She patted the spot beside her, gesturing for Sixing and Chunyan to sit down. Both understood Xiqiu's temperament and didn't refuse, sitting closely but tentatively. Xiqiu said, "Do not let others know about this matter, no need to tell Siliu either due to her straightforward nature. Take out a box tonight, and from now on, anything sent by the young master should be locked in the box intact. Do you understand?"
Chunyan and Sixing exchanged a glance and thought for a moment, "Shouldn't we remind the young master? This might cause trouble for Miss if this continues."
Xiqiu shook her head, dismissing their words, "They are cousins, sending items is not improper, and he hasn't shown any excessive expressions. If you say more, it would be easy if there's that meaning, but if not, then what?"
Chunyan felt deflated, staring resentfully at the box in her hand, feeling like she was holding a hot potato, "If I knew, I wouldn't have helped him that time, didn't expect this trouble."
Xu Tianqing was an impressive figure, handsome and gentle, but being an only son, he lacked worldly experience. Three years ago, First Master presented him with a test question, "Choose the good and follow it, change the bad, why?" He pondered for three days, writing several answers but hesitated on which one to use. By chance, she went to the study to borrow "Great Zhou Geography". After exchanging a few words, Xiqiu browsed his answers, combined with First Master's style, and picked one, which indeed received First Master's approval.
Since then, every time Xu Tianqing saw her, he would warmly seek her out, talking to her and finding books related to geography.
At that time, being young, there wasn't much to be cautious of. Xiqiu didn't find a young boy's kindness to have any other implication, merely kept her distance due to their status. Even after he left, he occasionally sent things and letters, causing her to feel uncomfortable and instructed those around her to be cautious, no longer reciprocating gifts or replies.
Yet he seemed unaware of her distancing, continually and frequently sending things and writing letters, leading to Xiqiu's deliberate caution today.
"What is the point of discussing this now? Although young, the young master seems very measured." Sixing protested. Though he sent items, they were harmless little things that even if Lady or concubine knew, wouldn't be deemed inappropriate.
"If measured, then don't do things that put our Miss in a difficult position." Chunyan frowned, placing the box on the table, "Miss, do you want to take a look?"
Sixing wanted to argue, but Xiqiu, unwilling for them to debate over this matter, opened her mouth first, "Go ahead and have a look. If it's books, they are probably geography essays or tales of the strange. If other things, then they are fan covers or paperweights."
Chunyan opened the box, revealing a look of surprise, "Miss, you guessed wrong this time."
Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and turned to look, also startled, for inside were two hairpins side by side; one Eight Treasure Jade Chrysanthemum Hairpin, green and translucent, and one Hollow Crystal Hairpin also carved with chrysanthemums. Just a casual glance at these two pins showed they were worth a fortune, such valuable gifts from Xu Tianqing for the first time.
"What should we do?" Chunyan jumped up anxiously, pacing back and forth in the room, "Miss, otherwise I'll return it overnight."
Xiqiu was a bit dazed. If Siliu were here, she would probably slap the table and ask why not exchange them for silver since these impractical ornaments are of no use.
Sixing closed the lid, her expression becoming serious, "How about I do it? I'm familiar with Daisy beside the young master, and going would not raise suspicion."
Chunyan found it feasible, and the two whispered back and forth, suddenly discovering Xiqiu sitting quietly without expressing herself, still calm and composed, urgently saying, "Miss, speak up! If Lady and concubine learn of this, all these years of cautious steps will have been for nothing."
Xiqiu sipped tea leisurely, watching the two who were almost at their wit's end, smiling, "No need to be so tense. Even if we're sending it, it shouldn't be now. You just keep the items safely, and when you visit the Seventh Young Master tomorrow, bring them along. No need for a special trip."
There was still something she didn't say. Though Sixing had a blind fondness for Xu Tianqing, she wasn't entirely wrong; he indeed was very measured. Before, all the letters and books had been handled well, expecting this time to be well prepared as well.
However, she couldn't allow any gambling on chances.
"Miss is right. Now going would perhaps raise more suspicion. I'll first store the items." Chunyan found a piece of blue silk fabric to wrap them, carefully placing them in the box in the alcove, locked it securely, and still worryingly locked the key into the box on the bedside, hanging the box key next to her, heavily sighing like a burden had been lifted, "If only one day we could live our own lives, no longer having to live in fear like this!"
Xiqiu smiled faintly. She wished the same, having been cautious in every aspect these past two years, fearing any misstep might implicate her brother and further burden the concubine. She hadn't slept peacefully, merely let Lady see her now, having the qualification to stand here, ensuring her brother wouldn't be ruined under Lady's upbringing, letting the concubine live quietly.
All the effort was worthwhile, but also exhausting.
Maybe such comfortable days existed but not now!
The three said no more, each lost in their thoughts.
The next day at Mao Chu, she went to Lady's room to pay respects. Lady was tidying clothes, merely nodded at her, "If there's nothing, then go back."
Xiqiu's gaze lingered on the piles of clothing on the bed, then saw Nanny Fang bustling about, taking her leave with Sixing, "Go ask, where Lady intends to go."
Sixing obliged, making her way to the kitchen.
After a while, Sixing returned, "On the way to the small kitchen, ran into Cuiping beside the concubine, talking to Zijuan. They were discussing what to bring. I paid respects, asking where they were going, no attempt to conceal from them, said Lady accompanying concubine to visit the Minister of Rites' house. I further inquired about Nanny Fang, needing her guidance, Zijuan said Nanny Fang would go, said if there were matters it wasn't hurried, she just ordered the kitchen by Lady's command to prepare lunch, likely returning for meal."
Listening, Xiqiu pondered. She understood the autumn examination was usually hosted by the Ministry of Rites, examiners mostly appointed from Assistant Ministers, concubine unfamiliar with the official family in the Capital, escorted by Lady for visits was normal, nothing unusual, giving it no further thought.
However, for two consecutive days, Lady went out early and returned late, both days going to the same Minister's house. First Master dispatching Lady, usually not frequenting official wives, suddenly visiting the same place for two days straight, this couldn't help but make one think.
"Go give a greeting to the second gate, let them notify us when Lady returns."
Sixing responded and left, but by sunset, the maid at the second gate came to report Lady returned. Just after the maid departed, Zixia from Lady's room came to convey, Lady tired today, so no need to pay respects.
That night, Xiqiu slept uneasily, dreaming of being tied into a bridal sedan, married to a man with an indistinct face, waking drenched in sweat, asking Chunyan keeping vigil what hour it was.