Fourth Master Xiao nodded, then lowered his head to drink tea.
He didn’t intend to ask why the Treasure Bead was kneeling on the ground.
Xiqiu felt a warm sensation in her heart and sat down opposite Fourth Master Xiao. They talked about other things while Treasure Bead sobbed outside the Warm Pavilion.
Biwu and Chunliu ca running back, panting, and were stopped at the door by Ziyang, who cautiously pointed inside: "Fourth Master is inside."
Chunliu imdiately fell silent, unsure whether to go in or stay outside. After all, Fourth Master was inside, and they couldn’t decide whether to inform him without the Madam’s approval.
The door suddenly opened, and Chunyan stood at the entrance: "The Madam is calling you in."
Chunliu and Biwu entered the room. In the main hall, Chunliu gave a fierce look at Treasure Bead, who was kneeling on the ground, then turned and lifted the curtain to enter the Warm Pavilion.
Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao sat side by side on the Kang. When they entered, both had a look of hesitation. Xiqiu glanced at Fourth Master Xiao and asked, "Did you find it?"
She did not intend to keep it from Fourth Master Xiao.
Several days had passed, and by now it was likely impossible to find it.
As expected, Chunliu shook her head and said, "Biwu and I searched that area thoroughly, but we didn’t find it."
Perhaps it wasn’t as serious as she thought. There were many people coming and going at the second gate, the forest was large, maybe after Treasure Bead tossed it, it got blown away by the wind, or perhaps a servant found it, dirtied or damaged it, and secretly tore it up and threw it away.
Xiqiu sighed, hoping that it had indeed been lost.
Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyebrows slightly and asked, "What are you looking for?"
Xiqiu recounted how Tong Minzhi brought a painting to the mansion, but due to so matters, had Treasure Bead bring it in, and she casually tossed it aside. Xiqiu told Fourth Master Xiao, "So I brought Treasure Bead for a thorough interrogation. After all, the painting was a portrait of mine, and if it truly fell outside, it would indeed be inappropriate. However... it now seems it’s been destroyed, otherwise, if a servant found it, they should have brought it in."
Hearing this, Fourth Master Xiao paused with his hand holding the tea, his sharp sword-like eyebrows furrowed tightly, his eyes filled with a fierce light, as if pondering sothing... After a mont, he slowly relaxed again, quietly gazing at Xiqiu with a slight smile on his lips...
His expression was unpredictable.
Xiqiu, finding it sowhat perplexing, raised her eyebrows and asked, "Why is Fourth Master smiling?"
Is losing the painting amusing?
Fourth Master Xiao didn’t plan to explain, lowered his head to drink tea. The previous look of joy on his face had been entirely concealed within his eyes. He replied with a mild tone, "That forest is quite large. It snowed the past couple of days, so maybe it got blown sowhere else and destroyed by water..."
Implies there’s no need to pursue it further.
Xiqiu agreed in her heart. She couldn’t possibly go around the entire courtyard asking if anyone had found her portrait!
"Madam," Chunliu whispered, "what should we do about Treasure Bead?"
Should they send her back, or...
Xiqiu pondered for a mont, just about to speak, when Fourth Master Xiao casually instructed Chunliu, "Go find Chief Zhao."
Chunliu was taken aback, not understanding why Fourth Master Xiao wanted to find Chief Zhao, sneaking a glance at Xiqiu, who nodded at her.
In a short while, Chief Zhao arrived. Upon entering the door and seeing Treasure Bead kneeling with her hands bound, he was taken aback, a flicker passing through his eyes as he saluted through the curtain, "Fourth Master, Fourth Madam!"
Fourth Master Xiao put down his tea cup and ordered, "Find a carriage and send the person to Shandong!"
No other explanation!
Chunliu and Chunyan felt a thrill in their hearts, while Ziyang, guarding the door, felt her legs go weak and leaned against the door.
Housekeeper Hu was montarily stunned, then turned to look sympathetically, lowering his head to agree: "Yes!" After speaking, he went in front of Treasure Bead: "Miss, please."
