In other words, she would only convey the ssage and wasn’t prepared to negotiate with Fourth Master Xiao. The smile on Tong Xiyang’s face finally wavered. Her fingertips turned white as she gripped the cup, and she heard Xiqiu say, "Third Sister, don’t worry. The Marquis Mansion has been keeping a low profile these past two years. Though there’s no great achievent, there’s also no significant fault. Even if the Emperor holds back the morials, it’s not likely to imply anything else as Sister might think. Therefore, in my view, there’s no need for Third Sister to worry excessively. Things get done by people, and there’s always a way."
What was said was as good as not said at all. Tong Xiyang secretly bit her teeth, recalling what her mother had said when she was leaving: "You and Fourth Madam are sisters, growing up together from childhood. Even if there were so conflicts in the past, now that each of you has gotten married, the past grievances should have faded. But this sisterly bond never fades. When you go there, no matter the posture, you must humble yourself and not press her with your elder sister status like before... Within just a year, even without a pregnancy, she’s firmly established her footing at the Marquis Mansion, earning praise from everyone. Considering her current status and position, when you speak to her, regardless of what you really feel or whether you are willing, you must be warm and enthusiastic. With this ss at ho, if you don’t help , who can?"
She had her hands gathered inside her sleeves, clenched tightly around a handkerchief. A surge of unexplainable wrath rushed to her head, but she forcibly suppressed it. Smiling at Xiqiu, she said, "Then I must trouble Sixth Sister, as long as Sixth Sister is willing to help us, the Great Governor has connections with Third Master, and surely won’t stand by idly." Pausing, she added, "Moreover, the Great Governor frequently ets the Emperor; it would be a minor favor for him."
Xiqiu chuckled lightly, a slight disappointnt arising in her heart. If it were truly a simple matter, given the Count’s capability, how could it not have been done by now? It seems simple, yet it’s the hardest. Unless one thoroughly understands the Emperor’s stance towards Wujin Bo Mansion, a rash inquiry might turn one into an accomplice if anything goes wrong, and who would be reckless enough to wade into such murky waters with no benefits?
Tong Xiyang was still the sa as before, always considering her own matters as significant while others’ safety remained insignificant.
"Let’s first see what Fourth Master thinks." Pausing again, she suggested, "Once I’ve got Fourth Master’s stance, I’ll send soone to tell Third Sister. How does that sound?"
The discussion had reached this point, and Tong Xiyang felt Xiqiu was brushing her off. She suddenly stood up, trying hard to restrain her emotions, and said, "Then I shall trouble Sixth Sister." With that, she prepared to leave and said, "Then I won’t disturb Sixth Sister’s rest. Farewell." Her tone was very stiff.
Xiqiu maintained her gentle smile, standing up and nodding, "Take care, Third Sister." She then looked towards Chunliu, "See Third Sister off."
Tong Xiyang turned and walked out. A blue-topped sedan chair was parked at the gate. Tong Xiyang got on it, and as the chair bobbed, it proceeded along the path towards Yin... The curtain of the sedan chair was lifted slightly from inside, revealing a pair of scrutinizing eyes scanning the garden before angrily flipping the curtain down with a cold snort at the nostrils.
Returning, Chunliu waited until the young maids finished tidying up the tea bowls and then asked, "Madam, you mustn’t agree to what Third Grand Aunt asked of you." After a pause, she added, "I still rember her tricks back in the mansion vividly. Now the Wujin Bo Mansion is declining day by day. Everyone knows it, yet she still cos to coax Madam, asking Fourth Master to help them. I wonder what her real intention is."
"Madam is well aware." Bihuai ca in from outside, looking at Chunliu as she said, "Madam knows very well what Third Grand Aunt wants. We don’t need to remind her." She had overheard the conversation between Madam and Third Grand Aunt, and Madam had not agreed to Third Grand Aunt’s request, rely saying she would speak to Fourth Master, but whether or how she would speak is entirely up to Madam.
Xiqiu said nothing. The matters of the Ren Family were sothing they should not ddle with, and even if they could, she’d weigh her options carefully. She was not foolish enough to leverage Fourth Master Xiao’s relationship with the Emperor for favors.
With these thoughts in her mind, she stood up. Chunliu, hearing Bihuai’s words, was stunned initially but imdiately understood the implication and laughed, "Then I am relieved. It just bothers that Third Grand Aunt is so frustrating, even her smile feels tiring to look at."
Xiqiu shook her head with a chuckle. Feeling weary, she contemplated returning to her room for more rest when she suddenly heard Nanny Cen’s scolding coming from the courtyard. She raised an eyebrow and glanced at Chunliu, who got the hint and headed outside. It wasn’t long before she returned, reporting, "It’s Rongya who, during her duty ti, left Madam’s stove unattended to chat in the courtyard, and was caught red-handed by Nanny Cen."
Xiqiu nodded slightly, noting, "Nanny Cen knows best how to handle these matters. Let her take care of it." It would also serve to establish so authority.
Currently, there were a total of sixteen people serving in the main courtyard, including three major maids and Nanny Cen, who could freely enter and exit Xiqiu’s room. Coming over from the Marquis Mansion were Wenyu and Ziyang. Initially, two kitchen maids and two cleaning won given by Second Madam were suggested to stay in the Marquis Mansion to maintain it, as Xiqiu had once intended to return for a short stay, and therefore four won were kept there.
Thus, in the new mansion now, there were three first-tier maids in her chamber. Wenyu and Ziyang remained second-tier and were typically not allowed into the main room. Nanny Rong brought in three young maids and three won for rough work, just like Ziyang and Wenyu, who were also not permitted into the main room, only able to move about in the yard, whereas the other won and young maids were not allowed even into the courtyard.
Xiqiu, now pregnant, had her usual supplents and als, so prepared not in the main kitchen but directly cooked in the courtyard on stoves, watched over by a maid on duty.
Chunliu furrowed her brows tightly, saying, "Just after setting the rules, she hasn’t learnt anything!" With that, she walked out the door, while since yesterday when the rules were posted, Rongya was the first one to run afoul of them.
Bihuai glanced outside as well, shaking her head, and went to serve Xiqiu in her bedroom.
Nowadays, Xiqiu would only wake up fully after having a sufficient sleep whenever she lay down. When it was nearly sunset, with Min returning from the Marquis Mansion, Chunliu called Xiqiu up. Sitting, Xiqiu asked, "I think I heard Min’s voice. Is he back?"
Chunliu confird, and from the doorway ca Min’s respectful greeting, "Mother!"
Xiqiu dressed and allowed Chunliu to redo her hair before coming out, seeing Min standing well-behaved by the door. Smiling, she asked, "You’re back? Did you nap at noon? Where did you nap?"
"I napped in Grandmother’s room with Xing," Min replied seriously, adding, "but Sheng didn’t co!"
Raising her eyebrows at this, Xiqiu asked, "Where did Sheng go?" while leading Min to an adjacent room.
Min replied, "Uncle and Aunt returned, saying Aunt was ill, and Uncle took Sheng back ho."
"Ill?" Xiqiu said, now seated on the Arhat Bed. She asked, "Do you know what illness it is? Didn’t they co into the mansion to pay respects to Grandmother?"
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