered these kinds of things frequently this year." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Ruan Jingliu replied dryly: "Who told you to be a good person? Everyone praises you for being good, so naturally these good things will come to you."

This time Xiqiu glared at her: "Do you know for whom I most want to play matchmaker?"

Ruan Jingliu raised an eyebrow, and Xiqiu leaned closer to her ear and said, "You!" Ruan Jingliu snorted through her nose and turned away, no longer looking at her.

Xiqiu shook her head.

After taking Ruan Jingliu back to Four Symbols Alley, she was preoccupied with how to discuss the matter with First Master and Madam Jiang. As she got out of the sedan before entering the door, Nanny Cen came out from the inner courtyard to greet her: "Madam, Fourth Miss has been waiting for you all morning."

Xiqiu was taken aback; why did Tong Xiyan come?

As she entered, Tong Xiyan grumbled: "Why did you go out for so long? I’ve already had six cups of tea." She shook the cup in her hand: "Once I finish this cup, I planned to leave."

Xiqiu sat down next to her with a smile, took a sip of tea, and asked Tong Xiyan, "What brings you here?" Tong Xiyan was momentarily confused, then remembered her purpose and replied, "If you hadn’t asked, I’d have really forgotten. Let me tell you, I’ve finally figured out who bought all the fabric from my embroidery shop."

Xiqiu asked, "Who?"

"Han Cheng!" Tong Xiyan put down the teacup and said: "He spent so much silver to empty my two stores, I really don’t know what he’s thinking."

It seems that Han Cheng is truly earnest...

Xiqiu thought of Zhou Bohan, glanced at Tong Xiyan, and swallowed her words, planning to ask Tong Xiyan’s opinion after discussing it with the First Master.

Tong Xiyan was curious and asked: "Where did you go all morning? I asked Nanny Cen, but she only said she didn’t know!"

"Went to Zhou Residence." Xiqiu wanted to prepare Tong Xiyan in advance: "Madam Zhou is unwell, I went to see her."

Tong Xiyan was stunned and asked, "What illness does Madam Zhou have?" Xiqiu replied, "It’s a gynecological disease, Sister Jingliu said she has less than half a year to live."

Tong Xiyan was shocked into silence, and after a long pause said, "...I truly did not expect."

That evening, Fourth Master Xiao returned, and Xiqiu recounted the day’s events to him: "...It’s quite the dilemma for me."

Fourth Master Xiao looked down at her and chuckled lightly: "Why the dilemma? It’s not you choosing a son-in-law; let Fourth Aunt think it over herself."

Xiqiu glared at him, pulled him to sit by the bed, and analyzed the personal gains and losses of Lord Han and Lord Zhou for Fourth Master Xiao to hear: "Originally, I thought Lord Han’s family was relatively simple compared to a typical high-status family, but now comparing it with Zhou Residence, it turns out Zhou Residence is even more prominent." She paused and added, "Lord Han is a martial man, straightforward and direct, while Lord Zhou is scholarly, gentle, handsome, and elegant..." Looking quite troubled.

Fourth Master Xiao watched her tilt her head while listing the pros and cons of the two men, thinking she looked adorable, and gave her a gentle peck at the corner of her lips, saying, "What about me? How do I compare?"

Xiqiu paused, looked at Fourth Master Xiao, and immediately smiled flatteringly: "Fourth Master is extraordinarily handsome, charming and suave, of noble lineage, with a limitless future..." Fourth Master Xiao’s brows were raised high in interest, waiting for her to continue, but Xiqiu turned away and drank her tea, signaling she had finished speaking.

Not planning to continue?

Fourth Master Xiao coughed dryly, as a reminder.

Xiqiu turned to look at him, showing a puzzled expression: "What’s wrong, Fourth Master? Did you catch a cold?"

Fourth Master Xiao suddenly realized she was intentionally teasing him, so he stretched his long arms and pulled her over to sit on his lap, delivering a sultry kiss.

Xiqiu blushed, gasping for breath... Fourth Master Xiao released her, looking unsatisfied.

Xiqiu pleaded: "I was wrong! I was wrong!" Her attitude was sincere: "Fourth Master’s virtues are too numerous for me to list with my limited abilities, and his faults are too few for me to recall with my inherent foolishness." She nodded seriously, indicating sincerity, with not a word of pretense.

Fourth Master Xiao burst into laughter and kissed Xiqiu on the corner of her lips: "You cheeky girl!" Afterward, he embraced her with irresistible affection...

"Mother!" The curtain was suddenly lifted without warning, and Zhi rushed in.

Xiqiu exclaimed in surprise, not having anticipated the door was open nor that Zhi had not yet gone to sleep... Not wanting Zhi to see his parents in this manner, she hurriedly tried to get off Fourth Master Xiao, her movements flustered...

Fourth Master Xiao was calmer, helping her up.

Zhi had already come in, watched his mother get off his father, and noticed Xiqiu’s slightly disheveled hair and "aggrieved" expression. He tilted his head and asked, "Mother, did Father bully you?"

"Ah?" Xiqiu tidied her clothes, looking at her son in surprise, Zhi had already run over and asked again: "Mother, did Father bully you?" Then he turned to ask Fourth Master Xiao: "Father, why did you bully Mother?"

Xiqiu awkwardly pulled Zhi and shook her head: "No, Father and Mother were talking." Then she changed the subject: "Why are you still awake at this time?" She then noticed Zhi wearing only a bellyband and pants.

Zhi immediately pouted in dissatisfaction and replied: "Mother didn’t tell me a story tonight, I can’t fall asleep!"

"Oh, oh, Mother forgot." Xiqiu got up pulling Zhi: "Then let Mother take you to sleep." Zhi nodded happily and then looked at Fourth Master Xiao, raising his eyebrows and said: "Father, you be good and go to sleep early."

After speaking, he showed a triumphant look, holding Xiqiu’s hand and leading her out the door.

Fourth Master Xiao was initially stunned, only then realizing his son was showing defiance.

"This boy!" He chuckled and shook his head.

When Xiqiu returned from Zhi’s room, Fourth Master Xiao was still in the same position as when she left, Xiqiu paused and asked: "Why hasn’t Fourth Master rested yet?"

Fourth Master Xiao glanced up at her, eyebrows slightly raised.