During the New Year, the two residences of Xiqiu were busy. When it was the second day of the New Year and they returned to Tong Mansion to pay respects, they heard about the matter regarding Lord Han’s concubine.

After a moment of surprise, she asked in astonishment, "The Han family’s concubine passed away?"

"Yes." Madam Jiang held a cup of tea, neither relieved nor appearing sorrowful: "I heard she had been sick for some days. On New Year’s Eve, Madam Han found out she was pregnant, and that night, the concubine departed."

"Madam Han is pregnant?" She wouldn’t be surprised if someone else were pregnant, but Madam Han was different. In the past two years, Lord Han had been busy at the military camp, rarely returning home. She had heard a bit about their relationship, with the couple having little time together and no real affection. She didn’t expect Madam Han to be pregnant, which suggested that the couple had moved past the friction period, and Lord Han seemed to care for Madam Han now?

She thought of the time she saw Second Miss Fang at Chengyi Bo Mansion, as a smart person surely possesses skills; otherwise, it would be hard to win Lord Han’s heart.

Could it be that the Han family’s concubine became ill for this reason, and when Madam Han was happily pregnant, she used her death as silent protest and resistance?

She didn’t understand, only sighed.

Then Madam Jiang said, "The Han family hasn’t been peaceful these past two years. I’ve heard that since Second Miss Fang entered the mansion, there’s been constant turmoil. The concubine grew very close to another concubine, and Second Miss Fang suffered a lot. I heard that once, when Lord Han returned home, before entering the main room, he was taken out by the concubine and the other concubine. Second Miss Fang waited in the courtyard for half the night without seeing anyone return and fell seriously ill afterwards. Lord Han was always at the military camp, unaware of the situation at home, and nobody informed him of her illness. Second Miss Fang struggled for over half a month before recovering... Now that the concubine is gone and she is pregnant, it’s said to be a moment of triumph after hardship."

In the future, in the Han Mansion, she will be completely in charge.

Xiqiu didn’t care about the Han family’s affairs at first, but hearing Madam Jiang talk about it now, she couldn’t help but sigh; this concubine was indeed not to be underestimated!

During the New Year, talking too much about such grim events would be inauspicious, so the two spoke a bit before stopping. At that moment, Tong Xiyu arrived. She greeted Madam Jiang and Xiqiu upon entering and asked curiously, "Did Fourth Sister not return?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang and Xiqiu remembered that Tong Xiyan should have returned early during such a time in previous years, yet this year she hadn’t arrived yet?

"Perhaps she was delayed by something." Madam Jiang smiled and said, "Later, we can ask Nanny Qian to go and welcome her." This year, Madam Zhou’s mourning period ended, and there were many household matters; she might be preoccupied with her children.

However, by almost noon when the table was set and Tong Xiyan still hadn’t returned, Madam Jiang and Xiqiu started to worry, instructing Nanny Qian to go to Zhou Residence and ask about the situation.

Before Nanny Qian could leave, Nanny Zhou from Zhou Residence arrived: "Happy New Year to First Young Madam and the two young ladies." After speaking, she kneeled to kowtow, but Madam Jiang quickly helped her up, asking, "Why did you come alone? Where is your madam?"

Madam Zhou’s eyes filled with smiles, unable to conceal it, as she stood up following Madam Jiang’s assistance, smiling: "I’m here to congratulate First Young Madam, our madam is pregnant."

"Really?" Madam Jiang immediately smiled upon hearing it, then clasped her hands together, reciting several lines of Amitabha Buddha. After three years of mourning, Madam Zhou became pregnant right after the mourning period ended, which was indeed excellent news. She smiled and said to Nanny Zhou: "This is indeed wonderful news. Quickly, go to tell First Master for some good fortune."

Nanny Zhou agreed, and followed the joyful Nanny Qiu out.

Madam Jiang turned around to see Xiqiu sitting there with a happy expression, while Tong Xiyu’s face was somewhat stiff. She remembered and then coughed, intending to downplay the matter to prevent Tong Xiyu from feeling too sad: "Enough, enough, since Fourth Young Mistress isn’t returning, let’s go eat."

Xiqiu responded, "Father will be delighted to hear this." Nian has grown up, and Tong Xiyan having another child is indeed excellent.

A few days later, Xiqiu, Madam Jiang, and Tong Xiyu went together to visit Tong Xiyan. She was leaning against the bed, dissatisfied: "The doctor said the fetal position is unstable, and my husband and Nanny Zhou insist I lie in bed all day, with so many affairs in the mansion, it’s driving me mad with concern."

Zhou Bohan stood to the side holding Nian, always smiling.

Watching their dynamic, where both parties willingly participated, Xiqiu couldn’t help but cover her face laughing. Madam Jiang also smiled uncontrollably, saying: "The matters of the mansion can be dealt with gradually; for now, you must focus on nurturing yourself, no more being willful."

Tong Xiyan glared childishly at Zhou Bohan, pouting as she nodded.

After the year began, the Ministry of Internal Affairs started the bidding process, and indeed, Tongxuan Hall won. On that day, Ruan Jingliu came to the mansion. Xiqiu hadn’t seen her throughout the entire New Year and asked, "I invited you to spend the New Year at the mansion, but you refused. After the year began, we sent people to Four Symbols Alley to find you, but you were nowhere to be found. If I didn’t see you today, I was planning to report to the authorities."

Ruan Jingliu laughed lightly and replied, "I’m used to spending the New Year alone. Besides, you weren’t alone, you had a large family to care for, my presence would only cause trouble."

"You are just like that; whether it’s troublesome is my feeling, how can you decide for me?" Xiqiu half-jokingly finished saying, and added: "You haven’t told me yet, where did you go during the New Year?"

Ruan Jingliu set down her teacup, smiled and said: "Nowhere." After a pause, she continued, "Stayed at Puji Temple for a few days, resided in the courtyard you once did, drank tea with Master Puning, and discussed Buddhism, leading a few days of tranquil life."

When did she start believing in Buddhism? Xiqiu was startled: "How did you end up at Puji Temple? When did you start believing in Buddhism?"

"Suddenly wanted to go, so I went; it indeed calmed my mind!" Ruan Jingliu spoke softly, taking out a peace charm from her chest: "Master asked me to give this to you." She handed it to Xiqiu.

Xiqiu accepted it, thanked her with a smile, and had Bihuai store it away. She then thought of Fourth Master Xiao talking about Qin Yuanfeng, and tentatively asked Ruan Jingliu: "Tongxuan Hall is now an Imperial Merchant, and the business grows larger; First Master Qin’s business acumen is indeed impressive."

Hearing this, a glint of coldness flashed in Ruan Jingliu’s eyes, quickly fading as she responded calmly: "For what is gained, something must be given; I only hope he can maintain this golden rice bowl steadily."

Xiqiu’s eyebrows raised slightly, scrutinizing Ruan Jingliu, and she softly asked, "Sister Jingliu, are you sympathizing with Second Master Qin?" The upheaval in the Qin Family, Qin Yuanfeng traveling far, these stories are known without inquiry, and Ruan Jingliu’s attitude is unsurprising, but her tone is intriguing.

Hearing this, Ruan Jingliu looked at Xiqiu with resignation: "You just want to pry, to ask how I truly feel about Qin Yuanfeng, don’t you?"