Xiqiu followed Fourth Master Xiao into the study and saw Han Cheng sitting uneasily, as if on pins and needles, on the chair.

As soon as Fourth Master Xiao entered, Han Cheng quickly came forward: "Old Fourth!" His gaze shifted and he noticed Xiqiu behind Fourth Master Xiao, and he cupped his fists in greeting: "Sister-in-law!"

"Lord Han!" Xiqiu slightly turned her body to return the salute.

Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly: "Let’s all sit down and talk." He took the lead in sitting down opposite Han Cheng, while Xiqiu took a seat beside him, and Tianjing brought in the tea and served it.

Han Cheng kept his eyes lowered, holding the tea with a sighing demeanor.

"You’ve come in such a hurry..." Fourth Master Xiao glanced at Xiqiu: "Is there something wrong?" He took a sip of his tea.

"Alas!" Han Cheng raised his head full of helplessness: "I came to seek sister-in-law’s help." Saying this, he looked at Xiqiu with a smile on her face and continued: "I wonder if sister-in-law has heard that my wife’s younger sister has just gone to Tong Mansion."

Xiqiu nodded slightly, replying truthfully: "I just returned from my parents’ house and heard from my sister-in-law about Madam Hong’s matter."

"I didn’t expect sister-in-law to be there too!" Han Cheng said, shaking his head: "Since sister-in-law already knows the ins and outs, I am too embarrassed to speak. Actually, my wife’s younger sister is a good person, but perhaps because she trained in martial arts from a young age with her master’s guidance, she tends to deal more with men, and thus her manners are somewhat rough..." He stood up and offered a deep bow to Xiqiu: "She must have upset my sister-in-law, so I took the liberty of coming here to ask sister-in-law to help explain."

Explain what? Xiqiu didn’t speak.

"Why make such a fuss, speak directly!" Fourth Master Xiao frowned: "What exactly is wrong with your wife’s younger sister, why did she go to Tong Mansion and cause such a commotion?"

Han Cheng sat down, waving his hands: "She meant well, wanting to inquire about Fourth Miss’s reply, but it turned out poorly. A coarse person can’t say anything pleasing. He then looked at Xiqiu: "Tong Mansion is known for its scholarly background." Meaning, if a rough person heard her words, they might not be angry, but literati, who think more deeply and are more sensitive, might inevitably be upset...

"Lord Han." Xiqiu glanced at Fourth Master Xiao and said to Han Cheng: "Has Madam Hong conveyed the exact words to you?"

Han Cheng was stunned, not understanding Xiqiu’s meaning at first, and after a moment he realized and nodded: "Yes, she has conveyed it carefully, just saying my sister-in-law seemed displeased when she left, and she’s quite anxious!"

Indeed that’s the case, Xiqiu nodded slightly: "I’m afraid I can’t help you, Lord Han. Perhaps it’s better to go to First Master or my sister-in-law; concerning Fourth Sister’s marriage, as a younger sister, I can only offer opinions, but for major matters, it should be up to the parents, brothers, and sister-in-law."

Han Cheng was dizzy again, wiping the sweat off his head, then gulped down tea like an ox, nodding decisively: "Alright then, I’ll heed sister-in-law’s advice and seek out Lord Tong." Saying that, he stood up again.

Xiqiu nodded slightly as Fourth Master Xiao also stood up, Han Cheng strode towards the door but suddenly stopped, turned back and asked Xiqiu: "Sister-in-law, I have an audacious request."

Xiqiu was startled, nodded: "Lord Han, please speak."

"Could I trouble sister-in-law to tell Fourth Miss that I, Han Cheng, hold true feelings for Fourth Miss, as proven by sun and moon!" After speaking, he left without looking back.

Xiqiu stood there, for the first time experiencing the real difference between a military general and a civil servant.

If etiquette allowed, Han Cheng might have personally gone to talk to Tong Xiyan. Thinking of this, she shook her head helplessly...

Fourth Master Xiao glanced at her and asked: "What’s wrong?" Xiqiu smiled and replied: "Nothing, just thinking that he hasn’t figured out the crux of the matter yet, all this running around won’t help."

Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyebrows and asked: "In your opinion, where lies the crux of the matter?"

Xiqiu furrowed her brows, smiled at him, and asked: "You don’t know?" Clearly not believing that Fourth Master Xiao wouldn’t know.

Unaware, Fourth Master Xiao nodded honestly, as if waiting for Xiqiu to tell him the answer.

Xiqiu chuckled softly, whispering: "Actually, the focus isn’t on what Madam Hong said to my sister-in-law... but rather, on Madam Hong herself." She paused and looked at Fourth Master Xiao: "Days ago, Lord Han said he would buy a new house for Madam Hong to send her out of the mansion, but after so many days, he hasn’t mentioned it. I believe that given Lord Han’s character, he wouldn’t go back on his word, so there’s only one possibility: he has a reason that doesn’t allow her to move!"

Fourth Master Xiao displayed a strange expression, and Xiqiu continued: "You see, she’s just a sister-in-law, no matter how good the relations were with Madam Han and Lord Han before, now that her elder sister has passed away, she still lives comfortably in Han Mansion, managing the household and taking care of Lord Han and his son. What does that indicate?"

Fourth Master Xiao raised an eyebrow: "Hmm?" Xiqiu linked her arm with his and replied: "It indicates... their relationship is really good." Then she let go and walked towards the door without looking back.

Fourth Master Xiao was stunned, and then he laughed, shook his head, and followed Xiqiu out. Walking side by side, Fourth Master Xiao seemed to suddenly understand, pointing out the key point: "So, sister-in-law thinks this Madam Hong is not simple; as long as she’s around, Fourth Miss won’t have peace if she marries over... and these seemingly unimportant factors directly affect Han Cheng’s sincerity in proposing, or in some way, are even more important?"

"A teachable child!" Xiqiu smiled, nodding. This highlights the difference in how men and women view problem-solving: men think marrying you into their home to provide food, clothing, and respect due to his status is their responsibility, while women are simpler, they just want unconditional love... with everything else secondary.

Fourth Master Xiao chuckled, lightly rapped Xiqiu’s head: "What about you, what do you care about most?"

Xiqiu paused, looked back at Fourth Master Xiao and naturally changed the subject: "Let’s go back quickly, Zhi should be awake by now." Saying this, she walked towards the main room.

"Hmm?" Fourth Master Xiao’s lips curled, he caught her arm and pulled her into his embrace, asking: "Not going to say?" As his face slowly leaned closer to hers.

Xiqiu saw his posture and blushed immediately. Seeing this, Tianjing and Tiancheng tactfully withdrew from the courtyard, while the maids and servants at the door peeked and then shrank away. Xiqiu pushed him, afraid that he might kiss her in front of so many people, making her the subject of tomorrow’s gossip as the mistress.

"I’ll say, I’ll say." Xiqiu smartly nodded: "I’ll speak!"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly, still half-embracing her, showing no intention of letting go. Xiqiu moved a bit, looked at Fourth Master Xiao, and replied: "I used to value survival the most, to live freely and autonomously within the limited space and conditions... Later, when I married Fourth Master, I hoped for peace, and valued harmony in the entire household... As for later..." Her eyes filled with affection, locked onto Fourth Master Xiao’s face, the meaning was clear without need for words.