The three of them returned to the main room. Xiqiu asked someone to help them wash and found Min’s clothes for Xing and Sheng to change into: "...If you want to go out again, you’ll have to wait until the afternoon when the sun is gentler!"

The few of them glanced at each other, secretly delighted at the thought of grilling fish.

"Mother!" Min came in from outside, seeing Sheng and Xing there, he greeted them with a smile, "Big Brother, Second Brother!"

Sheng patted Min on the shoulder, "We’ve been waiting for you to come back. If you didn’t return soon, I might have starved." Min smiled shyly, while Xing replied, "How could you be hungry? You just had a piece of horseshoe cake." He then said to Min, "Don’t listen to him; he just wants to eat the fish he caught himself."

"Did you go fishing today?" Min asked, and everyone nodded. Min then looked down with a smile and asked Zhi, "How many did you catch?"

Zhi immediately replied, "I caught two, Big Brother caught three, Second Brother caught two, and one was caught by Qingshan." Qingshan had caught it in the water.

"So impressive." Min smiled broadly, and Xiqiu laughed as she walked over, "Stop talking now, go wash your hands, it’s time to eat."

They playfully went to wash their hands. Zhi held up a birdcage for Xiqiu to see, "Mom, Big Brother said this is called an oriole, and its singing is beautiful. Can I hang it at your door?"

"Hang it under my eaves?" Xiqiu raised her eyebrow, squatting down beside Zhi, "Since Zhi loves it so much, why not hang it under your own eaves?"

"This way, Mom can hear it, and I’m always here with you, so I can hear it too." Zhi nodded his head and ran out after lifting the curtain. Xiqiu stood at the door, watching Zhi direct Qingshan and Qingyuan to hang the birdcage. Zhi turned back to smile at Xiqiu, puckering his lips to tease the oriole, "Sing a song, quickly sing!"

Xiqiu chuckled and pulled him inside the door, telling Qingshan, Qingyuan, and Erquan, "You all go eat and rest!" Then she smiled down at Zhi, "She’s still young; with some care, she’ll sing."

"Fourth Aunt is right." Sheng walked over, "You’re always the most impatient one!"

Zhi giggled.

After eating, Xiqiu took them to rest in the side room. They didn’t want to nap, and Xiqiu, worried they’d run wild outside, laughed, saying, "Let’s play a game."

The mention of games immediately lifted their spirits. Sheng asked, "What game?" After a pause, he added, "It better not be shuttlecock kicking or string tricks?" Those were girl games; they were men and wouldn’t play those.

Xiqiu thought for a moment, "Pitch-pot!" She looked at them, "Whoever loses has to perform a show."

"Alright, alright!" Zhi clapped first, "Pitch-pot is fun." Min pursed his lips and laughed, asking him, "Do you know how to play pitch-pot?"

Zhi paused, shook his head, and turned to ask Xiqiu, "Mom, how do you play pitch-pot?"

Everyone laughed, and Min came over to hold Zhi’s hand, saying, "I’ll teach you later." Zhi nodded eagerly.

Bihuai found a pot and fetched some arrows from Fourth Master Xiao’s study. They closed the door and started playing inside.

Sheng raised his hand, very excited, "I’ll go first, I’m the oldest." Xing patted his head, "Let Fourth Aunt go first; she’s the oldest."

"True." Sheng handed the arrow to Xiqiu, "Fourth Aunt, you go first!"

Xiqiu didn’t hesitate, taking the arrow and throwing it. The arrow spun around the pot and fell to the ground. Zhi looked at Xiqiu sympathetically, "Mom, don’t be sad. I’ll help you get it in later."

"Okay, I’ll rely on you!" Xiqiu smiled, nodding, and gave Zhi a kiss on the cheek.

It was her first time playing such a game.

When it was Sheng’s turn, he raised his arm and smoothly landed the arrow inside, raising an eyebrow triumphantly, "Did you see that? I’m good, aren’t I?"

"Big Brother is amazing." Zhi didn’t care who was speaking; he was always the first to cheer, making Sheng beam with joy.

Xing chuckled, also picking up an arrow and throwing it. Min did the same. When it came to Zhi, he fiddled with the arrow repeatedly. Sheng patted his head, "What are you dawdling over?"

Zhi seriously aimed and replied, "I’m trying to figure out how to get it in." Then he turned to everyone, "Can I try once?"

"Go ahead, try!" Sheng waved a hand, and Zhi furrowed his short brows, earnestly trying. Finally, he swung his arm, but the arrow dropped outside with a plop. Sheng said, "With those little arms, of course you can’t get it in!"

Min patted his head, "It’s okay."

Xiqiu watched from the side, observing Zhi’s expressions closely. She saw him highly focused and attentive, even gesturing like he was learning from his failed attempt. Curiosity grew in her, waiting for his next throw.

Sure enough, after measuring for a long while, Zhi finally threw his arm, and this time, the arrow brushed the pot’s rim and landed steadily inside.

They were all stunned, not expecting Zhi to make it.

"Not bad," Sheng patted his shoulder, "First time playing and you got it in." Xing was surprised too, turning to ask Xiqiu, "Fourth Aunt, is it really Zhi’s first time playing?"

Xiqiu chuckled softly and nodded, Zhi stood with his hands on his hips, head high, "Such a small thing is nothing to me!"

Sheng started laughing heartily, pointing at Zhi, "Shameless!"

Xiqiu lost!

Xing and Min exchanged a glance. Min said, "Mother, how about I and Min perform in your place?"

"Alright, thank you!" Xiqiu gleefully said, "What will you perform?"

Xing and Min whispered for a moment, then looked up, "We’ll play a piece together." It had been a long time since they played music together. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Xiqiu nodded in agreement, then sat with Sheng and Zhi on the chairs. Watching the two try out a few notes, a melodious and flowing piece, "Gusu March," came out as smooth as flowing clouds and water...

"Truly beautiful," Xiqiu applauded, and Zhi clapped too, "Beautiful, beautiful!"

They played several more rounds. Later, Min, Xing, and Sheng went to the outer courtyard. Xiqiu reminded the two not to leave the premises. They nodded, promising not to wander, easing her mind. She snuggled with Zhi on the rose bed, fanning him, "Nap now; otherwise, you won’t have the energy to play with your brothers in the afternoon."