"If it were just a miscarriage, it would be one thing," Madam Qian said softly. "I heard that there was a hemorrhage that night as well. Just think, how many miscarriages involve a hemorrhage? There must be more to it, which is why Old Madam Shen was so angry and asked the Emperor to investigate thoroughly. It’s not unusual for the ice to form from the water in the Imperial Garden, but who could have anticipated such a mishap? The Emperor is reasonable; punishments have been handed out as necessary, but Old Madam Shen is clearly still fuming and is pushing for further investigation."

Xiqiu showed a look of surprise. "It’s been so long already. What more could be discovered?" Madam Qian pursed her lips and replied, "That’s what I think too, but apparently, they don’t see it that way."

She was unaware of the intricacies of the palace and couldn’t make hasty judgments, but there were indeed peculiarities surrounding the Empress’s miscarriage and hemorrhage. She glanced at Madam Qian as she recalled the incident with Le Xiu’s miscarriage...

"Let’s not talk about this matter anymore. For the moment, all major court affairs are being handled by the Cabinet. A few days ago, Shen Ji even had a disagreement with Lord Wu about something. I heard Shen Ji was so angry that he smashed Lord Wu’s tea cup," said Madam Qian. Seeing Xiqiu’s look of confusion, she elaborated, "Lord Wu was drinking tea when Shen Ji grabbed the teacup and threw it at Lord Wu’s feet before storming off."

Although Shen Ji wasn’t prodigiously talented, with years of honing his skills and Old Madam Shen’s guidance, he was no longer a hot-headed young man. For him to act this way must mean he was truly enraged.

"Do you know what it was about?" Xiqiu turned to Madam Qian. Madam Qian thought for a moment and replied, "It seemed to be about Fujian’s maritime affairs, but I’m not sure about the specifics."

As Xiqiu paused her tea drinking, her gaze quickly flashed with a distinct look.

Noticing her silence, Madam Qian curiously asked, "What’s wrong?" Xiqiu startled, then smiled and replied, "Nothing, I just remembered some things." She paused and added, "Why not stay for lunch here instead of leaving?"

"Better not. There’s a large family at home, and I’m worried," she said as she stood up. "I’ll visit another day. I don’t have much to do anyway; just don’t find me annoying."

"Not at all, I wish you could come every day," Xiqiu rose to see her off, chatting as they walked. Madam Qian joked, "When is Eighth Miss Tong marrying Second Master Lou?"

Xiqiu thought for a moment and replied, "It was originally set for the second half of the year. Recently, the Lou Family invited a matchmaker to urge us ... it’s now set for early May." Madam Qian smiled and whispered in Xiqiu’s ear, "Madam Lou has many people to care for, from the eldest to the youngest, and now she’s attending to her son’s marital affairs. She’s eager to have a daughter-in-law enter the family so she can relax a bit." After a pause, she pointed toward the Imperial City, "Plus, someone else over there may not last through the year..." Then there’ll be mourning.

Xiqiu chuckled softly, escorting Madam Qian onto the sedan chair and out of the residence.

In the afternoon, Zhi returned home, dropped his school bag, and immediately announced he was hungry. Xiqiu smiled as she led Tong Xihua, telling Zhi and Kun, "Wash your hands if you’re hungry."

"Sixth Sister," Tong Xihua sweetly said, "Mr. Ji’s lectures were excellent and very interesting; even I understood them."

"Really? Did you tell Mr. Ji this?" Xiqiu led her to wash her hands. Tong Xihua shook her head shyly, saying, "I didn’t."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow, asking, "If you think the teacher’s lectures are good, boldly tell him so; it’s also an encouragement to him." Tong Xihua’s eyes brightened, asking, "Really?"

Xiqiu nodded affirmatively, "Of course."

Tong Xihua giggled, pursing her lips, as Xiqiu helped her dry her hands, and they joined everyone at the table. Kun sat upright without looking around, while Xiqiu asked, "Kun, after lunch today, you shouldn’t read. Let’s take a walk in the courtyard together, then have a nap, okay?"

Kun, engrossed in his books, seemed oblivious to everything else, ignoring naps since the library opened.

Kun’s mouth moved slightly, and he glanced at Xiqiu before looking down. "Okay."

After eating, Kun indeed accompanied Xiqiu for a walk in the courtyard. Zhi demonstrated the martial arts punches Master Hua taught in the morning, remarkably skillful. Kun sternly asked, "The homework tasked by the teacher yesterday needs recitation in the afternoon. Have you practiced?"

Like cold water, Kun’s words stunned Zhi briefly before he chuckled, replying, "Of course, I have." But deep inside, he realized he had forgotten after staying up late practicing martial arts last night.

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows, watching him. Zhi, feeling guilty, blinked quickly and laughed, "Mom, I’m tired; I’m going back to sleep." With that, he nodded to Kun and Tong Xihua and zipped away.

Tong Xihua covered her mouth, giggling, and whispered into Xiqiu’s ear, "He’s definitely rushing back to study."

"Shh!" Xiqiu playfully tapped Tong Xihua’s nose, feigning mystery with Kun, "Let’s pretend we don’t know!"

Even Kun’s stern expression cracked a smile.

In the afternoon, the children went to the academy, with Xiqiu and Chunliu listening in next door. Indeed, Mr. Ji questioned the assignment given yesterday. At Zhi’s turn, Xiqiu felt anxious, fearing he wouldn’t be able to recite it, but surprisingly, after some initial stumbles, he recited smoothly afterward.

Chunliu chuckled, whispering, "The boy’s clever, no need to worry."

Xiqiu sighed, noting Zhi spent excessive time on martial arts!

At night, when Zhi returned from Mr. Hua’s, Xiqiu sat him at the desk, "Finish the coursework assigned by the teacher first. If time permits, you can practice martial arts. If not, rise earlier tomorrow. You promised your mother, didn’t you, to balance both?"

Zhi pouted, remembering that he forgot the homework assigned by the teacher, feeling guilty, he nodded, "I understand." He sat down obediently to start reading.

Holding an embroidery hoop, Xiqiu sat behind him, accompanying him. Suddenly, Zhi paused his reading, turned, and asked Xiqiu, "Mom, when will Dad and Third Brother return?"

"It’ll take a while; they just left half a month ago," Xiqiu patted his head gently, asking, "Miss them?"

Zhi nodded, answering, "Yes, without them, the house feels quiet." Pausing, he asked Xiqiu, "Mom, do you miss them?"

"Of course," Xiqiu chuckled softly, envisioning Fourth Master Xiao. Married for so long, they hadn’t been apart for this duration before. While home, one barely sensed it, but with him absent, his importance was evident.

Her heart felt empty, dazed through the day, unable to recall anything, occupied solely by a lingering yearning.