She stood up, saying, "I’ll go see him!" Fourth Master Xiao, however, held her back, shaking his head and said, "Let him be on his own, he’s much more mature than we imagined."

"Fourth Master!" Xiqiu still felt a bit uneasy.

But Fourth Master Xiao held her hand, nodded and said, "We can’t accompany him for a lifetime, there are things he must face on his own."

Xiqiu’s gaze froze, as she looked at Fourth Master Xiao, she saw him nod slightly.

The next day, Min left early for school, Xiqiu asked Dongling, "At what hour did Young Master Min sleep last night, did he sleep well?"

"I kept watch, the lamps were still lit close to midnight." Dongling also showed a worried look: "When he got up this morning, his complexion didn’t look too good, and he hadn’t eaten anything!"

Xiqiu sighed, waved her hand, and said, "Bring him some pastries, make sure he eats some!"

Dongling understood.

Xiqiu thought to personally go to the outer courtyard later, but First Young Madam Tang and the First Madam arrived, as soon as they entered, First Young Madam Tang wore a full smile: "Last night, First Master drank wine, was about seventy percent drunk, and couldn’t recognize people, he looked at Min’s unfamiliar face and asked a few more questions, probably offended the child!"

The First Madam frowned, looked at First Young Madam Tang with some displeasure, Xiqiu welcomed the two inside, but didn’t respond to First Young Madam Tang as politely as before.

First Young Madam Tang glanced at Xiqiu, was startled, silently thought this grievance... Could it be that Fourth Madam was really angry with the First Master?

First Master was truly something, usually behaved well, but once he drank wine he acted as if drunk to the point of madness, grabbing a child and asking indiscriminately, then upon returning, he babbled half the night, insisting on going to the Governor Mansion, saying he needed to talk to Fourth Master Xiao... Even Min was very sensitive, immediately changed his expression, got straight into the carriage and came back, not caring how much she tried to keep him!

"First Young Madam." Xiqiu smiled lightly: "What did First Master say last night?"

First Young Madam was taken aback, asked, "Fourth Madam doesn’t know yet?" Xiqiu then nodded: "To tell you the truth, since he came back last night, he hasn’t spoken to me yet." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

First Young Madam was surprised, realizing Xiqiu was indeed somewhat displeased, whereupon the First Madam also frowned and said, "Sister-in-law, better just say it, so Fourth Brother’s wife doesn’t worry."

"It’s like this." First Young Madam began, "Actually, you know, even when drunk, First Master wouldn’t have said anything too extreme, he just saw Min’s unfamiliar face, grabbed him, and asked whose child he was, how he got here... and studied him for quite a while..."

"Is that all?" The First Madam asked.

First Young Madam then nodded: "That’s all First Master said he asked!" Then explained to the First Madam: "You know your brother, he’s kind-looking, never scared a child, in fact, children are always very fond of him..." after finishing, she looked at Xiqiu: "...still, I don’t know, Min just ran out the door, last night we were also scolded by our mother-in-law all night, worried about the child, originally wanted to come last night, but we held off for a night, rushed over early this morning to see..."

Xiqiu frowned, glanced at First Young Madam Tang, if First Master Tang only asked those questions, why did Min react so strongly?

Although Min is sensitive, he knows the importance, he wouldn’t just leave without a word while visiting someone’s place.

The First Madam also found it strange, First Young Madam Tang might be a bit loud, but she wouldn’t lie, so why was Min so angry?

She exchanged a look with Xiqiu, both appearing very perplexed.

After sending off First Young Madam Tang, at noon Min was having lunch at the outer courtyard, Xiqiu didn’t urge him, just waited at home, but when it was after school hours, Min still hadn’t returned, Xiqiu became worried and let Bihuai go check, after a while, Bihuai returned saying: "Young Master Min is practicing calligraphy, saying he would return after writing twenty pages..."

"Let’s go have a look." Xiqiu couldn’t sit still, had Bihuai help her change clothes, then she prepared to go to the outer courtyard, when she reached the Yimen entrance, she saw Tiancheng running towards them in the distance: "Madam!"

Xiqiu stopped, asked: "What is it?"

Tiancheng turned back to glance, whispered: "Fourth Master asked me to come back and inform Madam, he won’t be coming back for dinner tonight!"

Xiqiu nodded in acknowledgment, noticed Tiancheng’s expression seemed odd, pursued, "What’s the matter? Looking like this."

Tiancheng then coughed with some nervousness, replied: "It’s the Emperor... the Emperor is in the outer courtyard."

Xiqiu was taken aback, the Emperor in the outer courtyard?

These past few years, the Emperor hadn’t visited, why would he suddenly come to the Governor Mansion today, seemingly with a simple entourage, in a private visit...

Why did he come, to discuss state affairs with Fourth Master Xiao? Why not speak about state affairs in the palace? Private matters?

Or is it something about the Assistant Lecturer position for the Eldest Prince, wanting Fourth Master Xiao, this brother-in-law, to support Tong Shen Zhi?