Xiqiu sighed inwardly but nodded and said, "Nianzu, Nian, it rolls off the tongue well and sounds nice." Having said that, she gently touched Nian’s little cheek, "He will certainly be a well-behaved and sensible child in the future."
"Sixth Sister." Tong Xiyan raised his head, "I’m afraid there will be many family matters these days. I know the First Sister-in-law is also pregnant, but we can’t let Madam Ruan handle everything alone. If you have ti, could you make a couple of trips to help take care of things for ?"
Xiqiu nodded in agreent, "You should focus on recovering; Madam Ruan and I will manage the matters outside. If there’s anything unclear or difficult to decide, we’ll co to ask you."
Tong Xiyan held his son in one arm and grasped Xiqiu’s hand with the other, nodding, "Thank you!"
In the afternoon, Zhou Bohan personally arranged Madam Zhou’s remains, and mbers of the Zhou Family went out to announce the death. Hearing the news, Madam Qian hurried over. In the outer courtyard, Madam Ruan and Madam Qian assisted in preparing the funeral arrangents, while inside, Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu coordinated the servants. Overwheld with grief, Nanny Zhou fell ill, so Nanny Rong helped run errands. The group divided the tasks among themselves and organized the funeral smoothly.
"Tomorrow I’ll co early," said Madam Ruan, sitting down and sipping tea. "A lot of people will surely co tomorrow." She looked at Zhou Bohan, "Ask your older brother to help; you can’t manage everything alone!"
Zhou Bohan stood up at the remark, bowed deeply to Madam Ruan, Madam Qian, Xiqiu, and Ruan Jingliu, "Thank you, dear auntie, dear aunts, and Fourth Madam. Otherwise, things would still be chaotic."
"Silly child," Madam Ruan frowned, "We’re all family; no need for formalities!"
Zhou Bohan nodded in agreent. Just then, soone ca in from outside to report, and Zhou Bohan bowed to the trio, "I’ll go check it out, then I’ll stop by to see Xiyan." Since his son’s birth, he had been busy all day, having only managed a brief glance, so he hadn’t had a chance to see Xiyan properly.
"Go ahead, don’t worry about us," Madam Ruan and Madam Qian both waved him off, and Xiqiu nodded slightly, watching Zhou Bohan leave.
Madam Ruan then turned to look at Ruan Jingliu; though they had t many tis, they had never talked in-depth. At this mont, Madam Ruan said, "You haven’t been properly thanked yet. I heard you co every half month for pulse diagnosis and prescriptions, very considerate!"
"I do it willingly, no need for thanks." Ruan Jingliu held her tea, her gaze lowered, and her tone indifferent. Madam Ruan’s face stiffened montarily before returning to normal, accustod to Ruan Jingliu’s attitude, "You should take so ti to visit the mansion. The Marquis heard you were in the Capital and wants to see you."
Ruan Jingliu glanced swiftly at Madam Ruan and replied coolly, "If I have ti, I’ll certainly pay a visit." Her words were distant.
"Hmm." Madam Ruan responded, not pressing further, and spoke to Xiqiu, "After working until now, let’s have dinner. Fourth Madam must be hungry."
Xiqiu was indeed feeling hungry, as it was already dinner ti. She had initially intended to decline and return ho, but with Zhou Bohan absent and not knowing the arrangents on Tong Xiyan’s side, she thought it inappropriate to leave and thus nodded, "Alright, let’s just casually eat together then."
Madam Ruan agreed, then instructed soone to bring the food in. The four of them sat at the square table in the side hall to eat. Madam Qian whispered to Xiqiu as they served the al, "...we haven’t seen him since Mid-Autumn Festival, have we?"
Xiqiu set down her chopsticks, held her cup of tea, and nodded towards Madam Ruan, "It’s not as if I can et him whenever I want." She laughed helplessly.
"The New Year is coming." Madam Qian’s gaze shifted, "Even though the Empress is detained, we still have to visit the palace for New Year’s greetings as per tradition. When the ti cos, you can sneak soone in to bring him over."
Xiqiu pressed her lips and nodded, "Alright!"
Madam Qian sighed and sowhat reproachfully said to Xiqiu, "You know, when I found out, I was quite upset! Such a big matter, yet not a hint beforehand. Really shocked both and the Lord. He even spent a long ti pondering, about how incredibly similar people can look!"
Xiqiu didn’t quite know what to say; even if Fourth Master Xiao didn’t speak, she wouldn’t have divulged it either. If it weren’t for being tied together by Le Xiu’s connection and mutual interests, they wouldn’t have been inford, "Fourth Master worried that speaking out might alarm you, and besides, this matter involves..." She gestured upwardly, "It’s unwise to act rashly."
Madam Qian and Madam Ruan understood and nodded. Madam Qian joked to Xiqiu, "You’ll have plenty to keep busy with in the future!"
Xiqiu was resigned and shook her head, and the conversation ceased.
After dinner, Xiqiu ticulously instructed Zhou Residence’s maids and servants on precautions and left Nanny Rong at Tong Xiyan’s room, "She doesn’t have a reliable nanny by her side; you should stay for a few days."
"I understand," Nanny Rong nodded in agreent. Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu went to check on Tong Xiyan.
Having just eaten a bit, she leaned against the headboard, looking down at the sleeping Nian with affection. Seeing Xiqiu enter, she asked, "Have Madam Ruan and Madam Qian left?"
"No, they’re discussing other matters," Xiqiu sat down, while Ruan Jingliu professionally checked Tong Xiyan’s pulse, "Postpartum weakness," she reminded Daiju, "Avoid excessive consumption of highly nourishing foods, lest it be counterproductive."
Daiju acknowledged, and Ruan Jingliu sat down, Tong Xiyan said, "Thank you for all the troubles over the past year!"
Ruan Jingliu shook her head slightly, without further remark.
Tong Xiyan spoke to Xiqiu, "Please give my regards to First Sister-in-law, ask her not to worry about running around. Tell her I said she shouldn’t be anxious about ." Xiqiu nodded, "I’ll stop by before coming back tomorrow and reassure her so she won’t be concerned." Pausing, she turned to Nian, "What are your plans for the third-day wash ceremony?"
"Forget it," Tong Xiyan lovingly stroked Nian’s face, "We’ll just have to let it pass quietly for him."
Xiqiu said nothing, and after a mont, Madam Ruan and Madam Qian ca by, accompanied Tong Xiyan for a while, then took their leave.
Sitting in the carriage, Ruan Jingliu’s gaze was lowered, her face appeared somber amidst the carriage bumps. Xiqiu noticed her poor complexion today and asked, "What’s wrong with you?"
"Nothing!" Ruan Jingliu shook her head, "I’m just lanting life. Although I anticipated today’s events, watching life slip away bit by bit before my eyes with my hands tied, makes feel quite sad!" She finished, seeing Xiqiu looking at her worriedly, she smiled, "I’m really fine."
"Life inevitably involves birth and death; even Hua Tuo couldn’t cure every illness instantly. Don’t take it to heart; you’ve done your best," Xiqiu said softly.
Ruan Jingliu’s eyes moved slightly, she nodded, and silence enveloped them as she was dropped off at Four Symbols Alley, Xiqiu returned to the Governor Mansion.
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