Old Madam Shen squinted her eyes, nodded slightly, and said, "I’m aware of it, you don’t need to worry."

Xiqiu leaned on the bed, looking helplessly at Ruan Jingliu and said, "How many times a day do I need acupuncture?" She sighed.

Ruan Jingliu didn’t turn her head, wiped her hands clean again: "I didn’t complain about you being annoying, yet you are complaining about me." After speaking, she turned around and glared at Xiqiu: "I’m really busy!"

Xiqiu chuckled lightly. Ruan Jingliu had stayed at the manor these past few days, bickering and joking with her from time to time. She knew Ruan stayed to prevent her from overthinking. She smiled, "I’m really fine, you don’t need to worry about me."

Ruan Jingliu paid her no mind and said, "Let’s treat you first, otherwise when others know that I am the primary physician if you’re unwell, it will ruin my reputation."

Xiqiu shook her head helplessly and asked, "I heard some days ago that the herbs sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs by Tongxuan Hall were substandard. Have you heard about this matter?"

"I haven’t heard." Ruan Jingliu pressed Xiqiu onto the bed, lifted the quilt to reveal her waist and abdomen, took out the Golden Needle, found the acupuncture point, and inserted it: "Substandard is good, it means no one will compete with us for business."

Xiqiu dared not laugh and looked at her sideways: "...I wonder how they offended you."

Ruan Jingliu pursed her lips and said nothing.

After finishing a round of acupuncture, Xiqiu sat up and drank the medicine. Ruan Jingliu packed up her things and was about to speak when Bihuai appeared at the door with her forehead wrapped, "Madam, Grand Aunt, Fourth Miss, and Madam are here."

Madam is here? Xiqiu was surprised. For so many years, no matter how many times she invited, Madam always said it was inappropriate due to her status and never came. But this time, she came on her own. Xiqiu felt a bit sad yet also happy. If not for her health, Madam might not have come in her entire life.

"Quickly invite them in," Xiqiu said happily and then asked Bihuai, "Help me comb my hair, so it doesn’t look messy and worry them."

Ruan Jingliu finished packing and said to Xiqiu, "I’ll go to the medical hall and come back to see you in the afternoon." Xiqiu nodded, and Ruan Jingliu left.

Bihuai nodded, instructed Lyuzhi at the door to invite them in, and came inside to help Xiqiu comb her hair, "Madam..." she started but then went silent.

"Hmm?" Xiqiu turned her head to look at her, showing confusion in her eyes, "What’s the matter?"

Bihuai continued working with her hands but lowered her head and said, "Madam, please match this servant with someone."

Bihuai had never said anything like this before, and Xiqiu was stunned, "Why do you suddenly say such a thing?" Has she taken a liking to someone?

After helping Xiqiu pin the last strand of hair, Bihuai put away the comb and knelt by the bedside, "This whole thing happened because I was too careless. Had I noticed earlier that Madam was expecting, such a thing wouldn’t have occurred. I am at fault and beg you to assign me to someone."

So it was because of this matter.

Xiqiu sighed and said to her, "Stand up and speak." Bihuai didn’t move, so Xiqiu said again, "People say you are smart, yet sometimes you are quite foolish, not as perceptive as Biwu. This was an accident; how can it all be your fault? If I am to blame myself, I too neglected my own body. Tell me, how should I punish myself?"

Bihuai waved her hand, "Madam has suffered so much." She looked at Xiqiu’s face, "You had just put on a bit of weight in the past days, and now you’ve slimmed down again... how could I possibly punish you?"

"I see you have lost a lot of weight too," Xiqiu said softly, "Get up, this matter is in the past, let’s not think about it anymore."

Bihuai’s eyes reddened, and she lowered her head, "But I feel guilty."

"Don’t dwell on it, it’s a lesson for us all." Then Xiqiu paused and added, "Go about your duties, let’s not speak of this again. If there’s someone you like, you can ask me, but to have me randomly assign you to someone, even if you agreed, I wouldn’t consent."

"Madam!" Bihuai wiped her tears with a reddened face, "I’ll get on with my work." She bowed her head and rose, bumping into Tong Xiyan, Madam Jiang, Madam Xia, Tong Xihua, and Kun walking in from the door.

"Sister-in-law, Fourth Sister." Xiqiu did not get up, but leaned on the bed with a knowing smile and looked at Madam Xia, "Madam."

Seeing Xiqiu, Madam Xia’s eyes reddened, "...Sixth Lady." She hesitated to come over but was too shy, and Tong Xihua pulled on Madam Xia’s hand, calling out sweetly, "Sixth Sister."

Kun also shouted, "Hello, Sixth Aunt!"

Xiqiu nodded repeatedly, "There are candied fruits and snacks on the table, sit and eat with Twelfth Aunt." Tong Xihua nodded obediently and, pulling Kun, the two sat on chairs, talking in low voices.

Madam Jiang, Tong Xiyan, and Madam Xia sat down by the bed, carefully examining Xiqiu. Madam Jiang breathed a sigh of relief, "I was worried about you on the road, but seeing you now, I am finally at ease." She then turned to Madam Xia, "Don’t worry anymore, although she looks a bit weak, her spirits are high; after a few days’ rest, she’ll be fine."

Madam Xia nodded; they feared that Xiqiu might have given up hope.

Xiqiu replied with a light smile, "I’m really fine, didn’t I send someone to tell you?" She looked at Madam Xia, "Madam, I’m fine..."

"Good, good," Madam Xia wiped her tears, while Madam Jiang said, "How could we be at ease with just your words? We wanted to come yesterday, but your big brother stopped us, saying there would be lots of things going on here, and our visit would add to the chaos. Better to wait a day since he had asked your husband and knew you were not in serious peril..."

Tong Xiyan sighed, holding Xiqiu’s hand, "Take care of yourself, you’ll have another chance, don’t be discouraged."

"Mm." Xiqiu nodded, lips pressed together, and looked at Madam Jiang, "I heard that the Lou Family has invited a matchmaker, and the date is approaching. Will you bring Eighth Sister back?"

Madam Jiang’s eyes shifted, "Father said to wait; Nanny Qian will deliver festival gifts during the Mid-Autumn Festival. She seemed to be doing fine and even planted flowers in the garden, living comfortably." Tong Xiyan nodded in agreement, "You focus on your own health; others will handle her affairs." He was referring to Madam Mei, who had been fretting recently, worried that the First Master might change his mind and refuse to allow the engagement of Tong Xiyu to the Lou Family.

Xiqiu understood their meaning and said no more, glancing at Madam Xia. She saw Madam Xia looking at her with eyes full of tears, and frowned, "Madam, please sit, there are no outsiders here."

"I’m fine, standing is just as well." Despite saying so, she still had no intention of sitting.

Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan exchanged glances, and Madam Jiang asked, "Where’s Zhi?"

"Playing in the backyard." Xiqiu replied, "Sister Jingliu just shooed him out, said she needed to give me acupuncture, so he left..." Madam Jiang nodded, stood up, and told Kun, "Come, let’s go play with Zhi."