CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: HINTS

Liufu didn’t understand what the First Young Master meant and feared that he would be displeased due to the absence of the Seventh Young Master. She explained, "I will definitely convey the message. The Seventh Young Master came back at noon and then said he would visit the Third Young Master. He might have taken a nap there before coming back."

Tong Shen Zhi nodded and then looked at Xiqiu, "I still have to go to the study. You should head back early as well." After saying this, he ignored Xiqiu and walked out with his hands behind his back.

As soon as he left, Liufu whispered into Xiqiu’s ear, "A servant from the Third Young Master’s side came and said that the Seventh Young Master is with him, so we don’t need to worry."

Xiqiu frowned, "Why is he at the Second House again? Did they say more?"

Liufu nodded and glanced cautiously at Qiuyun, who was attentively seeing the First Young Master off from the courtyard, "He was in the rockery grotto in the backyard of the Second House, sleeping inside, and it was the Third Young Master who carried him back." Her eyes reddened again as she added, "And I smelled alcohol on the Seventh Young Master."

An overwhelming rush of emotions surged to Xiqiu’s head; he was only six years old but already learned to use alcohol to drown his sorrows.

"Sixth Miss, please don’t be angry. The Seventh Young Master is still young; he must have secretly tasted a bit. When he comes back, I’ll closely monitor him, and if anything happens, I will report it to you." Liufu, too, was afraid that Xiqiu would be angry at Tong Minzhi, so she tried to speak up for him.

Xiqiu understood that no matter how angry she was, she couldn’t do anything. Her fist clenched tightly inside her sleeve, her nails digging painfully into her palm, "You should also be careful. Later I will send you some medicine so that you can carefully tend to it and hopefully avoid any scarring."

Liufu tugged at her blood-soaked inner garment, indifferent as she laughed, "My skin is thick and rough; I’ve gotten used to it. It’ll heal on its own in a few days."

Xiqiu raised her hand to pat Liufu’s head, which only reached her shoulder. Her round double braid was a bit loose, and she grinned earnestly at her, which made Xiqiu’s heart ache. Without turning back, she walked out the door.

"Sixth Miss, walk slowly!" Qiuyun said sarcastically, with a mocking smile as she bowed slightly and then returned to her room with her head held high.

Did she think I couldn’t deal with her?!

Xiqiu’s eyes narrowed slightly, watching her back, and she chuckled softly...

Lady smiled warmly as she sat on the kang bed, wearing an overcoat patterned with blessings, prosperity, and longevity in autumn colors, making her already plump face appear even rounder, "Did your eldest brother leave before you arrived? Did he eat lunch?"

"When I arrived, Eldest Brother was reading... and he tried on some clothes. The fit was perfect," Xiqiu said, pausing briefly, "He didn’t change before going to the study."

Such an ostentatious display of merit, Xiqiu never kept a low profile!

Lady raised an eyebrow, evidently surprised, and turned to Nanny Fang on the side, "Shenzhi has always been picky, and now he seems to appreciate Sixth Girl’s craftsmanship."

Nanny Fang, seeing Lady in a good mood, chimed in with a laugh, "I think the eldest master has a temperament similar to yours." After she said this, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, "We are indeed fortunate to have our Sixth Miss’s nimble hands."

Xiqiu replied with a smile, "It’s also thanks to Mother’s fine fabrics."

The three laughed together for a while until suddenly Lady changed the topic, "Is Seventh behaving himself?"

Using the term "behaving," as if Tong Minzhi was always a troublemaker.

No matter what she thought in her heart, Xiqiu’s face didn’t show any signs, "He went with Eldest Brother, and he’s not in the mansion. They said Third Brother kept him for lunch, and in the afternoon, they went to the academy together." She stood up and picked up the teapot from the kang table to refill Lady’s cup with hot tea, "Eldest Brother is always busy, and it’s rare for him to go, so we’re glad to have Qiuyun being so capable." She looked genuinely appreciative and admiring.

