Chapter 1093: Chapter 1083: The Incident (1)
Xiqiu sat in the carriage returning to the mansion, pondering Nanny Qian from the Shouning Bo Mansion’s words: "...The Old Madam only sent me to speak with you, Young Madam, to ask you to come over if you have time in the next couple of days."
Although Nanny Qian spoke gently, her words carried some underlying anger. Madam Jiang exchanged a glance with Xiqiu and asked, "Does Nanny know what the matter is?"
Nanny Qian glanced again at Xiqiu, thought for a moment, and replied, "It’s because the Second Young Madam is not feeling well. The Old Madam wants to invite you to keep her company and talk with her, lest she becomes restless at home... Especially since she is now expecting, everything must be done with consideration for her condition and the child. Please, Young Madam, do persuade her as much as you can."
The conversation was laden with hidden meanings, and Madam Jiang, with a suspicious look, thought for a moment, then replied, "Thank you, Nanny. Please inform the Old Madam that it’s too late today; I will visit the mansion first thing tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Young Madam," Nanny Qian said, then stood up and bowed towards Xiqiu and Madam Jiang, "I shall await your arrival at the mansion tomorrow, Young Madam."
Madam Jiang instructed Nanny Cen to see her out.
Xiqiu felt increasingly suspicious. The Shouning Bo and Xuanning Marquis Mansion have always had a good relationship, and the ties through marriage with the Tong Mansion are no exception. Especially since the First Master joined the Cabinet, the Shouning Bo and the Tong Mansion became closer, and their interactions remained polite. Old Madam Lou is astute, yet Nanny Qian’s words today seemed quite unfriendly.
It appears Tong Xiyu indeed had some issue.
As soon as Xiqiu left, Madam Jiang and Nanny Qiu started discussing the matter thoroughly. After some contemplation, she instructed Nanny Cen, "Go and invite the Seventh Young Madam."
Nanny Qiu complied, and shortly after, Mrs. Chen was invited over.
Madam Jiang pulled Mrs. Chen to sit down. With an unwell look on her face, Mrs. Chen asked concernedly, "Sister-in-law, are you unwell? You don’t look well."
"It’s nothing," Madam Jiang took a sip of tea to calm her restless thoughts and said to Mrs. Chen, "Just now, a nanny from the Shouning Bo Mansion came to invite me over tomorrow. Though she didn’t state the reason, I doubt it’s anything good." Madam Jiang had no intention to hide the matter, so she spoke frankly.
Mrs. Chen was surprised and asked, "Has something happened to our Eighth Young Madam?"
"I don’t know yet," Madam Jiang shook her head and looked at Mrs. Chen, "Come with me tomorrow, and you can get to know the people."
Go with her? Mrs. Chen asked uncertainly, "Am I to go too?" A flash of delight crossed her face.
Madam Jiang nodded. Deep in thought, she didn’t notice Mrs. Chen’s reaction, only saying, "After breakfast tomorrow, we’ll go. Prepare yourself tonight." She then took up her tea.
Leaving Madam Jiang’s room, Mrs. Chen was as excited as a drum beating in her chest. Born as an illegitimate daughter in the Chen Mansion, the household was of minor standing, and she was always awkwardly positioned, hardly better than a servant. Even as her elder sister became a noble concubine and the family’s status rose, her days didn’t improve, being made to accompany her second sister publicly, serving as a green foil. The young ladies of wealthy families often mocked her for being a low-born woman without understanding of decorum.
In all these years, she was never recognized, nor did she ever meet guests under any proper pretext.
So since marrying into the Tong Mansion, she never left home, remaining confined in her small courtyard, going nowhere.
Not going out didn’t mean she didn’t want to; she yearned for recognition and acknowledgment.
Today, her sister-in-law was taking her to the Shouning Bo Mansion. Regardless of what might happen there, as part of the Eighth Young Madam’s family and the Seventh Young Madam from the Tong Mansion, she would attend with rightful status.
Mrs. Chen was delighted, returning to her room with a light step.
That evening, she rummaged through clothes with her concubine, seeking an outfit. It shouldn’t be too festive, as they didn’t know the reason for the visit. It shouldn’t outshine Madam Jiang, nor be too plain, lest the Shouning Bo Mansion look down on her.
After much labor into the night, she finally chose an imperial concubine-colored overcoat adorned with delicate pink and white floral prints, suitable for her age yet not overly conspicuous.
Early the next morning, she entrusted her child to Madam Xia’s care and went with Madam Jiang to the Shouning Bo Mansion.
Xiqiu waited in the mansion for news from Madam Jiang. Madam Jiang had invited her to go, but she declined. After all, it concerned the Shouning Bo Mansion, and compared to Madam Jiang, she was an in-law and uncertain if it involved any privacy issues, so it was best not to go.
In the back courtyard, workers moved in and out. Xiqiu had Nanny Cen hang red silk to enclose the area. Although they opened a corner gate so no outsiders came in, the sounds of shouting from the workmen were still audible.
Everyday, Fourth Master Xiao stayed on-site to oversee the construction. To outsiders, he appeared to have returned to his idle lifestyle, abandoned serious work, and indulged in household matters.
Ying and Gong could now sit up, often crawling on their rears around the rose bed. Ying, especially curious, always grabbed anything fun or beautiful to play with, often slipping things into her mouth when her nanny wasn’t watching.
She had slipped a wooden fish from the Grand Dowager into her mouth. Made of Phoebe wood, when she sucked on it, it had a slight sweet taste. She squinted happily, sucking on it intensely. In a blink’s time, Xiqiu saw Ying munching on the wooden fish and laughed as she retrieved it from her mouth, "Little glutton, always eating whatever you see." Then she called out to Ms. Song, "Bring a glass of water for her mouth rinse."
Ms. Song, smiling, complied and brought water for Ying. Ying, however, didn’t know how to spit it out, swallowed it eagerly, then stared at Ms. Song.
"Such a little glutton," Xiqiu laughed and tried feeding her again, but Ying shook her head, pointing at Ms. Song. Xiqiu paused, then laughed heartily and said to Ms. Song, "She’s hungry. Go feed her."
Ms. Song picked Ying up. In her arms, Ying nestled her tiny head into her, babbling eagerly. Ms. Song cooed, "Just a moment, little one; I need to clean up first," and, paying respects to Xiqiu, left the room.
With them gone, Xiqiu turned to look at the "little ancestor" left on the bed, a proper "ancestor." As the Grand Dowager said, "...This child was born to enjoy life."
"Gong, are you hungry?" Xiqiu pinched his chubby little face. His features had grown, resembling Xiqiu more, with long eyelashes, vivid thin lips, and a dainty nose that was more delicate than Ying’s—such an adorable appearance, yet his nature was so lazy. He’d lie down rather than sit, sleep rather than stay awake.
Calling him twice, Gong opened his eyes to look at Xiqiu, then closed them again without a response.
Xiqiu, at a loss, gently tickled his neck and playfully coaxed him, "You little one, talk to your mother... don’t sleep." After a long while of teasing, Gong initially didn’t react, then couldn’t help but blush and giggle.
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