CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 25: ZHOU QUAN

Tong Xiyang glanced at Xu Tianqing and laughed, "Sixth Sister, don’t blame yourself. Our Tong Mansion has many capable women, and one untalented person like you won’t ruin our reputation!" She implied that Xiqiu was untalented and ignorant.

The atmosphere turned cold in an instant.

The matter started because of her playing the zither, making Tong Xiyu somewhat embarrassed. She murmured in a voice as low as a mosquito buzz, "Sister, please stop talking. It’s all my fault!"

Xu Tianqing frowned. As an outsider, he couldn’t say much, but Tong Xiyang’s constant targeting of Xiqiu made him quite displeased.

Tong Minzhi’s eyes were full of slyness. He whispered something into Tong Quanzi’s ear, who then said with great curiosity, "I heard that Third Sister once begged Lady to invite Aunt Song back to teach you dance. So, Third Sister must be great at dancing. Why not dance for us, while Eighth Sister plays the zither?"

As soon as he said this, Tong Xiyang’s face turned red, and the expressions of everyone else changed as well.

Aunt Song was a renowned pure from the Teaching Bureau in the Capital, but a pure officer is still a prostitute. That Third Miss actually asked Lady to invite her to teach.

Tong Shen Zhi remained focused on drinking tea, not caring about his daughters’ disputes, thinking it was just a lack of broader horizons from staying in the inner courtyard. But Xiqiu’s earlier words had already made him mildly displeased with Tong Xiyang, and now he was even more angry as he scolded Tong Quanzi, "What nonsense are you speaking? Keep your mouth shut!" Then he turned to Tong Xiyang, "Today’s Fourth Sister’s birthday, we are merely sitting together. Don’t mention other things."

Xiqiu smiled, making peace, "Just children’s words." She gave Tong Minzhi a secret glare, "Third Sister just wanted to join in the fun."

But everyone present could hear Tong Xiyang’s true intentions.

Tong Quanzi felt humiliated by the reprimand and muttered sulkily, "Fine, no dancing. Let’s go to the Teaching Bureau another day to see." Then he looked at Xiqiu, raising his thick eyebrows, "Sixth Sister, I’ll show you some martial arts later."

Tong Xiyan trembled with anger, her face turning purple. She only wanted to outshine Xiqiu in front of Xu Tianqing, but unexpectedly, she was outwitted and Tong Mansion’s reputation was mentioned. Tong Quanzi was from the second branch, so how would he know she once begged Lady to invite Aunt Song, unless it was Xiqiu and her brother?!

Tong Xiyan saw Tong Xiyang suffer a silent loss and couldn’t help but secretly laugh, whispering to Xiqiu, "You mischievous girl, did you do that on purpose?" Xiqiu, with wide eyes, pretended to be clueless, "What?"

"Really don’t know?" Tong Xiyan examined her, but fortunately, Tong Xiyu pulled her aside and said something, diverting the attention.

Xiqiu breathed a sigh of relief.

Earlier, as an outsider, Xu Tianqing couldn’t help feeling awkward. He stood up and smiled, "Big Brother, it’s been a long time since we played chess. The breeze here is refreshing. How about we have some wine brewed and play a few games?"

Tong Shen Zhi happily agreed, "That sounds good!"

Xiqiu quickly ordered someone to set up the chessboard, have the wine brewed, and moved over to a stone table covered with a rug.

Tong Quanzi and Tong Minzhi couldn’t sit still, making faces as they wanted to go to a cleared area to play martial arts.

As everyone dispersed, only Tong Xiyang remained seated, sipping several cups of tea. After a short while, she acted as if nothing happened, approaching Tong Shen Zhi, "Huh? Why is Big Brother’s piece placed here? I’ve been staring at it and can’t figure out the mystery."

Tong Shen Zhi was focused on playing chess and casually responded, "Hmm."