"Oh?" Lady took the tea with a slightly proud tone, "Qiuyun and Chunyu have always been clever. With no one to make decisions in Seventh’s room, they are certainly fitting."

"I think so too; we are indeed lucky to have them manage Seventh Brother, otherwise who knows what might happen." Xiqiu smiled sincerely, her face full of gratitude, "Even Eldest Brother praised them."

Lady did not speak but her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Nanny Fang’s heart skipped a beat as she looked quickly at Xiqiu, trying to find any hint of expression on her face, but found none. She sat there with a gentle smile and a respectful demeanor, her eyes slightly lowered as if that previous sentence had genuinely been a heartfelt compliment.

Nanny Fang felt a moment of bewilderment and then spoke with a smile, "At this time, the eldest master should be coming out of the study." Qiuyun and Chunyu were taught by her personally; if any disgraceful events occurred, she wouldn’t be able to hold her head high, "Didn’t the eldest grandaunt send over a few baskets of fish and turtles this morning? Maybe the kitchen can stew some?"

Xiqiu appeared completely surprised, "At this time, fish and turtles in the Capital are as precious as gold!" Her face was full of admiration, and she exclaimed, "Eldest Sister is truly resourceful!"

Lady’s smile broadened, her eyes unabashedly proud, "It’s not her credit. Marquis had people galloping back from Fujian, knowing Eldest Brother loves it, he instructed them to send two baskets back."

There were reports of successive victories from Fujian, it was said that Marquis Xuanning, Xiao Yanji, had driven the pirates back to the sea from Fujian to Guangdong, suffering heavy casualties and likely unable to recover for some time.

When the memorial arrived, the Emperor, sitting in the great hall, praised him three times. The Xuanning Marquis Mansion had its status elevated, with guests pouring in.

"Eldest Sister truly is fortunate!" Xiqiu smiled, her tone sincere, as the eldest brother-in-law was Marquis Xuanning’s younger brother, holding a nominal post in the Five Armies Commander’s Mansion. Although he lacked actual power, with the Marquis as his backing, Lady spoke with unabashed pride.

Lady was very pleased, her brows and eyes unable to conceal her delight. Xiqiu kept up the flattery until early afternoon before leaving.

As soon as she had left, Lady furrowed her brow slightly and said to Nanny Fang, "Go to the kitchen and see to it. Pick some big ones when making the stew for Shenzhi’s taste."

Nanny Fang was momentarily taken aback and quietly glanced at Lady, "I’ll go right away."

Lady looked at Zijuan, who had just entered the room to switch her shift, lowering her voice slightly, "Secretly go to the outer courtyard and take a look. Come back and tell me everything in detail."

Zijuan’s heart tensed, understanding that Lady was referring to the two maids, Qiuyun and Chunyu. She nodded earnestly, "I understand."

Xiqiu left Zhui Garden, paused briefly behind the rockery, and sure enough, saw Nanny Fang leave the courtyard with a sullen face towards the small kitchen. Shortly after, Zijuan turned towards the east.

Was she going to verify her words?

A smile appeared on her lips as she was helped by Siliu, passing through the small garden and entering through the Hanging Flower Gate. Suddenly, someone dashed out from inside, startling Chunyan, who was leading the way. Siliu stepped forward to pull Chunyan back, scolding with a cold face, "Are you asking for it, must you not watch where..." She paused mid-sentence, recognizing the face of the maid, "Liufu, what’s happened?"

Liufu’s face was full of tears, her usual composure gone, and she was in a state of panic.

"We’ll talk when we’re back!" Xiqiu felt a sinking feeling in her heart, intuitively linking Liufu’s state to Tong Minzhi. She didn’t dare to think too much, aware of the people coming and going at the gate, knowing that in urgent situations, one must remain calm.

Chunyan hurriedly supported Liufu, glancing around before raising her voice, "Did you sneak some fruit and get punished by Qiuyun? This petty matter, running to the Miss like this, aren’t you embarrassed?" As she spoke, she helped wipe away her tears, using a bit of strength to lead her behind Xiqiu, walking towards the Zhiqu Courtyard.