Xiqiu paused and sighed. In the past, she certainly wouldn’t discuss such matters with Fourth Master Xiao, but now, if she doesn’t consult with him, it feels like skipping an essential step. So, she explained the situation with Le Yao and Tong Minzhi: "It’s understandable for Minzhi to be curious about girls at his age, but discussing marriage is premature. I plan to speak with Le Yao to let her down gently, to avoid any future awkwardness when we meet with Madam Le." It almost felt as if she owed them.

Fourth Master Xiao also did not expect Tong Minzhi to get involved in such matters. He asked, "Have you asked Minzhi for his opinion?" Xiqiu nodded, "I did. He said he wants to focus on his career before considering matters of love."

"You did the right thing. He’s still young, so waiting on marriage won’t hurt." Without sharing Xiqiu’s melancholy, Fourth Master Xiao, noticing her low spirits, consoled her: "Minzhi is more mature than you think. He is not just your little brother to protect anymore; he knows what he wants. There’s no need for you to worry about him."

Xiqiu didn’t speak but instead looked at Fourth Master Xiao: "I heard someone is waiting for you in the outer court; who is it?"

Fourth Master Xiao’s eyes flickered before he replied, "It’s the Fujian Shen Family." On hearing this, Xiqiu was taken aback and grew cautious: "Aren’t they in Fujian? What are they doing in the Capital?"

"Shen Ji secretly sent people to Fujian. With no place to hide, they dispersed from Fujian and came to seek my help to arrange a meeting with the Emperor..." He took a sip of tea and continued, "They also went to the late Empress’s tomb and discovered that the late Empress didn’t die in childbirth, and there were no traces of an infant’s remains among the bones."

"Might they find Min?" Xiqiu furrowed her brows tightly, hoping that Min wouldn’t learn his true origins now: "How did Fourth Master respond?"

Fourth Master Xiao recounted the conversation to Xiqiu, then added: "For now, they haven’t found Min. He then looked at Xiqiu, "Instruct Wuzhong and Erquan to stay with him, and ensure no strangers visit him. I’ll also arrange for additional protection in secret."

"I understand." She paused before asking Fourth Master Xiao: "There’s a banquet in the palace tomorrow, and Min will be there. Will the Shen Family seize the opportunity to enter the palace?" She paused again, "And if they see the Emperor, might the Emperor..." tell them.

The Fujian Shen Family had been repressed for too long, and Xiqiu couldn’t predict how such a group, having been suppressed for so long, would react upon finding the immense hope that Min represented, like discovering a treasure.

"No, they won’t!" Fourth Master Xiao answered firmly. "Shen An is astute and cautious. Otherwise, the Shen Family wouldn’t preserve only his lineage." He paused briefly, "I’ve already arranged for someone to secretly follow them."

Xiqiu nodded and said nothing further.

In the afternoon, Fourth Master Xiao went to the government office, and Xiqiu went to the rear courtyard to find Zhi. As expected, he was not sleeping but practicing his archery, holding a bunch of arrows. Upon seeing Xiqiu come in, he dropped the arrows and pulled Xiqiu along, saying, "Mother, will you teach me poems?"

"Alright." Xiqiu sat with him and asked Wenyu to bring a book. She opened it and, while both leaning against the bed together, repeatedly taught him to read. Zhi was very earnest in his recitations and had a great memory, quickly committing the poem to memory... As he recited, he clenched his teeth and said, "Next time, I’ll surely beat Father."

Xiqiu chuckled softly.

While the mother and son spoke, Bihuai came in from outside and reported, "Madam Ruan has arrived, Madam."

Was it about this morning’s incident?

Xiqiu let Zhi entertain himself before going to the front courtyard. Madam Ruan was sitting on the rose bed, drinking tea, and when she saw Xiqiu enter, she quickly stood up with a smile: "Fourth Madam." Looking somewhat awkward.

"Madam Ruan." Xiqiu approached, "Please, have a seat."

Madam Ruan sat down again, appearing a bit embarrassed, and said: "About this morning, I truly apologize. My sister-in-law initially planned to come, but she couldn’t get out of bed, so I came on her behalf." She paused and held Xiqiu’s hand over the stove table, "We didn’t expect things to blow up like this. Please don’t take it to heart; we meant no harm."

They were worried Xiqiu might mind the low birth status of Tong Minzhi.

However, Xiqiu simply gave a faint smile in response, "You and Madam Le are being too polite. I already spoke with Minzhi, and he also acknowledges his responsibility. Yao shouldn’t be blamed."

Seeing that Xiqiu didn’t seem genuinely upset, Madam Ruan relaxed slightly, smiling, "I feared you might be angry with us!"

Xiqiu softly laughed, shaking her head as she replied, "You think I’m petty?" Madam Ruan chuckled along and said, "Not at all. To be honest, I would overthink things if it were me. It speaks to your generosity." She paused again, "Let’s not dwell on it. My sister-in-law isn’t well, and we plan to leave the day after tomorrow. Let’s not mention it any further, shall we?"

Xiqiu nodded slightly, "I’ll see Madam Le off the day after tomorrow." She paused and spoke to Madam Ruan, "I also promised Yao I would give her an answer."

"So you promised her. That explains why, after you left, she didn’t cry or make a fuss and even apologized to my sister-in-law." She shook her head, "That girl is so persistent!"

Xiqiu pressed her lips and didn’t reply further.

That night, Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao discussed tomorrow night’s trip to the palace: "The Emperor specifically named Min to attend, so we can’t avoid it... Let’s not bring Zhi, shall we? Let him stay at home. What do you think?"

"Alright, in such a crowd, things can easily go wrong, and he’s still young. He’ll be better off at home." Fourth Master Xiao replied.

Xiqiu agreed, and the next day, she sent Zhi to the Marquis Mansion. With the Grand Dowager’s age and an early departure planned with the Empress, and the First Madam’s inconvenience, Xiqiu entrusted Zhi to the care of both the Grand Dowager and First Madam, while taking Min and Xing along with Fourth Master Xiao and Xiao Yanyi to the palace.

"Sister Ziyang, the Madam and Master are not home, and there’s nothing much to do now. How about we play some cards?" Lyuzhi suggested with a smile, "Nanny Cen already agreed to it."

Ziyang replied swiftly, "I’m not feeling well; I’ll go and rest. You play without me." With that, she bypassed Lyuzhi and returned to her room, closing the door behind her.

Lyuzhi pouted before turning to Wenyu, "Why is Sister Ziyang acting so strange today, with such a long face on a festive day?" She then said to Wenyu, "Never mind, I’ll head back to the Mistress’s room and keep watch." Saying that, she put down the cards, took a piece of mooncake from the table, and left while eating it, heading back to her room.

Ziyang’s door opened slightly; she poked her head out to see the coast clear, then carefully carried a bundle outside, taking it to the rear courtyard. Under a shady tree, she knelt down, opening the bundle to reveal a neatly stacked pile of golden ingots. She also brought out a mooncake and a few snacks, placing them on the ground, and lit a flint to burn some paper money...

"Master." She choked, throwing the paper money inside, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I hope you know, and can happily and peacefully enjoy the festival down there." Before she finished her words, she was already crying uncontrollably.

After speaking softly for some time, she wiped away her tears, noticing the moon had risen high in the sky. She packed up her things and returned to her room, changed clothes, and after informing Nanny Cen, left the house.