Chapter 895: Chapter 893: Each to Their Own (Part 3)

Old Madam Shen nodded with satisfaction.

Xiqiu invited Fourth Master Xiao and Min into the room, carefully looking Min over from top to bottom, and only when she confirmed that he was unharmed did she breathe a sigh of relief, "Was everything smooth?"

"Smooth!" Min replied with a cheerful smile, "Scholar Dai and Uncle were very good with their teachings!"

Xiqiu nodded and asked, "How did you get along with the Eldest Prince and Mr. Shen?" Min paused, recalling the Eldest Prince’s gaze, and replied with a smile, "The Eldest Prince is approachable, Mr. Shen is smart and adorable. We got along very well, Mother, you can rest assured, everything is fine."

Seeing Min genuinely relaxed, Xiqiu felt a bit more at ease, but couldn’t help glancing at Fourth Master Xiao for confirmation. Fourth Master Xiao looked over at her but remained expressionless and silent. Noticing Xiqiu’s concern, Min tugged on her sleeve and said with a smile, "Mother, I’m hungry. I had lunch in the side hall," he hesitated, embarrassed, "...I didn’t get full!"

Xiqiu was taken aback and frowned, "Were you feeling a bit shy?" Min nodded.

"Then let’s have dinner now." Xiqiu turned to Nanny Cen and said, "Set the table here, and go fetch Zhi back." Nanny Cen acknowledged.

Xiqiu turned around, picked up some pastries from the table, and gave them to Min, "Eat a piece to tide you over for now, then wash your hands and we’ll have dinner soon."

Min accepted the pastry with a smile and took a bite, finding it exceptionally fragrant and delicious.

Fourth Master Xiao was seated to the side and glanced at Xiqiu. Xiqiu was examining Min’s schoolbag, and suddenly had an idea, "Tonight I’ll add a compartment here to keep some snacks. If you get hungry, you can find a secluded spot and eat something to tide you over!"

Min nodded repeatedly, but Fourth Master Xiao smiled and said, "The side hall is stocked with food. If he’s hungry, Erquan or Wuzhong can bring him some. There’s no need to make such a fuss."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Min, whose lips moved slightly. Xiqiu immediately understood; he was probably too shy to go next door for food.

After all, it’s different with the Eldest Prince and Shen Wenli. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Zhi ran in from outside, greeted Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu, and then snuggled up to Min, "Third Brother, was the palace fun? Did you see that really strange prince?"

Min was taken aback, and Zhi explained, "I saw him last time, and the way he looks at people is so strange, like... like..." struggling to find the word, Min gently tapped Zhi’s head and softly added in his ear, "Like a sharp arrow?"

Zhi nodded, "Yes!" The brothers laughed together.

Fourth Master Xiao coughed, and they immediately fell silent, exchanging wide-eyed glances, suppressing their laughter.

Xiqiu also chuckled softly. After a while, Nanny Cen brought in the meal. The family sat down to eat and drank tea afterward. Xiqiu asked Fourth Master Xiao, "I want to visit Mother, and bring Min along. She must be missing him."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, "It’s good to visit, so she doesn’t let her imagination run wild." Then he turned to Zhi, "Do you want to go with Mother to see Grandmother or stay home with me?"

Without thinking, Zhi replied, "I’ll go with Mother to see Grandmother."

Fourth Master Xiao frowned seriously, and Xiqiu couldn’t help but laugh, suggesting, "Fourth Master, why don’t you come with us? We can leave and return earlier, what do you think?"

After playfully bantering with Zhi, he agreed, "Let’s go, I’ll have Tiancheng prepare the carriage!" and then he exited the room.

Xiqiu told Min, "Go change your clothes first. Can you do your homework after we get back?"

Min nodded in agreement and took Erquan and Wuzhong to Rong’en Courtyard to change. Meanwhile, Xiqiu helped Zhi change his clothes, and the family rode the carriage to the Marquis Mansion.

The Grand Dowager indeed seemed anxious. As soon as she saw Xiqiu, she asked, "Did Min come with you?"

"Grandmother!" Min rushed over with a smile. The Grand Dowager immediately pulled him in for a good look, and asked, "Were you mistreated?"

"Grandmother, I’m well, not mistreated at all!" Min said with a smile while sitting beside the Grand Dowager, adding, "I’ve grown up and can take care of myself."

The Grand Dowager looked at him lovingly, nodding, "Our Min is truly good!" but she couldn’t help but glance at Fourth Master Xiao, "Look at what you’ve done. Although the scholars speak well, the tutors at home aren’t lacking either. If I find out he’s been mistreated, I’ll hold you accountable."

Fourth Master Xiao shifted uncomfortably under her reprimand, and Xiqiu laughed, "Mother, this was the Emperor’s decision. Fourth Master didn’t have a choice..."

The Grand Dowager understood but couldn’t help feeling uneasy about her beloved grandson having to accompany someone else in studies, even if it was the Eldest Prince. So she redirected her attention to talk to Min instead of continuing to criticize the children’s father.

Xiqiu gave a resigned smile; in the past, the Grand Dowager wouldn’t have spoken like this, but now...

"Grandmother!" Zhi tugged on the Grand Dowager’s clothing, "Where are Big Brother and Second Brother?"

"Oh, I nearly forgot about our Zhi," the Grand Dowager hugged him and gave him a peck, "You little rascal, two days without seeing Grandmother and you don’t ask how I’m doing!"

Zhi laughed and hugged the Grand Dowager, "So, how are you, Grandmother?"

The Grand Dowager laughed heartily, tapping Zhi on the forehead, "I’m fine, Grandmother is great with all of you." She paused and instructed Ziwei, "Go call the two boys over!"

Ziwei acknowledged and left. Before long, Xing and Sheng came running, greeted Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu, and Xiqiu asked Xing, "I haven’t seen much of you lately. Is your coursework stressful?"

Xing replied, "Not too stressful, but I’ve been going out with Father to meet guests when I have free time, so I haven’t had a chance to visit." He spoke reluctantly, and Xiqiu nodded, knowing Xing never liked such matters. With a sigh, she recalled that he is the future head of the Marquis Mansion, and such social engagements are inevitable. Xiao Yan must have brought Xing along with this in mind.

"Min, was Scholar Dai’s lecture good? Mr. Song said Scholar Dai is a Triple Champion and has a vast amount of knowledge. Is that true?" Xing asked curiously.

Min nodded, "His lecture was good, but not as interesting as Mr. Song’s and Mr. Ji’s." Xing nodded thoughtfully, while Sheng interjected with some boredom, "What’s so good about it? Those old scholars just know how to teach by rote!"