Tong Xiyang wasn’t discouraged. She called for a chair to be moved next to him and occasionally pointed out moves on the chessboard, "Cousin, this move is brilliant!" And, "Big Brother, you shouldn’t move like this," causing Tong Shen Zhi to frown repeatedly.

Nanny Fang arrived, smiling and greeting everyone, "Lady asked me to remind you young masters and misses, though you’re having fun, don’t drink recklessly. The wind in the woods is strong to avoid catching a cold. If you still don’t feel satisfied, you can go sit in Lady’s room."

Nanny Fang knew this wasn’t a pleasant errand, so she didn’t rush them, just smiled and stood by.

Siliu had just brought a cloak, but Tong Quanzi had long since thrown it somewhere. He shouted, sweating, "So disappointing!"

Tong Xiyang pouted, looking unhappy, "We’ve only been here for half an hour!"

Xiqiu was eager for the gathering to end immediately, but she still smiled and said, "Why not come to my room to sit for a while? There’s no wind, and we won’t disturb Mother."

Compared to going to Lady’s room, Xiqiu’s place was naturally more comfortable. Tong Quanzi was the first to agree, fearing Xiqiu might change her mind, telling Nanny Fang, "Did you hear, Nanny? We’re going to Sixth Sister’s room. You better go back and tell Lady, save yourself from being an eyesore here."

Nanny Fang simply smiled. Lady only asked her to give a reminder and anticipated they wouldn’t actually go to her room. Since Sixth Miss gave her an out, why insist on refusing? "I’ll go right away!" yet she didn’t leave immediately.

Tong Xiyang stopped everyone, looking very enthusiastic, "Going to Sixth Sister’s room is good, but I heard there are many spring bamboo shoots sprouting in this grove. How about I pick some to take back? We can have the kitchen cook them, and we will have dinner at Sixth Sister’s place. What do you think?"

Tong Quanzi’s eyes lit up, even Tong Minzhi looked eager.

Tong Xiyang approached and grabbed Tong Xiyan, "Fourth Sister is the host today, so your agreement counts!"

Tong Xiyan frowned but couldn’t shake off her hand in front of everyone. She smiled, "How about you go, Sister? We’ll take a break and enjoy the prepared meal tonight!"

Tong Xiyang wasn’t satisfied, grabbing Tong Xiyan instead, dragging her into the grove, "No lazing around allowed. Today, we’ll all be peasants for once and enjoy some farmer’s fun." After a few steps, she turned back, looking at Xiqiu, "Sixth Sister, you’re the most familiar with this place. Please show us the way!"

Tong Quanzi had already pulled Tong Minzhi along, and Xu Tianqing, uneasy, had no choice but to follow.

Xiqiu looked at Tong Shen Zhi with some concern and said, "Big Brother?" She needed someone capable of taking responsibility to agree.

Tong Shen Zhi’s brows also furrowed slightly, "Take more maids to guard you." He glanced at Xiqiu, inexplicably developing some trust in her, then turned around, lifted his robe and sat back down, as if no longer concerned.

Xiqiu had no choice but to discuss with Nanny Fang, "Please lead some maids to accompany us. Third Sister and Fourth Sister are delicate, the path in the grove is rough, and I’m afraid they’ll twist their ankles or get bitten by insects. It’s better to prepare some medicinal wine!"

Nanny Fang laughed, "Sixth Miss thinks so considerately. I’ll handle it right away!"

Xiqiu thanked her and followed Tong Xiyu into the grove.

Next to the grove was a waterside pavilion. Xiqiu saw a group of people around the pond, chattering about something.

Xu Tianqing was guarding one side, while Tong Xiyang and Tong Xiyan were pointing and gesturing at a bamboo tree. Tong Quanzi, holding a knife, was cutting away, and Tong Minzhi looked on with wide eyes, her cheeks rosy from the wind, looking very excited.

Xiqiu’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly walked over to see that he was digging up a newly sprouted bamboo shoot, "What is Third Brother doing? Let the maids do it, there’s no need for you to get your hands dirty!" If he got hurt, she really couldn’t explain it.