"Indeed! The date has been set for next spring." The First Madam’s lips curved slightly, revealing a hint of sarcasm, and she looked at Xiqiu and said, "In this way, we truly will become one family."

Xiqiu was taken aback by these words, and it wasn’t until a few days later that she gradually found out about the arrangements for First Young Madam Tang and Ruan Pingrong’s marriage. The First Madam had even gone back to her parental home several times to express her disapproval of the union, but First Young Madam Tang was insistent on getting close to the Marquis Jinxiang and took it upon herself to settle the marriage, intending to make it a done deal, rendering their opposition useless.

This is why the First Madam was so angry when discussing the marriage between the two families.

Xiqiu sighed as well, but her outlook was much more optimistic than the First Madam’s. That afternoon, when she returned to the mansion, she instructed Mrs. Zhou to take Zhi for a nap. She then sought out Chunliu and said, "During this time, you shouldn’t serve by my side. Let Bihuai handle both the major and minor tasks. If she’s too busy, bring up a young maid to assist, but don’t delay your own work. Although you don’t need to embroider the wedding dress, the bedding, pillowcases, pockets, and socks and shoes for the in-laws and husband must not be forgotten. If you procrastinate any longer, it may be too late."

Chunliu blushed and lowered her head, saying, "I can embroider at night. There’s no need for you to specifically tell me to rest, Madam."

"That’s out of the question, your days are already filled with tasks; you can’t stay up like this!" She paused for a moment and continued, "I think it’s settled then!"

Chunliu shyly agreed.

Just as they were speaking, a maid responded from behind the curtain, "Madam, Fourth Miss is here."

Tong Xiyan is here? Xiqiu smiled and went out to greet her, catching sight of Tong Xiyan being supported by Daiju as she crossed the courtyard.

"Sixth Sister!" Tong Xiyan hurried over, and Xiqiu smiled back, saying, "If you hadn’t come, I was thinking of visiting tomorrow." She paused again and said, "Let’s go inside and talk; it’s hot out here."

The two of them sat down on the rose bed. Chunliu served tea and withdrew, while Xiqiu asked, "What happened yesterday? I heard that Lord Jiang made a scene at the mansion. Is that true?"

Tong Xiyan’s face darkened, and she nodded, saying, "Yes, he made a fuss after drinking." With that, she sighed deeply.

Xiqiu looked at her and sighed as well, "I really don’t know what he was thinking. With his antics, today he’s become the laughing stock of the entire Capital. I heard that an Imperial Censor has impeached him this morning!" The chaos at the Jiang Mansion lasted through the night and has now spread throughout the streets.

"Who can say what he’s thinking." Tong Xiyan took a sip of tea without showing the usual signs of disappointment or sadness, and Xiqiu was slightly puzzled.

Tong Xiyan was silent for a moment, put down her teacup, and spoke to Xiqiu as if in a dream, "When I saw him yesterday, I thought I’d be heartbroken, unwilling, and as devastated as I was in those years..." She looked at Xiqiu, eyes filled with confusion, "But I was surprisingly calm, and even when I saw him drunk before me, he seemed so strange, as if I didn’t know him at all."

Xiqiu let out a breath and smiled slightly, "That’s a good thing." She paused and said, "It shows you’ve truly moved past the pain of the past, and really no longer have any attachment to him."

"Really?" Tong Xiyan looked at Xiqiu, uncertainly asking, "Have I truly moved on?"

Xiqiu smiled and firmly replied, "Yes."

Tong Xiyan showed a bitter smile, unsure whether to be happy or sad for herself.

It turns out, what you once believed to be eternal love and devotion, after being tempered by time, becomes nothing more than a laughable irony.

Xiqiu did not speak further, silently accompanying her for a while. After a long time, Tong Xiyan returned to normal, looked at Xiqiu, and asked, "Did you already know about the Zhou family? Madam Zhou came to the mansion yesterday."

Xiqiu had heard about it, so she nodded.

Tong Xiyan continued, "Actually, I’m kind of moved by how much Lord Han has done for me. I think, if I find someone completely unlike Jiang Shilin, I might just have a peaceful life..." She shook her head and recounted to Xiqiu the words of Nanny Qiu and Han Cheng, and Han Cheng’s subsequent reaction: "...He hasn’t come back since."

Xiqiu had expected this. Han Cheng may not love Madam Hong, but she has been in the mansion for many years, raising their two children. No matter what, Lord Han has to think of the children’s feelings...

If, in pursuit of his own happiness, he disregarded everything and sent Madam Hong and the children away, that kind of Han Cheng probably wouldn’t be the one they hoped to see either.

"What do you think?" Xiqiu paused, "About the Zhou family." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Tong Xiyan sighed, took the key Madam Zhou gave her from the pocket, and told Xiqiu what Madam Zhou said: "I truly feel for her. With a mother like this, Lord Zhou is very fortunate."

She only praised Madam Zhou, not mentioning whether Zhou Bohan was suitable.

Tong Xiyan paused and added, "I think that with such a mother, the child she raises shouldn’t turn out too badly." She smiled and shook her head, "At least not like Old Madam Jiang, wouldn’t you agree?"

Although she spoke in a joking tone, Xiqiu understood her intention and asked, "Did you agree to the Zhou family?"

"I remember I once said, I didn’t care who I married as long as it wasn’t Jiang Shilin!" Tong Xiyan looked at Xiqiu, "As Madam Zhou said, why not give myself a chance, fulfilling her wish as well... what harm could it do?"

"Fourth Sister!" Xiqiu held her hand and sighed softly, "You will be happy."

Tong Xiyan smiled and nodded.

On the day Chief Lei returned to the Capital for duty, the Zhou family invited Madam Qian as a matchmaker, formally proposing at the Tong Mansion. Considering Madam Zhou’s health, they set the date for October. Though a bit rushed, both families had modest demands and didn’t want to make a big deal, so it seemed sufficient.

Xiqiu was happy for Tong Xiyan. Returning home, the family had a meal together. While discussing when Kun would start his studies, Madam Jiang asked Xiqiu, "When will Zhi start his studies?"

"Next spring," Xiqiu replied, ruffling Zhi’s hair, "He’s lively; he might remember more if he’s a bit older."

Madam Jiang nodded slightly, hesitating. Xiqiu sensed her unspoken thoughts and said, "If Sister-in-law isn’t in a hurry, why not send Kun over to my place, so you won’t have to hire a separate tutor?" She glanced at Tong Xihua, "Perhaps bring Twelfth Sister along too."

Tong Xihua was thrilled at the prospect of starting her studies, shyly glancing at First Master, who stroked his beard and nodded slightly, "That’s fine. Although it’s said that a woman’s virtue isn’t talent, our family isn’t like others; it’s beneficial for girls to read more."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Tong Xihua sweetly said, "Thank you, Sixth Sister," hugging Xiqiu. Tong Xiyan wrinkled her nose, "I knew you liked Sixth Sister more than me."