Min lowered his head after speaking and said, "Mother, I was just talking nonsense."

"You spoke very well." Xiqiu patted his head and said with a smile, "At your age, being able to think this way is quite remarkable. When I was your age, I couldn’t even recognize all the characters."

Min listened and lifted his head, his eyes full of bright light, and he smiled at Xiqiu.

"However, since you understand how to hide your abilities, in the future, only speak such words to your father and me. Do not say much in front of others. Sometimes, one needs to showcase their ability and insight, but at other times, it is necessary to restrain oneself." After a pause, she added, "In my opinion, a person’s talent is not shown through words or appearances but through the accumulation of time. Cultivation, discretion, deep thought, and foresight cannot be demonstrated or expressed in a single moment or word. Do you understand what I mean?"

Min pondered for a while, lowered his brows, thought for a long time, then looked up at Xiqiu and nodded, "Mother, I understand!"

Xiqiu looked at him with relief, nodding and smiling, "Our Min is truly clever." Saying this, she bent down and kissed him on the cheek.

His mother hadn’t shown such affection for many years, and Min’s face immediately turned red. He nodded and said, "I... I’ll go find my brother." Saying this, he tossed down his schoolbag and ran out.

Xiqiu watched his back and chuckled.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was almost August tenth. Chunliu had to leave the mansion early to prepare for her wedding. Xiqiu originally planned for her to get married from Fourth Master Xiao’s old residence. However, Siliu came, with a protruding belly, smiling and saying, "Leave from my place. Chunliu and I are sisters, and my home is also her home. It couldn’t be more appropriate for her to leave from my place."

"This isn’t quite appropriate." Xiqiu frowned and said, "Though you and Chunliu are deeply attached as sisters, your mother-in-law and father-in-law may not be willing. You shouldn’t harm your relationship with your in-laws for Chunliu’s sake."

Chunliu also nodded, "It doesn’t matter where I get married from. You shouldn’t cause any dissatisfaction for Manager Lai and Nanny Lai because of me."

"You two are overthinking." Siliu laughed heartily, "This wasn’t even my idea. My mind isn’t that sharp." Seeing the puzzled looks on Chunliu and Xiqiu’s faces, she added, "It was my mother-in-law’s idea. She said Chunliu and I grew up together, and now that Chunyan is married, only Chunliu is left. They don’t have a daughter and want to recognize Chunliu as theirs."

Chunliu was startled and looked at Xiqiu, who smiled and nodded, "If that’s the case, then don’t disappoint the good intentions of Manager Lai and Nanny Lai." She then looked at Chunliu, "As for whether you acknowledge them as godparents, I won’t decide for you."

Chunliu was momentarily dazed, having never seen her parents, and now, suddenly being asked to acknowledge godparents was indeed somewhat disconcerting.

Siliu, however, laughed and said, "I don’t mind. Why should you?" She paused, "I’m not afraid of having a domineering sister-in-law like you, so why would you be afraid of having a kind sister-in-law like me?"

Hearing this, Chunliu frowned and glowered at Siliu, "You rascal, why does it feel like you have some ulterior motives? Are you feeling you have the upper hand because I’ll have to call you sister-in-law?"

Siliu, with a straightforward expression, said, "Naturally!"

The people in the room laughed. Amidst the playful banter, Chunliu’s eyes turned red, thinking of the difficult days back at the Tong Mansion. Now, thanks to Madam’s grace, they were all living so well. She couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion, holding Siliu’s hand and saying to Xiqiu, "Let’s bring Chunyan back too, and we’ll be complete."

Siliu lowered her head, thinking of Sixing, who now lay alone, wondering if she could see their happiness.

On the next day, Siliu and Fugui personally came to escort Chunliu out of the mansion. Chunliu knelt there, crying like a tearful mess. Xiqiu held her and laughed, "It’s just for a month, why cry like this?"

Chunliu wiped her tears, "I’ve never been away from Madam for so long in all these years. Leaving the mansion like this makes me reluctant." Pausing, she added, "Madam, you promised me that the position of housekeeper remains for me."

Xiqiu chuckled softly and nodded, "I know, I know, besides you, who else could take on the position?" Chunliu smiled amidst her tears.

Biwu and Bihuai were also wiping their eyes on the side. As they supported Chunliu up, Chunliu advised them, "Take good care of Madam. The weather is getting colder, make sure to take care of her leg, which tends to get cold."

"We know." Bihuai responded, crying and laughing, "You’re not leaving for ten years. If you really can’t stand it, just come back early."

Siliu teased from behind, "That won’t do. Our master-in-law will hold you accountable."

After a spell of crying and laughing, Chunliu left the mansion, carrying her bundle and looking back repeatedly. Xiqiu stood at the door, her eyes reddening. Fourth Master Xiao came out, gently holding her waist, saying softly, "They will eventually grow old and leave. You can’t keep them by your side forever. Besides, marriage is a joyous occasion, yet you are making yourself feel melancholic."

Xiqiu leaned against his chest, wiping her tears, "I was just thinking of the past. Seeing each of them happy now is something I never expected." She then looked up at Fourth Master Xiao, pressing her lips with a smile, "Actually, they shouldn’t thank me; they should thank Fourth Master. Without you, how could we, the master and servant, live so peacefully?"

Fourth Master Xiao tapped her nose with a smile, "Silly girl, it should be the other way around. Without you, how would I have such peaceful days?"

Xiqiu smiled lightly, feeling warmth in her heart, hugging him with warmth and emotion.

On August tenth, Chunliu was glamorously married from Manager Lai’s home. It was said that many from the Tong Mansion also attended, and the house in Yangpi Lane was too small. Jin Dairui didn’t have enough people prepared, so Bihuai came back to tell Xiqiu, who then had Nanny Rong bring the mansion’s servants to help, just barely making the banquet complete.

In the evening, Xiqiu had Nanny Rong reward the servants who helped with silver coins, filling the mansion with laughter and joy.

The next day, Xiqiu went to the Marquis Mansion to discuss with the First Madam, "Has Mother said when she’s coming back?"

The First Madam, having run between the two mansions lately and with Old Madam Tang’s health yet to improve, had gotten much thinner. Hearing Xiqiu’s question, she replied, "I asked Nanny Tang to inquire yesterday. Mother said she would return before the Mid-Autumn Festival. I discussed it with my second brother, and we’ll arrange for someone to fetch her back tomorrow."

Xiqiu nodded, asking, "What about Madam Shen?" The First Madam’s gaze shifted as she replied, "I heard that she caught a cold while taking care of Mother in the mountains and plans to have the Imperial Physician see her once back."

Xiqiu already understood in her heart, nodded, and said nothing more.