CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: DOUBTS

Xiqiu gratefully curtsied to Nanny Fang, "Thank you, Nanny." She then took Chunyan to the east.

Xiqiu exited the side gate of the main house, crossed the bridge, and headed straight to Tong Shen Zhi’s courtyard. He was indeed at home, reading a book in the main room. Upon seeing Xiqiu enter, he stood and said, "Sixth Sister, do you need something?"

Xiqiu accepted the bundle handed over by Chunyan, "The clothing is made, and I managed to get some cloud brocade from Mother to make a spring shirt. Try it on, Eldest Brother, see if it fits well. If it doesn’t, I can make alterations."

Tong Shen Zhi took the bundle expressionlessly, said nothing, and went to the bedroom. Shortly, he appeared wearing the lake-blue cloud brocade vest, showed himself briefly before Xiqiu, and then silently changed back into the sapphire-blue summer shirt, stating flatly without any emotion, "They fit well."

Xiqiu breathed a sigh of relief, smiling, "That’s good, I was afraid you wouldn’t like them, Eldest Brother."

Tong Shen Zhi awkwardly pulled a smile at the corners of his lips, "Very good!" Then, worried that he was being too distant, he added, "Would you like to sit down for some tea?!"

Xiqiu shook her head, "Since I’m in the outer courtyard, I should visit Seventh Brother as well. It’s been some time since I last saw him, I’m not sure how he’s been." Seeing Tong Shen Zhi had no objections, she curtsied slightly intending to leave.

Unexpectedly, Tong Shen Zhi said, "Wait." He returned to the main room and changed back into the cloud brocade spring shirt, "I’ll go with you." He surprisingly wore the new outfit directly.

Xiqiu was a bit astonished but couldn’t refuse him: "Alright." She followed behind Tong Shen Zhi towards the courtyard of Tong Minzhi.

Before entering, the rough crying voice of Liufu could be heard. Xiqiu quickly glanced at Tong Shen Zhi, catching him frowning.

Upon stepping inside, the situation in the courtyard unfolded before them. A little maid without a hairpin was pressing Liufu down on the ground, while a coarse old servant was fiercely pricking her back with a slender bamboo stick, making Liufu cry out in pain.

Qiuyun sat high on a chair, one hand holding a cup of tea, cracking open melon seeds from a small table at her feet, casually spitting them on the ground, "I see you’ve grown bold, daring to leave the courtyard without my permission." She finished with a cold laugh, "Speak! Which little servant were you trying to seduce?"

Liufu was merely eight years old!

The moment Tong Shen Zhi’s figure appeared in the courtyard, Qiuyun spat out a mouthful of tea, shocked that the usually indifferent Eldest Young Master personally came to their courtyard. She quickly greeted him with a charming smile, "Maid Qiuyun greets the Eldest Young Master," wiping away her previous arrogance, her eyes glancing at Tong Shen Zhi but pretending not to see Xiqiu.

Although Seventh Young Master is a master, he is born of a concubine, unlike the Eldest Young Master who is born of the wife and holds a title, making them worlds apart. There’s seldom a chance to get close to him, so how could she let this chance slip?

Tong Shen Zhi, overwhelmed by the heavy scent of her makeup, frowned and quickly stepped into the courtyard, not glancing at any of the maids and servants, "Where has Seventh Young Master gone?"

The servants in the courtyard stopped what they were doing upon seeing them, and Liufu showed a glimmer of hope upon seeing Xiqiu.

"Seventh Young Master hasn’t returned yet," Qiuyun followed closely behind Tong Shen Zhi intent on serving him.

However, Tong Shen Zhi took a few steps and then turned back to see Xiqiu, and sternly remarked to Qiuyun and the maids, "Who taught you manners? You should have greeted Sixth Miss!"

Qiuyun was taken aback, and even Xiqiu was secretly surprised at Tong Shen Zhi’s unexpected consideration.

Qiuyun reluctantly curtsied to Xiqiu, leading the maids, "Greetings, Sixth Miss."

Tong Shen Zhi was satisfied, said nothing more, and entered the house to sit in the main hall.

Xiqiu didn’t mind much; people pick sides with those in power. She neither had the time to intimidate them nor could offer them matching benefits, so why force false loyalty?

"Why hasn’t he returned yet? Did you ask where he went?" Tong Shen Zhi inquired after Xiqiu entered and sat.

Qiuyun, unaware of Tong Minzhi’s whereabouts, relied on her status being close to Lady and the Eldest Young Master, thus secured yet ambiguous in attitude, "A maid wouldn’t dare ask where her master goes."

Such a response made Tong Shen Zhi, unaccustomed to dealings with maids, furrow his brow in displeasure.

Xiqiu feared he would be angered by Qiuyun and cause a fuss before Lady, preferring to handle the girls another time, "This doesn’t concern you, go about your business. Have Liufu come in to serve, Eldest Young Master has questions for her."

Qiuyun clearly didn’t take Xiqiu seriously, still trying to get close to Tong Shen Zhi, but seeing his stern face suppressing anger, dared not press further, reckoning no good could come of Liufu entering with Eldest Young Master upset. Happily, she went out to fetch Liufu, "What are you standing there for, Eldest Young Master wants to question you inside."

Liufu stood outside the door, tidied up her disheveled clothes, and smoothed her hair before entering to bow, "Eldest Young Master, Sixth Miss."

Tong Shen Zhi naturally had no questions for her, looking at Xiqiu, who smiled and had Liufu stand, "Just passing by to see what’s going on. Since Seventh Young Master isn’t home, take us to his study; I’m curious about his studies, and Eldest Young Master can take a look since he has time."

Tong Shen Zhi nodded; though he didn’t interact much with Tong Minzhi, they were brothers after all, and he didn’t mind Xiqiu taking the initiative.

Following Liufu, the two entered the study.

The room was very tidy, with writing materials neatly arranged on the desk and a sheet of white paper with large characters spread out. Although the strokes were correct, the characters were crooked—evidently written absent-mindedly.

Xiqiu’s gaze moved to the bookshelf where a copy of "Zhongyong" was inserted upside down, and a contemporary scholar Liu Baoxue’s "Zongsi" was laying flat on the shelf for some reason causing a bad premonition in Xiqiu’s heart.

Tong Shen Zhi flipped through a few books temporarily placed on the desk, examined Tong Minzhi’s frequently mimicked calligraphy and some sheets of Xuan paper filled with words, then said no more.

Everything was clean, but there was nothing revealing to see, "Brother?"

Tong Shen Zhi looked at her then glanced at Liufu’s face, "When he returns, have him wait for me in my place."

Xiqiu happily gazed at Tong Shen Zhi; she knew with his scholarly knowledge, any guidance to Tong Minzhi would be invaluable. Tong Shen Zhi’s upright character could positively influence Tong Minzhi’s burgeoning worldview far more than her exhaustive efforts.

Additionally, some benefits would come to light later, yet not evident now!

Xiqiu, elated, sincerely curtsied, raising her voice slightly, "Thank you for your concern, Eldest Brother."

Tong Shen Zhi felt slightly awkward, tried again to smile, but unsuccessful this time.