Chapter 999: Chapter 993: Entering the Palace (1)
After seeing off Ruan Pingrong, Tiancheng took Su Dazhuang’s letter and this year’s account books from the two estates, along with the grains, chickens, ducks, fish, and meat delivered to the manor.
Xiqiu opened and read through them, knowing that Su Dazhuang managed the two estates in Shandong excellently. She nodded with a smile, summoned Nanny Cen, and said: "The stewards from each estate won’t be coming back this year, so we can’t forget their festival gifts and New Year red envelopes. Quickly have someone send them in the next few days!"
"The servants have already prepared them, just waiting for Madam’s word," Nanny Cen replied with a smile. "Do you want Su Quansheng to make a trip to Shandong?"
"That’s fine. He spent a year staying at the manor, so let him return during the New Year." She paused and added, "I remember the manor also prepared clothes for several stewards for the year-end; send some over as well." Nanny Cen agreed, and Xiqiu instructed, "Divide the chickens, ducks, fish, and meat into several portions. Send one to the First Young Madam, one to the Grand Dowager... also send some to Mr. Ji."
Nanny Cen noted all the instructions, while the housekeepers from various parts of the manor came to report, keeping Xiqiu busy for half a day. She only rested when Kun and Zhi, along with Tong Xihua, came back for lunch.
Zhi said with a smile, "Mother, Mr. Ji said that the break starts tomorrow and classes will resume after the Lantern Festival!"
Xiqiu calculated the time and agreed it was about right, so she asked, "Did Mr. Ji mention when he would return to his hometown?"
"Sir said he will leave tomorrow," Tong Xihua said, rubbing her little hands and warming herself by the stove, her face flushed: "Sixth Sister, Kun and I won’t be coming tomorrow."
"Alright! Just as the family is busy at this time, remember to help your sister-in-law," Xiqiu wrapped Tong Xihua’s little hand, who nodded with a smile, "I know!"
Xiqiu lifted her onto the heated bed, and pulled the silent Kun up as well, personally helping them take off their shoes, then turned to Zhi, "You get up and warm yourself as well!" Zhi shook his head and said, "I’m going to practice martial arts. Master Hua said I should practice a set of boxing every morning, noon, and evening." As he spoke, he took off his outer coat, "Mother, I’m off!" And with that, he bounced away.
At first, Xiqiu worried that he would catch a cold wearing so little, but seeing nothing happened over time, she stopped worrying.
After exiting the door, Zhi habitually had Qingshan light incense, squatted in a horse stance, practiced boxing and leg split according to Master Hua’s taught sequence, then wiped his sweat, stood up, and headed back to his room, starting to take off his clothes on the way. Inside, Mrs. Zhou came up to him: "Hot water is ready."
Zhi went straight into the cleaning room, jumped into the tub for a hot bath, and Dongling along with Mrs. Zhou wiped his body and laughed: "Our Young Master Zhi is more and more like Fourth Master."
Zhi changed into fresh clothes and returned to the Warm Pavilion, where Xiqiu was talking with Kun. He entered and said with a smile, "Mother, I’m hungry!" Xiqiu smiled as she saw him and teased, "Every time you see your mother, that’s the only thing you say."
Tong Xihua also giggled, pointing to Zhi, teasing him to Xiqiu: "Sixth Sister, during the lesson, I saw him secretly eating."
Xiqiu raised her eyebrow at Zhi, and he grinned: "I won’t dare next time!"
"The teacher should have punished you properly," Xiqiu took a handkerchief to wipe the water spot on his sideburns that he hadn’t wiped off well, "You shouldn’t do that again. If you’re hungry, just wait for the break to eat. There’s no reason to eat while in class."
Zhi nodded with a good attitude, "I understand."
In the afternoon, the children went to school, and Xiqiu instructed Bihuai, "Go and check in the outer courtyard, and see if Mr. Ji needs anything, and prepare it for him, as he is leaving for his hometown tomorrow."
Bihuai nodded and was about to leave, but Xiqiu thought of something else and said, "Go check with Su Quansheng as well!" Bihuai nodded, "I’ll remember, I’ll go now." With that, she went to the outer courtyard!
After half a day, Bihuai returned with news for Xiqiu: "Mr. Ji’s luggage is packed, just a bundle. I asked his servant, and Mr. Ji is not going back to his hometown, saying he wants to wander around freely to see how the New Year is celebrated in different places...he told you not to prepare anything extra for him."
Xiqiu nodded, and Bihuai mentioned Su Quansheng: "He said he would leave the day after tomorrow, taking six days on the road, and will arrive at the estate just in time for New Year’s Eve." She paused and added, "He asked me to thank Madam for all the gifts you bestowed, and he has taken them home."
"Alright, remind him to be careful on the road." As Xiqiu spoke, Fourth Master Xiao entered the room, and Bihuai withdrew to make tea for him. Xiqiu welcomed him in, helping him take off his outer cape, rubbing his hands: "Didn’t I prepare gloves for you? Wear them to keep warm when riding."
Fourth Master Xiao let go of her hand, "I’ll warm myself by the stove, so you don’t get cold." He said, heading to the stove to rub his hands, "With just a cup of tea’s time, gloves are inconvenient!"
Xiqiu served the tea Bihuai brought in to Fourth Master Xiao, mentioning Ruan Pingrong’s visit today: "...inviting Sister Jingliu to the palace, I’m not sure if it’s for the Emperor’s pulse check..." This was somewhat against protocol.
Fourth Master Xiao held the teacup, speaking calmly: "A royal physician was dismissed last night..." He set down the teacup, took Xiqiu’s hand to sit on the heated bed: "The Emperor has been coughing a bit since winter started, but it doesn’t seem too serious." Knowing she secretly worried about Min, he continued, "Min is doing well, I saw him yesterday, and he seemed in good spirits."
Xiqiu finally breathed a sigh of relief; she initially thought Le Xiu let Ruan Jingliu into the palace as a hint of something else, but it now seemed genuinely about the Emperor’s illness?
"I’ll submit a card to the palace tomorrow; just Jingliu may need a bit of guidance." Xiqiu pondered for a moment and called Bihuai in, "Send someone to the medical hall and ask Nurse Zhang to come by."
Bihuai laughed and said, "Let Tiancheng go, so he doesn’t sneak out." With that, she left.
Xiqiu also laughed lightly, while Fourth Master Xiao raised an eyebrow, not quite understanding. She explained: "...Wan’er’s engagement is set for early May next year."
Fourth Master Xiao nodded, and Xiqiu added: "Mr. Ji is leaving tomorrow, and Zhi’s classes will resume after the Lantern Festival." She paused and said, "Do you think you should ask Master Hua when he plans to stop the lessons?"
"Alright," Fourth Master Xiao agreed, "I’ll ask him tomorrow."
After dinner, Ruan Jingliu arrived and asked Xiqiu, "What’s the matter? Calling me over so late." saying this while warming her hands with the teacup.
Xiqiu told her about Le Xiu’s request, "...so you should accompany me to the palace tomorrow to have a look and also see Min." It had been a long time since she had seen Min.
Ruan Jingliu raised an eyebrow, contemplated, and said, "Do they really think I’m idle and at their beck and call." Though she had never been close with the Le and Ruan Families, Xiqiu knew her compliance meant she would go.
"Come early tomorrow, shall I send someone to pick you up?" Xiqiu asked with a smile, and Ruan Jingliu waved her hand, "Having Wan’er with me is enough, no need to specially fetch me."
