"Madam Shen." Xiqiu smiled as she welcomed her in: "You are certainly a rare guest."

Madam Shen was dressed in a crimson gown with gold borders on her overcoat and a parrot-green Lan Border Skirt, her hair styled in a peony bun adorned with a Jade Butterfly hairpin, a comb with deep red coral and two pink Gu Rong silk flowers. After two years, she hadn’t changed at all but appeared even more charming and beautiful than before.

"I’ve always wanted to visit, but truly couldn’t leave the house." Madam Shen walked over with a warm smile and took Xiqiu’s hand: "Like you, my two children always need tending to, keeping me busy!"

Xiqiu agreed, leading her into the secondary room: "Exactly as you said."

Bihuai and Biwu had already tidied the room. Bihuai presented tea, and Madam Shen, sitting on the rose bed, glanced around before nodding in approval: "Truly exquisite!" as if she had heard of it before.

"It’s just randomly arranged, quite messy!" Xiqiu laughed and said: "Please, have some tea."

Madam Shen laughed, took her tea, and talked about various things before turning the subject to reading companions: "My Li is too young." She sighed: "It’s a great honor from the Emperor and Empress to let him be a reading companion, but I’m worried he’s too young and might cause trouble in the palace without knowing any better."

"You’re too modest; I’ve met Li, and he’s a well-mannered, humble boy thanks to your teachings." Xiqiu nodded and said: "So, you can rest assured."

Madam Shen sighed: "Thank you for your kind words. I just hope that boy won’t act foolishly." Smiling, she looked at Xiqiu with envy and said: "Actually, you can truly be at ease. Everyone praises you, saying you raised your stepson as well as any biological child. He conducts himself gracefully and is smart and studious. That’s truly remarkable!"

Xiqiu blushed slightly: "I hardly taught him; Min was raised under his grandmother’s care, and if any teaching was done, it’s thanks to the Grand Dowager. I wouldn’t dare take credit!"

Madam Shen paused, glanced deeply at Xiqiu, and nodded with a smile before asking: "Speaking of the Grand Dowager, I haven’t visited her in a while. Is her health well?" Xiqiu nodded in reply: "Her health isn’t ideal; she’s constantly on medication!"

"Ah, my mother-in-law is the same. Over the years, her health has worsened, and it worries me deeply." Madam Shen shook her head and said: "I heard Madam Pang is pregnant again? She’s truly blessed; Lord Pang dotes on her, and there isn’t even a concubine in the house, making everyone envious!" She paused and continued: "How is the Marquis?"

Xiqiu replied sequentially: "My aunt is fortunate indeed, and my uncle does treat her well." She paused, drank some tea, and said: "I haven’t seen the Marquis in a while either."

Madam Shen sighed upon hearing this: "The Marquis really works hard, but doesn’t have anyone to care for him at home." She expressed with emotion: "A concubine is after all a concubine, nowhere near as attentive as a lawful wife!"

Xiqiu paused, looked at Madam Shen, who was sipping her tea as if her previous words were casually spoken, her eyes briefly narrowing, deciding not to respond.

Madam Shen, seeing Xiqiu’s silence, brought up Min again: "Is your son around? I thought of having our sons meet before the tutorial begins, so they can get acquainted and support each other."

"Madam, you’re wise." Xiqiu nodded: "But he’s currently at the study hall in the outer courtyard. Would you like me to fetch him?" Madam Shen waved her hand: "No need, no need; interrupting him for this would be inappropriate."

Xiqiu didn’t insist.

Madam Shen sat for a while longer before standing to leave: "Actually, there wasn’t much reason for my visit other than wanting to chat with you." She paused and continued: "I should head back; soon the children will be restless again."

"Do visit often!" Xiqiu saw her out, watching Madam Shen’s departure with a puzzled expression, wondering if she’d come solely to discuss their children’s companionship.

Or was there an underlying message?

She furrowed her brow as she returned indoors, asking Bihuai to fetch materials while discussing attire sewing with Biwu for Min. Zhi ran in from outside, sweating profusely, holding the Oriole, which chirped incessantly. Excitedly he exclaimed: "Mom, the Oriole sang, it sang!"

Xiqiu laid down her needlework, knelt in front of him, and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief: "Yes, I heard it, it’s beautiful!" She paused and asked: "Where did you go just now?"

Zhi replied cheerfully: "Secret!" Xiqiu was taken aback, asking: "Secret? Even from me?"

Zhi nodded seriously, saying: "Big brother and second brother said it’s a secret from you!" Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and tickled under Zhi’s armpit: "Is it really a secret?"

Zhi bit his lip, his face turning rosy red: "I’m not ticklish; Dad said men shouldn’t be ticklish!" But nonetheless, his small body squirmed.

Fourth Master Xiao couldn’t have told him that, probably learned it somewhere else. Watching him, Xiqiu found his demeanor incredibly amusing, pulling him close and playing on the rose bed.

Bihuai and Biwu laughed along.

Ziyang used a cotton gauze to sieve the mung beans, pouring the chilled green bean soup into a cup. Lyuzhi peeked in: "Sister Ziyang, what are you doing?"

"Young Master Min dislikes mung beans." Carefully, Ziyang put the cup back into the ice block, straightened up, and replied to Lyuzhi: "Why are you free? Where’s second young master?"

"He’s in Madam’s room, I’m here for a snack." She took some snacks left for the maids and asked about the soup cup: "Sister Ziyang, soon Sister Chunliu will be married, and when she returns, might receive a promotion as housekeeper, leaving Madam’s room understaffed. Do you think Madam will select a few maids to join her?"

Ziyang was slicing a watermelon casually replied: "Perhaps, you’ve been here for years; you’re not too old, Madam might choose you this time."

Lyuzhi beamed but noticing Ziyang’s calm demeanor asked: "What about you, don’t you want to serve Madam personally?"

"Here!" Ziyang handed her a slice of watermelon and sat down on a small stool, shaking her head: "I’m already sixteen, if I wasn’t picked earlier, it’s unlikely I’ll be chosen later; I stopped dreaming about it a long time ago." She paused, took a bite of watermelon, pivoted the topic: "It’s very sweet, eat up!"