On one hand, there was his own elder sister, and on the other, his good friend. Xiao Qi found it difficult to say anything while stuck in the middle and could only accompany them with a smile.

"Sis, Brother Xiao Jiu feels embarrassed to talk to you." Xiao Qi said, "Also, this matter... well, half of it is also because of me..."

"You’re really loyal to your friends." Lian Manman couldn’t help but laugh.

Seeing Lian Manman laugh, Xiao Qi also started laughing nervously. Like Lian Manman knows him, he also understands her. Sometimes, when she speaks fiercely, it’s mostly in jest, often to help him grasp more truths. In serious situations, Lian Manman is nothing but kind to him.

"Was it Old Master Shen and Old Madam Shen who wrote to Brother Xiao Jiu to ask him to go?" Lian Manman asked Xiao Qi again, wanting to understand more about the ins and outs of the matter.

"The letter was written to Sixth Master. Brother Xiao Jiu didn’t see the letter; it was Sixth Master who told him." Xiao Qi replied.

"Oh?" Lian Manman felt a tug at her thoughts and asked Xiao Qi several more questions, to which he answered truthfully.

Lian Manman then had a good grasp of the situation.

"Rest assured, your Brother Xiao Jiu won’t go south. You guys have plenty of time together." Lian Manman said with a smile.

"Really? Sis, did you promise to help?" Xiao Qi asked joyfully.

Lian Manman looked at Xiao Qi. Xiao Qi was not unintelligent; he was just a bit young and didn’t quite understand certain things. Moreover, this matter had some inside information that Xiao Qi couldn’t know.

"No need for me to help." Lian Manman said, "This is Sixth Master guiding his younger brother. As long as your Brother Xiao Jiu behaves, Sixth Brother may not be willing to send him far away."

"Oh, oh, now I get it." Xiao Qi immediately showed a look of sudden realization, "I told you, Brother Xiao Jiu has grown up by Sixth Master’s side since childhood. How could Sixth Master be willing to let him go? This must be Sixth Master wanting Brother Xiao Jiu to focus more on his studies and make more progress."

Hearing Xiao Qi’s reasoning, Lian Manman just smiled silently. Some things are of no benefit to mention now; he will naturally understand them when he’s a couple of years older. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Moreover, what Xiao Qi said wasn’t wrong in itself. It’s the logic of the matter.

"He must also be afraid that Brother Xiao Jiu won’t listen to him, trying to scare him." Xiao Qi added, seeing Lian Manman’s expression. Xiao Qi was the youngest in the family and had much experience in this area. Wu Lang and Lian Manman sometimes scared him too. So, elder siblings often use this trick to discipline younger siblings effectively.

"Xiao Qi, keep in mind what I’ve told you, but don’t tell Xiao Jiu." Lian Manman said, "If he asks, just say I promised. Don’t mention anything else."

"Sis, don’t worry. I know what can be said and what can’t." Xiao Qi nodded immediately, "I will even advise Brother Xiao Jiu to listen to Sixth Master properly."

"That’s right." Lian Manman said with a smile.

Knowing Shen Qian wouldn’t leave Prefecture City and not having the worry of losing a friend, Xiao Qi happily said goodbye to Lian Manman and went to the study to do his homework.

After seeing Xiao Qi off, Lian Manman took out a needle and thread and asked Ji Xiang to make the lamp brighter. The mistress and servants sat under the lamp making needlework.

This was a nightly routine for Lady Zhang and Lian Manman. In this era, women were expected to be virtuous in morality, appearance, speech, and skill. Additionally, diligence is considered a virtue. Therefore, unless extremely busy, Lian Manman would make some needlework every day.

Part of it was for her personal use, and the rest for Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang, and also for Wu Lang and Xiao Qi. Lian Zhizhi and Dabao also wore some of her needlework.

Besides, among close friends, it was popular to exchange handmade needlework.

Lian Manman was reminiscing about her conversation with Xiao Qi while doing needlework, a smile forming at the corner of her mouth.

Shen Liu has been like that, meticulous and planning ahead, never leaving any opportunity for advantage. As for Shen Xiaojiu, although he lacked some finesse compared to Shen Liu, and his demeanor and authority were far below Shen Liu, he was a sly little fox.

He mentioned every little thing to Xiao Qi, clearly knowing that those words would reach her ears eventually. She could guess Shen Liu’s intentions, and since Shen Qian was involved, how could he not understand? Shen Xiaojiu did it on purpose, deliberately letting her know.

"Fatty Shen, quite good at setting his Sixth Brother against the wall!" Lian Manman chuckled to herself.

This matter, she wouldn’t interfere. Lian Manman made up her mind, just seeing Shen Qian’s movements becoming more liberated; today he could linger at her house for a whole day without Shen Liu sending someone to bring him back. This proves that Shen Liu should be completely assured. Moreover, there was no possibility of sending Shen Jiu to Old Master Shen and Old Madam Shen’s place.