Caixia and Liufu were taken aback, looking at Xiqiu who had arrived unexpectedly. Xiqiu asked, "Is the Seventh Young Master here?"

Caixia nodded, "He is, he is." Xiqiu said to Liufu, "Go make me a cup of tea. I want to have a word with the Seventh Young Master. You two stay in the courtyard and don’t let anyone come in."

Liufu and Caixia exchanged a glance, nodding anxiously.

"Sixth Sister." Tong Minzhi heard the noise outside and ran out of the room, wearing a sea-blue pattern robe. His appearance had transformed from the playful child in her memory to a tall and handsome young man, now at the age for discussing marriage. The sudden passage of time bewildered her.

"Sister, what’s wrong?" Tong Minzhi walked over and looked at Xiqiu, "Has something happened?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Xiqiu returned to her senses, smiling and shaking her head, "Nothing, I just have something I want to talk to you about." Tong Minzhi nodded, "Then let’s go inside to talk." He turned to Liufu, "Make tea for the Sixth Lady."

Xiqiu and Tong Minzhi entered the study, where the desk was set with brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone. Books lined with bookmarks lay to the left, with an unfinished calligraphy piece on Xuan paper placed there. Xiqiu sat in a chair by the table and asked, "Were you practicing calligraphy just now?"

Tong Minzhi took the tea Liufu had made and handed it to Xiqiu, closing the door and replied, "Yes, father says my characters are too graceful and lack strength, so he asked me to practice more."

Xiqiu leaned forward to take a look, "They are indeed quite graceful." Tong Minzhi touched his neck, laughing bashfully, prompting Xiqiu to say, "But they’re quite pleasing to the eye. You’ve made great progress compared to before; seems you’ve put in considerable effort."

Tong Minzhi blushed and sat down beside Xiqiu, asking, "Sister, you said you had something to tell me, what is it?" His expression was naive and puzzled.

Xiqiu sipped her tea, paused, and said pensively, "It’s nothing, I just came back from Marquis Jinxiang Mansion and thought I’d stop by to see you."

Tong Minzhi’s expression remained unchanged as he nodded, "Oh, I thought there might be something the matter." Xiqiu observed his expression and continued, "There’s turmoil at Marquis Jinxiang Mansion; Madam Le is ill. I didn’t stay long before coming back."

"Madam Le is ill?" Tong Minzhi was surprised, "She was fine a few days ago, how did she fall ill again?"

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow, curiously looking at Tong Minzhi, "How do you know she was fine a few days ago? Since when did you concern yourself with other households’ affairs?"

Tong Minzhi was taken aback, quickly waving his hand, "No... no." While speaking, seeing Xiqiu’s piercing gaze and remembering her sudden visit, he was startled and countered, "Sister, do you know something?"

Xiqiu remained silent, with a look that suggested she was waiting for him to speak.

Tong Minzhi understood; Xiqiu must know everything. He lowered his head, embarrassed, "Actually... actually Le Yao told me. She writes me letters about family matters, and that’s how I knew."

"Oh?" Xiqiu seemed quite curious, "How did you two get in touch?"

"Enough, enough." Tong Minzhi seemed resigned, "I didn’t tell you or the concubine because I was afraid you’d overthink it. I’m telling you everything now." He continued, "It was that day, after meeting at your place, Le Yao sent me letters to the academy. I hesitated at first, thinking it was inappropriate and didn’t reply. Later, she sent a letter every day, either to home or to the academy. I was afraid others would find out, so I wrote back telling her not to write anymore. It wasn’t a big deal for me, but for her, a girl, losing her reputation would be bad..."

Xiqiu listened intently, and Tong Minzhi went on, "Then during the Ghost Festival, she went to the temple fair, saying she’d wait for me there. If I didn’t go, she wouldn’t return and would come to the mansion to find me." He paused and looked at Xiqiu, "You may not know her temperament; she’s the kind who does what she says. I really feared she’d come to the door and father would find out, so I went to accompany her and Miss Ruan to stroll the fair... But she stayed inside the carriage, and I was outside; we hardly said a few words."

