"Yes!" Min responded with a clasped fist.

Fourth Master Xiao, with hands behind his back, left the room and returned to the main hall. Xiqiu asked, "Is Min doing well?"

"Yes." Fourth Master Xiao recounted Min’s attitude to Xiqiu, "He understands and has accepted it!"

Xiqiu sighed and sat down on a chair, saying to Fourth Master Xiao, "When you went to see Min earlier, I went to the storeroom and found two snuff bottles. If you have time tomorrow, could you give them to Chief Chang?"

Fourth Master Xiao glanced over the two snuff bottles on the table and said with a smile, "I’ve already taken care of things with Chief Chang, don’t worry." He then pointed to the snuff bottles on the table: "Perhaps save them for next time!"

Xiqiu was momentarily stunned, surprised that Fourth Master Xiao had already arranged everything, and asked, "Did you also give a snuff bottle?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded naturally: "I happened to have one, so I gave it to him!"

Xiqiu consented and instructed Bihuai to store the two snuff bottles for next year.

The next day, the news that Min would be entering the palace as a reading companion was widely known. Madam Qian was grumbling when she visited: "Why was Min chosen? Being a reading companion is no easy task. The teachers wouldn’t dare scold the Prince, so they take it out on the reading companion who can offend them. Despite the Great Governor’s status, one can’t fathom what kind of tricks they might employ to make things difficult." She expressed her lasting frustration, "I even discussed this with the Lord yesterday. Why didn’t he cooperate with Fourth Master and Marquis Xuanning to bargain. There are so many family’s children, and it’s feasible to remove Min, yet these two just accepted the decree, sending the boy into..." she lowered her voice and mumbled to Xiqiu, "into the lion’s den."

Xiqiu found her furious expression amusing. Madam Qian, realizing she might be overreacting, tossed and turned but couldn’t help but say, "Don’t blame me for meddling, but the matter of Consort Le really angered me. Their Shen Family has been too oppressive, pressing us down matter by matter. Now they’ve even set their sights on this." She slapped the table and exclaimed, "In the future, if Min remains in the palace and grows close to the Eldest Prince, will we have to bow down to the Shen as our leader? Hmph!"

"Alright, alright." Xiqiu offered her tea: "Calm down. Although apparently there’s no benefit, since it’s an order directly from the Emperor, we have no sway. It’s better to accept it and find ways to ensure his safety in the palace; otherwise, take one step at a time!"

Madam Qian knew Xiqiu was speaking reasonably, but she couldn’t dismiss the frustration inside: "You are just too easy-going, even the fourth master in recent years is not as sharp as before, hiding his talents and getting restrained by others!"

Xiqiu found her outraged expression amusing and smiled. Madam Qian saw Xiqiu smile and, despite trying to stay serious, couldn’t help but smile as well. She waved it off: "Alright, alright, I won’t say more, I won’t say more!" Then sighed: "Tomorrow I’ll send a message to Consort Le for her to arrange people beside Min, to watch over him."

"Thank you, Madam!" Xiqiu said with a smile.

Madam Qian patted her hand, feigning annoyance: "Between you and me, why say such polite things?" She stood up and said to Xiqiu: "I still need to return to my family..." She leaned close to Xiqiu’s ear and whispered, "I quarreled with the Lord last night, let him search for me, then I’ll go back."

Xiqiu pursed her lips and smiled lightly, nodding: "The Lord should be returning around noon, maybe he’s already looking for you outside."

Madam Qian covered her face and laughed softly: "Let him search." She said this as she left.

Madam Qian hadn’t left for long before Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan arrived. Madam Jiang held Xiqiu’s hand and said, "I heard from the master that it was the Emperor himself who decided this. He apparently spotted Min during a visit to an outer courtyard and found the child smart and sensible...it’s comforting that the master is present, though he may not do much, it’s reassuring to have him close."

Xiqiu responded agreeing, nodding: "After hearing last night that brother is appointed Assistant Lecturer, I’m much more at ease; otherwise, if Min were alone in the palace, I couldn’t rest easy."

Tong Xiyan admired: "Father said being a reading companion for the Prince is not entirely without benefit. The position of Grand Tutor is held by Lord Wu and Grand Scholar Dai, who once achieved Triple Champion, his scholarship is unmatched in Great Zhou, and his historical views are uniquely insightful. If Min could learn from them, it would certainly benefit him in the future."

Fourth Master Xiao mentioned this last night; Xiqiu nodded: "I’ve heard of Grand Scholar Dai’s reputation, Min was thrilled upon hearing his name as well, he told me, Mr. Ji holds him in high regard!"

Tong Xiyan smiled slightly, saying to Madam Jiang: "Yes, going to school and coming back together with brother will be good!"

Madam Jiang also nodded slightly.

Xiqiu then conversed with Tong Xiyan about visiting the Zhou Residence, recalling Zhi mentioning the fourth uncle, Tong Xiyan’s face turned red, and he said: "I’ll head back now!" Madam Jiang chuckled, and together with Tong Xiyan, they bid farewell to Xiqiu and returned to the Tong Mansion.

Xiqiu, back in the room, instructed Bihuai to fetch various fabrics, and together with Biwu and others, they started tailoring clothes for Min. In the palace, one’s attire shouldn’t be too plain but also not too lavish. From headwear to the items hanging from the belt, even clothing fabrics needed careful consideration, ensuring propriety without causing him embarrassment in public.

She selected colors like sapphire blue, sky blue, and bamboo green, measured the size, intending to make two long robes and one short mantle. Just as she laid out the fabric, Nanny Cen lifted the curtain and announced: "Madam, Madam Shen has arrived!"

Madam Shen, they hadn’t interacted in two years, why did she visit the mansion today?