"Hmm, it seems like the Emperor intends to promote Lord Pang," Fourth Master Xiao said indifferently.
The Grand Dowager grew even happier and said with a smile, "I don’t expect him to beco a minister in the cabinet, just that he is steady in his work, progressing step by step."
Such a request is the most basic, yet also the most pragmatic.
After what happened with Tong Xiyan, Xiqiu hoped even more for Xiao Yanzheng’s happiness.
As the wedding date approached, Xiao Yanzheng spoke less and less, and the Grand Dowager called Xiqiu over for a talk: "Go see Yanzheng. She usually confides in you. Give her so advice. After all, no woman remains unmarried forever; everyone must leave their parents’ ho eventually."
This must be pre-wedding jitters, Xiqiu thought with a smile and nodded, "I’ll go check on her now." The Grand Dowager paused, then handed Xiqiu a book wrapped in brocade. "You are her sister-in-law..."
So that’s what the Grand Dowager ant. Xiqiu’s face flushed red as she awkwardly accepted the book wrapped in brocade from the Grand Dowager and quickly stuffed it into her sleeve before leaving.
Seeing Xiqiu’s sowhat embarrassed silhouette, the Grand Dowager and Nanny Wu both laughed.
As Chunliu ntioned, the usual things needed every day were already mostly packed away, and the room appeared a bit cold and empty. Xiao Yanzheng was reading behind the desk and rose to greet Xiqiu as she entered: "Fourth Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"
"I haven’t seen you at my place in the past couple of days, so I thought I’d co see you." With that, she took Xiao Yanzheng’s hand and asked with concern, "Why have you lost weight? Not eating well?"
"No!" Xiao Yanzheng lowered her eyebrows, her voice soft and low, "I just can’t eat; I feel an emptiness in my heart that’s unbearable."
Xiqiu sat beside her and said softly, "These days the household has gone through much; it’s normal to feel upset. But you mustn’t let it ruin your health. You’re soon to be a bride; what if you don’t look beautiful when you marry? Lord Pang might bla us for not nourishing his bride well."
Xiao Yanzheng gave Xiqiu a slightly reproachful look: "Fourth Sister-in-law, you’re teasing !" She sighed and linked her arm with Xiqiu’s, "What do you think Second Sister-in-law is thinking after all?"
Xiqiu sighed as well. She also wanted to know what Second Madam was thinking. Patting Xiao Yanzheng’s hand, she reassured, "Don’t dwell on the past. Your wedding is what matters now. Nanny Wu has copied the Pang family relations for you, right? I’ve had the few maids around you keep the pouches for tipping all ready. The greetings for the morning after the wedding, they’re all in a chest with labels, so be careful not to mix them up."
Everything had been ticulously considered.
With tears in her eyes, Xiao Yanzheng hugged Xiqiu, "Fourth Sister-in-law, you’re so good to !"
Xiqiu chuckled, her hand brushing against the book in her sleeve, making her blush once more. She tried several tis to speak but swallowed her words each ti...
Xiao Yanzheng saw her hesitating and asked perplexed, "What’s the matter? There’s sothing you can’t say to ?"
"Ahem..." Xiqiu took a sip of tea, pondered for a while, and replied, "Nothing special." Yet she handed the book to Xiao Yanzheng, "Mother wanted to give you this, take a look... if there’s sothing you don’t understand..." She took another sip of tea, "co and... ask ."
Xiao Yanzheng opened it puzzled and upon seeing the illustrations, froze before quickly closing it with an "Oh my heavens!" "Why give such a thing?"
Her face was as red as can be.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, why did you give this to look at?" Xiao Yanzheng covered her face, "Take it away quickly!"
Seeing her reaction, Xiqiu relaxed and said with a smile, "You’re about to be married, you need to know about these things. Better to feel embarrassed now than to cause an awkward situation later."
Detecting the teasing tone, Xiao Yanzheng playfully pinched Xiqiu’s arm, "Oh, so now you’re not afraid of , huh? Once I’m married, you expect to rely on you for als, don’t you? Planning revenge, are you?!"
Xiqiu laughed heartily, nodding, "Yes, just waiting for your return on the third day, planning to serve you leftovers."
With that, the two laughed uncontrollably, easing the anxieties in Xiao Yanzheng’s heart.
Ultimately, Xiqiu could only nod with a smile, and awkwardly left Xiao Yanzheng with the book to explore on her own.
Back in her room after freshening up, Fourth Master Xiao inquired, "What did Mother talk about with you?"
Xiqiu paused and vaguely replied, "Told to check on our Second Younger Sister-in-law. She didn’t seem too well these past few days." She turned over, "Fourth Master, go to bed early, tomorrow the Pang family will deliver the wedding letter."
Fourth Master Xiao raised an eyebrow, full of suspicion.
Xiqiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Back when she was getting married, it was Madam Jiang who talked to her, only managing a couple of sentences before stopping. Today it was Xiqiu’s turn to talk to Xiao Yanzheng.
With these thoughts, she turned again, considering Madam Jiang’s condition and Tong Xiyan’s future...
A warm breath on her face snapped her out of it, making Xiqiu open her eyes to see Fourth Master Xiao watching her intently, interest piqued.
"What’s wrong?" Xiqiu asked.
Fourth Master Xiao, resting his head on his arm and lying sideways, retorted, "What about you?" Noticing her restlessness.
Xiqiu shook her head and replied, "I’m fine, just preparing to sleep," and closed her eyes tightly to prove her point. But Fourth Master Xiao kept observing her, noticing as she trembled slightly even though her eyes were closed. Eventually, unable to hold back, Xiqiu opened her eyes again and said, "I’m worried about Fourth Sister."
Fourth Master Xiao hesitated before holding her in his arms and sighed, "No worries, we’ll find another marriage for her so other day."
He said it so lightly.
Xiqiu giggled, gently biting his arm with a playful rebuke, "Fourth Master, you say it’s easy. Even a good man wouldn’t want to marry soone once wed!"
Fourth Master Xiao, unfazed, appeared deep in thought.
As if to underscore the point of significance, with Tong Xiyan’s situation already at its second occurrence, could it really lead to what Fourth Master Xiao ntioned, a third? If so, might it hold a more beautiful outco?!
The next day, when the Pang family brought the marriage letter, Xiqiu prepared a feast, inviting diators from both sides. After a busy afternoon, she returned to her room, exhausted, and fell asleep on the sofa. Arriving ho from the governnt office, Fourth Master Xiao slled the faint scent of wine on Xiqiu and frowned, asking Chunliu, "Did Madam drink wine today?"
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