Tong Minzhi noticed Xiqiu’s expression change slightly and nervously asked, "Sister, is there sothing wrong with the painting?"
Xiqiu was taken aback and, coming back to her senses, looked at the nervous, flushed face of Tong Minzhi and replied with a smile, "No, the painting is very good. I just casually asked, there’s no problem, don’t overthink it."
However, her heart suddenly turned cold.
Tong Minzhi saw her expression return to a smile and relaxed, quickly patting his chest with a smile, "That’s good, I thought the painting was lost or there was so other issue! Since everything’s fine, I’m relieved." After speaking, he lowered his head to chat with Min, "Uncle knows how to make slingshots, later I’ll take you to the outer courtyard to shoot sparrows, how about that?"
Min had never played like this before, and being a child, his eyes lit up upon hearing this, nodding, "Okay!"
Xiqiu watched as the two of them went hand in hand to the East Cross Courtyard, but her hands hidden under her sleeves were tightly clenched.
Upon arriving at Madam Xia’s room, Madam Xia was very fond of Min, offering him pastries and giving him New Year’s money. Min, however, curiously looked at Madam Xia, and hearing Xiqiu call her "concubine," his eyes suddenly darkened...
He rembered Aunt Ping telling him that his mother wasn’t even a concubine.
Min drooped his little head, having a desultory conversation with Tong Minzhi.
anwhile, Madam i warmly chatted with Xiqiu, "I heard you were coming back at noon, Eighth Miss was busy in the kitchen early in the morning, insisting on personally preparing a table of dishes for you and Sixth Lady to taste. I wonder if Sixth Lady was satisfied!"
Xiqiu replied with a smile, "Satisfied, how could one not be satisfied? Eighth sister’s cooking was taught by you personally, how could it not be good?"
Madam i covered her mouth and laughed, "Sixth Lady’s words truly warm the heart." After these words, she sighed, "If only Eighth Miss could be half as good as Sixth Lady."
Before Xiqiu could speak, Madam Xia interjected, "Sister is too modest. Eighth Miss is dignified and gracious, and resembles you in appearance, naturally, she is bound to be blessed in the future." Madam i chuckled, looking at Xiqiu and said, "She’s grown so tall, she’ll be twelve after the New Year, alas!"
Xiqiu listened, lips pursed in a smile, while Madam i, receiving no response from Xiqiu, continued, "Sixth Lady, staying in the Marquis Mansion, usually interacts with famous and noble ladies. I hope you can help keep an eye out for Eighth Miss. If Eighth Miss marries well in the future, she certainly won’t forget her legitimate sister."
So it was a request for her to matchmake Tong Xiyu.
"I usually stay in the courtyard, and even when guests co to the mansion, it’s Second Sister-in-law who receives them. What do I have to do with anything? But since Madam has ntioned it, Eighth sister is my sister as well, so I will naturally keep it in mind."
Madam i’s eyes brightened, she giggled, "Then I thank Sixth Lady on behalf of Eighth Miss."
After Madam i left, Min was led by Tong Minzhi to play in the outer courtyard. Xiqiu then sat and chatted with Madam Xia, who frowned and asked her, "Your complexion doesn’t look good, are you feeling unwell?"
Upon hearing this, Xiqiu felt a pang in her heart, quickly took a sip of tea to soothe the moisture in her eyes, and replied with a smile, "These past two nights, the city has been filled with the sound of firecrackers, perhaps it was too noisy to sleep well."
Madam Xia looked skeptical, but Xiqiu clearly did not wish to elaborate. She shifted her gaze and said in a gentle tone, "The Sixth Son-in-law seems cold, but I see every ti his eyes land on you, they carry warmth." She paused and continued, "He’s spent so many years braving the elents outside, it’s inevitable that his personality is sowhat difficult. As a woman, you must accommodate him, don’t be angry with him, understand? Otherwise, in the end, you’ll be the one who suffers."
Madam Xia’s tone was filled with fondness, "Do your part well, serve the Son-in-law, serve the Grand Dowager. Even if there are so disagreents in the mansion, with their protection, you don’t need to fear anything."
"I understand." Xiqiu leaned against Madam Xia’s shoulder, hugging her arm, "I’ve always rembered every word you said to . My relationship with Fourth Master isn’t what you would call loving, but there’s nothing unpleasant, so you can rest assured!"
Madam Xia, hearing her say this, showed a gratified smile, holding Xiqiu’s hand, "This is how marriages are, with ups and downs, but always rember never to bear overnight grudges. If there’s sothing on your mind, make sure to talk it out, don’t keep it bottled up, or over ti it will beco a rift."
It’s just like her and the First Master!
Xiqiu nodded, not saying a word!
After having dinner at the Tong Mansion, Fourth Master Xiao was slightly intoxicated, supported by Tianyi and sowhat unsteady...
The nurse carried Min following behind. Xiqiu turned back, smiling at Tong Shen Zhi, "Big Brother, I have sothing to say to you."
Tong Shen Zhi paused upon hearing this and then turned back to bid farewell to Jiang Shilin, personally seeing Xiqiu out. On the way, Xiqiu said to Tong Shen Zhi, "Congratulations are in order, you’re going to be a father." Smiling, she added, "I’ll also beco an aunt!"
Tong Shen Zhi’s expression stiffened a bit, but his eyes were filled with warmth. He nodded, "It’s not confird yet, don’t ntion it to anyone in the mansion for now."
"Rest assured, Big Brother, I’m waiting for soone from the mansion to announce the good news." Xiqiu smiled, "Sister-in-law has her hands full managing everything big and small in the mansion alone, and now that she’s pregnant, I hear that the first three months are extrely important, one must be extra careful."
Tong Shen Zhi nodded, and Xiqiu continued, "Big Brother, Sister-in-law wants to bring Madam Jiang to the mansion, what do you think?"
Presumably, Jiang Shi wanted Xiqiu to persuade him. Tong Shen Zhi paused and replied, "Your Sister-in-law ntioned it to . I would like to wait for the pregnancy to be confird before inviting Madam Jiang here, to avoid stirring up any unnecessary trouble then."
That ans he is actually in agreent.
Xiqiu smiled and nodded, "Then you should talk to Sister-in-law. She just ntioned this to earlier, and once you’ve discussed it with her, she won’t have to worry you’ll disagree."
Tong Shen Zhi glanced at Xiqiu, nodding slightly, and Xiqiu stopped, saying to Tong Shen Zhi, "You can stop here, it’s getting dark now, it might start snowing soon."
Tong Shen Zhi didn’t stand on ceremony, watching them leave through the second gate.
The three of them boarded the carriage, Fourth Master Xiao leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, emitting gentle snores.
Min gazed at Fourth Master Xiao, then at Xiqiu, whose forehead was creased and lacked the usual cheerfulness. He carefully tugged at Xiqiu’s sleeve and softly said, "Mother, Father is drunk."
Xiqiu smiled at Min, stroking his head, "Let’s not disturb Father!" Min’s eyes flickered, obediently nodded, and sat quietly beside Xiqiu.
When they returned to the mansion, Fourth Master Xiao opened his eyes, the alcohol fading sowhat. The three of them went to see the Grand Dowager, leaving Min in her room, Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao then returned to their room. She stood at the door and said to Fourth Master Xiao, "I’m going to check on the maids."
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