Tong Shen Zhi looked up and cast a glance at Madam Jiang, his brow slightly moved, but then he returned to his original expression of reading.
The next day, Xiqiu went to the Marquis Mansion to pay her respects to the Grand Dowager and ntioned visiting Puji Temple: "... How about the middle of this month? The weather has been nice these days. I’ll go ahead to greet Master Puning earlier and stay there for a day to relax."
The Grand Dowager, holding Zhi in her arms, kissed his little face joyfully and nodded, "It sounds like a good idea to . Since we’re going, why not postpone it by a couple of days and go on my birthday? We could celebrate it all together to avoid extra hassle."
"How can that be?" Xiqiu laughed, "Mother always wishes she could skip that day every year."
The Grand Dowager pointed at Xiqiu and Mrs., saying, "Look at her, what is she saying?" Then she patted Zhi’s little bottom, "You mustn’t learn from your mother in the future."
"I actually think our fourth sister-in-law has a point. Mother is indeed like that!" The First Madam also laughed while covering her face, agreeing with Xiqiu, which made the Grand Dowager burst into laughter along with her two daughters-in-law. Holding Zhi, she asked him, "What do you think?"
Zhi was busy studying a set of Lu Ban Locks that the Grand Dowager just gifted him. With his mind preoccupied, he absentmindedly nodded in agreent, "Yes, yes, my mother is right!"
"Oh my, oh my!" The Grand Dowager couldn’t help but pat Zhi’s little bottom again, laughing heartily.
After the laughter subsided, the Grand Dowager suggested, "Yanzheng will bring the kids back tomorrow. Let’s ask her whether she wants to go too. Why not make it lively and have a fun day at Master Puning’s place before returning?"
"I’m just concerned since the second sister-in-law is expecting, it may not be convenient for her." Xiqiu asked hesitantly, as Xiao Yanzheng’s eldest daughter was just a year old, and she was four months pregnant...
The Grand Dowager paused, as if just recalling Xiao Yanzheng’s pregnancy, and tapped her forehead, "Oh, my mory..."
Xiqiu subtly knitted her brows and exchanged a glance with the First Madam.
"Zhi, co over to your eldest aunt," the First Madam said as she stood up, took Zhi from the Grand Dowager’s lap, held him in her embrace, and affectionately patted his head. Zhi quickly flashed a smile at her and then lowered his head to continue unlocking the puzzle.
The First Madam was filled with affection.
After having lunch there, Xing took Zhi to play for a while, and then everyone returned to the mansion. Xiqiu ntioned so fabrics sent for the Grand Dowager that she forgot to bring, so she told Housekeeper Hu to call Yiquan from the outer courtyard to fetch them... Peeking through the carriage curtain, Xiqiu quickly sized him up – tall, thin, with sowhat dark skin, but he appeared honest... slightly different from when she saw him last.
Back at the mansion, she kept Yiquan to speak with him, "You’ve been left at the Marquis Mansion all this ti without much attention, yet you’ve proven reliable. Even Housekeeper Hu has praised you repeatedly."
"I dare not accept the Madam’s praise," Yiquan kept his head lowered, rely feeling that the voice beyond the screen sounded sweet, but he didn’t dare to look up. After his mind wandered, inside, he was asked again, "Erquan cos and goes at the mansion, and your mother and I often et. You should also co by more frequently when you’re free!"
"I understand." Yiquan responded with his head still bowed down.
Xiqiu nodded, "Go on then!" Yiquan, keeping his head bowed, left the room.
Watching Yiquan leave, Xiqiu turned to Maid Chunliu standing beside her. Chunliu’s face was flushed up to her neck, and both Nanny Cen and Bihuai along with Biwu all showed smiles.
"Sister Chunliu, he looks honest, not bad, not bad!" Biwu nodded approvingly.
Chunliu glared at her, reaching out to pinch her mouth, "I’ll have you talking nonsense. Let’s see if I’ll save any treats for you next ti."
The trick worked instantly, and Biwu imdiately begged for rcy.
Xiqiu chuckled softly, asking Chunliu, "What do you think?" Chunliu paused, lowered her head, "It’s entirely up to Madam to decide my matter!" Saying this, she turned and went inside without looking back.
That’s a yes!
Everyone in the room laughed with their hands covering their mouths.
"It seems you must play the matchmaker," Xiqiu smiled at Nanny Cen, "Tomorrow, go to Nanny Jin, tell her what I think. If she agrees, she can co into the mansion and kowtow to , if not, forget it, and we’ll pretend it never happened."
"I understand," Nanny Cen replied.
The next day, indeed, Nanny Jin ca into the mansion and kowtowed to Xiqiu three tis, "I thank Madam for Yiquan. When Maid Chunliu cos into our ho, we will never let her suffer any injustice. We will surely love her like a daughter." Chunliu, being Xiqiu’s personal maid, was sought after by those with children of marrying age in both mansions, yet none expected Madam to match Chunliu with Yiquan – a blessing like a gift from above.
With a smile, Xiqiu nodded, "You must rember your words."
Nanny Jin nodded repeatedly, making assurances. Nanny Cen then congratulated Nanny Jin, "Congratulations, I am certainly attending that banquet!"
"Of course, you must be invited!" Nanny Jin said, her face full of smiles, while Xiqiu added, addressing Nanny Cen, "Discuss and pick a date, and we’ll settle the engagent first!"
Nanny Jin and Nanny Cen smiled and agreed.
Nanny Cen escorted Nanny Jin out, Xiqiu felt relieved and took a sip of tea, feeling much lighter inside, as Chunliu’s marriage matter was settled – a weight off her mind... She turned to discuss Chunliu’s dowry with Bihuai, and at this mont, Nanny Cen hurried back, "Madam, Shouning Bo Mansion has sent an umbrella!"
Xiqiu paused, setting down the book, and asked in a serious tone, "Who sent it?" Nanny Cen replied, "It was the Second Young Madam Lou, she went there this morning!"
All strength seed to drain from Xiqiu’s body as she sank back onto the rose bed, the figure of Second Young Madam Lou floated into her mind...
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