The two of them laughed together as they spoke. Madam Shen could not help but glance at Xiqiu. Today, she wore a plain, smoke purple overcoat with wide double gold borders over an ice blue gauze skirt with a Lan border, her hair styled in a falling horse bun. On her head, she wore a Phoenix Spreading Wings Six-sided Jade and Seven Treasure Bright Gold Hairpin and a bunch of silk flowers, exuding an unadorned elegance that did not lack in grace and dignity. Her gaze then fell on the pearl bracelet Xiqiu wore on her hand, with pearls the size of rice grains and coral beads of the sa size paired at either end. The royal blue tassels hung over her snow-white skin, contrasting with her slender fingers.
She often heard that Fourth Madam Xiao loved simplicity, yet it was not a stark simplicity. There was always sothing exquisite that would catch the eye unexpectedly. She recalled the last ti Pingrong ca to the mansion wearing a pair of earrings, the butterfly knotted adornnts were so intricate, and Pingrong often wore them to et guests, showing how much she cherished them.
Today she had witnessed it all, unknowingly realizing that there was a change in the Fourth Madam since the first ti they t in the Empress’s palace, though she could not pinpoint what had changed.
The Tong Family, although scholarly, had heard that each young master had their own talents. Yet, their social standing wasn’t high. However, they managed to cultivate such an exquisite lady. Even though she was a concubine-born daughter, Madam Shen secretly admired and reflected on how nobody rembered Fourth Madam Xiao’s origins anymore, be it in the Marquis Mansion or outside it.
A brief silence settled between them as each harbored their own thoughts. Xiqiu secretly admired the Grand Dowager. She had heard that the Princess Mansion was specially built by the late Emperor for Princess Changting, lavishly glorified, even its gardens were larger than those of the Shen Mansion. Yet, the Grand Dowager forsook it to reside in the Shen Mansion.
She pondered that back when the late Emperor ascended the throne, the imperial princes and princesses died in succession, leaving only Princess Changting surviving and not just living well. Her daughter is now the Empress, which undoubtedly relates to her humble and low-key nature.
While she mused over this, Madam Shen had already pointed to the main courtyard ahead and said, "This is mother’s courtyard." As she spoke, she linked arms with Xiqiu, surrounded by maids and old won, they proceeded through the winding corridors into the main courtyard.
On both sides of the courtyard’s path stood several maids and old won. Upon seeing Xiqiu and Madam Shen entering, they all squat and greeted them. Xiqiu nodded and left Chunliu and a few others outside, then entered with Madam Shen.
The Grand Dowager sat at the main seat, smiling as Xiqiu entered and asked, "Was the journey smooth?"
Xiqiu greeted her, and the Grand Dowager said no need to be formal. Xiqiu sat beside her and thanked her after tea was served, replying, "The journey was very smooth, thank you for your concern."
"No need to thank . Zhenzhen is inconvenient otherwise she would have personally visited you, saving you the trouble of rushing over." Saying this, she smiled and added, "Actually, there’s nothing more than a desire to chat with the Fourth Madam."
Xiqiu smiled and respectfully answered, "I’ve always ant to visit you but couldn’t find the ti, it’s my discourtesy." The Grand Dowager didn’t mind and said, "Now you’re managing the household, there’s hardly any spare ti. I was the sa when I was young, often wanting to go out, but with so much to handle inside and outside the house, it was impossible to leave. Now, fortunately, I have Zhenzhen to manage things, but I’m old now and even if I want to go out, I lack the energy."
Xiqiu covered her face and smiled, and Madam Shen obligingly comnted, "Mother, it’s not that you lack the energy, it’s because you don’t trust enough, worrying that once you leave, I would ss things up."
The Grand Dowager pointed at her daughter-in-law, "Look, look, how unruly," her face beaming with smiles.
Xiqiu joined in with a laugh, "Madam Shen, it seems you’re talking about ."
The three of them laughed together.
As they were speaking, a young woman entered from outside, carrying a child about ten months old, dressed in a lake-blue short jacket, wearing a royal blue felt hat. The child had fair skin, big eyes with very long eyelashes, looking quite adorable. As soon as he entered, his gaze fixed on Madam Shen, reaching out with a babble, and Madam Shen imdiately said, "Wen’er, call Auntie."
It turned out to be Madam Shen’s eldest son, whom she had seen in Empress’s palace before. At the ti, he was just a swaddled infant, now he had already grown so big.
The child, not recognizing Xiqiu and not being able to speak, naturally didn’t call her, rely glanced at her before leaning towards Madam Shen, while the Grand Dowager grinned at Xiqiu, "He’s so young yet so temperantal!"
"Children are all like this." Xiqiu stood up, pulling out from her sleeve a piece of Mutton Fat Jade token adorned with five goldfish-shaped knots made from red thread. The cute, plump goldfish imdiately captured the child’s attention, clutching it tightly in his hand, about to put it in his mouth. Xiqiu gently held his small hand and with a smile said, "You can’t eat this, but you can hold it and play." Tilting her head, she raised her eyes at him, and the child gazed at her large twinkling eyes, bursting into giggles.
"Usually, when he sees strangers, he gets fussy, yet today seeing Fourth Madam, he seems very happy," the Grand Dowager joyfully stated, signaling the young woman holding the child, "Fourth Madam, you’ve been too kind, hurry up and thank Fourth Madam."
The young woman gave a crouched gesture towards Xiqiu with the child, conveying on his behalf, "Thank you, Fourth Madam." The Grand Dowager then signaled for her to carry the child out.
Madam Shen said, "He’s very mischievous, I can’t carry him either. But every ti he sees , he cries and clamors to be held, there’s really no way."
"It’s the usual. He’s becoming an older brother," Xiqiu chuckled, "... When the younger brother is born, he’ll stop being naughty." Madam Shen paused, glancing at the Grand Dowager in surprise, "Is this really a thing?"
Xiqiu covered her face and smiled, "Heard it from the old nursemaids in the mansion."
The Grand Dowager bead with joy, nodding, "I seem to have heard that too, but whether true or not, let’s take it as Fourth Madam’s good wishes today!"
They laughed together, evident that the Shen Family hoped for another son.
If indeed it were a son, Madam Shen would be thoroughly settled in the family.
"Speaking of which, Wen’er was conceived before Shen Ji went to Liaodong," she stated, glancing at Xiqiu, "Thinking back to Liaodong now still frightens . Fortunately, Shen Ji had the Great Governor’s help, otherwise, his life would’ve been lost in Liaodong."
With a smile, Xiqiu looked at the Grand Dowager and remarked, "How could that be? The Princely Heir Shen is brave and wise, it was our Fourth Master who was a bit impulsive!"
The Grand Dowager waved her hand, smiling, "In public, I have to uphold Shen Ji’s reputation. When we speak privately, there’s no need for facades; I am well aware of his courage," she chuckled again, "He just has a bit of wit."
As she spoke of her son, Xiqiu didn’t dare to truly agree and simply accompanied the conversation.
After sipping tea for a while longer, they talked about how the eldest prince in the palace was very adorable, and the Emperor wouldn’t feel at ease each day until he saw him after the court. One day, while leaving, the eldest prince suddenly started crying loudly for no apparent reason, causing the Emperor to beco frantically worried, holding him in his arms and personally going to seek out the Imperial Physician.
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