The maid replied, and Xiqiu instructed Nanny Cen to reward her and send her out.

"Fourth Master." Coincidentally, Fourth Master Xiao entered, and Xiqiu couldn’t wait to share the good news: "Just now, a maid from the Qin Mansion came to announce a joyful event, saying Sister Jingliu is pregnant." She paused and added, "I’m not sure if she has a capable nanny by her side. I plan to send Nanny Rong over to assist her. What do you think?"

Fourth Master Xiao wasn’t as excited as Xiqiu but showed a surprised expression, somewhat unable to associate Ruan Jingliu with pregnancy. Seeing Xiqiu so happy, he still replied, "You decide."

Xiqiu acknowledged and immediately called in Nanny Rong. After a round of instructions, she let Nanny Rong go to the Qin Mansion today. Nanny Rong complied and went back to pack her belongings before heading to the Qin Mansion.

"Fourth Master, were you in the outer courtyard just now?" Despite resting these days, Fourth Master Xiao still had many matters to deal with, so he spent the mornings in the outer courtyard entertaining guests, and in the afternoons, he stayed in the mansion to accompany her. Fourth Master Xiao replied when Xiqiu asked, "Yes."

"Who came? Was there any issue?" Xiqiu sat beside him, and Fourth Master Xiao said, "It was Wenxian. He mentioned that the Emperor appointed the governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, being Count Dingyuan Chen Hui and Imperial Censor Ruan Bosong."

Indeed, as Fourth Master Xiao had anticipated, the Emperor appointed these two individuals.

"That’s good. The Emperor always has reasons for his actions, and this time is certainly no exception." After speaking calmly, Xiqiu asked, "Did you see Zhi when you came?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly, supporting Xiqiu onto the rose bed, and said seriously, "Master Hua approached me, talking about Zhi’s martial arts practice." Xiqiu got startled, thinking something happened to Zhi, and asked, "What did he say?"

"He asked to resign." Fourth Master Xiao slowly said, "From his tone, he seemed to feel that he had nothing more to teach Zhi, and also thought that Zhi’s rare talent in martial arts shouldn’t be wasted."

Xiqiu showed a thoughtful look, not knowing if she initially had some resistance; she had never cared about Zhi’s martial arts matters. But she did know a bit about Master Hua, having heard from Tong Quanzi that among their military officers, Master Hua’s martial arts were top-notch, which is why he volunteered to teach Zhi.

But unexpectedly, after only a few years, Master Hua, known for his outstanding skills, no longer had the ability to teach Zhi.

"What should we do then? Should we find another master for him?" Since Master Hua mentioned it, he shouldn’t be pressed too hard. She asked Fourth Master Xiao, "Do you have anyone in mind, Fourth Master?"

Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyebrows, thought for a while, and replied, "I’ll think about it further; there’s no rush at the moment."

It might be good for Zhi to take a break; Xiqiu nodded in agreement, "I suppose Zhi will be upset for a few days."

Sure enough, when Zhi returned in the evening, he was indeed downcast, dragging Fourth Master Xiao to the adjacent room. Later, Xiqiu learned from Fourth Master Xiao that Zhi seriously discussed inviting a new martial arts teacher with him, but Fourth Master Xiao turned him down, saying to wait for two months, as there’s currently no suitable candidate.

Zhi seemed fine and didn’t insist on discussing the topic any further. Later, he was practicing alone in the courtyard, refining what Master Hua had taught.

A few days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Count Dingyuan Chen Hui and Ruan Bosong, with great fanfare, first went to Tongzhou, then took a ship to Jiangnan. Unexpectedly, what seemed like a task of gaining credit turned into a bizarre and laughable event, even though achievements were indeed made.

On the eighth day of August, Xiqiu, supported by Bihuai, ate breakfast as usual and went for a walk in the courtyard. Zhi, sweating all over, came in from outside, and Xiqiu went over with a handkerchief to wipe his sweat: "Go take a shower; you’re covered in sweat."

"Got it." Zhi smiled and said, "Mom, can I go enjoy the lanterns this Mid-Autumn Festival?"

Xiqiu nodded, said, "Sure, but you need to bring enough people along with you."

Zhi agreed, smilingly nodded, "Tianjing and Tiancheng are busy, so I’ll let Su Quansheng accompany me; he’s honest and careful."

Su Quansheng, how could she forget about him?

She remembered Su Quansheng seemed like a teenager when he entered the mansion; now he should be around twenty. She kept him to stabilize Su Dazhuang, and, since it’s like this, isn’t there an even better plan?

She thought and turned to look at Bihuai, having already formulated a plan.

Bihuai felt uneasy being stared at by Xiqiu and asked, "Ma’am, why are you looking at me?"

Xiqiu snapped out of her thoughts, smiled, and asked Bihuai, "Are you eighteen this year?" Bihuai was stunned, replied, "Nanny entered the mansion with Biwu when ten, so yes, eighteen now." She looked at Xiqiu, puzzled, not knowing what she meant.

"Nothing, just asking." Xiqiu lightly chuckled, already having a plan.

Bihuai pursed her lips, noticing Xiqiu’s unwillingness to say more. Though puzzled, she dared not ask further. Just then, she saw Fourth Master Xiao approaching, so she let go of Xiqiu and bowed: "Fourth Master." Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly, went over to support Xiqiu and, while walking, said, "Guests left?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly, "You’ve taken a stroll?" Xiqiu replied, and Fourth Master Xiao noticed her swollen feet, "Let’s go back to rest for a while."

Xiqiu indeed felt a bit tired, nodded and agreed. The two entered the courtyard, and Xiqiu lifted her foot to cross the steps, feeling her dress tugging at her leg. She bent over slightly to lift her skirt when suddenly a hot flow ran downwards, flowing from her thighs to her ankles.

Xiqiu’s face changed, standing still without daring to move, having experienced this once before, she understood very well what the situation indicated.

Fourth Master Xiao was stunned, looking back at her, "What’s wrong?" Only then noticed Xiqiu’s face turning pale, showing tension: "Are you not feeling well somewhere?"

Xiqiu tightly clutched his finger, slowly shifting her gaze to Fourth Master Xiao: "Fourth Master, I fear I’m about to give birth; you should quickly call for a midwife and doctor."

His expression paused, Fourth Master Xiao almost couldn’t stand; commanding thousands in a battlefield did not equate to the panic and worry he had never experienced now, stumbling over his words, he asked, "Is it... time?"

Xiqiu nodded, while Bihuai’s face changed, too: "Nanny Cen, Chunliu, Lyuzhi." She randomly shouted out, then hurried over to support Xiqiu, babbling words.

"I’ll carry you inside first." Fourth Master Xiao tried to steady his nerves, simultaneously instructing Bihuai to fetch a doctor and midwife, while he lifted Xiqiu in his arms, heading towards the main house, Xiqiu stopped him: "Go to the side room." Hearing this, Fourth Master Xiao turned directly to the side room and laid Xiqiu flat on the bed.

"She’s bleeding." Nanny Cen, after washing her hands, checked and reported with a pale face.

Everyone was caught off guard. No one had expected Xiqiu to give birth at this time, so although the midwife and nanny were arranged, they hadn’t been invited into the mansion yet.

Leaving everyone momentarily flustered, Nanny Cen composed herself and busily instructed people to report to the Grand Dowager at the Marquis Mansion, while arranging for hot water to be prepared and for some food to be ready for Xiqiu. Childbirth is a battle of physical and mental stamina, and despite the bleeding, it wasn’t clear when the baby would be born, so Xiqiu needed to eat well beforehand to conserve her strength.