Ruan Jingliu’s eyes flickered as she recalled the scene when she went to the Tong Mansion to treat Xiqiu. She thought for a mont and said, "Alright, once I’ve arranged things in a couple of days, I’ll go back with you. But I can’t guarantee a cure; we’ll need to diagnose the cause of the illness first."
Xiqiu nodded in agreent, replying with a smile, "There’s no rush. She’s been ill for quite so ti now, so there’s no hurry at the mont." Ruan Jingliu nodded and was then escorted out of the courtyard by Xiqiu.
Chunyan, standing by, asked, "Madam, do you really intend to open a pharmacy with Nurse Zhang?"
Xiqiu nodded, replying, "I originally wanted to open so sort of shop. It’s better to be busy with sothing than to idle away." Moreover, if it proved profitable in the future, they would be economically independent, which would be the best outco.
"Madam!" Chunyan contemplated and said, "If you need to hire soone for the shop, why not let Tianyi take the position? He’s clever and a mber of the mansion, so it’s more reassuring to have him involved."
Xiqiu was taken aback and looked at Chunyan, saying, "Tianyi? Isn’t he supposed to follow Fourth Master Xiao? How could he help at the dical shop?"
"It’s like this." Chunyan slowly explained, "Tianyi is eighteen this year, and according to the mansion rules, he’ll leave the mansion after July. Fourth Master originally intended to recomnd him to Xuantong, but he prefers staying in the Capital and isn’t very keen on military matters. He’s considering giving the opportunity to Tiancheng, who can join the military training next year when he leaves the mansion."
Tiancheng has fighting skills and might likely prefer the military camp.
But what surprised her more was Chunyan pleading on behalf of Tianyi. Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and said, "Haven’t you always disliked Tianyi? Why are you suddenly speaking up for him?"
Chunyan was startled, her face instantly reddened as she lowered her head and said, "I... I only ntioned it because it ca to mind." She then stomped her foot and said, "I won’t talk to you anymore." With a blushing face, she left the room.
Xiqiu laughed, noticing that Chunyan had beco more cheerful after her outings, significantly improving compared to when she was cooped up in the courtyard every day.
Chunyan had always been clever. Though she never asked why she shouldn’t leave the courtyard without reason, she likely guessed so part of it on her own.
Suddenly, she thought that if Tianyi went to the dical shop, perhaps Chunyan could also be sent there?
She wouldn’t have to show her face at the front; assisting Ruan Jingliu with cleaning tasks might be a good fit. Additionally, there was Jin Dairui, whose two sons were already engaged—the older with Min and the younger in an apprenticeship outside. Arranging for Jin Dairui at the dical shop would ensure all her personal attendants were accounted for.
She exhaled a long sigh of relief, realizing that what seed like random developnts were turning out to be quite feasible upon closer consideration.
When she discussed the matter with Fourth Master Xiao, he readily agreed, saying, "If you can’t find suitable people, let Housekeeper Hu recomnd a couple for you." Pausing, he added, "The dical shop isn’t like other businesses. I’ll have a word at the Capital City Governnt; it will ease the process of registration."
Xiqiu was filled with gratitude, hugging Fourth Master Xiao affectionately and kissing him on the cheek like she did with her son Min, saying, "Thank you, Fourth Master!" Then, a worry surfaced in her mind: "In the mansion, neither Second Sister-in-law nor First Sister-in-law ventured outside. If I do this, will Mother be displeased?"
"No worries." Fourth Master Xiao put down his booklet, looking at her, "A few years ago, First Sister-in-law also had a silk shop outside, but she closed it after Big Brother passed away. Nowadays, Second Sister-in-law still has a gold accessory shop and an embroidery shop on East Street, so go ahead with your plan."
It turned out that both First Madam and Second Madam had run businesses outside. Smiling, she nodded, "Then I’ll go ahead and pursue this." Fourth Master Xiao tapped her nose and said, "Go on then, but rember, if there’s anything, just tell ." Pausing, he gave another reminder: "However, there’s one thing you must rember."
Xiqiu paused, her face showing a serious and attentive expression, ready for his guidance.
With a teasing grin, Fourth Master Xiao said, "Rember not to tire yourself out. The most important thing is the wellbeing of our child."
Xiqiu chuckled, and the two chatted and joked for a while longer.
Recalling Chunyan’s ntion of Tianyi, she thought it over and decided to let it go without ntioning it. She wasn’t sure if Fourth Master Xiao had other plans for Tianyi. After all, Tianyi had been with him for many years and had beco adept at social interactions and matters in officialdom. It seed a bit of a waste of talent to have him rely helping at the shop.
A man always seeks advancent; Tianyi did not wish to join the military, so he might have his sights set elsewhere. It was best to first ascertain Tianyi’s own intentions.
And perhaps probe what Chunyan felt about him in passing.
As she spoke, she glanced down at the booklet in his hand and asked, "What is Fourth Master looking at?" Xiao spread it out for her to see, pointing at the seal on it, "It’s from the camp in the West Mountain, regarding the Emperor’s plan last year to review the troops. We’ve been busy with this matter lately."
The Emperor planning to inspect the troops made sense; she didn’t think much of it and asked him, "Have the Imperial Censors in the court quieted down?"
Xiao raised his brow and said, "Recently, everyone is occupied with military matters, and they have no ti for anything else. Let them be; after so ti, naturally, they will stop."
At that mont, Xiqiu thought that in ti, with new topics arising, their focus would shift, and they would naturally cease. She hadn’t given much thought to the true aning behind Xiao’s words, recognizing only later that what he ant and her understanding were vastly different.
"Madam." Xiqiu sat in the main hall as Tianyi entered, bowed to her, then respectfully hung his head.
Xiqiu pointed to a chair beside her, saying, "I just want to have a casual chat with you; please sit." Tianyi hesitated for a mont but then followed her instruction, sitting on the left-hand chair as Bihuai served tea.
Xiqiu smiled and said, "Regarding Nurse Zhang, you’ve been busy handling things over the past several days. I heard it was you managing everything along the way, organizing the als and lodgings exceptionally well. You’ve worked hard."
"It’s what I’m supposed to do," Tianyi replied humbly. "Besides, Nurse Zhang knew every rest stop along the way, and with Madam Chunyan and Miss Wan’er attentively looking after things, I didn’t do much."
Tianyi possessed a cleverness in both speech and action, handling matters with remarkable propriety and steadiness. She found him likable and smiled, nodding, "You’ve been by Fourth Master’s side for so many years, managing his affairs inside and out; there’s no need to be modest." Tianyi was initially taken aback, his expression registering a hint of surprise.
Was bringing up his association with Fourth Master an indication he had done sothing wrong and incurred her displeasure?
He understood that in family matters, though it appeared Fourth Master still held the reins, many decisions were actually made by the Madam.
Observing the growing tension in Tianyi’s expression, Xiqiu chuckled, "I heard from Chunyan that you’re nearing the age where you’ll be leaving the mansion in July?"
Tianyi finally relaxed, replying imdiately, "Yes, according to the house rules, that’s the case." Xiqiu asked, "Though Fourth Master intended to recomnd you to the military, I hear you declined. What are your own plans?"
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