In the blink of an eye, it was the end of March. First Master wrote saying he would stay in Suzhou for a few days, and a subtle atmosphere filled the Man Mansion.
Lady sent soone to take asurents for several misses, and made sumr clothes for each. After Xiqiu sent off the embroideress master, Nanny Fang arrived: "Lady asked to tell Sixth Miss to accompany her to the Wujin Bo Mansion tomorrow. Let Miss prepare carefully, if anything is lacking, have soone inform Lady. Do not dress too casually like at ho."
Xiqiu’s heart skipped a beat, yet she showed an expression of longing with a cheerful tone: "Will Third Sister, Fourth Sister, and Eighth Sister also go?"
Nanny Fang’s eyes flickered, smiling: "There are many people over there, and Lady fears that too many people going might lead to inadequate care, so she only takes Sixth Miss."
Xiqiu nodded thoughtfully: "Understood!"
Nanny Fang sat for a while before leaving, and once she was gone, Xiqiu’s face turned solemn...
Leaving out Third Miss, Fourth Miss, and taking only her!
Lady suddenly being so obvious, does it an Madam Chen, the matchmaker, has already discussed with the other side? Just waiting for Wujin Bo Mansion to be satisfied, and everything will be settled awaiting the day for the proposal?!
But what if they don’t choose her? Such a family, with Third Young Master Ren being so unruly, would surely look for a daughter-in-law who is both beautiful and capable, yet dignified and filial. One who can win the husband’s heart, and also educate the concubine-born sons and daughters...
Madam Chen doesn’t know her, so the fact that she was noticed among the girls must be due to Lady’s introduction and recomndation. What if she doesn’t align with what Lady described, or can’t et Wujin Bo Mansion’s expectations for a daughter-in-law?!
Suddenly, a thought jumped out in her mind, startling even herself.
"Miss..." Chunyan worriedly paced back and forth in the room. Although she felt that even if the Count Wujin was remarrying, Sixth Miss had her status here, it was still a good match compared to marrying into a small household and worrying about basic needs. But she also knew clearly that Sixth Miss did not want this, and Sixth Miss never acted rashly; there must be sothing she found inappropriate.
Sixing was also sullen, only Siliu remained oblivious: "What’s going on? Isn’t it just visiting the Wujin Bo Mansion? Why is everyone looking so glum!"
Chunyan glared at her: "What do you know? Out of so many misses, Lady only takes Sixth Miss. Not even legitimate Fourth Miss goes. What does this imply? Lady has likely decided to marry Sixth Miss into the Wujin Bo Mansion." She glanced at Xiqiu sitting cross-legged on the kang, sipping tea, and continued: "Quickly think of a way, how do we get through this?"
Sixing, though aware of subtle changes in the mansion, was unsure about specifics and also showed a surprised look. Siliu froze, blinking her big eyes before finally blurting out: "Marriage? Third Miss and Fourth Miss have yet to settle, how has it jumped to our miss?" She seemingly understood suddenly, and exclaid: "Isn’t this marriage decent but not so good that Lady is willing to send Fourth Miss, nor let Third Miss enjoy the benefits, so she settled on our miss?"
Chunyan nodded in agreent. She had thought about this layer too, but ultimately what’s wrong with Third Young Master Ren was unclear to them. Suddenly, she turned to Xiqiu: "Miss... Have you learned sothing? Did Young Master find out anything?" Her urgency was not only for Xiqiu because Siliu and Sixing were older, and if Miss’s marriage lagged, they might be arranged by Lady, but she was a third-class maid of age, already decided to be a future dowry companion...
Her destiny was tied to Xiqiu’s.
Xiqiu raised her head, watching the three: "Hmm. Cousin said Third Young Master Ren is sowhat unruly!" She didn’t reveal Madam Luo’s words, not unwilling to say, just not wanting them to be more alard.
In the quiet room, Chunyan involuntarily breathed a sigh of relief. Unruly, but not considered inappropriate!
Siliu frowned: "Unruliness varies; who knows what kind he is." She looked at Xiqiu, resolutely saying: "Miss, I’ll accompany you tomorrow, I’ll secretly inquire about Third Young Master Ren’s character and check Wujin Bo Mansion’s foundation. If it’s all bad, servant will... will take you and flee." In her view, if the man isn’t good, having money in hand is fine, but lacking both is worse than living independently.
Xiqiu was amused by Siliu’s idea: "Escape to where? What about your Fugui?"
Siliu blushed, pacing and said: "We can’t let Lady casually force you into marriage." Xiqiu laughed: "Stop thinking about the useless and go find that bean green overcoat."
Siliu blinked, not understanding how Miss jumped from marriage to clothes, puzzled: "Bean green? That outfit was made last year, and Miss has already outgrown it."
"Find it and you’ll see." Xiqiu glanced at Chunyan: "With nothing to do now, it’s still early, go sit with Shuixiang for a bit, and don’t worry about rushing back."
Chunyan blinked, wondering if Miss was asking her to tell Third Miss about going to Wujin Bo Mansion?
What does Miss want to do?
Without waiting for her to ask, Xiqiu already dragged Siliu into the bedroom. The two began rummaging through chests, looking for last year’s bean-green overcoat. She shook her head, turned, and went out.
Xiqiu pulled out the overcoat, tried it on, and it was indeed shorter by half. Originally, slightly short made her appear constrained and youthful. If Lady inquired, she would say the green complented her complexion, but if it’s this much shorter, the alteration is substantial, making it hard to explain.
By evening, Siliu went to fetch dinner while Xiqiu alone turned over her clothes, looked around, and saw Sixing standing silently behind her, lost in thought...
She raised her brows and asked: "Daydreaming, anything on your mind?"
Sixing seed uncertain, lips moved a few tis before speaking: "Miss... Otherwise, should we seek Young Master, see if he has any way?"
Xiqiu raised her brow, softly "Hmm?", dropped the clothes, and sat at the round table watching her, and then gently smiled: "Why think to find cousin?"
Sixing thought Xiqiu agreed, instantly smiling: "Young Master is learned and smart... Maybe he can think of what we can’t."
Marriage is major—diated by matchmaker, ordered by parents! Could Xu Tianqing help her defy Lady’s orders, lead a rebellion or elope?
Rebellion? Against such a prominent family, she’s just a concubine-born girl, justification wouldn’t favor her, rather label her unfilial, making future marriage impossible... As for eloping, not to ntion other issues, rely escaping Tong Mansion makes her a fugitive, and leaving through Capital’s gates would be impossible, not to ntion surviving alone outside. Xu Tianqing’s career would also be entirely ruined!
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