CHAPTER 146: CHAPTER 146: A HAPPY OCCASION (1)

Looking again at the appearance of this likeness, it seems somewhat familiar. He unconsciously softened his tone and asked Tong Minzhi: "Is this my father?"

Tong Minzhi nodded repeatedly, but then said apprehensively: "I... I don’t know what Father looks like in court... I just... just imagined it." He looked at First Master uncertainly and asked: "Does it not resemble him?"

First Master held the clay sculpture, half-squatting in front of Tong Minzhi, and looked him in the eyes: "Do you want to see your father in court?"

"I do!" Tong Minzhi keenly sensed the change in First Master’s attitude and immediately smiled with two dimples showing: "I’ve seen my second uncle, but never my father."

First Master looked at him for a long time without speaking.

"Sister, Father praised me..." Tong Minzhi’s face was flushed with joy, eagerly clutching Xiqiu’s sleeve, wanting to tell her about his happiness: "Father told me to study hard and achieve academic success, and if there’s anything in the books I don’t understand, to write to him! Sister, have you ever written to Father? How many days does it take to travel from the Capital to Yongzhou?"

Though First Master hasn’t left yet, he was already thinking about writing the letter. Xiqiu laughed softly, stroked his head and said: "I am not sure either, but I can check a geographical record to see how long it takes by water route." She paused and continued: "Father asked you to study hard, so you must listen and not be mischievous anymore, understand?"

"I understand!" Tong Minzhi proclaimed with determination, raising his face: "I won’t do silly things or have wild thoughts anymore. I want to study hard, achieve success like Father and Elder Brother, become an Advanced Scholar and be chosen as a scholar..." The Tong Family had three scholars so far, and if one day he could be chosen as a scholar too, what an honor that would be. The thought made his blood boil with excitement.

Xiqiu encouraged him with a nod: "Good, Sister awaits this day!" Tong Minzhi bounced back to the outer courtyard with the set of scholarly tools given by First Master.

Siliu stood aside, wiping her tears and, with a tone filled with emotion, said: "Seventh Young Master hasn’t been this happy for a long time."

Xiqiu smiled with relief, thinking her efforts had achieved something!

Once Tong Minzhi left First Master’s study, Xiqiu emerged from the shadows at the door. Just as she came out, First Master also left the room with his hands behind his back, showing a slightly surprised expression upon seeing Xiqiu still in the courtyard, raising his eyebrows and asking: "Why haven’t you gone back yet? Is there something wrong?"

Xiqiu turned slightly to pay her respects: "Just saw Seventh Brother go in again... felt uneasy, so waited here for him." She looked at First Master knowingly and asked: "Seventh Brother... wasn’t causing trouble, was he?!"

He was worried Tong Minzhi was too naughty and might provoke his displeasure?

First Master looked at Xiqiu with a bit of helplessness, not knowing how to respond for a moment, and simply shook his head gently, considering it denial.

Xiqiu smiled subtly: "That’s good, he is usually well-behaved, but sometimes he can get a bit mischievous. If he said or did anything, I hope Father won’t take it to heart." First Master stood with his hands behind his back, his demeanor authoritative yet showing slight affection, and nodded solemnly: "Alright!"

Xiqiu glanced towards the small path, and heard footsteps rustling, steadily approaching. Her eyes flashed, and she asked: "What time does Father depart tomorrow?"

"5 a.m. I have colleagues traveling with me, meeting at the city gate."

Was this an explanation? Xiqiu raised her eyebrows quietly. As the footsteps grew nearer, and figures appeared in her view, she smiled and turned to greet the newcomer with a bow: "Manager Lai."

First Master cast a glance and also looked at Laiwang: "It’s so late, is there something you need?"

Laiwang stopped in front of them, first saluting First Master, then returning Xiqiu’s greeting, standing with hands lowered and said: "I have a request to ask the Master’s favor, so I quickly came over before the locks are set!"

First Master nodded slightly and looked at Xiqiu again, who intuitively replied: "Then I’ll take my leave. Father should rest early." upon which she prepared to leave with Siliu.

Manager Lai glanced at Siliu, suddenly knelt in front of First Master: "Master, I beseech you to make a decision for me." Xiqiu naturally paused her steps and looked back at Laiwang.

First Master raised his eyebrow slightly: "Get up and speak." Laiwang then stood up naturally. First Master continued: "What is the matter? Why the formality?" surprisingly, in front of the Sixth Miss.

"Master, do you remember Fugui? He has turned sixteen after the new year." Laiwang spoke with emotion, seemingly resigned!

"Sixteen already?" First Master exclaimed in surprise, nodded knowingly: "Should be that age. I remember he is just two years younger than Shenzhi." His gaze wandered in the thick darkness of the night, recalling something, and asked Laiwang: "Is he married yet?"

Laiwang glanced at Xiqiu, lowering his head: "Not yet. So I took the liberty to request, while you are at home, for you to grant me favor and arrange a marriage for Fugui, and let him enjoy Master’s benevolence, live a harmonious, smooth and healthy life." after speaking, his gaze directly fell on Siliu.

First Master was incredibly insightful, and having been master and servant for so many years, they were more like brothers, understanding each other well. He looked with interest at Siliu, then said: "To arrange a marriage for Fugui? That is a joyous matter, but I’m seldom home, choosing a suitable person might be difficult!" He pondered briefly, suddenly turned to look at Xiqiu, and saw her calmly looking back at him, without a hint of evasion, his momentary suspicion turned into puzzlement.

Could it be that Sixth Girl and Laiwang planned this together? But looking at her, she seemed unaware.

First Master thought and felt he overthought, Sixth Girl was merely twelve years old, couldn’t have such schemes, perhaps Laiwang waited for the right moment.

In this short pause, Laiwang’s initial certainty turned into uncertainty, and he quickly added: "Anyone Master chooses will indeed be Fugui’s fortune."

First Master relieved, seeing Laiwang rarely showing a tense manner, smiled gently: "If so..." his words paused, looking towards Siliu...

Siliu’s heart pounded, she nervously grasped Sixing’s hand, suddenly understanding why Sixth Miss remained even after finishing talking with Seventh Young Master. It turned out... she was waiting for Manager Lai.

It was for her marriage.

First Master’s eyes scanned briefly over Sixing and then on Siliu’s face. He unexpectedly pointed at Siliu and said: "This girl seems good, with large eyes, very clever." He again looked at Laiwang and said: "She looks somewhat like your family members. Are you satisfied with her as your son’s wife?"

Laiwang let out a long breath of relief. He laughed: "Master’s insight has always been precise, I will naturally listen to Master."

First Master laughed and said: "It’s not up to me, you must ask the Sixth Miss." Xiqiu’s eyes flashed, she turned and grasped Siliu’s hand, showing reluctance: "With all due respect, Siliu is the head maid of my room, I still want to keep her for two more years..." She looked at First Master: "Father, can I refuse?"