Xiqiu pursed her lips and smiled.
On one side, Sixing passed through the corner gate and crossed the bridge.
Xu Tianqing was unaware, his gaze glanced at Tong Minzhi's courtyard: "Seventh brother is sharp-witted. Last night, I tested him with a question, and he answered it within half a cup of tea's time, very impressive."
Xiqiu raised her eyebrows; Tong Minzhi hadn't mentioned a word of it.
Knowing he struck the right topic, Xu Tianqing was a bit pleased: "Before he left this morning, he even brought a copy of the 'Ritual Records' to ask me about. I saw that he wasn't completely ignorant, not at all like someone who just started learning. Why didn't his teacher know this and still taught him the 'Thousand Character Classic'?"
Tong Minzhi was showing off again, but Xiqiu was also a bit surprised that he secretly began reading the 'Ritual Records'.
She had secretly started his enlightenment two years ago, and they had already gone through the 'Thousand Character Classic' and 'Three Character Classic'. Now the teacher might find it boring to teach again, so he secretly started studying the Four Books.
One can't gain weight with one bite; it seems necessary to remind him.
"I suppose it's just curiosity to have a look, and he may not necessarily understand it." Xiqiu didn't want to elaborate; although she believed Xu Tianqing had no other intentions, he was not familiar with the situation in the Tong Mansion, so it was better not to explain.
Xu Tianqing shook his head, looking like he wanted to speak but didn't: "If Sixth Sister trusts me, I can teach Seventh Brother in my spare time, also reminding him not to be too aggressive in studying."
"Thanks, cousin." That would be good too. Although Tong Minzhi and she were close, she was, after all, a woman. If she said it, it might require some effort, but if an elder like Xu Tianqing says it, it's different: "It is important not to delay cousin's work."
Xu Tianqing laughed, his gentle and handsome smile bright and clean, with only the smiling girl in his dark eyes.
"Miss, the Lady said that the eldest aunt is leaving, and she wants you to go see her off." Sixing stood at a distance, winking at Xiqiu.
This was their secret signal, indicating that the task assigned had been completed.
Xiqiu nodded and turned to Xu Tianqing, but he spoke first: "Sister, take care. I have some matters to attend to."
Xiqiu nodded, leading a group of maids and servants back to Zhui Garden.
On the way, Sixing whispered in her ear: "Nanny Qian went directly to the study and waited outside until First Master returned and then left..." Sixing hesitated.
Xiqiu asked: "Did something happen?"
Sixing thought for a moment, as if making a firm decision, she began: "On my way back, I met Eighth Miss, with only Qiuchan by her side. She was stunned to see me, and after I saluted and passed through the corner gate, I saw her turn back."
Tong Xiyu was always obedient, rarely moving about in the inner courtyard, even less in the outer court. The two of them, perhaps, had been instructed by the Lady to do something.
"Alright, understood." As they talked, they reached Zhui Garden, seeing Nanny Qian from afar, standing under the veranda, smiling at her. Xiqiu walked over: "Thank you for your hard work, nanny." She slipped off a jade bracelet she had been wearing and casually placed it on Nanny Qian's wrist.
Nanny Qian refused: "I can't accept this, how can a servant dare to take miss's belongings?"
Xiqiu smiled gently, holding Nanny Qian's hand lovingly: "I have thin wrists and can't carry off this color, but it suits nanny perfectly. Even if mother asks, I will tell the truth."
Nanny Qian was startled; she thought that Sixth Miss gave her the bracelet to keep her quiet, but unexpectedly, it was for her to speak truthfully.
Without hesitation or concern, Nanny Qian accepted it openly. Seeing the bracelet's vibrant jade green glow, her smile became more sincere: "Sixth Miss treats a servant too kindly. Such good things, if not granted by the master, how could a servant have the fortune to wear them, much less dare to compare with the master."
Xiqiu smiled: "Nanny, go and rest a while. You'll undoubtedly be busy later."
Nanny Qian responded, personally pulling up the curtain for Xiqiu: "A servant dares not rest, just waiting here."
Xiqiu nodded and entered the main room.
"Miss, isn't that bracelet given to you by the concubine? How could you bear to..." Siliu pouted, looking sorrowfully at Xiqiu's empty wrist. The jewelry was already scarce for the miss, and the rare pieces gifted by the Lady were not often worn for fear of losing and not being able to explain, only the piece secretly given by the concubine was now given away.
Xiqiu focused on her needlework. A dark blue rectangular cloth bag was taking shape; she was preparing to make a book bag for Tong Minzhi, so the little servant would not slack off and make him carry the books himself. She also made a compartment at the bottom of the bag to store some broken silver or snacks.
Seeing no response from Xiqiu, Siliu couldn't help but stamp her foot in frustration: "Miss, say something please."
"Say what?" Among these people, she liked Siliu the most, straightforward but not reckless, quick-witted yet pure; their relationship was more like friends: "Didn't I just praise you for being smart yesterday, how come you're muddled today?"
Siliu paused, eyes wide: "Does the miss have other intentions?" She paused, frowning and thinking hard: "Nanny Qian, although next to the Lady, is not as valued as Nanny Fang. The Lady rarely gives her important tasks, so what's the use of getting close to her?"
Xiqiu pursed her lips and smiled. Although Nanny Qian wasn't the most dependable servant beside the Lady, she was among the top, and furthermore, unlike Nanny Fang, she was born in the household. Her husband managed several shops for the First Master along with Laiwang's wife, being very effective. She might not have immediate use for her, but Tong Minzhi would undoubtedly have contact with her in the future.
Such a person, even if they couldn't become allies, it would be good if they didn't cause trouble when things arise.
A thought flashed, and she looked at Siliu and asked: "Has Chunyan returned?"
"Just came back, saying she was covered in dust and went down to freshen up. Should I call her in?" Siliu didn't know what Chunyan went to do in the afternoon, but without instructions from the miss, she couldn't have gone out on her own.
Xiqiu nodded: "Let her have a meal first and then come." Siliu went out to comply, meeting Chunyan already lifting the curtain as she walked in.
Xiqiu looked at Chunyan and asked: "How much money do we have left?"
Chunyan was taken aback, saying: "Including the six taels from Laiwang's family this time, we have a total of eighty taels of silver."
Xiqiu frowned, sighing inwardly. Five years ago, when she came here, after half a year of adjustment, she began learning embroidery. Fortunately, she was dexterous, and with a master like Sixing, later Xu Tianqing found her some 'Embroidery Manuals', allowing her to finally master the craft. Her progress in the past six months was significant, and some of the delicate work was even better than what Sixing could do, not to mention the ordinary embroideresses outside.
But even so, the four of them embroidered whenever they had the chance and sold their work to outside shops. After two years, they had only saved up this amount.
"Miss, do you need to use money? If it's not enough, how about melting down that silver hairpin set rewarded by the Lady?!" Chunyan was also somewhat discouraged. Although Miss had been living frugally for these two years, every year the entertainments and rewards for servants took away a large sum; the monthly allowance from the mansion wasn't even enough for rewards. If they hadn't earned some money through embroidery, who knows how difficult life would've been.