Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 447 - 450: The Academy (3)

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, and Xiqiu helped him wash his hands. The two then moved to the side room to have lunch.

"Mr. Song will come in the afternoon. Fourth Master, why don’t you take a nap?" Fourth Master Xiao grabbed her hand, eyes filled with laughter, and said, "Join me for a nap."

Xiqiu blushed and pushed Fourth Master Xiao, saying, "I have things to do, Fourth Master, you rest by yourself." As she spoke, she pushed him towards the bed to lie down.

Fourth Master Xiao hooked her with his arm and pulled her over, saying with a smile, "You didn’t rest well last night. Leave your tasks for the afternoon, and don’t think about anything now." Saying this, he reached to undress Xiqiu.

Outside, Chunyan, knowing better, closed the door tightly.

Xiqiu slapped Fourth Master Xiao’s hand and scolded, "Fourth Master Xiao!" She feigned anger, furrowing her brows and saying, "I’m not sleepy!" Who knows what could happen sleeping with him, she’d rather hold her eyelids open than walk into the lion’s den.

Fourth Master Xiao laughed heartily and kissed Xiqiu’s hand, saying, "Call me that again!"

He noticed last night that when Xiqiu was excited or relaxed her guard, she would call him by name directly, and even refer to herself as "I" instead of "concubine."

Xiqiu paused, realizing her slip, and then laughed, saying, "Let me serve Fourth Master to rest." Her face was full of smiles, and the fierceness from earlier was nowhere to be seen.

Fourth Master Xiao’s eyes flashed and he turned to press her under him, raising his eyebrows and saying, "Since Madam wants to serve, serve well then." His gaze was teasing as he looked at her.

Understanding his meaning, Xiqiu laughed and pleaded, "Spring fatigue and summer lethargy, Fourth Master should nap quickly." Then she added, "How about I tell you a story? I’m quite good at it."

As long as there was no physical contact, anything would be fine.

Fourth Master Xiao laughed loudly; he wasn’t a child, yet she was coaxing him like one. He decided to tease her, "Alright, then lie here and tell me."

What difference did that make? Xiqiu struggled to get up, coaxing him, "I’ll sit next to you." She pointed at the stool by the bed.

Fourth Master Xiao wouldn’t agree, biting her earlobe, his warm breath on her ear as he whispered, "Call me just once more, and I’ll let you go."

Xiqiu was stunned for a moment and then laughed, "How could I dare call Fourth Master by name? You jest too much." She even raised her eyebrows!

Fourth Master Xiao narrowed his brows and bent down to kiss her neck, having already undone half of her blouse’s buttons. Xiqiu hurriedly, in a panic, pleaded, "Okay, okay, I’ll call... I’ll call."

Fourth Master Xiao stopped and looked at her with a smile!

Xiqiu composed herself and called, "Fourth Master Xiao!" The romantic scenes from last night flashed in her mind, causing her face to blush uncontrollably...

Fourth Master Xiao smiled with satisfaction and randomly kissed her face again.

The two of them played around for a while longer, and finally, Xiqiu brought a small embroidery frame into the room, sitting by the bed to accompany Fourth Master Xiao as he took his nap.

"What’s this?" Fourth Master Xiao asked.

Xiqiu’s hands were deft with the needle and thread, and she replied without looking up, "It’s a book bag." After a pause, she added, "Young Master Min is about to start lessons. It’s not convenient to always carry books in hand, so I thought of making him a small book bag to carry on his back."

The three children in the house all live and study together, so if she’s making one for Young Master Min, she can’t leave out Young Master Xin and Young Master Sheng. Even if they don’t use them, as an aunt, she shouldn’t show favoritism!

Though making three small book bags wasn’t complex, it was still some work.

Fourth Master Xiao glanced at the unfinished small book bag in Xiqiu’s hands and frowned slightly, saying, "Watch your eyes; let the maids handle such tasks."

He took her hands to examine them, and indeed there were faint calluses on her slender fingertips.

"It’s just something to do." Xiqiu laughed and withdrew her hand, "I’m used to it!"

Fourth Master Xiao’s expression darkened, and he stopped speaking.

After a while, Chunliu spoke from behind the door, "Fourth Master, Tianyi is here. He says someone named Mr. Song is seeking an audience from the outer courtyard."

"Hmm, understood." Fourth Master Xiao replied calmly, then got up to sit while Xiqiu put down her needlework to help him dress, and admonished him, "Fourth Master, remember to be courteous. Regardless of the outcome, don’t scare Mr. Song."

Though the Xiao Family is of the Marquis Mansion, these scholars, having not succeeded in the imperial exams, often have an inexplicable pride and aloofness. Even though there are many teachers in the Capital, those with a reputation and good teaching skills are few. If a bad word spreads among those who value reputation over fame and fortune, it might not be easy to hire someone again in the future.

Fourth Master Xiao paused in surprise and asked, "How could I possibly scare him?"

Xiqiu burst into laughter at his confused expression and replied, "You might not know, but Fourth Master, you usually have such a stern face that even those familiar dare not breathe too loudly, let alone literati like Mr. Song..."

Fourth Master Xiao’s eyes flickered, and he coughed with his fist by his lips, then turned and strode out. Only after he was out did his voice faintly reach back, "I know."

Xiqiu followed him out the door, eyes full of smiles.

After seeing Fourth Master Xiao out, Xiqiu gathered with Chunyan and Chunliu by the heatable brick bed to chat. Soon, Tianyi arrived and spoke from behind the curtain, "Madam, Fourth Master says to send Young Master Xin and Young Master Min to the outer courtyard."

Xiqiu paused in thought. Young Master Min and Young Master Xin were with the Grand Dowager. If Fourth Master Xiao found Mr. Song suitable and wanted the children to meet him, he should have sent Tianyi to the Grand Dowager’s quarters directly. Coming to her suggested he might be subtly hinting for her to advise Young Master Min?

"Go tell Fourth Master, I’ll send them shortly." With that, she climbed down from the bed. Chunliu crouched to help her with her shoes, asking, "Madam is going to the Grand Dowager’s room? Do you want to change outfits?"

Xiqiu wasn’t particular about her attire at home, prioritizing comfort and breathability, so she usually changed before going out.

"Yes. Help me redo my hair." She had already seated herself at the dressing table, saying to Chunyan, "Just put it in a simple bun." While speaking, she searched the makeup box Fourth Master Xiao had given her and chose a ruby comb for Chunyan, "Wear this."

Chunyan glanced at the comb and thought it rather plain, but recalling Xiqiu’s consistent disinterest in appearance, she said nothing.

Xiqiu changed her outfit and went to the Grand Dowager’s room with Chunliu and Bihuai.

The nannies and maids were helping the three children dress; Young Master Sheng was running all over the room, the nanny calling "Young Master Sheng, Young Master Sheng..." chasing after him and panting. Young Master Min sat with a stern face, unmoving, while Young Master Xin focused on playing with the Nine Rings, letting those around him do as they pleased.