Chapter 1004: Chapter 998: Before and After (Part 3)
Tong Xiyu nodded and said, "Yes, I usually accompany my grandmother to chat when I have nothing to do, and I personally take care of everything I can do." Madam Jiang nodded with a smile, jokingly said, "If you were to add another child, the old lady would be even more delighted."
Speaking of which, Tong Xiyu has been married for some time, yet there has been no movement.
"Sixth Sister." Hearing this, Tong Xiyu asked Xiqiu, "Behind Long Street, there is a Shuliu Lane, where Doctor Feng, who used to treat Eldest Sister, is. He is said to have excellent medical skills... Do you want to come with me to take a look?"
Xiqiu was startled, "Me?" She had never thought about seeing a fertility doctor before. Tong Xiyu nodded as if persuading her, "Many people have conceived after taking his medicine, why don’t you try with me!"
Xiqiu felt a bit embarrassed, returning Min to Tong Xiyan. Seeing Xiqiu’s expression change slightly, Madam Jiang chimed in, "Why talk about these things during the New Year? Besides, you are all still young, there’s no rush for one or two years." Taking a pause, she added, "Eighth Sister, don’t worry, you will surely conceive!"
Xiqiu’s thoughts sank; did other people consider she should see a fertility doctor!
"Sixth Sister." Tong Xiyan smiled at her, saying, "If you’re idle at home, why not make a cloak for our Min? You make the best-looking cloaks."
Xiqiu came to her senses, revealing a smile, replied, "Alright, I’ll cut the fabric for you if I find the time." She then stood up and said, "Let’s go to the study, I haven’t seen father in a long time."
Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan stood up to accompany her, saying, "Let’s go together." Turning to Tong Xiyu, she said, "Eighth Sister, can you look after the house? Kun and Zhi are still next door."
Tong Xiyu was also planning to go, but hearing this, she paused, then nodded and said, "Okay!" watching as the three people left.
"She means no harm." Madam Jiang said softly, patting Xiqiu’s hand while Xiqiu supported her, "You have Zhi, having one more or less doesn’t matter."
Xiqiu was originally indifferent, but Tong Xiyu’s words made her care despite knowing better. Yet she shook her head, "I’m alright, such matters come naturally; they cannot be forced."
"Ah, you." Tong Xiyan laughed gently, "Look at me, I once said I couldn’t conceive, yet here I am holding Min. Just ease your mind, no need for wild thoughts."
Xiqiu responded with a smile and then saw Tong Xihua running over with pigtails, "Sister-in-law, Fourth Sister, Sixth Sister..." Her voice was crisply melodious.
"Why are you here alone, where’s your concubine?" Xiqiu held Tong Xihua’s hand. Tong Xihua replied with a smile, "Concubine is in the room, having heard Fourth Sister and you returned and sent me to welcome you two."
Tong Xiyan chuckled softly, tapping Tong Xihua’s forehead, "Little girl, clearly wanted your Sixth Sister, yet cleverly included me too, as if I don’t care about you." Saying that, she handed a pocket to her, "This is your New Year’s money from Fourth Sister."
"Thank you, Fourth Sister." Tong Xihua blinked her eyes in joy. Xiqiu watching her, recalled her own days in the mansion, always longing for the New Year and the extra rewards that made those days enjoyable.
Several people went together to First Master’s study, where Zhou Bohan and Second Master Lou were present, a family gathering without restraint, finding places to sit and chat about court affairs.
After having lunch at noon, they dispersed in the afternoon and returned home.
Fourth Master Xiao noticed Xiqiu’s low spirits and gently asked, "Are you worried about Min?" Earlier, they discussed the Emperor tasking the Princes with overseeing this year’s palace lanterns, fearing Min might struggle.
"No." Xiqiu shook her head, "Min has always been meticulous, such things shouldn’t trouble him..." Saying that, she lowered her head to drink tea absent-mindedly.
Fourth Master Xiao leaned closer, brows furrowed, "What’s on your mind?"
Xiqiu shook her head, "Nothing!" Fourth Master Xiao looked dubious.
The next day, when Xiqiu was about to invite Ruan Jingliu to the mansion, she arrived herself. Xiqiu laughed saying, "I was about to ask Tiancheng to invite you." Ruan Jingliu sat across from her and raised her eyebrows, asking, "What is it?"
Xiqiu hesitated, then mentioned Doctor Feng’s matters, Ruan Jingliu furrowed her brows, "Don’t fill your mind with those thoughts. I’ve heard Doctor Feng divorced his wife who couldn’t bear children. If he could heal, why couldn’t he treat his wife?" Pausing, she continued, "Besides, it’s not that you can’t conceive, just physically weak making it difficult to conceive."
Xiqiu actually knew better, but sometimes being able but not doing is one thing, unable is another. Moreover, ever since Min entered the palace, only Zhi remains at home. She felt one child seemed lonely and hoped for a sibling.
"Enough!" Xiqiu shook her head, "Let’s not discuss it, why did you come to see me?"
Ruan Jingliu then recalled her purpose, saying, "I agreed after the New Year to visit Tongzhou, leaving tomorrow and came to inform you." Pausing, she added, "This trip might take three or four months; if anything arises, write to me."
"Alright." Xiqiu nodded, "Be careful on the road, have arrangements been made for accommodations?"
"Don’t worry, I grew up in Tongzhou City; arrangements are made." Ruan Jingliu laughed adding, "Just await my return."
Xiqiu laughed and saw her out. The next morning, Ruan Jingliu and Wan’er rode out of the city...
Outside the city gates, a dark red horse stood on the road, snorting noisily, halting Ruan Jingliu’s carriage. She lifted the curtain and instructed, "Go see whose horse it is; if no one’s around, move it aside."
The carriage boy obliged, about to go move the horse, but in a blink of an eye, a man dressed in silver, gold-trimmed brocade appeared on the saddle, high upon the horse, with features like a painting!
"Heading to Tongzhou?" The man spoke, his sharp brows raised!
Seeing him, Ruan Jingliu grew angry, spat out, "Scram!"
