The topic shifted, and Lady replaced her smile: "Let's just place it here instead of moving it around."
A few maids arranged a marble table inlaid with pear wood and cloud patterns at the west corner of the Warm Pavilion, and set up bowls, chopsticks, and chairs. Lady excused several concubines from paying respects and said there was no need for the illegitimate daughters to serve the meal. Nine people sat around the table, and the Tong Family adhered strictly to the saying "don't talk while eating, don't speak while sleeping," so for a while, only the soft clinking of porcelain could be heard.
Only Xiqiu ate with some discomfort, observing Tong Minzhi while deliberately ignoring Xu Tianqing's occasional burning gaze from across. After finally finishing the meal and accompanying them for tea, she finally left Zhui Garden.
"Sixth Sister." The young master's quarters were in the opposite direction from Xiqiu's, and as they took the zigzagging corridor, Tong Minzhi finally found an opportunity to speak with Xiqiu: "Sister, how is Concubine doing recently? Are you well?"
Xiqiu looked around and saw no one was approaching. She signaled Sixing with her eyes to stand guard at the courtyard gate before speaking with relief: "Both Concubine and I are well. How about you?"
Once no outsiders were around, Tong Minzhi returned to his lively, mischievous demeanor, holding his sister's arm and looking up with a white, tender face full of flattery: "The teacher praised me for being diligent yesterday."
"Really? Our Seventh Young Master is truly remarkable!" Xiqiu rubbed Tong Minzhi's head. Before he moved out of the inner courtyard, Lady had spoiled him considerably, and she had worked hard to restrain him to read and write. Seeing him become so sensible now made her very happy.
"Really! The teacher also said to study hard and strive to take the examination in a couple of years." Tong Minzhi's face was full of excitement and eagerness to try.
Xiqiu was taken aback and suddenly wanted to meet this new teacher. This practice of setting realistic goals for students and striving towards them was very practical, unlike some old pedants who framed studying as purely for the country and the people, stripping the process of achieving goals of personal satisfaction.
Even though she knew there was no certainty, Xiqiu was still very pleased and nodded: "Then you must not disappoint the teacher's expectations; study hard."
Tong Minzhi nodded earnestly, putting on a solemn expression: "I will surely achieve a title like Big Brother and let you and Concubine live a good life."
Xiqiu's eyes reddened slightly. In this lifetime, she lost the convenience and freedom of her past life, but as an orphan, she gained priceless family affection, making her feel attachment for the first time: "Alright, Concubine and I are waiting."
Tong Minzhi nodded and shared a few amusing stories from the school, winking and saying: "Sister, I'm going for an outing with the teacher in the suburbs tomorrow. What would you like? I'll buy it for you."
"I want nothing. You must take care of yourself, hold the teacher's luggage, and remember to be respectful and filial to elders."
"I'll remember!"
Xiqiu saw shadows moving at the entrance of Zhui Garden. She straightened Tong Minzhi's clothes: "Go back quickly, and if there's anything, remember to discuss it with me and Concubine. Don't be as naughty as before."
Tong Minzhi nodded and left for the outer courtyard, turning back three times with every step.
Sixing returned with small steps, supporting Xiqiu as they walked back. Xiqiu, a little worried about Tong Minzhi, instructed: "Tomorrow morning, take two taels of silver to the Seventh Young Master, and prepare some snacks for him. Be mindful of how the people around him serve him."
Sixing nodded and noted it down.
Chunyan waited with a lantern at the Hanging Flower Gate. Seeing them, she quickly approached, her expression somewhat serious.
Xiqiu had guessed most of it, but her face remained calm: "We'll talk when we get back."
In the side courtyard's wing room, the concubine was seated on the kang, her eyes fixed on Xu Tianqing seated below her, her voice hoarse from repression: "With still a few months to go until the autumn examination, why did Mother bring you to the Capital now? Do you know why?"
An obscure darkness flashed across Xu Tianqing's face. He furrowed his brow and nodded but said nothing.
The concubine's expression slightly eased, her eyes already red: "Qing'er, I know I have been too harsh with you all these years. But you must understand, your father's lifetime has capped his potential as a regional dignitary; entering the cabinet as a prime minister is no longer possible. I have only you as a son; all hopes rest on you; you... must not disappoint me."
As she spoke, the concubine's tears flowed uncontrollably.
Xu Tianqing personally refilled her hot tea, solemnly handing it to his mother: "I understand, Mother!"
The concubine took the tea but didn't drink it, wiping her tears while glaring with red eyes: "It's good that you understand Mother's intentions." She paused: "With the turmoil in Fujian and the undercurrents in the court, it's a time when talents are needed..."
Xu Tianqing's body tensed, his fists clenching within his robe sleeves. His lips moved, but he said nothing.
The fire in the concubine's belly flared up. She knew her son's temperament: always gentle and never contradicting her verbally, yet independent and stubborn. Once he disagreed with something, he was hard to persuade. She didn't want to say anything harsh to damage the mother-son bond further, thinking of the girls' reactions in Lady's room earlier today when they looked at her son.
She could only take it one step at a time!
Still uneasy, she reluctantly waved her hand: "It's been a long day, go rest now."
Xu Tianqing bowed and retreated.
Bam!
The sound of porcelain breaking came from the room. Xu Tianqing paused in his steps but didn't look back as he walked away.
The maids outside waited for some time. Once the room quieted down again, they tiptoed inside to clean up.
Once fresh tea was served, one maid said: "Madam, just now, Third Miss came by, saying she wanted to see if there was anything you needed help tidying up with."
Having vented, the concubine felt slightly better and raised an eyebrow: "What did you say?"
The maid kept her head down: "I told her, Madam, that you were tired and already resting. Third Miss didn't say much more, just that she'd return tomorrow."
The concubine pursed her lips, a peculiar gleam in her eyes.
Chunyan nodded and slowed down her steps to walk ahead.
The three entered the courtyard, Chunliu brewed hot tea and withdrew, while Chunyan silently stood aside. Sixing knew she had something to say, so she intended to leave: "I'll go check on Siliu."
Xiqiu called her back: "Since it's about our residence, you should listen too."
Sixing no longer suggested leaving, standing guard at the door instead.
Chunyan went to the treasure cabinet, opened a famille rose Jade Pot Spring vase, and pulled out a gold-painted black lacquer box, her voice trembling: "Miss, just after you left, Moju from Cousin's room brought this over. I told her you weren't here to make a decision, and we'd wait for your return, but she said she was busy packing and left it there. I hid it as it was, without touching it, and then went to Third Miss and Fourth Miss's rooms under the guise of borrowing needles and thread to ask around. Cousin hasn't sent anything to the other Misses."
Xiqiu did not hurry to look at the box, instead asked: "Did anyone else see?" Seeing Chunyan shake her head confidently, she praised: "You handled this very well."