CHAPTER 369: CHAPTER 371: THE CONSERVATORY (2)

"Just thinking of some other things." After speaking, she thought of Tong Quanzi and asked Fourth Master Xiao, "Did Third Brother come today, and I heard you sparred in the outer courtyard?"

Fourth Master Xiao, infected by Xiqiu’s mood, also lightened his tone: "Hmm, his lower stance is unstable, but for someone his age to have such skill and technique, it’s already commendable!"

Xiqiu became interested, sat up, and looked at Fourth Master Xiao, raising her eyebrows and asking, "What about Fourth Master?" She never had the opportunity to ask him who taught him martial arts, only hearing rumors of his high proficiency, yet she never had a chance to witness it.

Fourth Master Xiao paused his expression, his eyelids slightly lowered as if recalling something, making Xiqiu think he would evade the question again. After all, when she asked him about things earlier, he often answered selectively, and there were some questions he would intentionally or unintentionally avoid.

"Father." Fourth Master Xiao replied softly, "When I was enlightened, it was a deputy general surnamed Zhong from my father’s military camp. Later, that deputy was transferred to Jizhou, and Father did not invite another teacher but personally instructed us to practice martial arts in the mansion."

Us?

As far as she knew, Xiao Yanyi and Xiao Yanting did not practice martial arts, so did he mean himself and Xiao Yanji?

Sensing he seemed unwilling to discuss this topic, Xiqiu dropped it, snuggled her shoulders into the quilt again, and asked, "Did Quanzi mention wanting to go to the military camp to you?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded lightly, looking at Xiqiu, "In the Capital, the military camps hardly go beyond the Five Army Camps... Xuantong could be an option; Qin Mu is straightforward, and if one wanted experience, Xuantong would be excellent, but he is too young. Wait a couple more years to see."

The Five Army Camps were established by the first Emperor and stood alongside the Divine Strategy Camp and Three Thousand Camp. They later merged under the Governor Mansion; the Divine Strategy Camp and Three Thousand Camp selected elite soldiers from the various camps to guard the Capital. Tong Quanzi, having no experience, could never get in, and the Five Army Camps and West Mountain Camp had long become places for the offspring of influential and noble families in the Capital to train. Inside, chaos reigned and lacked the glory of the past, making it impossible for Tong Quanzi to enter.

Xiqiu understood the meaning in Fourth Master Xiao’s words, nodded with a smile, "Thank you, Fourth Master." She wished well for Tong Quanzi but did not want him to go to the military camp so young. People often said that the two murkiest places in the world were the martial arts world and the military camp!

Such a young child could easily be led astray.

Infected by her emotion, Fourth Master Xiao’s smile gradually returned to his lips as he lay next to Xiqiu, wrapping his arms around her slender waist.

Xiqiu’s smile froze on her face.

Originally it was just a casual touch, but seeing her unable to maintain her smile, his mood became more buoyant...

Fourth Master Xiao began to laugh quietly; Xiqiu fell asleep nestled in his arms, feeling some rustling sounds behind her. Unable to open her eyes, she turned and slept again until someone gently called in her ear, "Madam, it’s 5 a.m."

Xiqiu suddenly opened her eyes and saw Chunyan standing beside her bed, looking at her, and noticed Fourth Master Xiao was no longer beside her. She asked Chunyan, "When did Fourth Master leave?"

Chunyan, while hanging up the curtains, handed Xiqiu freshly warmed clothes. "He got up at one o’clock in the morning."

Xiqiu sighed; since she married, it was his first time attending court early, and she planned to get up and see him off but unexpectedly fell into such a deep sleep.

"Fourth Master saw you were sleeping soundly and didn’t let me wake you," Chunyan said, her face full of smiles. Fourth Master being kind to Madam made her naturally very happy.

Xiqiu, assisted by Chunyan, got dressed and washed up. Bihuai brought in a food box: "Madam, today the two kitchen maids sent by Second Madam are here. I’ve tidied two rooms in the wing for them. Would you like to draft a menu for this side, listing what Fourth Master likes to eat and what you like, so you don’t have to settle for meals?"

The cuisine in Xu Mansion leans heavily flavored, compared to the Huaiyang style predominant in Tong Mansion, which is much spicier here.

She noticed Xiqiu had eaten little these past days, probably because she was not used to the flavors.

"You’re thoughtful as always." Xiqiu stood up with a smile from the dressing table: "If the food doesn’t suit my taste in the future, just have a small kitchen prepare it separately." But she would have to spend her own silver; the three thousand taels of boxed money Madam Xia gave her when she married hasn’t been touched, and the rewards for maids and servants are all managed and saved by Chunyan on usual days. If there are any other expenses, she might have to dip into the funds given by Madam Xia.

Thinking about money gives her a headache!

She sat down at the table, looking at Bihuai, "Where did Biwu go?"

Bihuai served porridge to Xiqiu, placing it before her, laying several small dishes on the bone plate before her, answered, "I haven’t seen her either, but no need to worry; it’s mealtime, she should be back soon."

Chunyan, organizing the make-up box in the back, laughed, "That’s true!"

Xiqiu also laughed, eating half a bowl of porridge and three small steamed buns. Just after she set down the bowl, Biwu indeed returned, causing Chunyan and Bihuai to giggle, making Biwu glare at them visibly confused.

"Alright, alright! Off to your duties, then!" Xiqiu said, smiling at Biwu, "Did you find out what I asked you to?"

Biwu nodded in response, "Each month at the start, the menu needs to be sent from each room to the main kitchen. Since we just arrived, Second Madam hadn’t asked anyone yet. As for the maids’ monthly money, the first class earns two taels a month, the second class earns one tael, the third class earns six fen of silver, and the newcomers earn five hundred Qian..." Pausing before continuing, "The senior maids and mamas receive two sets of seasonal clothing each year, and all others receive one set per season."

Xiqiu sighed inwardly; in the Tong Mansion, she only received two taels of customary money a month, and two sets of clothing each season, while the maids only got two sets a year.

No wonder maids in the big mansions would rather bash themselves to death at the gates than be let go; compared to marrying an ordinary civilian with coarser clothing and plain meals, the material life they enjoyed as servants in a big mansion seemed like heaven.

"Got it." Xiqiu gave an approving look to Biwu, "Have your breakfast; I’m off to the front courtyard." Saying so, she stepped out with Bihuai, spotting Treasure Bead loitering at the doorway. Xiqiu raised an eyebrow at Treasure Bead, "You’re coming with me to the front courtyard."

Over the past two days, Ziyang was busy with the kitchen and hired several servants to refurbish it.

Treasure Bead’s eyes lit up, smiling as she curtsied slightly sideways in response, "Yes!"