"Fourth Master!" Treasure Bead couldn’t believe it. Fourth Master Xiao decided to send her to the manor without even asking, but before she could shout again, Biwu swiftly darted over, stuffing a gag in her mouth, and then called for a servant at the door to co in.
Treasure Bead was carried off by the servant, following Chief Zhao out the door.
Chunliu watched, almost unable to suppress a smile.
"Fourth Master, you should rest for a while." Xiqiu hadn’t anticipated that Fourth Master Xiao would send Treasure Bead to the manor; after all, she was a maid by the Grand Dowager’s side. Generally, this matter should have been discussed a little, but since the decision had already been made, there was no need to say more. Such a maid like Treasure Bead, staying in the mansion, would only cause trouble sooner or later.
"Then I’ll rest for a while." Fourth Master Xiao stood up and went into the bedroom.
After attending to Fourth Master Xiao’s rest, Xiqiu instructed Chunliu, Chunyan, Biwu, and Ziyang, "Let’s not bring up this matter again in the future. As long as we know ourselves, it’s fine."
The four of them nodded in agreent.
Xiqiu gave Ziyang a long look. Ziyang’s face was still pale, and Xiqiu said calmly, "You all go rest. Let’s have the kitchen prepare a few extra dishes for dinner." Then to Chunliu, "Go invite Nanny Cen."
Before long, Nanny Cen arrived. As before, she was still respectful, sitting gingerly on the stool with a smile, "Madam, is there sothing you want to ask this servant?" However, inside, she was secretly surprised by Xiqiu’s thods today.
Xiqiu, not beating around the bush, smiled and asked, "Nanny Cen, you’ve been in the mansion for a long ti. I’d like to ask if you know about the Hu Family from Xuzhou?"
As she listened, Nanny Cen’s expression changed!
Xiqiu looked at Nanny Cen, her brows furrowing slightly.
She recalled the expressions everyone had when they t Madam Hu this afternoon. It seed that everyone knew about this matter. Since everyone’s aware, it obviously wasn’t a secret. Then why was Nanny Cen so hesitant and shocked!
Xiqiu smiled softly at Nanny Cen, "What’s wrong, Nanny? Is it inconvenient to say?"
Nanny Cen’s face showed hesitation, but after a mont of contemplation, as if making a decision, she replied, "Madam misunderstood. It’s not inconvenient to say. It’s just that the matter happened a long ti ago, and the Hu family moved back to their hotown over the last few years and haven’t been around the mansion often, so I didn’t rember it imdiately." As she spoke, the usual stern expression replaced the hesitancy on her face.
Xiqiu raised an eyebrow. If she didn’t rember right away, why did she show such an expression? Nanny Cen’s attempt to cover up only made Xiqiu more suspicious.
Could it be that this Hu family has a significant connection with the mansion?
Nanny Cen pondered for a mont, then slowly explained, "The Hu family used to live in the capital. Master Hu was then employed in the Six Departnts. After Master Hu passed away, the Hu family moved back to Xuzhou." She paused after speaking, and Xiqiu listened, becoming more perplexed. Although the Six Departnts had so authority, it was still a seventh-rank, minor official position. How could they have connections with the Xuanning Marquis Mansion? Furthermore, the Grand Dowager not only showed courtesy to Madam Hu but also asked her to arrange a marriage for Xiao Yanzheng.
This was unreasonable!
Nanny Cen seed to know Xiqiu’s question and added, "Madam might not know, in the ninth year of Hongzhi, there was unrest in Miaojiang. The Old Marquis was appointed to lead troops to suppress the rebellion. Until Emperor Dezong’s reign in the second year of Zhengde, he returned to the capital. During those three years, the Marquis was always leading troops outside. As Madam surely knows, before the army moves, provisions must be ready. During Chengzong’s reign, the Marquis’s supply lines were never interrupted, and the Ministry of War treated him appropriately. Unexpectedly, during Emperor Dezong’s ti... There was chaos in the court. Everyone was too occupied with their own affairs to pay attention to the Marquis leading troops outside..."
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