Xiqiu took the opportunity to bring out the guest list she had written in the evening, a total of twelve families including Count Wuchang: "Mother, see if any are missing or if there are any extras?"
The Grand Dowager’s eyes lit up as she took the Xuan paper handed over by Xiqiu, looked over it, and nodded with a smile: "You really are a clever girl." She then laughed and said, "These entangled private relations are so complicated that even in these past two years I still can’t rember them all, yet you managed to list them just from the few papers given by Housekeeper Hu."
The First Madam’s gaze fell upon the nas of Count Jinyuan and Count Chengyi. She realized the relationship between the two families, having found out only when the Grand Dowager asked Madam Huang about their business last ti, right?
The First Madam nodded secretly, recognizing not only the ticulousness but also the good mory of Xiqiu. She smiled and said to Xiqiu, "Even I, who have been managing the family affairs for so many years, sotis forget the relationships between the households."
Though they claid to forget, Xiqiu naturally did not believe them. But one thing she was sure of was that her guest list was accurate, proving her early attention to family relations invaluable.
Just as they were speaking, Nanny Wu suddenly entered, casting a peculiar look at Xiqiu, as if wanting to say sothing but holding back. The Grand Dowager, aware of what Nanny Wu intended to say, did not ask.
Nanny Wu’s glance made Xiqiu’s heart pause, filled with silent suspicion. Why would Nanny Wu, absent from the Grand Dowager’s side at this late hour and acting so urgently, certainly have been to see Teng Qiuniang? Yet why did she look at her like that? Xiqiu could not fathom.
She contemplated, already rising to her feet, and said to the Grand Dowager, "Fourth Master is about to return, I’ll take Min back to wait for him."
The Grand Dowager nodded: "Go ahead." At this point, the First Madam also stood up, surprisingly saying to Xiqiu, "Let’s go together!"
Xiqiu was baffled, sending Chunliu to get Min, while she walked side by side with the First Madam out of the courtyard. The maidservants and old won guarding the entrance were attentively lined up on both sides. The First Madam remained silent, so Xiqiu also refrained from speaking. But as they were about to part ways, the First Madam stopped and said to Xiqiu, "There’s a girl nad Qiuping in Shaohua Courtyard, does Fourth Sister-in-law know?"
Shaohua Courtyard used to be Tong Xihua’s place, originally nad Fenghua Garden, which Xiao Yanyi later renad after she passed away.
Xiqiu was taken aback, not expecting the First Madam to ntion Qiuping. She nodded slightly, and the First Madam continued, "Xing and Min often play in Shaohua Courtyard, and Qiuping takes advantage of her status to tell them so baseless things, are you aware?"
Xiqiu did not understand her intent, but heard the First Madam say again, "Min is sharp and clever, able to discern right from wrong easily, but Xing is naturally simple and quite trusting of others... I tell you this as a reminder, since Shaohua Courtyard is near yours and the children often move around your courtyard. If you have ti, you should pay attention."
It’s probably not just that; there’s likely another reason because she is Tong Xihua’s sister while Qiuping is a maid brought over from Tong Mansion. If the Grand Dowager were to handle it, it might leave an unfavorable impression on her, so it’s better to secretly manage it, letting Qiuping restrain herself and avoid an ugly scene for everyone involved.
The First Madam’s intentions were good!
Xiqiu nodded slightly, her tone softened: "I will be more attentive, thank you big sister-in-law!"
The First Madam gave her a deep look, nodded lightly, and turned to lead the maidservants away, leaving behind a cool and detached figure.
Xiqiu shook her head, then turned to wave at Min who had been following at a distance. She was about to speak when Lianqiao hurried up, causing Xiqiu to stop and look at her. Lianqiao then said, "Fourth Madam, the Grand Dowager requests you return."
Xiqiu looked startled, nodded, and instructed Dongling and Min’s nanny: "Take Min back first, if Fourth Master hasn’t returned, attend to him with a al and have him rest early!"
Dongling and the nanny acknowledged.
Xiqiu took Chunliu and Bihuai and returned to the Grand Dowager’s side again.
Stepping in, she saw the Grand Dowager with a stern face. Upon seeing Xiqiu enter, Nanny Wu forced a smile and called out, "Fourth Madam!"
Xiqiu nodded and asked, "Mother, you were looking for ?" The Grand Dowager rely nodded with a stern expression: "Teng Qiuniang wants to see you!"
"See ?" Xiqiu was taken aback, and saw Nanny Wu nodding and explaining Teng Qiuniang’s condition to Xiqiu: "She was fine during the day; suddenly when I visited, she knocked into a table leg and went delirious, shouting to see the Marquis and the Second Madam... then she said she must et you, claiming she has sothing to tell only you!"
Only to her?
Xiqiu frowned, wondering what Teng Qiuniang intended. She recalled seeing hatred in her eyes earlier, distinct from past indifference and jealousy; a strong animosity had arisen these days, and now she sought to et her...
Trying to make others think she was under her influence?
But it made no sense; there’s no conflict of interest between the Fourth House and Shen. Why harm soone irrelevant, and that was apparent to anyone?
Why do it then? She doesn’t believe there’s anything left to say between them.
Her thoughts turned, and she could not help but look at the Grand Dowager, who nodded at Xiqiu and said: "Let Nanny Wu accompany you to see her, and see what tricks she can play."
Xiqiu was even more startled.
The Grand Dowager’s attitude was strange. Given Teng Qiuniang’s current situation, it was entirely up to the Grand Dowager to handle her; why agree to her conditions? Was it fear she might die in the mansion?
Xiqiu instinctively did not believe that. If a concubine perished in the mansion, any excuse or reason could easily cover it up.
Yet the Grand Dowager agreed to Teng Qiuniang’s request.
"Yes!" Xiqiu responded softly, looked towards Nanny Wu, who then drew the curtain, and Xiqiu went straight to Teng Qiuniang’s courtyard.
User Comments
0 comments from readers