"Enough, enough!" Madam Luo stood up: "Let’s not stay here any longer, let the Sixth Lady and sister have a good chat." Saying this, she went to pull Madam Mei: "Come sit with me, we’ve just received new fabrics in the mansion, we need to make clothes for the maids and old servants, you can help me with the designs."

"I know nothing about such matters, and the First Young Madam entrusted it to you, knowing you can handle it well, so I won’t meddle." Madam Mei was clearly unwilling to leave, but Madam Luo forcefully pulled her up: "You don’t understand, I’ll teach you!"

She nodded slightly to Xiqiu and Madam Xia, and then forcefully dragged Madam Mei out.

"Sister, what are you doing..." Madam Mei wanted to turn back to look at Xiqiu, but before she could say more, Xiuzhi had already closed the door behind them.

Xiqiu looked at Madam Luo’s back and suppressed her laughter.

"Sixth Lady." Madam Xia, seeing them leave, showed a worried expression: "With things escalating like this, will it affect the Seventh Young Master’s future career path?"

There will certainly be some impact, though not too severe; it depends on how it’s handled. She shook her head with a smile: "Seventh Brother has always been diligent, and his integrity is well recognized. Although people might not speak about it openly, everyone understands the situation." Pausing for a moment, she continued: "Besides, don’t we have Father and Elder Brother? You should stop worrying."

Madam Xia still couldn’t hide her worry; concerned that Tong Minzhi’s complicated background would make marriage difficult, she never expected such a scandal to erupt.

Xiqiu softly consoled Madam Xia, and then Xiuzhi came to report that Madam Jiang, the First Master, and the Young Master had returned. Xiqiu then bade farewell to Madam Xia and went to Madam Jiang’s place.

"I was just about to send someone to call you back." Madam Jiang, with a face full of helplessness mixed with anger, pulled Xiqiu to sit and said directly: "How could Miss Le cause such trouble? Fortunately, Miss Zhao is okay, just slightly injured. Otherwise, how could we clean up this mess!"

"Miss Zhao is fine, which is good. What is the Zhao Family saying? How about the students surrounding the Marquis Mansion?" Xiqiu asked, expressing her concerns.

Madam Jiang took a sip of tea and replied: "Mr. Zhao is very firm, but Old Madam Zhao’s stance is somewhat ambiguous, probably not agreeing, while Miss Zhao is crying and protesting in her room, insisting she’d rather become a nun than accept this marriage." She paused and continued: "Father and Elder Brother have gone to resolve the issue, convincing the students to retreat..." She sighed deeply, feeling an unnamed anger at the thought of the Minister of the Imperial Academy apologizing for this, wishing she could find Le Yao to curse her harshly.

With this, it’s likely that the marriage proposal with the Zhao Family is off the table. Hurt as she is, even if the marriage proceeds, Miss Zhao would live with resentment, and her life with Tong Minzhi wouldn’t be pleasant. As for Le Yao, Xiqiu furrowed her brows tightly; the Capital can’t accommodate her!

Just as Xiqiu was about to speak, Nanny Qiu hurried in, saying Madam Ruan and Madam Qian had arrived together. Xiqiu and Madam Jiang exchanged glances, guessing they were here to apologize.

In a moment the two women entered, not surprised to see Xiqiu. They spoke many words, just as Xiqiu had expected, apologizing for the trouble caused by Le Yao.

They mentioned sending Le Yao back tomorrow, to ensure she doesn’t make any more trouble in the Capital.

Although Madam Jiang was still angry inside, she didn’t show it, maintaining a friendly demeanor while conversing, and Xiqiu also smiled along amiably, engaging in polite conversation.

In the palace, Le Xiu was also quite upset upon learning about it: "I didn’t expect her to cause such a commotion immediately upon arrival, even the Emperor knows about it." She instructed Chief De: "Go out to greet Madam Ruan, don’t wait until tomorrow, send people tonight to escort Le Yao back to Huainan!"

"Understood." Chief De acknowledged, just as he was about to speak, Jinyu, guarding the door, suddenly knelt: "I pay respects to the Emperor." Just then, the Emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, entered the room.

Le Xiu was taken aback, quickly signaling Chief De to leave. Her expression changed as she approached with a smile and curtseyed: "I pay respects to the Emperor."

"Rise." The Emperor settled into his seat, and Jinyu carefully offered tea before retreating quietly with Chief De.

Le Xiu stood with a bright smile: "Have you not eaten yet, Emperor? Shall I have someone prepare a meal for you?" The Emperor sipped tea, raised an eyebrow, glanced at Le Xiu: "No need, I will dine at Yuming Palace later."

Yuming Palace was the new residence of the Princess Consort Ying.

Le Xiu’s expression changed slightly but she responded with a smile: "Yes!" Sheng Shan lightly blew at the foam on his tea cup’s rim, casually asking: "I heard that this morning, students from Qianshan Academy surrounded the Marquis Jinxiang?"

Her smile faltered slightly, Le Xiu shifted her gaze and replied: "Is that so? I was in my room embroidering all morning, and haven’t heard." She displayed a puzzled, worried expression: "Why did the students surround the Marquis Mansion?"

The Emperor glanced at Le Xiu, seeing her sincere expression devoid of evasion, he softened his tone: "Just some youthful romantic indiscretion, it’s fine if you are unaware!"

Le Xiu quietly exhaled.

The Emperor rose: "I’ll go see Hong’er now, you can dine." Le Xiu immediately followed him out, only after the Holy Emperor had gone far did she finally relax and inquire Jinyu: "Has Chief De left the palace?"

"He has!" Jinyu replied.

Le Xiu felt relieved but thinking about the Emperor’s earlier attitude, her heart chilled; over the past two years, the Emperor had not shown the warmth and trust he did initially, instead growing closer to the Princess Consort Ying, even coming to test her over such matters...

"Madam," Jinyu spoke softly, Le Xiu paused, asking: "Where is he?"

"He lingered outside briefly, once he saw the Emperor inside, he left." Jinyu paused before adding: "Seemed to be entertaining Princess Minjia."

Le Xiu’s gaze paused upon hearing this, then she smiled: "...That child is indeed clever, my efforts in caring for him haven’t gone to waste!"

Sensible, understanding how to advance and retreat, adept at reading people and pandering to their preferences subtly, able to win people’s hearts unknowingly.

This kind of tactic and behavior inadvertently reminded Le Xiu of Xiqiu.

Truly, children reflect those who educate them!

After a brief satisfaction, she thought of the incident involving Le Yao and Tong Minzhi. With events escalating like this, even pleading with the Emperor for marriage would be futile, as the Tong Family would likely refuse. Making Lord Tong apologize to so many students must have already offended him, Le Yao’s future in the Tong Mansion will not be smooth.

However, now that they’ve offended Lord Tong and ruined Tong Minzhi’s marriage... this matter really is a headache.

"Go to the Governor Mansion." Le Xiu decided after thinking it over. Though not worried about internal strife between the Xiao and Tong families, the inevitable dissatisfaction was unwise: "Deliver that Child-Giving Guanyin I received last New Year to the Fourth Madam."