Free Web NovelChapter 1016: Chapter 1007: Marriage (Part 1)
"I’m going back today." Unable to sleep, Xiqiu got up with Fourth Master Xiao and helped him put on his official robe: "Big sister-in-law entrusted Nanny Qiu to come, saying she has something to discuss with me."
Fourth Master Xiao stood still, allowing Xiqiu to straighten his lapels and fasten his belt. She then led him to the dressing table to fix his hair, and Xiqiu continued, "I suspect it might be about Seventh Brother’s marriage."
"Seventh Brother’s marriage?" Fourth Master Xiao paused, remembering that Tong Minzhi was already sixteen: "Has he taken a fancy to any young lady?"
By the time they finished their conversation, everything was tidied up. He stood up and left the room with Xiqiu. Breakfast was laid out in the side room. Xiqiu asked Bihuai to bring Zhi’er over. When the couple sat at the table, Xiqiu said, "I haven’t heard any news, but since Big Sister-in-law invited me back, she must have some plans."
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, Tong Minzhi has reached the age to discuss marriage.
Back then, he said he would only talk about marriage after becoming a scholar, and First Master agreed. Now he is indeed a scholar, and the marriage cannot be postponed any longer.
"Hmm." Fourth Master Xiao accepted the tea poured by Xiqiu and replied, "Getting married is good, too; you’ll have an extra helping hand in the future."
If the sister-in-law married well, she might be even more intimate and helpful than Madam Jiang for Xiqiu since Tong Minzhi is her full sibling.
Xiqiu understood Fourth Master Xiao’s careful consideration, nodded, and smiled, "It depends on Seventh Brother’s fate..." She paused and continued, "I heard Mr. Zhao seems inclined to propose his granddaughter to him, saying she will come of age next year. Although I haven’t met the girl, since the Zhao Mansion is scholarly, she shouldn’t be too bad."
"Mr. Zhao?" Fourth Master Xiao seemed to wonder which Mr. Zhao it was, contemplated for a moment without any outcome, and simply said, "You make the choice, and if you need me to attend to anything, just let me know."
Xiqiu covered her face, laughing, "Marriage doesn’t require attending to matters," she couldn’t help but continue jokingly, "Could it be that Fourth Master needs to resort to underhanded methods to forcibly take a woman?"
Fourth Master Xiao also laughed heartily, pinching Xiqiu’s nose, "How dare you tease me," and, finding it somewhat unsatisfying, pecked at the corner of her mouth, thinking that after all these years, he never tires of her!
Xiqiu blushed at his actions, gave him a reproachful look, just as Zhi’er entered from outside: "Father, Mother!" He then lifted the curtain and strode in.
He was already shoulder-high to Xiqiu; nearly the size of ten-year-old Xing. He was robust, and his facial features seemed to be carved out of the same mold as Fourth Master Xiao’s, though with a sunnier disposition. He sat next to Xiqiu with brisk and energetic strides, grabbed an egg, skillfully peeled it, dipped it in soy sauce, and took a bite: "What are you talking about? You’re so happy."
Watching her son eat, Xiqiu handed him a napkin to wipe his mouth and frowned, "How many times have I told you, and you still don’t listen about washing your hands?" As usual, she nagged out of habit, then changed the subject: "Did you get up at 1 a.m. again?"
"Yes!" Zhi’er nodded, "Master Hua said that once the weather cools, I won’t have to get up so early," he said, sipping some ginseng tea and asked Fourth Master Xiao, "Father, the teacher said he’ll take me horseback riding in the suburbs in a couple of days!"
Fourth Master Xiao, without looking up, nodded, "Go ahead." He paused and added, "Let Qingshan, Qingyuan, and Erquan accompany you."
Zhi’er agreed, finished his breakfast, grabbed a piece of crystal cake to eat on the go, "I’m off, Mr. Ji’s assignments are still unfinished." With that, he dashed out of the door, grabbed his schoolbag from Dongling outside, and ran out of the courtyard in a flash.
Xiqiu sighed, realizing her son didn’t inherit any of her temperament, and couldn’t help but glance at Fourth Master Xiao, who shrugged his eyebrows indifferently...
After the couple had breakfast, Chunliu entered the room with a smile, wearing a dark green floral overcoat and a round bun hairstyle, looking more plump than before. "Fourth Master, the horse is ready," she announced with a smile.
Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly, placed down his teacup, and rose, greeting Xiqiu before striding toward the door. Xiqiu followed him out.
Once Fourth Master Xiao had left, Lyuzhi came in with a young maid to clear the dishes. Xiqiu looked at Chunliu and asked, "Is Jinjin settled?" Jinjin is Chunliu’s son and was supposed to be looked after by Nanny Jin at home. However, the child was excessively attached to his mother, crying at home every day, and since Jin Dairui was busy assisting at the medical shop, Xiqiu allowed Chunliu to bring Jinjin to the mansion. A child in the mansion adds to the liveliness.
"He’s being looked after by a young maid in the backyard," Chunliu said while supporting Xiqiu into the next room, "With the Double Ninth Festival approaching, how do you plan to arrange things for the Grand Dowager?"
In previous years, no special arrangements were made. Xiqiu just arranged for the family to have a meal together and chat with the Grand Dowager. Sometimes, when Old Madam Lou felt well enough, she could even come for a visit. After pondering, Xiqiu replied, "Let’s follow the usual plan, and if there are any changes at the time, we can adjust accordingly." Since Xiao Yanyi wasn’t returning to the mansion, the Grand Dowager would be preoccupied and uneasy about everything without having him at ease.
Chunliu complied, assisted Xiqiu in changing her clothes, and accompanied by Bihuai and Lyuzhi, they returned to the Tong Mansion.
Madam Jiang was on the bed, talking with Xing. Xing’s temperament was the opposite of Kun’s. She had just learned to talk, and her small mouth would chatter non-stop, which was very endearing. As soon as Xiqiu entered the room, she opened her arms sweetly and called out, "Sixth Aunt, Sixth Aunt, hug me!"
Xiqiu adored Xing. Seeing her, she quickly walked over, picked her up, and planted a peck on her cheek, "Did you miss Auntie?"
"I did." Xing nodded, her big round eyes a replica of Xiqiu’s. People often say that nieces resemble their aunts, and Xiqiu felt that Xing was a miniature version of her sisters. In her facial features and even her small hands and feet, one could see traces of several aunts. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"Where did you miss?" Xiqiu hugged her and scratched her neck, "Here?" Then tickled her waist, "Or here?"
Xing giggled, tumbling in Xiqiu’s arms, "Mother, Mother... help!" while reaching for Madam Jiang, who was smiling broadly nearby, "I can’t help you with this..." she chuckled.
With no other options, Xing clung to Xiqiu’s neck, pouting, "I like Sixth Aunt the most, really, really!" She assured with her hand raised.
After playing around with her for a while, Xiqiu let her sit aside, tidying up her hair and with a smile said, "But you must remember what you said, or Auntie will be sad." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Xing immediately nodded, "Yes, yes, I promise!"
Xiqiu laughed, couldn’t resist pinching her little face and instructed Bihuai to bring the snacks from home, "Nanny Qiu made them herself, knowing you love them and sent them with special care," she said, handing them to Xing and added, "Such a little thing, in just a few days, you’ve managed to win over Nanny Qiu too."
