Tong Xiyan laughed and said to Xiqiu, "I know a place, it's between the East Cross Courtyard and Father's study, there's an alleyway. It was originally for Father to conveniently go to the concubine's side, but after Father was no longer in the mansion, the alleyway was unused. Mother had someone lock the door, and it became a dead end long ago. I secretly meet him there, say a few words, and come out, no one will discover it."
Xiqiu knew of that alley. When she was enlightening Tong Minzhi, because she didn't want others to know, she would secretly meet Tong Minzhi there every three days. There was even a brick that she pried open, where she hid 'Childhood Learning' and 'Three Character Classic', along with a spare gate key from Madam Xia's side.
It's quite safe, but they cannot afford to take even the slightest risk with such matters: "Though it's safe, if someone knows, they could easily corner you... it's too risky." Especially since Madam Wang was behaving so unusually today!
