So this was the youngest daughter Madam Le mentioned last time. Xiqiu nodded to her slightly and said with a smile, "You really are quite striking. You’ll surely be a beauty in the future."

"Thank you, Fourth Madam." After speaking she stood up herself, puckered her mouth at Madam Le in a show of defiance, then took Ruan Pingrong’s hand. The two of them looked at Xiqiu, chattering away. Madam Le could only shake her head and say, "She’s sulking with me. She insists on going to the temple fair on the fifteenth. I refused, and now she’s butting heads with me."

Xiqiu smiled. "It’s because you dote on her that she dares to be stubborn with you. Besides, at this age she should indeed be going out more to have a look around and play." Hearing this, Le Yao grew even more pleased. She turned her head back toward Madam Le and said, "Mother, you heard that, didn’t you? Even Fourth Madam says so."

Madam Le was choked for words and could only shake her head and sigh.

"Come in and sit, quickly." Xiqiu went over to support Madam Zhou, and the group headed toward the side room. Xiqiu asked Madam Zhou in a low voice, "Has your health been well?"

"Lately I’ve been feeling much better, and my spirits are far stronger than before." Madam Zhou replied with a smile. As they spoke, the few of them had already entered. Seeing the Grand Dowager and the First Madam inside, everyone bustled about, exchanging courtesies and returning gifts. Xiqiu and the First Madam as well as the Grand Dowager gave Le Yao greeting gifts, and Madam Le in turn made up gifts for Xing and Sheng. Only then did they each sit down, drink tea, and chat.

"I knew you surely wouldn’t want to host a banquet." Madam Qian said with a smile. "So I simply discussed it with Sister-in-law, and we decided not to inform you at all and just come directly!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Xiqiu covered her face, laughing. "Of course I’m more than happy to have you all here!" Madam Ruan picked up the thread with a smile. "Whether you welcome us or not, we’ve come anyway. This bowl of long-life noodles is something you absolutely can’t escape."

As she said that, everyone burst out laughing.

After a quarter of an hour, Ruan Jingliu arrived. Xiqiu was a bit surprised and spoke to her quietly outside the door. "Madam Ruan and Madam Zhou are both here. I was just about to send someone to inform you."

"Since I’m already here, I might as well be at ease. Even if they’re displeased, what can they do to me?" Ruan Jingliu smiled faintly and added, "Besides, who could possibly control me coming to your place?"

Xiqiu sighed, took her hand, and as she led her in asked, "About what I had Nanny Cen tell you, how have you thought it over?" She paused, then said, "Tiancheng has always been working in the outer quarters. He’s quick and steady, and I find him quite good. Wan’er is a few years younger than he is, but they make a decent match."

Ruan Jingliu looked at her and replied, "I came today precisely to talk about this. As for Wan’er, I’ve sounded out her opinion. She’s met Tiancheng as well, and to me, her attitude seems like she agrees." Then she frowned. "But she didn’t make herself clear. I told her that today we’d come to your estate, first to congratulate you on your birthday, and second to discuss her marriage. Then she refused to come and I can’t tell what she’s really thinking."

"You." Xiqiu cast her a reproachful glare. "She’s a young girl. Do you think everyone is as forthright as you? If she’s acting like this, then she must be willing in her heart, only she’s too shy to say it aloud."

Ruan Jingliu was taken aback and asked, not quite convinced, "Really?" Xiqiu answered, "Of course!" Then she continued with a smile, "Since that’s the case and no one has any objections, we’ll pick a date together later. It won’t do this year—the time is too tight. Let’s see which day next year is suitable for them to hold the wedding. After Tiancheng marries, he’ll stay in the estate to work, and as for Wan’er, she’ll follow wherever you all decide."

Ruan Jingliu had no objections and nodded. "Let them decide. I can’t help her live her life for her." Xiqiu chuckled softly and, holding her hand, led her into the room.

