Chapter 1010: Chapter 1003: Invitation
Xiqiu listened to Fourth Master Xiao and then smiled gently. Min truly did not disappoint her; he knew his limits and did not let his affection go to his head!
Just as she was about to speak, Bihuai brought in the medicine: "Madam, it’s time for your medicine." After saying this, she placed it in front of Xiqiu. She took it and was about to drink it when Fourth Master Xiao frowned and asked, "Why have you started taking medicine?"
Xiqiu replied casually, "Sister Jingliu prescribed it before she left, to regulate my health." With that, she drank the medicine in one go and grimaced at the bitterness, quickly popping the candied fruit Bihuai had brought into her mouth.
She’s always been fearful of taking medicine, complaining about the bitterness. Even when she was unwell back then, she only took it out of necessity for a few days and then stopped. But recently, she had begun taking medicine again...
Fourth Master Xiao felt a pang in his heart. After Bihuai left the room, he held Xiqiu’s hand, looked at her, then gently touched her face with concern: "Your health is most important, even if you can’t have more children, it’s fine. We’re doing well."
Xiqiu pursed her lips, smiled lightly, and responded nonchalantly: "If we could have another little Zhi, that would be nice too!"
Fourth Master Xiao sighed helplessly and said, "... Silly girl." With that, he embraced her, resting his chin on her hair, and neither spoke further.
After the Lantern Festival, spring arrived. Throughout the first month, Madam Qian and several other ladies visited the mansion. Exchange of gifts quickly marked the end of the first month, and as new buds appeared on tree branches, someone from the Tang Family brought news of mourning; Old Madam Tang had passed away...
It seemed as if all strength had been drained from the First Madam, akin to the time when Xiao Yanji unexpectedly passed away. She sat motionless without eating or drinking for a day, only changing into mourning clothes and returning to the Chengyi Bo Mansion the next day.
Xiqiu feared Grand Dowager would be saddened by the news, so she left little Zhi to accompany her, taking maids and matrons to Chengyi Bo.
As soon as she entered, she sensed something amiss in the courtyard atmosphere. The First Madam and First Young Madam Tang sat silently on opposite sides; it was only Second Young Madam Tang who ushered Xiqiu inside to sit. The First Madam suddenly stood up, nodded at Xiqiu, and left without a word.
First Young Madam Tang was so angry her chest heaved, but looking at the First Madam’s departing back, she couldn’t utter a word. Xiqiu watched with a curious look but felt inappropriate to comment in the presence, as more guests arrived, the matter was brushed aside until later when Ruan Pingrong told her the truth.
It turned out, on the First Madam’s wedding day, Old Madam Tang had wanted to rise and watch the ceremony, but First Young Madam Tang made numerous excuses, saying that due to her illness she shouldn’t venture to the front courtyard for fear of aggravating it. Though she said this, everyone privately knew she feared the old lady’s sickness would bring bad luck to the hall, insisting on stopping her.
Xiqiu recalled that Ruan Pingrong’s demeanor on her wedding day had been rather unhappy, and now she understood it was due to this matter.
This event had left the First Madam displeased, exacerbating the already strained relationship between the savior and sister-in-law, now even less inclined to speak. After Old Madam Tang passed away, First Young Madam Tang had allocated all gifts from various mansions to the main household and did not enter it into the public accounts. The Tang Family’s account book was muddled, and Old Madam Tang had instructed the use of her dowry for all funeral arrangements, which she dictated in advance. Now, receiving the gifts, it’s not about whether they should be equally divided among her children, but it certainly shouldn’t all go to the main household.
This affair left Xiqiu frowning, feeling that while First Young Madam Tang was usually shrewd, it was certainly excessive for such matters, becoming the target of public criticism. Ruan Pingrong further explained, mentioning that for the past two years, Tang Family’s collective expenses exceeded income, leading her to use dowry supplements. Now, receiving the gifts, she’d of course want to replenish the portion she initially contributed.
This account is actually a hidden one, not clear to calculate, and naturally, nobody is willing to comply with her.
The First Madam was a married-off daughter and shouldn’t be involved in the matter, but it appears First Young Madam Tang’s actions were so extreme, hence her reaction.
"Is your mother-in-law inclined toward dividing the family?" Xiqiu asked Ruan Pingrong, who replied, "It seems she is, a bit." She sighed, "She mentions how the second and third households have been too lavish these past two years without income, she can’t support them. It would be better to divide the family now after grandmother’s passing, then to have dealings later that are straightforward." As a new bride, she couldn’t say much on her mother-in-law’s affairs.
Xiqiu also sighed, knowing it’s a Tang Family matter she couldn’t intervene in, merely waiting for the First Madam to return with little Zhi to distract her from the sadness.
A half month later, the Tang Family indeed divided themselves. While the whole family still resided within one mansion, they lived separately from then on. Each household handled its own affairs independently!
