Chapter 1000: Chapter 994: Entering the Palace (2)
The two had just agreed when Fourth Master Xiao came in. Ruan Jingliu smiled at Fourth Master Xiao and said, "I heard you acquired the land in Tongzhou?"
Fourth Master Xiao sat down opposite them and replied, "I’ve got the deed." He glanced at the two of them and said, "Arrange it however you see fit."
Ruan Jingliu laughed and nodded, "I’ll go there sometime after the new year." She then discussed with Xiqiu what to plant, and after a long conversation, Ruan Jingliu stood up and said, "I’ll be leaving now. I’ll wait for you at the door tomorrow morning, I won’t come inside." With that, she headed out the door.
Xiqiu saw her out, then went to check on Zhi. After coaxing him to sleep, she returned to her room.
Lying in bed after washing up, she took out the "Four People’s Monthly Orders," which she hadn’t looked at in a long time. Fourth Master Xiao leaned in and placed his hand on her lower abdomen, whispering in her ear, "Are you feeling better?"
Xiqiu recently had her cycle.
Xiqiu murmured, "Yes." She then lightly bit his shoulder, the kind of seductive glance that only appeared at this moment: "Sweet talker."
Fourth Master Xiao chuckled softly, his affection growing even stronger. Xiqiu glared at him while holding him: "You..." She pushed him, "Go out quickly, I have things to do tomorrow." Yet, she didn’t seem truly angry.
Fourth Master Xiao sealed her lips. She wanted to stop him but couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp: "You just bully me..."
"I wouldn’t dare!" Fourth Master Xiao giggled softly, his actions gentle like a breeze, lovingly whispering by her ear, "I wish I could keep you in my heart and take you with me every day."
Xiqiu blushed deeply; Fourth Master Xiao often spoke such sweet words, yet each time her heart would still pound like a drum. Biting her lip, she pretended to frown and said, "...It doesn’t seem like bullying to me."
The moves went from gentle and soothing to gradually uncontrollable...
Fourth Master Xiao laughed softly; his hand slid down, and he could clearly feel her body tremble, swallowing back the words she was about to say.
Not remembering when she fell asleep, Xiqiu turned over arduously and saw a silhouette dressing beside the bed. She murmured, "What time is it?"
A light peck landed on her forehead like a dragonfly touching water, and Fourth Master Xiao’s deep and resonant voice sounded in her ear: "Sleep, I’ll tell Bihuai to wake you when it’s time." He adjusted the quilt for Xiqiu again.
Xiqiu murmured, "Be careful on the road." With that, she turned over and continued to sleep.
When the time came, Bihuai gently woke Xiqiu, "Madam, it’s time." Xiqiu woke with a start, took a pocket watch from under her pillow, glanced at it, and sighed with relief, saying, "Sister Jingliu hasn’t arrived yet, has she?"
"Not yet." Bihuai helped her to sit up, brought over warm clothes from the heater to drape over her, and quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at the red marks on Xiqiu’s neck, murmuring, "Madam, should you dress formally?"
After washing and dressing, Xiqiu brought Zhi over for breakfast. She said to Zhi, "Since Mr. Hua isn’t on holiday, you just let Mr. Hua stay at the house." Zhi was delighted to hear this, and Xiqiu added, "Mother will be back at noon. If you’re hungry, ask the kitchen to make something for you!"
Zhi nodded eagerly, "I know." He said this while smiling and holding Xiqiu’s hand, "Mother, let me see you off."
Xiqiu smiled helplessly, pinched Zhi’s little cheek, "You little rascal, you just want Mother to leave early so you can be lawless at home."
"No, no!" Zhi promised, "I’ve always been very good."
Xiqiu poked his nose, about to speak, when Tiancheng came in to report, "Nurse Zhang has arrived." Xiqiu then instructed Nanny Cen and Mrs. Zhou, and left the house with Bihuai and Lyuzhi.
After leaving the residence, Ruan Jingliu alighted from her carriage and boarded Xiqiu’s. Xiqiu noticed she wore the same moon-white attire she always did, with a jade hairpin in her hair, and shook her head with a smile, "If everyone were like you, the Brocade Pavilion would have closed long ago."
Ruan Jingliu was unfazed, raising an eyebrow and retorting, "Could it be you’ve taken a liking? It’s just that you endure it better than I do."
After speaking, the two looked at each other and couldn’t help but laugh.
The carriage stopped outside the Imperial City. Xiqiu, wearing a veil, got off with Ruan Jingliu and saw Chief De standing by the palace gate with a smile. Seeing Xiqiu approach, he bowed and said, "The Imperial Concubine has sent me to await Fourth Madam here." With a wave of his hand, he continued, "Please, Fourth Madam!"
Xiqiu nodded slightly, "Thank you, Chief." She and Ruan Jingliu walked alongside Chief De, entering the palace gates unimpeded, heading to Le’an Palace.
Le’an Palace was no different from before. Jinyu was guarding the entrance. Seeing Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu approaching from afar, she ran inside with a smile. By the time Xiqiu entered, Le Xiu had already led the female officials and nannies out to greet her, "Fourth Madam!"
