CHAPTER 145: CHAPTER 145: DILEMMA (5)

First Master raised his eyebrows slightly, looking somewhat puzzled at this daughter who was not particularly close to him, and asked, "Why did you suddenly think of this?" Xiqiu blushed and responded with some unease, "I have received the grace of being raised by you, Father, but I have never done anything for you. Now you’re leaving for three years, and in three years, I will have grown up too... I’m afraid that if I want to do something later, I might not have such an opportunity again. So, I want to cook a farewell feast for you myself before you leave, even though it’s just a small gesture, it’s from your daughter’s heart."

First Master was taken aback, and the anger within him seemed to dissipate with Xiqiu’s slight smile. He had been upset with Madam Xia for brushing off his goodwill, but he hadn’t thought of the loving times they once had. She had borne him a pair of children, and even though he had never fulfilled a day of his duties as a father, she had never complained to the children, allowing him to remain their sole reliance in their hearts. The fact that she raised his children so well was in itself a testament to her lingering feelings for him.

After all, regardless of what happened between them or with Madam Xia, the children were innocent.

Perhaps it was right for Madam Xia not to go, after all, even he didn’t know how to interact with her anymore!

"Good!" First Master’s expression gradually softened, looking at Xiqiu, he said, "Invite your eldest brother and the others." Xiqiu’s face lit up with joy, smiling she nodded, "Alright! I will start preparing right away!"

First Master nodded slightly, watching Xiqiu’s figure grow distant before he slowly walked into the study.

The servant waiting outside let out a long sigh of relief. First Master had been standing outside all night, and now he was finally going in to rest. They silently thanked Sixth Miss for coming.

Xiqiu recounted her conversation with First Master word for word to Lady. Hearing that Tong Shen Zhi and Tong Xiyan were included, Lady didn’t say much, only cautioned, "Don’t cause trouble for your father!"

"Yes!" Xiqiu obediently nodded in agreement.

Lady sighed towards Nanny Fang while pointing at Xiqiu, "Children are indeed so naive and carefree!"

Nanny Fang nodded with a smile but looked at Xiqiu with a scrutinizing gaze.

Does Sixth Miss really not know what happened last night, or is she doing this on purpose? She couldn’t figure it out and felt that sometimes she couldn’t understand what Sixth Miss was up to.

Xiqiu didn’t mind any of this. After bidding farewell to Lady, she went to the kitchen, spending the whole day busy around the stove, preparing eight meat and eight vegetarian dishes, four servings of soup, and three plates of pastries. She then had the maids and servants carry the food to First Master’s study and instructed Sixing and Siliu to invite the young masters and misses from each room.

By the evening, everyone finally gathered around the table. First Master sat at the head, with Tong Shen Zhi, Xu Tianqing, and Tong Minzhi on his right, and Tong Xiyan, Xiqiu, and Tong Xiyu on his left. Xiqiu had also gone to invite Tong Xiyang, but her maid said she had caught a chill over the past few nights, had just taken medicine, and fell asleep, declining Xiqiu’s kind invitation.

It was just that when Sixing returned, she mentioned overhearing Third Miss talking with the maids in the yard when she was at the door, but by the time she knocked and the door was opened, just in the blink of an eye... Third Miss had taken medicine and gone to sleep.

Xiqiu smiled without saying anything, turning instead to look at Tong Minzhi, who was excitedly sitting beside Xu Tianqing, looking at First Master with joy in his eyes.

She sighed silently. Meanwhile, First Master said, "Today, let’s break the rules for once, and don’t mind the saying of not talking during meals. Feel free to chat!" The children, especially Tong Minzhi and Tong Xiyan, were delighted, their faces animated with joy.

"Father." Tong Xiyan clung to First Master’s arm, "Sixth Sister personally cooked this farewell feast for you, we can’t just eat it for free." As she spoke, she pulled out a painting from her sleeve, "This is something I painted a few days ago. Though the technique is still raw, it represents my heartfelt wishes, wishing Father a smooth and safe journey!"

First Master accepted it and had the servant lay the painting out on the table. It was a depiction of mountains and streams, with steep peaks and winding streams, smoke curling up from the mountains, painting a seemingly otherworldly and beautiful scene like a fairyland. With eyes filled with admiration, First Master nodded, "This painting of Wuyi Mountain is quite good!"

It was high praise, and Tong Xiyan smiled happily, "Thank you, Father, for your praise."

Xiqiu felt a silent amusement; this Tong Xiyan couldn’t resist incorporating Jiang Shilin into her painting. He went to Fujian, and she created a painting of Wuyi Mountain!

Xu Tianqing presented a copy of "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection," a piece of calligraphy full of grandeur and vigor, quite inconsistent with his gentle demeanor. First Master was very pleased and had it stored away with repeated praises...

Tong Shen Zhi didn’t prepare anything specific but cited a piece of ancient text, delivering a farewell speech devoid of rhythm, bringing the lively atmosphere in the room to an extreme lull before he finally stopped. Xiqiu sighed, rubbing her forehead... As for Tong Xiyu, she embarrassedly took out a pair of shoes, stating she had been observing Sixth Sister make them and had never made a pair for Father, though they weren’t as exquisite as Sixth Sister’s, she hoped Father wouldn’t mind.

Once everyone finished presenting their gifts, they turned their eyes to Tong Minzhi, and Xu Tianqing jokingly asked, "What has Seventh Brother prepared?"

Tong Minzhi cautiously looked at First Master, stammering for a long time before saying, "I... I haven’t prepared a gift." Xiqiu raised an eyebrow; she had specifically asked Sixing to remind him to prepare something... First Master also raised an eyebrow slightly, saying, "It’s not a big deal, it’s okay even if you don’t give anything." He pointed to the dishes on the table, "Try out Xiqiu’s cooking." He took a piece of yellow croaker’s fish belly.

Everyone ate and chatted; Tong Minzhi was very happy, sometimes offering tea to First Master, sometimes offering it to Tong Shen Zhi. Xiqiu kept smiling as she watched him, not stopping him, letting him freely mingle with First Master.

After the meal, everyone was satisfied, and First Master, feeling a bit tired, dismissed them all. Xiqiu walked to the door and saw Tong Minzhi sneaking out of the courtyard only to return secretly after a while, entering First Master’s study.

First Master looked at him with surprise on his flushed face, asking expressionlessly as usual, "Why have you come back, is something the matter?"

Tong Minzhi was startled, tightly clenching the box in his hand, unable to say the prepared words. First Master, puzzled, watched him. Seeing his flushed cheeks, he warily took a step back, then approached, bending down to watch Tong Minzhi, he asked, "A gentleman is open and aboveboard, why are you being so secretive?"

Tong Minzhi’s body trembled, biting his lips, hesitantly bringing his hand from behind him, extending it in front of First Master.

First Master looked stunned for a moment and lowered his head, seeing him holding a large red lacquered wooden box, he asked, "Is this for me? What is it?" Tong Minzhi stammered, "It’s a gift I prepared for Father, but it’s crudely made, and I’m afraid... afraid Father won’t like it."

First Master gave him a glance, then accepted the box and opened it. Inside, on the plush lining, rested a clay sculpture. Picking it up, he was momentarily surprised; it was a figurine, clad in an official hat, the robe straight, holding an official seal in one hand, standing with hands behind his back, exuding an imposing presence...