Xiqiu, Tong Xiyan, and Tong Xiyu sat with Madam Xia inside the room, their eyes filled with emotion as they listened to the sound of firecrackers outside.

Images flashed through her mind, from when the siblings studied and wrote in the alley behind the East Cross Courtyard, to his move to the outer courtyard, and their secret meetings each time. He would pat his thin chest and say to her, "Sister, you must wait for me to grow up. Once I am grown, I will give you and Auntie the best life!"

When he said those words, he was still a carefree child tumbling on the ground, raised recklessly by Lady.

Later, she could see the changes in him day by day, becoming more sensible, understanding the nuances of social propriety, painfully aware of his different status.

Gradually, without her noticing, he had grown up, reached the age of marriage.

Starting today, there would be another woman who would replace Auntie and her, occupying a more important position in his life.

Unconsciously, her eyes misted with tears.

She had never seen Miss Chen, but she hoped no matter how reluctant they both might be about the marriage, they would cherish this rare bond, understand and love each other, and devotedly nurture their own lives. In the end, no matter what happens outside, the one who stays by your side forever is truly important.

"Sixth Sister!" Although he didn’t like this sister-in-law, Tong Minzhi’s successful marriage made Tong Xiyan very happy: "Why are you crying on such a joyous day." He said playfully and leaned closer to Xiqiu, "We are dignified ladies, let’s go to the bridal chamber and show some majesty."

Xiqiu burst into laughter, pinched Tong Xiyan’s arm, "Don’t scare the bride." Tong Xiyan then yelped playfully and held his arm, saying to Madam Xia, "Auntie, look, this sister-in-law is siding with her after just entering the door, no longer caring for me, her sister."

Madam Xia’s face was a mix of celebratory and worried, wearing a stiff smile: "Fourth Lady, don’t be angry, Sixth Lady is joking with you."

Tong Xiyan looked at Madam Xia in surprise, realizing she was absent-mindedly listening to him all along, unable to help but laugh.

"Fourth Sister." Tong Xiyu looked at her rounded belly and pointed, "Take care of yourself."

Tong Xiyan waved her hand nonchalantly, laughing: "It’s fine, he just kicked me a while ago." Tong Xiyu listened and looked at Tong Xiyan’s belly with envy, sighed quietly.

"Mom, mom!" Zhi held Nian’s hand and ran in cheerfully, "The bride has entered!"

Xiqiu noticed Madam Xia clasped her handkerchief tightly, couldn’t help but hold her hand, Madam Xia finally relaxed reluctantly, and Xiqiu whispered, "You’re a mother-in-law, it’s not reasonable for a mother-in-law to be nervous."

Madam Xia pursed her lips and smiled, but thinking that her daughter-in-law is about to enter, she couldn’t help but feel nervous again.

"Look at you both, sweaty all over." Tong Xiyan pulled Nian over to wipe his sweat, "Did you see Seventh Uncle?"

Nian nodded his head, "I saw him, dressed in red, looks so nice." He looked up at Tong Xiyan, "Mom, I also want to wear red and marry a bride."

Tong Xiyan was stunned, then burst out laughing, Xiqiu also couldn’t help but smile and said, "Our Nian has surely grown up, already wanting to marry a bride."

"Then grow up quickly." Tong Xiyan patted her son’s shoulder, "Mom will find you the prettiest bride."

Nian nodded seriously, "Okay, then I’ll grow up quickly."

Zhi couldn’t take it anymore, frowned disdainfully, "Really no ambition!" Nian unwillingly pouted and cuddled into Tong Xiyan’s arms. Tong Xiyan smiled and asked Zhi, "Why is marrying a bride unambitious?"

"Certainly unambitious." Zhi mimicked Fourth Master Xiao’s posture, stood with hands behind, raised his head, "A true man should lead thousands on the battlefield. To stay in a gentle nest, isn’t that unambitious?"

Tong Xiyan was at a loss for words with his statement, glared at Xiqiu: "Look, you better have another one quickly!" When old, don’t expect him to serve beside you.

Xiqiu simply smiled.

Nian heard Zhi’s words and immediately showed admiration, changed his mind, nodded, "Cousin is right, I also want to lead thousands on the battlefield, be a true man."

"Then you won’t marry a bride?" Tong Xiyan looked down at him, Nian’s eyes shifted, smilingly replied, "Marry first then lead thousands on the battlefield."

This time even Madam Xia couldn’t hold back and laughed along.

Nanny Qiu came in with a grin, "It’s time for the ceremony outside, First Young Madam asked if Madam Xia would like to attend?"

Madam Xia was momentarily taken aback upon hearing this, looked towards Xiqiu, Xiqiu smiled at her, so Madam Xia replied to Nanny Qiu, "I won’t go, tell First Young Madam to proceed directly with the ceremony." Going would cause difficulties for Minzhi and Miss Chen.

"I’ll go relay the message then." She said, bowed and prepared to leave, then saw Zhi and Nian, "Would you boys like to come with mama to see the ceremony?"

Zhi nodded, "We’ll go get red envelopes!" He took Nian towards the front.

Silence fell in the room, Tong Xiyan pulled Xiqiu aside and asked, "How are Nurse Zhang and Second Master Qin doing?"

Speaking of Ruan Jingliu, Xiqiu couldn’t help but smile, replied, "Very well, although they still bicker often, there is much joy in it."

"True." Tong Xiyan covered her face with a smile, "I heard from my husband that Second Master Qin has a very humorous personality, really a perfect match with Nurse Zhang."

Xiqiu agreed wholeheartedly, nodded, "Exactly so!" Tong Xiyu showed curiosity, asked Xiqiu, "Does that truly count as marriage then?" The ceremony seemed too simple.

Before Xiqiu could answer, Tong Xiyan replied, "It doesn’t matter, as long as the two of them are well together, marriage is but a ceremony." She paused, continued, "Besides, they did have a wedding, only missed the formal matchmaker arrangements!"

Tong Xiyu pouted, still felt it too hasty, inevitably causing disdain, "Heard that Nurse Zhang is older than Second Master Qin by seven or eight years!" The tone seemed both envious and disapproving.

Tong Xiyan shot her a glance but didn’t respond further, Xiqiu lowered her head sipping tea without words, Tong Xiyu felt a bit uninteresting, withdrew her voice.

In a blink, people outside called to start dining, Xiqiu, Tong Xiyan, Tong Xiyu, Madam Xia, and Madam Luo, along with some other ladies of the residence, ate in Madam Jiang’s courtyard. Outside, ladies opened the banquet, Madam Jiang rushed about busily, finally taking a moment to enter and rest: "...Didn’t expect so many people to come, good thing extra tables were prepared."

"How many tables in total for the ladies?" Xiqiu asked with a smile, Madam Jiang calculated mentally, replied, "For the ladies, eight tables, but the Chen Family alone took three tables, initially, I prepared six tables, luckily added two more, otherwise it would have been a real disaster."