Xiqiu finally grasped the entire situation; no wonder the concubine said Tong Minzhi was corresponding with a young lady, turns out it was Le Yao.

"Sister!" Tong Minzhi said earnestly, "It’s really just like this, but she hasn’t sent any letters lately, it’s what puzzled me earlier."

Xiqiu set down her teacup, looking at Tong Minzhi, "She likely can’t write to you; Madam Le is returning to Huainan tomorrow."

Tong Minzhi was startled, murmuring, "...Returning, huh..." After speaking, he lowered his head without finishing the sentence.

Could it be he’s developed feelings?

"Seventh Brother?" Xiqiu asked softly, "You two..." She pondered how to discuss this without hurting Tong Minzhi’s pride.

"Sister!" Tong Minzhi appeared somewhat sad, his head lowered, "Don’t say anymore, I know what you’re trying to ask." He said, standing up, walking to the bookshelf, then suddenly turning back, "I do have some affection for her, but it’s limited to fondness, I have no inappropriate intentions, truly!" Worried that Xiqiu wouldn’t believe him, he stepped forward to grab her hand, "I assure you."

Xiqiu looked at him with compassion, patting his hand, tears long held back fell down. It wasn’t that she objected, nor because she found Le Yao undesirable; it was Le Yao’s inquiry, if she cared about the disparity in family status, and the truth was, she did care, deeply!

The saying goes, "Marry up for a bride, marry down for a daughter," but the status gap between the Tong Family and Le Family was too great; Tong Minzhi also being born of a concubine, their identities were worlds apart. She didn’t want Tong Minzhi to spend a lifetime oppressed by a noble bride and her family.

Moreover, even if ignoring other factors, as Madam Ruan said, Le Yao was favored dearly by Madam Le; how could she bear to let her daughter marry far? The Le Family might propose a consort marriage, given First Master’s temperament, his son’s consort marriage would be impossible to accept, leading to much suffering. Even if First Master agreed, Tong Minzhi would have to endure the grievances of being a consort in Huainan, which she doesn’t wish for him to experience.

Love is beautiful, but reality cannot be ignored.

He is still young, with a long future ahead. She hopes he can marry a woman with a lower status, to care for the home, respect her husband, and be proud of his achievements, recognizing and facing his identity.

"Sister!" Seeing Xiqiu cry, Tong Minzhi’s expression changed, "Did they say something unpleasant, upset you?"

Xiqiu shook her head, "No... no." She held Tong Minzhi’s hand, "I haven’t been wronged, just feeling sad inside."

"Sister, I was wrong, it was foolish of me to associate with her." Tong Minzhi’s eyes turned red, filled with guilt, "I truly had no inappropriate thoughts, I was just... curious, really just that, sorry!"

"I know, I know." Xiqiu nodded, "I know my brother is measured; I’m just momentarily emotional, no grievances at all. Besides, nowadays, who would dare mistreat me, isn’t your brother-in-law still around." She said, forcing a smile.

Tong Minzhi’s face showed loss and helplessness, he firmly gripped Xiqiu’s hand, "I know my position, I knew from the beginning, so I never harbored other thoughts." Shaking his head, owning his guilt, "No... no... it must be they said something unpleasant, or why would you cry? In so many years, I haven’t seen you cry more than a few times."

"Sister... I’m sorry, because of me you were wronged."

Xiqiu touched his face, feeling deeply saddened, unable to speak for a moment, finally she said after pondering, "Truly no, Le Yao not wanting to return to Huainan, so I tried to persuade her. She mentioned you... that’s why I came back; don’t overthink, sister hasn’t suffered."

Tong Minzhi was skeptical, asking Xiqiu, "Is there something you want me to do? I’ll write her a letter, explain I have no other intentions?" Already understanding Xiqiu’s meaning.

Xiqiu wiped her tears, smiling, "Don’t worry about it; I’ll handle it for you. Focus on studying, the provincial exams are coming soon; you mentioned taking two tests next year, sister awaits your good news."

Tong Minzhi looked at her, feelings complex, nodding deeply.