CHAPTER 366: CHAPTER 368: LADY’S TITLE (PART 4)

Chunyan and Bihuai lowered their heads, quickly closed the door and retreated.

Fourth Master Xiao then started to chuckle softly, holding Xiqiu’s hand, nodding solemnly as he said, "Hmm. To the washroom." And with that, he tugged on Xiqiu’s hand, heading for the washroom.

Recalling that night, Xiqiu blushed crimson, turned to walk to the wardrobe: "Let me find clothes for you." Fourth Master Xiao waved his hand, raising an eyebrow, full of a playful smile: "Then let’s do it together!"

He seemed quite like a rogue.

It was the first time Xiqiu saw him tipsily intoxicated, his gaze clear, his steps a bit unsteady but not stumbling, she furrowed her brows and asked: "Did you drink with The Princely Heir Shen?"

"Yes." Fourth Master Xiao replied, "Said it was a gathering!"

Xiqiu sighed, deciding not to accompany him into the washroom, helped him sit at the edge of the couch, and then went inside to make some hot water, using it to wipe his face, before helping him lie down on the bed: "Rest for a while, I’ll prepare some sobering broth for you."

Fourth Master Xiao, however, tugged her down onto the bed with his arm: "No need. Stay and nap with me for a bit!" Saying that, he turned over, leaving Xiqiu leaning against his chest, and gently patted her back saying: "Don’t move!"

Xiqiu stared at him, seeing Fourth Master Xiao smirk with satisfied and proud delight...

After a while, Fourth Master Xiao’s smile faded, and he said indifferently: "The Emperor plans to summon Huang Da back from Liaodong..." His voice was so soft that Xiqiu had to strain to hear what he said.

Xiqiu suddenly froze, Huang Da, he was the Liaodong General Huang Da, wasn’t he? Back when Fourth Master Xiao and Shen Ji led troops to pursue Dai Qin, it was Huang Da who submitted the report to the Capital...

"Is Fourth Master unhappy?" Xiqiu asked dully.

Fourth Master Xiao stroked her back, his closed eyes fluttering slightly, and replied: "No, to be fair, Huang Da is currently the best candidate in the court for guarding Liaodong. Everyone has their strengths, and military achievements outweigh other matters right now."

In other words, Huang Da might not be the best in character, but as a general in strategy and battle, he passed the mark.

Xiqiu pondered this, then murmured: "The Emperor must be uneasy about Huang Da, summoning him back to keep him close?"

Fourth Master Xiao said nothing, and Xiqiu, lying against his chest, could only hear his shallow snores.

When Xiqiu awoke, Fourth Master Xiao was already gone from beneath her. She rubbed her sore neck and asked Chunyan: "When did Fourth Master leave?" Chunyan, smiling, replied: "Once you fell asleep, Fourth Master left, saying he was heading to the government office and would return for dinner tonight."

Xiqiu nodded, said no more, got up and finished grooming, and Tong Quanzi arrived, wearing a dark brown tunic, his tall, strong build, his round face already bearing signs of manly responsibility, he clasped his fists while smiling: "Sixth Sister, what do you need me for?"

Xiqiu gestured for him to sit and asked: "Did calling you come at the expense of your studies?" He had to practice his martial arts every day, and as Second Madam mentioned, he really was diligent.

"No problem!" Tong Quanzi said: "I’ve been at home reading these days."

Xiqiu listened with a startled expression; Tong Quanzi then awkwardly touched his head and with a hearty smile said: "...My teacher mentioned I haven’t read enough, and even as a future General, I should know how to draft orders."

Tong Quanzi’s dream was to lead thousands in warfare, achieving glory in the battlefield!

"So that’s why!" Xiqiu laughed, finding it hard to imagine Tong Quanzi studying. She added: "Second Aunt has returned to Baoding? I didn’t manage to see her off..."

Tong Quanzi replied: "She left the day before yesterday, my mother instructs me to let Sixth Sister know, that if there’s a chance, she should go to Baoding with the Great Governor. Although not as bustling as the Capital, it is much more delightful with its mountains and waters..."

Second Lady thinking this way delights Xiqiu, for after falling from heights, not everyone possesses the resilience to endure.

"I haven’t congratulated you yet." Tong Quanzi laughed and said: "Heard the Great Governor petitioned the honorary title for Sixth Sister!" Pausing, he then asked: "Is the Great Governor in the mansion? Last time, he promised me that if I beat him, he’d recommend me to the military camp."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow: "I’m unsure if he is in the outer court’s study at the moment; if you wish to see him, I’ll have someone take you to check later." Then added: "You want to join the camp, the Emperor has opened the Military Examination, why not try for it?"

Tong Quanzi looked disdainful: "What’s the point, real martial arts are proven on the battlefield, how can they compare with those weak scholars, even a title means nothing!"

Xiqiu was speechless, unaware how Second Madam might react if she heard this.

Tong Quanzi, unaware of Xiqiu’s thoughts, asked: "What does Sixth Sister need me for?"

"I have a matter that requires Third Brother’s help." Xiqiu looked seriously at Chunyan, who understood and immediately led people out, carefully closing the door as she and Bihuai guarded it.

Inside the room, low voices of Xiqiu and Tong Quanzi discussing...

About half an hour later, Tong Quanzi opened the door, clasped his fists toward Xiqiu and said: "Rest assured, Sixth Sister, I will not fail you."

"Thank you, Third Brother, regardless of whether it succeeds or not, be sure to stay safe yourself." Tong Quanzi shrugged it off: "It’s just a small matter, Vice Commander Liu from the Five Cities Military Department and I are close friends across generations, we were discussing martial arts just last night."

Xiqiu remained uneasy, gave a few more reminders before letting Tong Quanzi leave, instructed Chunliu: "Escort Third Young Master to the outer court to see Fourth Master."

Tong Quanzi then followed Chunliu out of the courtyard, heading for the outer study.

Later, Chunliu returned, laughing as she shared the happenings in the outer court with Xiqiu: "Fourth Master allowed Third Young Master five moves, but not even those were enough before the Third Young Master lost." Thinking of Tong Quanzi’s expression, Chunliu hid her laughter, unable to stop giggling.

"Is Fourth Master back?" Xiqiu, smiling, paused her needlework to ask Chunliu: "Is Third Young Master still in the outer court?"

"Fourth Master just returned, Third Young Master has already left," Chunliu replied: "Said he had things to attend to, after sparring a few moves with Fourth Master, he hurriedly left again!" Xiqiu chuckled and nodded, then asked Chunliu: "When you went back, are Aunt and Seventh Young Master well?"

Chunliu’s eyes shone with a joyful smile: "I thought Aunt didn’t know and considered taking credit, yet found the news had spread around the whole mansion, Aunt was so thrilled, she said more in one day than she typically does over a few days, and the Eldest Young Madam also mentioned she’ll come by tomorrow to congratulate you!"

Xiqiu laughed: "Did you see Seventh Young Master?" Chunliu shook her head: "Says there’s a sick teacher at the academy, he’s staying behind to tend to the teacher, planning to return to the mansion after a few days."

"Later, you head to the storeroom; gather some bird’s nest, ginseng, and Panax notoginseng brought from Tong Mansion, and send them to Seventh Young Master!" Still unsure which teacher is unwell!

Chunliu nodded in agreement, then added: "Madam, Nanny Jin just bumped into me at the side gate on her way in to pay respects to you."