The little maid looked confused and hurried away after hearing Qiuping’s words.
After a while, she returned and reported, "Young Master Xin went to pay his respects to the Second Madam and hasn’t co back yet. He is accompanied by his nanny and four maids who are always by his side."
Qiuping felt anxious and paced around the yard, rubbing her hands together. She kept thinking about what Fourth Madam had said earlier. From Fourth Madam’s tone, it seed like she wanted to stay out of the matter entirely. What should she do, what should she do...
The Second Madam’s pregnancy delighted the Grand Dowager, and everyone in Man Mansion was attending to the Second Madam. Who would be concerned about Young Master Xin’s safety?
But she couldn’t think of a better solution!
She could only wait for the maid to return from the Tong Family, hoping that Lady might have so idea. Even if Lady didn’t have any ideas, since Lady is Fourth Madam’s legitimate mother, her words would surely carry more weight than a re servant’s.
Fourth Madam can’t completely ignore Lady’s words, right?
Xiqiu took Chunliu and Bihuai to the Grand Dowager’s courtyard. Chunliu furrowed her brow and asked, "Madam, do you think the Second Madam might really have the intentions ntioned by Qiuping..."
Xiqiu remained silent, while Bihuai shook her head at Chunliu and whispered, "Don’t say any more. Whether or not the Second Madam has such intentions, what can Madam do about it? After all, the Second Madam is Young Master Xin’s stepmother. If she truly harbors such intentions, the opportunities are plenty. How can we defend against them?"
Chunliu thought it made sense, and Bihuai continued, "Moreover, Young Master Xin lives at the Grand Dowager’s place. Is Madam going to bring him to our courtyard? Thus, the ones who can truly help Young Master Xin are none other than the Grand Dowager and the Marquis."
Chunliu let out a long sigh, knowing that Madam has her own difficulties.
Inside the Grand Dowager’s room, upon seeing Xiqiu enter, the Grand Dowager smiled and gestured to the chair in front of her, saying, "Sit down and let’s talk." Xiqiu sat down on the Grand Dowager’s left, and Nanny Wu served tea. Xiqiu smiled and asked, "Mother looking for ?"
"Indeed, there is sothing I need from you." The Grand Dowager smiled and said, "Your Second Sister-in-law is pregnant now, and the matters of the household cannot be left for her to attend. With May approaching, Yanzheng’s marriage is near, and there are many things to handle in the mansion, all of which require managent personnel." After a pause, she continued, "You also know about your eldest sister-in-law. She is quiet and just wants peace, so at present, the matters of the mansion can only be temporarily entrusted to you to manage. When your Second Sister-in-law’s health improves, the responsibility can then be returned to her. It’s just going to be a bit strenuous for you."
"Mother." Xiqiu was stunned, looking at the Grand Dowager and said, "It’s not about the difficulty; it’s just that though I’ve experienced household affairs in my family, affairs of the maternal family cannot compare to those of our household. I’m afraid I won’t do well, and instead, I’ll inconvenience my Second Sister-in-law."
"You’ve always been careful, moreover, even if there are things you don’t understand, aren’t you supported by your Second Sister-in-law and ? You just go ahead and do them without thinking too much."
Xiqiu did not expect the Grand Dowager to let her take charge of the mansion’s matters, even if temporarily managing them, wasn’t there still the First Madam?
Could it be that the Grand Dowager has already completely accepted and entrusted her daughter-in-law?
This is a good thing.
She couldn’t refuse, but still looked distressed and said, "I’m just afraid I won’t do well."
The Grand Dowager laughed and waved her hand dismissively, "There’s no such thing as doing well or not doing well. The external affairs are managed by Housekeeper Hu, and every morning at 5:45 AM, the maid will report back. You delegate tasks to be done, check the disbursent labels, verify the silver distribution, but specific affairs are still managed by the stewards of each household."
Since the Grand Dowager spoke to this extent, Xiqiu could only nod and respond, "Then I will try. If there are things I don’t understand, I might have to trouble Mother."
"Mm. If there are things you don’t understand, co and ask ." After a pause, she continued, "Tomorrow, your Second Sister-in-law will send you the mansion’s labels, keys to various places, and account books. She has a competent housekeeper surnad Li, who will co to assist you tomorrow too, so you won’t be so flustered at the beginning."
"Yes!" Xiqiu agreed, and after the Grand Dowager explained many things, Xiqiu bid farewell and returned to her room.
"Has Chunyan returned yet?" Xiqiu asked Chunliu, and Chunliu shook her head and replied, "Everyone has co back late these past two days, it might still take a while for her to return. Does Madam have so matters to attend to?"
Xiqiu thought for a mont and instructed, "Go to the clinic and see if Nurse Zhang is there. If she is, ask her to co to the mansion."
Chunliu hesitated for a mont, agreed, and left.
When the sky darkened, Ruan Jingliu arrived, and as soon as she ca, she asked, "Why did you call here so urgently, is there sothing amiss?"
Xiqiu invited Ruan Jingliu into the room, furrowed her brows, and said, "I want you to check my Second Sister-in-law’s pulse." Upon hearing this, Ruan Jingliu was taken aback, and Xiqiu gave her a nod. Ruan Jingliu furrowed her brows and said, "I won’t claim expertise in other gynecological symptoms, but when it cos to diagnosing the tiline of pregnancy, I can give an accurate assessnt!"
Xiqiu’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she took Ruan Jingliu’s hand and said, "Then let accompany you to the Grand Dowager’s place."
Ruan Jingliu nodded in assent, and the two of them went to the Grand Dowager’s again, who led them to the Second Madam’s room.
"Now that I have conceived, I’ve disturbed everyone’s peacefulness." The Second Madam leaned on the bed and looked at Xiqiu with a smile, saying, "I’ve even made my Fourth Sister-in-law worry and toil."
Xiqiu smiled and replied, "We’re all family, I’m so pleased with your good news, Second Sister-in-law."
The Second Madam covered her face with a giggle and went to see Ruan Jingliu who was diagnosing the pulse, asking, "Nurse Zhang, is the pulse stable?"
"Slippery and vigorous, congratulations Second Madam!" Ruan Jingliu replied softly.
The Grand Dowager also laughed heartily upon hearing this, and everyone in the room wore bright smiles of relief.
Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu saw the Grand Dowager return before they returned to the room. Chunliu guarded the door, and as soon as Ruan Jingliu entered, she said, "You were right; the Second Madam has been pregnant for two and a half months, not just the full two months as the Imperial Physician claid."
Xiqiu’s face turned serious, rembering that day when she accompanied Tong Xiyan to visit the Second Madam and felt puzzled. Without being pregnant, how would she have a cure for pregnancy vomiting ready?
Why would the Second Madam conceal her pregnancy?
She thought back to Madam Shen’s miscarriage and Teng Qiuniang’s odd behavior, wondering if there might be so connection within it all.
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