CHAPTER 388: CHAPTER 390: PERSONNEL MATTERS (3)

She is the legitimate mother, considering her relationship with the Lady, although there won’t be deep maternal affection, she doesn’t wish for a relationship that is hostile.

As she thought this, the carriage had already come to a stop. Xiqiu lifted a corner of the curtain in surprise and discovered that the carriage had entered an unfamiliar courtyard. There was a faint aroma of food in the air.

Xiqiu turned to look at Fourth Master Xiao: "Fourth Master, where is this?"

Fourth Master Xiao replied indifferently: "Hongyan Building." After a pause, he added: "We’ll have our meal here for lunch."

Is this the largest restaurant in the Capital?

A look of excitement immediately appeared on Min’s small face as he eagerly looked outside the curtain.

Fourth Master Xiao was the first to jump off the carriage, and then seven or eight unfamiliar women came to greet them in the courtyard. Xiqiu took out a veil hanging on the wall of the carriage and put it on, holding Min’s hand as she got off the carriage.

Chunliu and Bihuai also got down from the carriage behind, helping Xiqiu down. A matron greeted Xiqiu with a smile: "Madam, please!"

It turned out that this was the backyard of Hongyan Building.

Xiqiu nodded slightly and, with Min, followed Fourth Master Xiao into a separate courtyard. Inside, a dozen maids dressed in pink stood silently on either side. Someone raised the curtain at the door, and Fourth Master Xiao walked right in.

Xiqiu took off the veil and saw a room about ten square feet large, furnished with an Imperial Concubine’s Couch. There was a flower table and palace lanterns in the corner of the room, and a green landscape screen blocked the view of the entrance. Xiqiu walked around the screen and saw that seven or eight dishes were neatly arranged on the table. Fourth Master Xiao sat down on a chair, and Chunliu wiped the chair and helped Xiqiu sit beside him. The nursemaid, holding Min, sat opposite Xiqiu.

Here, a matron who looked like a steward greeted the three with a bow and smiled: "Great Governor, Madam, Young Master, please enjoy your meal." Then she said to Chunliu and others: "Young ladies, the table for the mamas is next door, please go and join them."

Chunliu and Bihuai were also full of excitement. Hearing the matron’s words, they immediately looked at Xiqiu, who smiled and said: "Go ahead."

Chunliu and Bihuai gave a little bow to Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu, took out the bowls, chopsticks, and teapots they had brought from the carriage, served some water for Xiqiu and Min to wash their hands, left a little maid at the door, and then led the nursemaid and little maid next door.

Only the family of three remained in the room.

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows, looking at the table full of dishes, and smiled: "Fourth Master, you planned this early on?" Otherwise, how could someone be waiting in the backyard, and how could everything be so well-prepared?

"I heard that the crystal braised pork and lotus root sticky rice chicken here are very tasty." As he finished speaking, he thoughtfully picked a piece of crystal braised pork for Xiqiu and a piece of lotus root for Min.

Isn’t this what she and Min love to eat!

Xiqiu saw Min staring at the piece of lotus root in his bowl, his eyes quickly reddened.

"Thank you." Xiqiu smiled at Min, just as he quickly picked up a cup of tea and drank. His expression returned to normal, and he said to Fourth Master Xiao: "Thank you, Father." Then he picked up the lotus root and put it in his mouth, showing a bright smile.

The food here wasn’t much different from the Marquis Mansion’s, but Xiqiu found it very delicious. This was her first time dining in a restaurant.

Min evidently felt the same, burying his head as he accepted everything Xiqiu placed on his plate, relishing each bite.

Fourth Master Xiao sat off to one side, sipping tea, watching the mother and son eat happily. His eyes contained a satisfied smile...

After a short while, Chunliu and Bihuai returned, their faces filled with joy. Bihuai didn’t forget to pack some food for Biwu, while Chunliu whispered, poking her head: "You’re just spoiling her by doing that." Bihuai responded with a shy smile: "I’m happy seeing how much she enjoys it."

Chunliu could almost imagine Biwu’s expression upon seeing the food!

Min had already eaten his fill, leaning back and wearing a happy smile, unlike his usual serious demeanor, curiously looking around. He stared up at the colorful ceiling, then looked at the screen at the door, and next, he bent down to examine the red and white carved radishes decorating the table.

Fourth Master Xiao turned and instructed the nursemaid: "Have Tianyi accompany Min to look around outside."

Upon hearing this, Min’s eyes lit up. He immediately slid off the chair and bowed to Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu before leaving. Xiqiu, watching him, advised: "There are many people outside; don’t wander off!"

"I understand," nodded Min repeatedly, reaching for the nursemaid’s hand. He had long heard of Hongyan Building but never had the chance to visit. If he could look around today, Xing and Sheng would surely be envious when they find out!

With this thought, he became even more eager.

Xiqiu glanced at Bihuai and Chunliu standing behind, thought for a moment, then instructed: "You two go as well, take some of the matrons with you, and be very careful." Chunliu and Bihuai nodded in agreement, called a few matrons, and led a group of people out of the backyard and into Hongyan Building, accompanying Min to explore.

Only Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao were left in the room. Xiqiu set down her tea cup and smiled at Fourth Master Xiao: "Min is very happy today, thanks to you, Fourth Master." Min probably had never spent time with Fourth Master Xiao like this before.

"And how about you?" Fourth Master Xiao asked her, his gaze no longer icy but full of warmth.

Xiqiu’s eyes shone like stars: "I am also very happy," she laughed.

Fourth Master Xiao allowed a slight smile: "If there are things you want to add to the house, just instruct Housekeeper Hu to handle it. Tell him what you need, and when he gets them, he’ll have them directly moved there."

Xiqiu listened with delight, she had been worried about not having anyone to help with this matter, and replied with a cheerful tone: "Thank you, Fourth Master!" She then poured a cup of tea herself and handed it to Fourth Master Xiao.

Fourth Master Xiao took the cup, lightly smiled, and brought out a black wood box from behind to hand to Xiqiu.

Xiqiu already had two identical ones by her hand.

She couldn’t help but wonder if Fourth Master Xiao mass-produced these, how many identical ones did he have?

Fourth Master Xiao placed it in front of her, saying: "There are some silver notes here; use them as you need. If it’s not enough, you can send someone to the Hengtong Bank to get more." Then he handed her a small rose-red Chicken Blood Stone seal: "Just use this."

Xiqiu was stunned and replied: "Can I use it as I wish?"

She had just been worried that if she needed to buy timber and hire craftsmen, the silver she had left might not be enough.

Fourth Master Xiao smiled slightly and nodded: "Of course." Xiqiu reached out and took the seal in her hand, then opened the black wood box and saw that inside were neatly arranged silver notes with denominations of one hundred taels, one thousand taels, amounting to approximately twenty thousand taels.