CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 126: SACRIFICE (PART 1)

The Lady understood in her heart that after venting her anger, she felt much more relieved. Wiping her tears, she nodded and said, "Since the Master has made his decision, then we will follow your wishes. I will continue to manage the household affairs as before, so you can depart for your post with peace of mind."

The First Master showed a look of relief on his face. The Lady shifted her gaze and said, "Once the appointment letter arrives, you will be leaving. In the next couple of days, I will prepare the items for you to take with you." She paused and added, "Your daily needs must be carefully managed, and the maids and old women with clumsy hands won’t suffice. As in previous years, I’ll select one from the house to accompany you."

The First Master slightly frowned, showing some displeasure as he said, "Handle it as you see fit."

The Lady then revealed a slight smile.

When the news of the First Master’s appointment spread within the household, Xiqiu was sitting at the edge of the bed, embroidering the second piece of begonia. Having heard Siliu’s words, she didn’t even raise her head and merely responded faintly, "Hmm." Siliu, full of helplessness, said, "The First Master has just returned for a few days and is leaving again soon, not staying for long."

Xiqiu also wished he could stay a few more days, giving Tong Minzhi more opportunities to interact with him.

In the evening, Zijuan from the Lady’s room came personally, saying that the Lady invited the young ladies and the young master to have dinner at the main courtyard.

Xiqiu put down her embroidery hoop, after a simple grooming, changed into a lake green overcoat and a moon-white embroidered skirt, her petite embroidered shoes peeking from under the skirt. She smiled with satisfaction looking at the turquoise red hairpin and two fluffy flowers in her hair, and said, "Siliu’s skill is getting better."

Siliu, not humbly, mimicked Xiqiu nodding and said, "I think so too."

Xiqiu laughed, brought Siliu and Sixing to the main courtyard. As they entered, they saw Tong Shen Zhi and Tong Minzhi walking side by side, and upon spotting Xiqiu, Tong Minzhi’s eyes lit up, mischievously winking at her. Xiqiu bowed slightly to Tong Shen Zhi, greeting him, "Big Brother." Tong Shen Zhi nodded slightly as a greeting. Xiqiu then turned to see Tong Minzhi in a deep blue short coat and asked in a low voice, "Why are you wearing this? Where is the robe I made for you?"

Tong Minzhi glanced at Tong Shen Zhi walking ahead of them, stuck out his tongue, and said, "Zixia said I look good in this, the dark color makes me look steady."

Just as Xiqiu was about to speak, Tong Xiyan and Tong Xiyu approached from the other side. Seeing Xiqiu, Tong Xiyan greeted her with a smile, "Why didn’t you wait for me? I have something to tell you."

Xiqiu raised her eyebrow and asked, "What is it?"

Tong Xiyan glanced at Tong Xiyu, leaned close to Xiqiu’s ear, and whispered, "He has written." Xiqiu was startled and asked in surprise, "Has he reached Fujian already?" Judging by the days, it shouldn’t be this fast.

"Let’s talk inside." Suddenly, Tong Shen Zhi stopped and turned to look at them, his deep voice interrupting their conversation.

Tong Xiyan shrank back, bowed to Tong Shen Zhi, then held Xiqiu’s arm and whispered, "Come to my place later, and I’ll tell you in detail."

Xiqiu nodded slightly. Meanwhile, Tong Xiyu also came over, exchanged greetings with Tong Shen Zhi and Tong Minzhi, and the four of them went into the main room together.

The First Master, the Lady, and Xu Tianqing were already seated in the main hall. The four entered in order, greeted the First Master and the Lady, then exchanged greetings with Xu Tianqing, and finally sat in the chairs according to their seniority.

Aside from the concubines, one family gathering was notably missing Tong Xiyang. Xiqiu sighed, wondering whether Tong Xiyang’s engagement was a matter of reaching for someone above their station or marrying below their station!

"Now that everyone is here, serve the meal!"

The Lady instructed Nanny Fang to set the table. The maids went in and out carrying dishes, and after a while, Nanny Fang came out and said, "The meal is ready. Please take your seats, Master and Lady." With this, she went to help the Lady, and the group moved to the adjoining room for dinner.

The table was a bit crowded, the Lady frowned and told Nanny Fang, "Weren’t two tables prepared? Place the other table as well."

Nanny Fang glanced at the First Master and said in a low voice, "The Master instructed to set only one table. He said that it’s just a meal, and sitting together is more lively."

The Lady didn’t say anything further.

With six meat dishes, four vegetables, soup, and bone plates, the table was full. The family ate quietly, and Nanny Fang cleaned the table. Everyone moved back to the main hall for tea. The First Master, holding a teacup, looked at his children one by one, then said, "The Ministry of Personnel has finalized the document, and I will return to Yongzhou in a few days. You are all grown up now, so you must help your mother more around the house."

Tong Shen Zhi seemed to have known the outcome long ago, showing no surprise at all. The only surprised one was Tong Minzhi, who blurted out, "When will Father return?" As soon as he spoke, he regretted it, wanting to bite his tongue for fear of being ignored by the First Master in front of so many people, leaving him with no way out.

As expected, the First Master did not speak.

The Lady’s gaze fell on Tong Minzhi. The others also turned to look at him, watching his face gradually redden as he sat awkwardly on his chair like he was on pins and needles.

Xiqiu frowned, about to help Tong Minzhi out of the situation, when the First Master suddenly spoke. He looked at Tong Minzhi and replied, "Three years." He then took a sip of tea and, as if remembering something, added, "The laws regarding appointments of officials in Great Zhou are clearly defined. You can have a look during your leisure time. If you don’t have it, you can take it from my study."

Tong Minzhi almost jumped up in excitement, grasping his own hands tightly. Xiqiu could almost feel how much force he exerted, seeing the red marks on his arms with blood speckled was heart-wrenching. She wanted to quash Tong Minzhi’s expectation of the First Master, but she couldn’t—they were father and son, and she had no right to do so.

The Lady looked at the First Master in surprise, as this was the first time in years the First Master had showed consideration for Tong Minzhi’s feelings.

What happened to change the First Master’s attitude towards Tong Minzhi?

Xu Tianqing, seeing Tong Minzhi struggling to articulate, smiled and sat beside him, placing an arm around his shoulders, and said with a smile to the First Master, "Seventh Brother is young, but his academics are indeed excellent. Just yesterday, I heard the third cousin say Mr. Zhao praised Seventh Brother’s handwriting."

The First Master raised an eyebrow and looked at Tong Minzhi, whose face turned pale with nerves as he stammered, "He didn’t really...praise me. My...my handwriting isn’t good."

"No need for modesty, Seventh Cousin," Xu Tianqing said with a smile. "I’ve seen your handwriting, it can almost match mine in the Yan style." Tong Shen Zhi glanced at Xiqiu, seeing her seriously observing Tong Minzhi, then slightly frowned and asked Tong Minzhi, "How far are you in your lessons? Has the teacher started on the Tao Te Ching?"

The Lady furrowed her brows deeply.

"The teacher started on the Tao Te Ching at the beginning of the month and will start on the Ritual Records after August," Tong Minzhi blinked and slyly glanced at the First Master, recalling Xiqiu’s words, "Focus on your lessons these days; if Father asks about them and you don’t answer well, he will be disappointed." Thus, he studied until 7 p.m. every day, and several times he heard from Liufu that the First Master paused outside his courtyard for a while.