Once Xiqiu’s birthday had passed, Fourth Master Xiao took a leave of absence for more than ten days from the government office. Xiqiu looked at him with a helpless smile and said, "I’m really fine. There’s no need to take time off to accompany me."

Fourth Master Xiao said nothing, holding her arm as they walked slowly. Seeing the sweat on her forehead, he took out a handkerchief to wipe it away and gently said, "I’ve arranged everything properly, there’s no major problem." After speaking, he noticed she was tired, so he pointed to the chairs that Chunliu and Bihuai had set up in advance: "Go over there and rest for a while."

Xiqiu nodded, and the couple sat down across from each other. She asked, "I heard that the court is sending a governor to inspect and collect the autumn grain tax from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces this year?"

"Yes." Fourth Master Xiao personally made tea for her, and Xiqiu accepted it, saying, "Last year, the grain tax from Jiangsu and Zhejiang decreased by ten percent compared to previous years..."

A ten percent decrease? Jiangsu and Zhejiang are major grain-producing areas of the Great Zhou. According to records, during Emperor Dezong’s era, the Great Zhou’s annual revenue was about 24 million piculs of grain. After Emperor Ren Zong ascended the throne, due to wars and continuous natural disasters, the national treasury revenue decreased to less than 20 million piculs, of which thirty percent came from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. In recent years, with stable political circumstances, Jiangsu and Zhejiang have developed rapidly, leading in both agriculture and commerce. Calculated based on the previous ratio of 24 million piculs, Jiangsu and Zhejiang’s annual national tax contribution should be over 7 million piculs. A ten percent decrease is no small matter.

Given Jiangsu and Zhejiang’s prosperity and development level, the tax amount should only increase, not decrease. So why did it decrease last year... It’s no wonder the Emperor values this issue so highly this year, specially dispatching a court official to supervise.

"Did the Emperor consult with Fourth Master?" Xiqiu observed that Fourth Master Xiao seemed already aware of this matter from the way he spoke: "Whom does Fourth Master recommend?"

Fourth Master Xiao’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had other thoughts on the matter. He calmly said, "Count Dingyuan has been actively maneuvering for this position, and the Emperor is unlikely to disregard his face." He paused before adding, "However, while this matter seems simple and easy on the surface, should the true situation be uncovered, it won’t be a simple task. I believe the Emperor will not send him alone."

Indeed, if it were solely due to reduced agricultural yields, it could be resolved by paying more attention in next spring’s planting. But if that’s not the case, the issue would be far more complex once uncovered. She looked at Fourth Master Xiao, asking, "Does Fourth Master know who the other person might be?"

Her concern in this matter was also for Min, as the court had been increasingly vocal about appointing a crown prince since the beginning of the year. Although the Emperor remained silent on the surface, appointing a crown prince was an unavoidable issue. Therefore, whatever the Emperor does now is likely connected to the inner palace.

As Min grows older, he can’t stay in the palace forever. He will soon have to establish his own residence outside the palace. The Emperor’s decision, now like an arrow on a bowstring, seems inevitable.

"There are a few candidates." Fourth Master Xiao sipped his tea, "While it’s not certain who it will be, it will certainly be one of these few people."

One candidate is the Salt Transport Commissioner, who is none other than Marquis Zhongshan of Huainan, also Le Xiu’s uncle. Since Huainan is near Jiangsu and Zhejiang, appointing Marquis Zhongshan makes sense. But the other candidate Xiqiu was more concerned about was Ruan Bosong, Ruan Jingliu’s brother.

Although she hadn’t met him, she’d heard about him several times from Wan’er and Tiancheng. Her impression wasn’t particularly positive, but she recognized him as someone who understood the times.

Among the candidates mentioned by Fourth Master Xiao, Xiqiu noticed they were either from the Ruan Family of Marquis Jinxiang or closely related to Marquis Zhongshan of Huainan, all of them from Ruan Le’s lineage.

Xiqiu set down the teacup as Chunliu brought some snacks: "Madam ate little this morning, have some snacks to fill up." After speaking, she handed over the water chestnut and lotus paste pastries. Bihuai, seeing Xiqiu nod, wiped her hands with a handkerchief and used chopsticks to serve a piece onto a small plate. Xiqiu ate two pieces before waving her hand, saying: "No more, no more. If I eat any more, I really won’t be able to walk." She looked down and couldn’t see her toes anymore.

"Then please drink this cup of goat milk. Nanny Cen specifically instructed." Chunliu said with a comforting smile, "You were originally too thin. It’s a good opportunity to gain some weight."

Xiqiu reluctantly drank half a cup before Chunliu and Bihuai finally relaxed.

Fourth Master Xiao saw her pained expression and smiled, "Let’s go for another walk."

Xiqiu agreed, and the two of them strolled side by side down the shaded path. Before long, Nanny Qiu came to pay respects to Xiqiu, focusing on her belly: "The First Young Madam and the Seventh Young Madam were concerned, so they sent me to check on you. There’s nothing to worry about. After seeing you, I can assure them you’re fine and will report back to them."

Xiqiu smiled and asked, "How is Xing doing?" Recently there had been a smallpox outbreak.

"It’s all right now. We really have to thank Nurse Zhang. Otherwise, who knows how much more suffering there might have been." Nanny Qiu sighed as she spoke, and Xiqiu smiled and asked about Mrs. Chen. Nanny Qiu replied, "She hasn’t conceived yet, but she looks well and should be fine."

Xiqiu felt relieved and chatted with Nanny Qiu for a while about Tong Xihua before letting Chunliu see Nanny Qiu out.

After talking for a long time and walking several laps in the courtyard, Xiqiu’s feet swelled up like buns. With difficulty, Chunliu removed her shoes, and Xiqiu reached to feel the top of her foot, pressing a finger into it, leaving a dent. She shook her head, smiling: "You could probably hold a cup of water there."

"I remember not having swollen feet when carrying Young Master Zhi, only in the last few days before birth did my feet look like this, but now they’re like this already." Though she had given birth before, she still lacked experience: "Should we ask Nanny Cen for advice?"

Xiqiu, with some obstetrics knowledge, smiled and said, "No need, just help me rub them, my knees feel particularly sore."

"All right." Chunliu sat on the edge of the bed, lifting Xiqiu’s legs onto her lap and gently massaging them, noticing not just her feet, but both legs were swollen as well.

"Much better." Xiqiu sighed comfortably as she leaned back, rubbing her belly, "It’ll be seven months after this month’s end, just two more to go." Chunliu laughed foolishly, nodding: "It would be nice if it’s a girl, forming a ’good’ character."

Xiqiu smiled softly, having often thought of wanting a daughter before her pregnancy, but once pregnant, she felt that as long as the child was born healthy and grew up safely, the gender didn’t matter.

As they talked, Xiqiu was already drowsy and fell asleep.

"What’s wrong?" Fourth Master Xiao, having changed his clothes, came in to find Chunliu massaging Xiqiu’s legs, with Xiqiu clutching a blanket and asleep in the corner, her face showing fatigue. He frowned with concern, and Chunliu stood up, paying her respects, explaining, "Madam said her legs were sore, so I was massaging them." She paused, then whispered, "She just fell asleep."

Xiqiu slightly nodded, her eyes falling on Xiqiu’s swollen legs and feet, and gestured to Chunliu: "Go tend to your other duties." Once Chunliu stepped aside, he sat in the place Chunliu had vacated, carefully holding Xiqiu’s feet in his hands. Chunliu awkwardly averted her gaze, quietly exited the room, and closed the door behind her.