Chapter 938: Chapter 934: A Bountiful Year (Part 4)

Mrs. Zhou had grown used to Zhi’s increased appetite over the past couple of days, smiling as she refilled his bowl. Zhi buried his head in his food, and Xiqiu looked at him with concern, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief: "Slow down; you’ll end up with indigestion."

Zhi slowed down a bit, but his mind was preoccupied with the martial arts routine Tong Quanzi had taught him that morning, and he was eager to practice more.

"Zhi." Xiqiu put her bowl down and looked at him, asking, "Do you truly want to learn martial arts?" Zhi hesitated, his eyes flickering and keeping silent with a mouthful of food, finally nodding: "Yes, martial arts are interesting, much more so than the rigid stuff in books."

Xiqiu used the handkerchief to wipe away a grain of rice from the corner of his mouth, gazing at him lovingly...

Zhi looked at Xiqiu with some unease; had Mother discovered his secret martial arts practice and become displeased? He swallowed his food and stared at Xiqiu, probing: "Mother... do you dislike my martial arts training?"

"No." Xiqiu smiled, patting Zhi’s head: "You can do whatever you wish; Mother is not upset."

Zhi’s eyes brightened, leaping off his stool and landing before Xiqiu, confirming: "You’re really not upset?"

Xiqiu pursed her lips and nodded, saying, "Yes!"

"Mother, you’re wonderful." After speaking, Zhi hugged Xiqiu, laughing, and thought about his secret training with Third Uncle, which he hadn’t disclosed to Xiqiu. He looked up at her appealingly: "Actually... I’ve been secretly training with Third Uncle these past few days."

Xiqiu chuckled, playfully tapping Zhi’s nose: "Really? How’s the training going?" Zhi detailed his experiences: "It’s tiring but fun; I even practice in my dreams."

"Third Uncle will be heading to the army after the new year, and you’ll start your studies. How about this: if you truly wish to train in martial arts, you’ll have to promise Mother one thing." After Xiqiu spoke, Zhi listened intently and nodded. Xiqiu gently continued, "Once your uncle leaves, I will discuss with your father about hiring a martial arts instructor for you, but you can’t neglect Mr. Ji’s lessons. Can you manage that?"

"I can!" Zhi replied affirmatively: "I will study diligently."

"A promise is binding. If you fail, it can’t be forgiven easily, so Mother will test your skills then." Xiqiu looked down at him, and Zhi nodded: "It’s a deal."

In the days following, Zhi continued practicing with Tong Quanzi in the backyard without hiding from Xiqiu; even Qingshan and Qingyuan joined in. Fourth Master Xiao noticed with surprise and asked Xiqiu upon returning, "You agreed to let him learn martial arts?"

Xiqiu helped him remove his coat, nodding: "He likes it so much; there’s no stopping him."

Fourth Master Xiao turned to hold her hand gently, saying: "Martial arts can strengthen the body too; if you don’t want him on the battlefield in the future, he can stay by your side."

"I’ve come to understand." Xiqiu sat at the edge of the bed, sighing: "I won’t be able to control him in the future, regardless of my wishes."

Fourth Master Xiao chuckled softly, whispering in her ear: "But you still have me; I’ll always listen to you."

Xiqiu blushed, giving him a playful glare, then asked: "Things have been busy these past days; how are the court affairs?"

Fourth Master Xiao sat by the bed, accepted the tea Xiqiu offered, and told her about Jiang Shilin’s situation. Xiqiu sighed: "With Lord Wang’s incident earlier, his neglect of duty is beyond doubt. It’s unlikely he’ll be reinstated easily, right?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, saying: "Lord Zhang was suspended from his duties and investigated starting today!"

Xiqiu nodded slightly, half of Fourth Master Xiao’s goals fulfilled—weakening Shen Ji’s influence and severing his support, moving closer to his ultimate aim.

"Is the Shen Family still searching for Shen An and Shen Ning?" Xiqiu asked.

Fourth Master Xiao replied: "Yes, Shi Shengjie submitted a report, claiming the Eldest Prince’s traces were found in Guangdong, and the court believes it without question."

Whether Shi Shengjie truly found anything, only they would know. Xiqiu smiled softly, not commenting.

In the palace, since the Empress’s miscarriage, she’s been nourished with rare herbs daily, but her health has been deteriorating. Old Madam Shen visits daily for assurance, too anxious to manage other matters. With Le Xiu and Consort Wen overseeing palace affairs, everything runs smoothly.

Xiqiu leaned against the bedhead, braiding a knotted cord as Chunliu came in quietly with tea: "Making a knotted cord, Mistress?" She leaned in to look: "I haven’t seen this kind before; it’s beautiful."

It was made with multicolored threads, no longer than a hand, with three different shaped gourds hanging—a vibrant and eye-catching sight.

"For Min; the old one was hastily made, so I’m replacing it." Xiqiu spoke as another small round gourd took shape in her hands.

Chunliu smiled broadly: "Our Young Master Min is the luckiest to have such a caring mother." Xiqiu looked up, then asked: "What’s making you so happy, like honey is smeared on your lips?"

Chunliu giggled, and Xiqiu rubbed her neck, asking: "Where’s Biwu? She hasn’t appeared much recently."

"I’m not sure. Every time Third Master visits, she disappears." Chunliu said offhandedly, then froze, glancing at Xiqiu: "Mistress, does she... fancy Third Master?" She realized Xiqiu wasn’t surprised and asked: "Mistress knew already?"

Xiqiu nodded: "That girl is usually carefree, but mention my younger brother, and she brightens up." Her status meant that accompanying Tong Quanzi she could only be a concubine; Xiqiu wasn’t sure how to address it.

Everyone has their different preferences, and who knows what Tong Quanzi thinks. If he and Biwu were fond of each other, Xiqiu had little opinion on the matter.

"I’ll go find her." Chunliu said, heading out the door before Xiqiu could call her back, vanishing swiftly. Xiqiu could only sigh and shake her head...

Xiqiu didn’t know how Chunliu would speak to Biwu, nor how Tong Quanzi learned of the matter. Yet, Tong Quanzi came to ask her: "Sixth Sister... I... I..." Unable to speak for a while.

"What could make you so tongue-tied?" She had never seen Tong Quanzi like this before, Xiqiu smiled at him, waiting for him to speak. Tong Quanzi’s face reddened as he said: "I want to ask you for someone."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who?" Tong Quanzi bit his cheek, flushing red to his neck: "Can you... give me Biwu? She’s blunt and we get along well..." He quickly glanced at Xiqiu: "Mother said to take a girl to Liaodong. Since it doesn’t matter who, better take this girl with me."