Chapter 891: Chapter 889: Entering the Palace (2)

"Oh!" Lyuzhi nodded and took a bite, coincidentally seeing Wenyu come in. She greeted her: "Come quickly, Sister Ziyang just cut a watermelon, and it’s so sweet." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Wenyu smiled as she came in, Ziyang wiped her hands and said: "I’m going to the outer court, take your time eating!" With that, she carried out the bowl of green bean soup that had just been chilled.

Wenyu and Lyuzhi watched her leave, and the two of them started giggling and eating in the kitchen.

In the afternoon, Tong Shen Zhi came to the mansion. Xiqiu asked Mrs. Zhou to look after Zhi, and then went with Min to Fourth Master Xiao’s study. Tong Shen Zhi was holding tea and chatting with Fourth Master Xiao. Seeing Xiqiu and Min come in, he nodded slightly. Xiqiu called out: "Brother."

"Sit down." Fourth Master Xiao pointed to the chair. Xiqiu sat next to Fourth Master Xiao, while Min sat at the next seat.

Fourth Master Xiao began to speak: "On the second day of July, we’re going to the palace to officially open the library, and Scholar Dai is teaching the first class?" Tong Shen Zhi nodded at this, and glanced at Min, saying: "At that time, the Emperor and several cabinet ministers will all be there."

Min was taken aback, seeming a bit nervous. He hadn’t expected that several scholars from the Cabinet would attend, and he looked anxiously at Tong Shen Zhi. Tong Shen Zhi, understanding his concern, explained: "You just need to sit quietly. If someone asks you a question, you stand up and respond; if not, just listen attentively."

Min nodded, and Tong Shen Zhi added: "After leaving the library, don’t wander around. I’ll escort you out!"

"Alright," Min agreed, still somewhat uneasy and apprehensive.

Xiqiu looked at Min and comforted him: "Focus on your studies and don’t worry about other matters. As for the Eldest Prince..." She paused: "Just show respect."

Fourth Master Xiao slightly nodded, agreeing with Xiqiu’s words, and added: "...You may have two servants of similar age accompanying you. Erquan is straightforward; let him follow you. Another one I’ve chosen from the Beijing Martial Office, knowledgeable in martial arts, and will enter the mansion tomorrow to accompany you thereafter."

Xiqiu was surprised; she hadn’t expected Fourth Master Xiao to have already arranged the servants around Min. The Beijing Martial Office was where Tong Quanzi’s master had established; it mostly recruited children from humble backgrounds... Choosing a child with some martial skills to accompany him was a good thing.

Min gratefully glanced at Fourth Master Xiao and bowed his head in acknowledgment.

The next day, the child from the martial office entered the mansion. Xiqiu had someone lead him in to take a closer look. His skin was dark, and he seemed very honest, but his eyes were sharp. Xiqiu nodded with satisfaction and asked: "What’s your name?"

He answered: "I don’t have a name; my senior brothers just call me Si’er."

"I see." Xiqiu pondered briefly and asked: "Do you have any family?"

Si’er answered: "I was picked up by my master while begging; my family had long died." With that, he hesitated for a moment and suddenly kowtowed to Xiqiu: "I don’t have a name, I ask Madam to grant me one!"

Xiqiu was taken aback, suddenly laughed, and felt this child was truly sharp and not shy. She nodded and asked: "What is your surname?" Si’er replied with his head down: "I am surnamed Wu, kou-tian Wu!"

"You know how to read?" Xiqiu asked curiously. Si’er shook his head and said: "Replying to Madam, I can’t read, except for the character Wu!"

Not forgetting one’s roots, Xiqiu was very pleased, nodded: "No need for me to name you, since you’ll follow Young Master Min, ask him to give you a name!"

Si’er acknowledged and withdrew. That evening, Min came to tell Xiqiu that he named Si’er Wu Zhong.

The day before going to the study, Xiqiu took Min and Zhi to the Marquis Mansion. The Grand Dowager hugged Min and sighed for a long time. Xiao Yanzheng also came back in a carriage carrying her pregnancy. Although not as worried as the Grand Dowager, she couldn’t help but give many reminders and secretly slipped a big bag of gold ingots to Min: "Don’t be stingy when it comes to rewards."

Min held the heavy pocket and nodded repeatedly.

The Grand Dowager also prepared two pockets of gold ingots and several ordinary jade tokens, letting Min keep them for use. However, the First Madam smiled and said: "It seems you have enough gold ingots; I don’t have much to give you." With that, she took out a box carved with orchid flowers: "Save it, you might use it someday."

Min glanced at Xiqiu, who nodded slightly before he accepted it, presented it with both hands, and saluted the First Madam. Back home, when he opened it, he realized it was several pieces of fine Huizhou ink. The box was filled with a faint scent of ink that lingered for a long time.

"Mr. Ji says Scholar Dai likes Huizhou ink the most." Min said with a smile: "Aunt must want me to give it to Scholar Dai."

Xiqiu smiled and nodded, saying: "Then don’t let Aunt’s thought go to waste." With that, she paused and seated Min: "Once you’re in the palace, it’s not like being at home. Be courteous to everyone you meet, but don’t be overly humble. Some might take advantage of your timidity to give you trouble. Sometimes, you need to show the dignity of the Third Young Master Xiao." She looked seriously at Min: "Even though people may have differences in status, there should be no disparity in dignity. Adhering to etiquette, you have nothing to fear."

Min’s eyes reddened as he nodded: "Mother’s teachings, I will remember."

At 1 a.m. the next day, Xiqiu woke up, thinking today was Min’s first day in the palace. She hurriedly grabbed her clothes and got up and Fourth Master Xiao woke up, looking at her: "Why don’t you sleep a little longer?"

"Can’t sleep." Xiqiu dressed and said: "I’m going to the kitchen to see if they’ll prepare Min’s lunch to take along."

Fourth Master Xiao also smiled as he got out of bed, wearing his inner garments and with his hair down. He bent down to help Xiqiu fasten the buttons in front of her chest and whispered: "You can’t take food into the palace. If you’re really worried, let someone wait outside the palace."

Xiqiu was taken aback, slapping her forehead: "I completely forgot about this." She looked at Fourth Master Xiao and said: "Fourth Master, go spruce up; I’m going to check if Min needs anything else." With that, she went to the washroom, tidied her hair into a bun, and went to Min’s room.

Fourth Master Xiao watched her figure depart, shaking his head in amusement.

When Xiqiu entered Min’s room, Min was already dressed. Xiqiu saw him wearing the new royal blue robe she had made for him. Noticing his empty waist, she pointed to Dongling: "Wear that jade token Madam Le gifted a while ago!"

Dongling acknowledged and quickly retrieved the jade token to put around Min’s waist. Xiqiu looked at it and nodded: "I’ll thread a cord tonight; it’ll do for today." Then she inspected Min’s bookbag: "Is everything ready?"

Min nodded: "I prepared everything per Uncle’s instructions." Xiqiu still checked everything one by one and finally sighed in relief: "Then quickly wash up and join me for breakfast."