Nanny Qiu imdiately nodded in agreent. After Xiqiu went in with Bihuai to change clothes, she grabbed Wenyu and asked, "How is Young Master Xin in the Capital Mansion now? Has he recovered?"
Wenyu nodded and replied, "He has already gotten better. He can drink thin porridge now. Nurse Zhang said that after five or six more days of recovery, he can eat normally again."
Nanny Qiu breathed a sigh of relief; not only was the Marquis Mansion overwheld, but the Tong Mansion was also full of a suffocating gloom these past few days. Even her own steps were cautious and quiet, not daring to breathe heavily, constantly paying attention to any movent on that side.
Luckily, Sixth Lady was by Young Master Xin’s side, and Nurse Zhang was consulted; otherwise, with Young Master Xin like this, he might indeed have...
She dared not think further. Although she hadn’t t the First Young Madam before, she had heard that Young Master Xin, being the First Master’s grandson and of noble status, might rely on the Marquis Mansion’s influence in the future for the uncles or nephews in the Tong Mansion. Even if not needed, just having this relationship between the two mansions made everything much more convenient.
Her gaze then fell to the door of the bedroom, suddenly shaking her head again. How could she forget about the Sixth Lady? With such a capable Sixth Son-in-law, their future was surely limitless. Sixth Lady was kind and always kept the First Young Madam and other family mbers in mind, so perhaps the Tong Mansion might rely on her one day.
As her thoughts turned, she saw Sixth Lady co out, and Nanny Qiu’s eyes fell on her stomach. It’s been half a year since the marriage. With a good relationship with the Fourth Son-in-law, why hasn’t there been any news yet?
Xiqiu, unaware of what Nanny Qiu was thinking, nodded to her, then took Bihuai and Wenyu to the Grand Dowager’s room, telling her about Lady’s matters. The Grand Dowager hurriedly nodded and said, "Go quickly, don’t worry about family matters. Half a day makes no difference." She then instructed Nanny Wu to get so supplents from the storeroom: "Since you’re going back ho, you can’t go empty-handed."
Xiqiu thanked the Grand Dowager and quickly exited. At the door, she ran into Mrs. Tong, who stopped and asked, "What’s the matter?"
Xiqiu replied, "Soone from my family ca, saying my mother is unwell. I’m going back to take a look."
Mrs. Tong listened and nodded faintly, saying, "Take care!"
Xiqiu acknowledged and left the yard. Mrs. Tong turned and entered the Grand Dowager’s room, who was leaning on a soft couch with a headband wrapped around her head due to sumr heat. Nanny Wu was fanning her, and seeing Mrs. Tong co in, the Grand Dowager pointed to a stool beside her and said, "Sit and talk with ."
Mrs. Tong sat down beside the Grand Dowager, her voice gentle, "Mother, don’t worry too much. The second brother is still young; there will surely be offspring in the future!"
The Grand Dowager sighed, having lost much expectation in Xiao Yanyi, she sighed again, "I won’t force anything regarding offspring anymore. Let it be. As long as the mansion remains peaceful, I don’t care about this anymore."
Mrs. Tong bowed her head, thinking of herself, having been married for so long yet without children. The Grand Dowager must have also felt such sadness.
She clasped the Grand Dowager’s hand, her eyes reddening, "...Mother."
The Grand Dowager, knowing it touched her sorrow, patted Mrs. Tong’s hand and sighed, "Enough, let’s not talk about it. Sotis, I think being together with family is a blessing in itself."
Mrs. Tong said nothing. After a mont of silence between them, she said, "Did the fourth sister-in-law return to her family, saying her mother is unwell?"
Hearing this, the Grand Dowager nodded, "After hearing about Xing’er a few days ago, I heard she fell ill. She was already bedridden, and now her condition has worsened probably..." Mrs. Tong rembered how Tong Xihua’s mother, when alive, had left a lasting impression in the Capital as soone remarkable at dressing and grooming.
Yet now she had co to such a state.
Such is the uncertainty of life; no one can predict what tomorrow holds.
Xiqiu left Chunliu at ho to keep Min company, taking Bihuai and Biwu back to Tong Mansion. Along the way, Nanny Qiu recounted the situation in the mansion these past few days. The First Master reported to the governnt on the first of the month. He had initially been appointed as a scholar and later sought an appointnt elsewhere. Having returned, it’s considered a form of training. If it weren’t for Second Master’s issue, First Master would have been qualified to join the cabinet. Now, however, he holds a Sixth Rank position and serves as an Assistant Minister, without any disputes; in just a few days, he had received widespread praise.
The First Master had been resting at Madam Xia’s room, occasionally spending a night at Madam Luo’s. However, he seldom visited Madam i, so Madam i remained in Madam Xia’s room daily, either embroidering or reciting scriptures together, or making various snacks for Madam Xia to taste.
Madam Xia, who had never been competitive, now had no burden since Xiqiu married well and Tong Minzhi only returned from the academy once a fortnight, making her even less likely to compete. This resulted in a good relationship among the concubines.
Madam i moved around in front of Madam Xia, and Xiqiu understood her intention. Firstly, with First Master resting at Madam Xia’s, Madam i could often encounter him, and although she didn’t expect his favor, she wouldn’t be forgotten. Secondly, it was about Eighth Miss. With Lady so ill, and Madam Jiang pregnant, Tong Xiyan’s family being preoccupied with the mother-in-law, the only person she could rely on was Xiqiu.
Tong Quanzi was still at his martial arts master’s residence and hadn’t returned to the mansion, and it had been quite a while since anyone saw him.
Once Nanny Qiu finished explaining the family affairs, the carriage had already stopped at the Tong Mansion’s second gate. Xiqiu, supported by Bihuai, stepped down from the carriage. Madam Jiang, having heard the news, was already waiting for her in front of Lady’s courtyard.
"Sixth Lady," Madam Jiang took Xiqiu’s hand, showing an anxious expression on her face, "You’ve finally returned."
It was rare to see a flustered expression on Madam Jiang’s face, and Xiqiu couldn’t help but be slightly surprised.
"How is Mother? Have you called a doctor?" Xiqiu asked as she walked with her.
Madam Jiang frowned and replied, "The day before yesterday, after taking dicine, she was slightly better; she could recognize people at ho. Last night, she inexplicably fainted again. The doctor was called, and she’s slightly better now. But as soon as she woke up today, she was clamoring to see you." She looked at Xiqiu with a difficult expression and said, "I know Young Master Xin has been staying in your room, and you’ve been managing everything all along, so you must be quite busy..."
"Young Master Xin has returned to the Grand Dowager’s room; I’m fine," Xiqiu smiled and assured Madam Jiang, then added to allay her concerns, "Besides, if Mother is ill, no matter how busy I am, I should co back."
Madam Jiang sighed and smiled back at Xiqiu.
Xiqiu then asked, "Have Third Sister and Fourth Sister returned?"
"I’ve sent soone to fetch them; they should arrive soon," Madam Jiang said, glancing towards the second gate.
Xiqiu nodded and said no more, uncertain if Tong Xiyang would return.
They entered Lady’s main room one after the other. Nanny Fang peeked her face behind the bedroom curtain, and seeing Xiqiu co in, she put down the curtain and went back inside.
She did not co out to greet them.
User Comments
0 comments from readers