As soon as Ruan Jingliu entered, the atmosphere in the room stalled for a moment. Madam Ruan glanced over at her, and at once the smile on her face stiffened a degree. She turned her head away indifferently and no longer looked at her. Ruan Jingliu, however, remained composed and graciously saluted everyone, then sat down next to Madam Zhou.

Xiqiu noticed Madam Ruan’s expression was a little stiff. Over here, Ruan Pingrong ran over, took hold of Ruan Jingliu and asked, "Aunt, why don’t you ever come home to visit? We haven’t seen you in so many years." Ruan Jingliu gave a slight smile and replied, "I’ve been traveling about and never had the time. If you need anything, just come find me at the clinic. I’m usually there."

Ruan Pingrong nodded again and again. "Alright, I’ll definitely come look for you." Then she beckoned to Le Yao. "This is my Aunt Jingliu, the famous Nurse Zhang whose medical skills everyone praises."

Le Yao stared at her with open admiration, hurried over with little steps, squeezed in next to Ruan Jingliu, and sat down, her eyes wide. "So you’re Nurse Zhang. I never thought you’d be so young!" Then she asked, "Do you travel the world alone with a medicine box on your back, practicing medicine wherever you go?" She looked terribly envious.

At these words, Madam Ruan and Madam Le’s faces instantly darkened. Ruan Jingliu glanced at the two of them, then smiled lightly and replied, "I wouldn’t dare claim ’the world,’ but I have traveled all over Great Zhou."

"Wow!" Le Yao clapped her hands. "Are other places the same as the Capital, or like Jiangnan? I’ve only been to the Capital, and then Huainan. This time we came out and followed the Canal, and the scenery along both banks was truly beautiful. Are other places just as beautiful?"

"No." After Ruan Jingliu spoke, Le Yao immediately looked disappointed. But Ruan Jingliu went on, "The great desert, the Gobi, the snow mountains, the vast sea...they’re even more beautiful than that!"

Le Yao’s eyes lit up, and she almost wished she could go see them right that instant.

Madam Le’s expression was already quite unpleasant. Xiqiu knew that according to the education they’d received, Ruan Jingliu was akin to being deviant and improper—no matter how capable she was, she couldn’t be mentioned in the same breath. She was about to speak up to smooth things over when Madam Zhou had already opened her mouth. "Don’t listen to her. In many places there’s not a single settlement for dozens of li. At night wild beasts roam, and by day bandits drift about, killing and robbing—dangerous beyond words..." Hearing this, Le Yao blanched. Madam Zhou continued, "She’s just had good luck. Who else would dare wander about like that? In this world, there’s nowhere better than one’s own home."

Le Yao was frightened and pressed her lips together, not daring to speak.

Ruan Jingliu gave a soft smile and did not continue the topic. Madam Le and Madam Ruan’s expressions eased a little as well.

Xiqiu secretly let out a breath. She hadn’t expected Ruan Jingliu and Madam Ruan’s relationship to be this strained. The Grand Dowager said with a smile, "Madam Le, you’ll be staying in the Capital for a while this time, won’t you?"

"We’re planning to leave after Mid-Autumn." Madam Le answered with a smile. "Being away from home for so long, I really am a bit unaccustomed to it!"

The Grand Dowager nodded. "But of course, but of course!" The atmosphere in the room finally improved somewhat. Just then Madam Jiang came in with Kun, and Tong Xiyan brought in Tong Xihua and Tong Minzhi. Everyone exchanged another round of greetings and conversation. After Tong Minzhi had saluted the Grand Dowager, he blushed and was about to withdraw, secretly beckoning to Xing, Sheng, and Zhi. The boys immediately threw themselves at Tong Minzhi, shouting "Seventh Uncle, Seventh Uncle..."

Seeing them so boisterous and about to go out and play, Le Yao arched her brows in delight. "What are you all going to do?" Tong Minzhi froze, not knowing how to answer for the moment, but Madam Le had already furrowed her brows. "Yao’er, what are you doing?"