CHAPTER 408: CHAPTER 410: CONFIDENCE (5)

Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyebrows, a hint of pleasure appearing on his face.

When Xiqiu came out from inside and saw Fourth Master Xiao sitting on the kang, she said to him, "Fourth Master, you should go wash up too!" Fourth Master Xiao responded with a nod but didn’t get up immediately. Instead, he took a leisurely sip from his teacup, a slight expression of contentment on his face.

Xiqiu was momentarily stunned, raising her eyebrows as she looked at Fourth Master Xiao, finding his expression quite surprising at the moment, and asked, "Is there any good news?"

"No!" Fourth Master Xiao replied indifferently.

Xiqiu grew more puzzled and did not pursue further but instead thought of the matter concerning the Teng Family in the afternoon and asked Fourth Master Xiao, "The First Master Teng is quite the smart man, immediately offering apologies to mother upon arrival..."

Fourth Master Xiao listened with a faint smile and replied, holding Xiqiu’s hand, "Have you watched any opera?" Xiqiu nodded in response; of course, she had watched opera.

"Some matters are like the opera on stage; the outcome is determined the moment the gongs start." He paused briefly before continuing, "The Teng Family only has Teng Xinghua; they can only last three to five years at most."

This suggests that the Emperor had already decided on the Teng Family’s fate long ago, and ever since the Teng Family found the Second Prince in Shandong, their family’s destiny had been set on an inevitable path!

"It’s just a pity for Sheng." Xiqiu sighed, thinking how Sheng, with such a family background, might not feel much pride in his heart when he comes of age.

From a family with considerable background and scholarly lineage to now a merchant household wealthy to one side, this process... Xiqiu might not have understood before, but after seeing the First Young Madam Teng today, she suddenly did.

"What does the Fourth Master plan to do?" It wasn’t a question, nor a probe, but a certain inquiry directed at him.

This time, it was Fourth Master Xiao who was briefly stunned. He raised his eyebrows, revealing a hint of a smile in his eyes. Extending his long arms, he embraced Xiqiu, who was sitting on the kang, wrapping her in his embrace. He kissed her forehead twice and replied, "You clever little girl."

After speaking, he inhaled at Xiqiu’s neck, just feeling the fragrance and softness that made him reluctant to part. Unable to resist, he kissed her neck twice more before saying, "Rumors have spread about the Emperor lifting the sea ban, making the Teng Family uneasy, running around the court..."

He paused halfway in his speech, looking at Xiqiu with interest, as if to say: Let’s see what you can discern from this matter.

Xiqiu then laughed, giving Fourth Master Xiao a playful glare, and said, "Isn’t the Fourth Master trying to say that there’s no need for you or even the Emperor to take action against the Teng Family, as someone in the court will naturally deal with them?"

"So smart!" Fourth Master Xiao tapped Xiqiu’s nose, nodding, "We just need to stand back and watch." Xiqiu listened and lightly laughed.

Fourth Master Xiao kissed her on the cheek again, whispering in her ear, "I’ll go wash up, wait for me!" Xiqiu blushed, freeing herself from his embrace, sitting on the kang: "Fourth Master should go quickly, lest the water cools." Finished speaking, she looked for the pair of shoes she made that afternoon on the kang...

Fourth Master Xiao stood up from the kang and walked briskly towards the washroom, while Xiqiu rummaged a few times without success. She got off the kang to ask Chunyan if she’d seen them, but suddenly her gaze shifted and unexpectedly fell on Fourth Master Xiao’s feet.

That pair of shoes, embroidered with bamboo branch patterns on the upper, outlined with silver edges, were exactly the ones she just finished making today.

She looked at Fourth Master Xiao’s nonchalant back and leaned against the large pillow, a contented smile spreading across her face.

When Fourth Master Xiao came out of the washroom, Xiqiu was already on the bed, leaning against the headboard, flipping through the "Four People’s Monthly Orders." He sat down next to her with a cup of tea, casually asking, "Has the matter with the companion been settled?"

"Yes." Xiqiu turned a page, answering, "I’ve arranged for Jin Dairui to stay in the Capital to watch the house, Zou Bochang went to Shandong, and Zhu Sancheng to Tongzhou." She finished, looking up at Fourth Master Xiao, "Why is the Fourth Master suddenly asking about this matter?"

Fourth Master Xiao said, "... The snow in Shandong is quite heavy this year."

So it’s because of this matter, Xiqiu replied, "They said in the mountains, it seems not to have much impact."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, saying nothing more, turning to lie outside the bed. Xiqiu turned another page of the book in her hand, softly asking, "Fourth Master, do you know what crops are suitable for planting in mountain drylands?"

"Drylands?" Fourth Master Xiao turned to look at her, replying, "I remember Mother’s estate in the suburb of the capital has a Steward Liu, who’s quite capable and efficient at farming. Tomorrow, I’ll make arrangements in the outer court; if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can just ask him!"

Xiqiu felt a surge of joy upon hearing this, sitting up to look at Fourth Master Xiao and said, "Is it true, Fourth Master?" Fourth Master Xiao smiled and nodded, Xiqiu then beamed, "I was just fretting over how to start. If this Steward Liu can indeed offer advice, that would be the best possible outcome."

Seeing her rejoicing, Fourth Master Xiao’s expression relaxed even more, he replied in a cheerful tone, "How about this, tomorrow you let Zou Bochang go to the outer court to meet Steward Liu, and listen to what he has to say, if it doesn’t work, let them take a trip to Shandong to see for themselves, as the specific crops might vary depending on the area."

"Yes." Xiqiu nodded repeatedly, smiling, "Thank you, Fourth Master." She paused for a moment, then noticed a gleam of amusement in Fourth Master Xiao’s eyes.

The next morning, Min came to pay respects. Since the last time having breakfast here, every time he came, Xiqiu naturally let Chunyan serve him porridge, and Min said nothing, quietly sitting next to Xiqiu, silently finishing one boiled egg, a bowl of porridge, and two buns.

Then he quietly drank a glass of water without any additions, Xiqiu instructed Chunliu to find Zou Bochang to go to the outer court to meet Steward Liu, and then took Min to Grand Dowager’s room.

Grand Dowager no longer asked if Min had breakfast. When the Second Madam and First Madam arrived, Grand Dowager said, "From the day after tomorrow, the monks of Fahua Temple will enter the residence." She turned to First Madam, "Are the incense and paper money all prepared?"

First Madam lowered her eyebrows, nodding and answered, "All have been prepared." Her voice carried a faint sadness.

In two days, it would be the anniversary of Xiao Yanji’s passing!

Grand Dowager gave some further instructions but soon lost interest in talking, leaning on Nanny Wu to enter the Buddhist Hall to recite scriptures, while Xiqiu was supported by Chunliu and Bihuai back to her own courtyard.

Passing by First Madam’s flower house, she saw many flower seeds already laid out inside, various flowerpots placed neatly inside, with older women trimming branches inside. Even through thick glass walls, she seemed to smell the fragrance emitting from within...

She lowered her eyebrows and returned to her room.

Instructing Chunliu, "Are all the New Year’s gifts prepared? After the mourning day of my big brother, take Nanny Cen along and deliver them accordingly." Chunliu nodded, "Yes, Mistress, I know."

Xiqiu added, "For Yangpi Lane, later, send thirty taels of silver over there, as it is their first time staying in the Capital for the New Year, it shouldn’t be too desolate."