CHAPTER 345: CHAPTER 347: TOSSING AND TURNING (1)

Xiqiu thought of last night’s scene; if she hadn’t stopped Fourth Master Xiao, he might have gone on until dawn...

Afraid that Xiao Yanzheng would notice something amiss on her face, she lowered her head to sip tea and laughed, "It’s your fourth brother; you know him better than I do, why ask me instead?"

Xiao Yanzheng leaned on Xiqiu, playfully raising her eyebrow with a hint of teasing, "You’re actually shy... alright, I won’t say any more. Besides, we’ll have plenty of time ahead, and you’ll eventually tell me."

Xiqiu patted her hand earnestly and said, "I heard you’ve got an engagement? What kind of family is this Pang Mansion? Why haven’t I heard of a Pang Mansion in the Capital?"

Speaking of the engagement, Xiao Yanzheng’s face turned cold, and she replied dispiritedly, "It’s just a fifth-rank Ministry of Communication participant; there’s nothing much to say about it." It’s not that she disdains a fourth-rank official, but she doesn’t seem too pleased with this person.

Xiqiu tilted her head and asked, "What does he look like, how old is he?" Xiao Yanzheng replied with little enthusiasm, "He’s twenty years old, his ancestral home is in Guangxi, and he achieved the runner-up in the same year as Third-Ranked Scholar Jiang!"

Being the runner-up and already attaining the Standard Fifth Rank at such a young age, it seems this person either doesn’t fully grasp the ways of governance or has strong backing—such is the court’s world. Xiqiu isn’t particularly opposed; she’s just curious why the Grand Dowager would arrange such a match for Xiao Yanzheng. It’s said to marry a daughter upward, and a bride downward... such a disparity for a marriage is indeed significant.

"My health, though kept secret, is known by all meritorious families in the Capital. During that period, it coincided with no news from Fourth Brother. Everyone in the mansion was on edge. Mother heard Madam Hu say Lord Pang was decent, so Second Brother called him to the mansion for a meeting, and then agreed to it."

It seems Xiao Yanzheng has also met the person and is very unsatisfied; otherwise, she wouldn’t have this attitude.

She smiled and consoled, "I actually think this engagement is nicely arranged. Since you’re marrying into a family with significant disparity, once you’re married, Lord Pang will treat you like a treasure daily, never daring to neglect you for a moment... much better than a perfectly matched family. The Grand Dowager must have considered this point before arranging such a marriage for you."

Listening to this, Xiao Yanzheng nodded, "Sister-in-law also said the same."

Xiqiu was slightly surprised, never expecting the cool and aloof First Madam would advise others!

"Well then, relax, and marry with peace of mind. If ever you have dissatisfaction, you’re not without support—there are three brothers in court and a Commandery Princess sister-in-law in your mother’s family... just these titles are enough for Lord Pang to hold you in reverence."

Xiao Yanzheng listened and burst into laughter, teasing, "Look at you; marrying Fourth Brother turned you into such a talker." Then she covered her face and giggled, "From now on, Fourth Brother won’t be able to bully you; he really... won’t win in an argument with you." With that, both of them laughed merrily on the bed.

At noon, Xiao Yanzheng stayed for lunch. The two took a nap together on the bed, and in the afternoon, as soon as they got up to see Xiao Yanzheng off, Xiqiu noticed a small head peeking from under the curtain of the Warm Pavilion...

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows and walked over with a smile, "Xing, what brings you here, who’s with you?"

Xing blinked his eyes with a curious look, peeking inside as if confirming if there’s anyone else.

Xiqiu pulled him in, laughing, "It’s just Fourth Aunt here, who came with Xing?"

Xing felt relieved, and his small face immediately broke into a smile, "The nanny accompanied me... Fourth Aunt, I’m hungry."

His white teeth, like small rice grains, and his long phoenix eyes curved into crescents.

"Hungry?" Xiqiu crouched down to look at him, "Xing didn’t have lunch?" Saying this, she turned around to glance at the embarrassed nanny standing at the door.

The nanny responded cautiously, "Young Master Xin eats little; the doctor advises eating small portions frequently, so..."

Which is why he’s always hungry.

Xiqiu patted his head and asked the wide-eyed and curious Xing, "What do you want to eat?"

Xing tilted his head, scratching it in difficulty as if pondering, then suddenly turned to his nanny, "Nanny, what did we have for lunch?" The nanny replied, "Young Master Xin, at noon you had vegetarian stuffed buns and a bowl of pumpkin and shredded chicken bird’s nest porridge."

"Stuffed buns!" Xing’s eyes lit up, and he beamed at Xiqiu, worried she hadn’t heard or seen buns before, he repeated again, "Buns!"

"Alright." Xiqiu nodded with a slight smile, turned to Bihuai outside, "Go to the kitchen and see if they have buns, and also bring out a bowl of porridge." After a pause, she added, "Then go to the Grand Dowager’s room and say Xing came to visit me here."

Bihuai hesitated, glanced at Xing, thought for a moment, then nodded and ran out.

Xiqiu placed Xing on the bed, let the nanny sit on a stool beside him, and ordered Chunliu to serve tea. With a smile, she helped Xing brush off his small jiaao made of bright red Shu brocade, as his short legs swung below the bed, his eyes darting around curiously, looking adorable. Xiqiu chuckled and asked, "What is Xing looking at?"

Hearing this, Xing slightly shrunk his neck and lowered his voice, "I... I am checking if Fourth Uncle is in or not." If he were, Xing wouldn’t dare come in and speak.

So it turns out he was checking for Fourth Master Xiao. Xiqiu nodded with a smile, "Fourth Uncle is not home; don’t worry, Xing."

He listened and nodded with his little head.

Since childhood, Xing’s health was weak, and the Grand Dowager dared not let him roam or move excessively. Even minor activity might lead to breathlessness and a purple face, so everyone in the Man Mansion didn’t dare play with him. He often wanted others around, but they feared trouble, staying far away... He’s still young, perhaps when he’s older, he’ll understand his uniqueness.

Xiqiu sighed softly and asked Xing, "Why are you all alone, not playing with Min?"

Xing’s small face drooped and he pouted unhappily, "Min, won’t let me... jump." Xiqiu was taken aback, for the words of children at this age are only fully understood by those who frequently care for them, so she smiled at the nanny, who answered, "Fifth Young Master made two grasshoppers for the young masters, and Young Master Xin’s was taken by Young Master Sheng..." Matters of the young masters, the nanny, being a servant, dared not comment.

Apparently, Fifth Young Master made grasshoppers for both, but Young Master Xing’s was snatched by Young Master Sheng from Fifth Young Master’s room. Xing had nothing to play with, and Min wouldn’t share, so he ended up sulking and coming to her alone.

"How about playing with this, Xing, don’t be angry." Saying this, Xiqiu casually retrieved a bat she wove with a needle from the sewing basket—it wasn’t pretty, but its color combination made it chubby and adorable.

Upon seeing it, Xing was instantly fond of it, holding it and giggling, "I said Fourth Aunt is really nice!"