CHAPTER 372: CHAPTER 374: EXPOSED (PART 1)

Why does this child have such a strong sense of suspicion?

Xiqiu sighed quietly, and saw him step back indifferently, moving to the side of the nurse. The nurse looked at Xiqiu with an embarrassed and worried expression and tugged at Min, saying, "Why didn’t Young Master Min call ’mother’?"

Min quickly stretched out his neck and called out, "Mother!" Then he leaned back next to the nurse, watching Tong Xiyan and Madam Jiang as they spoke.

Just then, Nanny Wu walked out, smiling as she descended the steps: "...saying to take a basin to catch snow for the Grand Dowager’s tea. It’s unclear where this idea came from, but it’s said that snow water makes tea taste exceptionally good."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow at Min, who was blushing while looking at the wooden basin. Then he quickly turned and ran into the house.

"It was Aunt Ping who said it," Xing said with a cheerful smile, Xiqiu not understanding who this Aunt Ping was. Meanwhile, Nanny Wu’s expression subtly changed: "Young Master Xin, shall we accompany your aunt to supper?"

Xing stopped speaking and pulled Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan inside.

Xiqiu noticed the pensive expression on Nanny Wu’s face.

After sending off Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan in the afternoon, Xiqiu called Chunyan over and asked, "Have you ever been to the yard that used to belong to the eldest sister next door?" Chunyan shook her head in confusion, "I’ve only met the maid who used to be by the eldest aunt’s side at the door."

Xiqiu frowned and asked, "Who are these people?"

Chunyan replied, "I can’t quite remember everyone’s names, but I’ve talked with Sister Qiuping before."

Qiuping, Aunt Ping, could it be that the Aunt Ping Xing spoke of is Qiuping? Does Xing often visit Tong Xihua’s old courtyard?

She recalled how last time Xing asked if she was his Sixth Aunt, could it be these words were told to him by Qiuping?

Xiqiu’s brow slightly furrowed.

In the afternoon, after Xiqiu took a nap, Tong Quanzi came over, looking excited: "Sixth Sister, I’ve found the person, they’re detained in a ruined temple, being watched. According to your instructions, I questioned her carefully. At first, she denied everything, but then she confessed all at once."

Xiqiu’s eyes lit up, and she held Tong Quanzi’s hand, asking, "Was anyone else aware?" Tong Quanzi patted his chest confidently, "Don’t worry, I blindfolded her, so she couldn’t see me. Afraid she might recognize my voice, I deliberately disguised it as well. She won’t recognize us."

Xiqiu smiled slightly, retrieving a pocket from under the pillow and giving it to Tong Quanzi: "Take it, to invite those friends who helped you to eat and drink."

Tong Quanzi pushed it away, unconcerned: "Of course, I’ve got the money to treat, Sixth Sister doesn’t need to worry about me, just tell us what to do next." Xiqiu still stuffed the money into his arms, smiling: "Yours is yours, it’s only proper to treat others to a meal for helping Sixth Sister." Besides, those people from the Five Cities Military Department are all quite accustomed to being greased, without silver to tip them, how can they assist you?

Tong Quanzi thought for a moment, then accepted the pocket with a grin: "Alright, I’ll take it then." Afterward, he asked Xiqiu: "Sixth Sister, how will you arrange things next?"

Xiqiu smiled slightly, pulling Tong Quanzi to sit on the kang, explaining her plan in detail. Tong Quanzi looked puzzled and asked, "Sixth Sister, what’s the purpose of doing this?"

"It’s nothing," Xiqiu answered with a smile, "I’ll tell you later if that’s okay?"

Tong Quanzi thought it over and nodded without further questions: "Alright, I get it, I’ll keep this matter confidential for Sixth Sister, not telling anyone."

Xiqiu looked at Tong Quanzi gratefully and nodded with a smile, "Thank you, Third Brother."

That evening, when Fourth Master Xiao returned from the government office, the two changed their clothes and went to the Grand Dowager’s room. Xiao Yanyi and Second Madam had not yet returned from the Prince Manor, and had sent a nanny back to report... The First Madam was sitting next to the Grand Dowager, talking to Xing. Upon seeing Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao enter, Xing cheerfully called out, "Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt."

Min stood up as well and, in respect, clasped his hands to Fourth Master Xiao, saying, "Father." Then he looked at Xiqiu, "Mother!"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly, raising his eyebrows as he asked, "Have you learned the Thousand Character Classic and the Hundred Family Surnames?" Min was taken aback, respectfully raising his head as he replied, "Yes, I am currently reading the Three Character Classic."

"Not bad," Fourth Master Xiao nodded, "After the New Year, we’ll hire a tutor for you to begin your studies."

Hearing this, Min’s eyes lit up with joy, and Xing leaped up from the kang, giving the Grand Dowager a start: "Oh dear, be careful!" But Xing, too excited to care, laughed and said, "I want to start learning too!"

"Okay!" Min said happily, "We’ll go to the school together."

The Grand Dowager’s face showed hesitation as she held Xing on her lap, saying, "Xing, there’s no rush. Let’s wait another year, shall we?"

"No," Xing said unhappily, pouting. The Grand Dowager, full of hesitation, furrowed her brows, "If both you and Min go to school, who will keep me company?"

Here, the First Madam touched Xing’s head and said, "Mother, if he really wants to learn, why not bring him to my place, and I’ll teach him?"

The Grand Dowager, hearing this, seemed to think it was a good idea. She lowered her head to caress Xing’s face, showing a thoughtful expression.

"Mother," Fourth Master Xiao looked at the Grand Dowager and said, "Let’s discuss with Second Brother when he comes back. Xing will be four by spring, and the private school is just in the outer courtyard, going there in the evenings... Although learning from Eldest Sister-in-law is good, Xing is a boy, always staying in the inner courtyard is not a long-term plan."

Thus, denying the First Madam’s idea of teaching Xing.

Xiqiu looked towards the First Madam and saw a hint of disappointment flash across her face. Perhaps it was loneliness that made her fond of Xing, wanting to personally teach him to read and initiate him?

The Grand Dowager seemed to notice the First Madam’s reaction as well, furrowing her brows without immediately responding to Fourth Master Xiao.

Xiqiu’s eyes flickered, looking at the First Madam, she said, "Eldest Sister-in-law, why don’t you go ahead and have the greenhouse built again?" Then she turned to the Grand Dowager, "With a greenhouse, even in winter, we could still enjoy fresh flowers."

The First Madam froze, seemingly not expecting Xiqiu to bring up the greenhouse again. After a moment of contemplation as she was about to speak, the Grand Dowager smiled and said, "Xiqiu is right, the stones are already hauled inside and piled up without the chance to move them out; why not just build it? It would give you something to do."

"Mother!" The First Madam still wanted to say something, but the Grand Dowager waved her hand, saying, "That’s enough, this matter is settled." She then looked at Fourth Master Xiao, "Let someone come into the mansion tomorrow, and this time, don’t delegate it to anyone else, let Housekeeper Hu personally supervise it."

Fourth Master Xiao’s eyebrows slightly raised, giving Xiqiu a deep, meaningful look. She lowered her head, her expression calm as she drank her tea... He paused, nodding to reply to the Grand Dowager, "Very well, I will notify Steward Liu tomorrow to come to the manor."