Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 649 - 651: Perilous (3)
Xiqiu got into the carriage and immediately showed a helpless smile. Inside, the carriage was lined top to bottom with thick plush rugs. As she sat down, she sank into them, and Nanny Cen, who had escorted her to the door, stood outside, smiling as she said, "Madam, don’t blame me for being overbearing. Now that you’re expecting, no matter how troublesome it may be, it’s always best to be careful."
Xiqiu had no choice but to nod, saying, "You really think of everything." She and Fourth Master Xiao "nestled" together in the carriage.
If it weren’t for worrying about accompanying her, Fourth Master Xiao would naturally have been riding a horse. Xiqiu looked at him with a bit of guilt and said, "Why don’t you, Fourth Master, go ride a horse?" Even sitting she felt cramped, let alone him.
"It’s only half an hour, you lie down and rest for a while, and I’ll call you when we arrive!"
Xiqiu felt as if everyone around her was eager to tie her to the bed, feeling that this was the safest way. Even Fourth Master Xiao acted carefully, fearing to hurt or tire her.
She sighed, nodded, and said, "Alright!"
The carriage traveled for half an hour before reaching the Tong Mansion. As they entered through the second gate, since she hadn’t mentioned being pregnant to her family, Xiqiu tried to act as usual. Tong Xiyan came out to greet them, bowing to Fourth Master Xiao, then looking at Xiqiu said, "Let me take you to see Kun. Everything is so tiny with him, and he’s utterly adorable!" appearing quite happy.
"Kun? Was it the big brother or Father who named him?" The two walked side by side behind Fourth Master Xiao, speaking quietly.
Tong Xiyan smiled and said, "It was Father. He stayed up all night writing seven or eight names. He said that Big Brother’s generation wasn’t named according to the Tong Family hierarchy, so Kun’s generation couldn’t abandon tradition and settled on the name Kun!"
For this generation in the Tong Family, Xiqiu seemed to remember it was the Yuan character, so the eldest grandson of the Tong family would be named Tong Yuankun.
They say proximity creates closeness, and Old Master being so happy certainly confirms this saying!
As they spoke, they had already reached the small garden. Fourth Master Xiao was escorted by a servant to the outer courtyard, while Tong Shen Zhi was at home entertaining guests because he hadn’t gone to the office today. Xiqiu followed Tong Xiyan to Madam Jiang’s courtyard.
Nanny Qiu stood at the courtyard entrance, and upon seeing Xiqiu, she immediately approached and bowed deeply, with eyes reddened, saying, "If it weren’t for Sixth Son-in-law and Sixth Lady, the First Young Madam and Young Master might have been... I’m here to kneel before you."
Xiqiu quickly walked over to personally help Nanny Qiu up: "Why make such a formal gesture? Doesn’t Kun call me ’aunt’? You’re Big Sister-in-law’s personal nanny; kneeling to me would really take years off my life." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Nanny Qiu insisted on making three genuflections.
Tong Xiyan suppressed laughter, pulling Xiqiu aside and said, "Sixth Sister, just let her do it, otherwise she won’t feel right in her heart."
Xiqiu sighed, had no choice but to step aside and accept Nanny Qiu’s tribute.
Chunliu came forward to support Nanny Qiu, who then led Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan inside. The room was already filled with seven or eight unfamiliar women, who seemed likely to be the wives of Tong Shen Zhi’s colleagues. Some were older, some younger, all gathered around the bed talking. As soon as Xiqiu entered, everyone stopped talking and turned to look at her.
"Fourth Madam!" All of them curtsied, and several young wives and misses stole glances at Xiqiu.
This is the wife of Grand Commander Xiao? She’s indeed beautiful, and despite her youth, her capabilities are reputedly significant. At her coming-of-age ceremony, the guest of honor was Old Madam Shen, and later, she leapt to marry into the Xuanning Marquis Mansion to become the wife of the Grand Commander. The Grand Commander is said to be very fond of her, and even the Grand Dowager of the Marquis Mansion treats her with great affection. Nowadays, she manages the domestic affairs of Xuanning Marquis Mansion, where the entrance and exit are teeming with high-ranking noblewomen, and the comings and goings must be meticulously observed. Her own background, although not poor, pales in comparison to families with merits. Yet now, she stands equally with commanding princesses and ladies, with everyone respectfully addressing her as Fourth Madam.
They secretly envied, casting an admiring eye on her attire. Her hair was styled in a slanting Willow Braid, with a simple Red Jade Bead Phoenix Head Gold Hairpin and a golden thread eight treasure pearl hairpin. Without a complex profusion of red hairpins, she offered a striking presence. She wore a Lotus Green Embroidered Hundred Sons and Pomegranate Flower overcoat, with a blue gauze skirt beneath, clothing that was both dignified and serene, always showing the grace of someone of a superior status.
With such color and demeanor, it’s no wonder the always-romantic Grand Commander Xiao is wholeheartedly devoted to her and swears not to take a concubine for life.
Several misses couldn’t help but fantasize, wishing that if they could become like the Fourth Madam, rising from a lowly-born concubine’s daughter to a Second-Grade Imperial Decree Lady, overseeing the Xuanning Marquis Mansion as the lady of the house, adored by a man like the Grand Commander, they would trade ten years of their life for it.
Xiqiu, unaware of their thoughts, immediately smiled and nodded towards the center, saying, "Please, everyone, have a seat and be at ease. You are Big Sister-in-law’s guests and naturally, my guests as well."
Several ladies immediately responded with laughter and conversation, and one even personally handed her a chair, chatting with Xiqiu, making her slightly embarrassed. She turned to look at Nanny Qiu, who smoothly stepped in, inviting everyone next door for tea, as Tong Xiyan struggled to contain her laughter. Leaning close to Xiqiu’s ear, she whispered, "You’ve become a legendary figure in their eyes now!"
"Ah?" Xiqiu turned to look at her, puzzled: "How did it come to this?"
Tong Xiyan didn’t answer, just nudged her and said, "Quickly go see Big Sister-in-law and Kun."
The guests stepped out, leaving the room quiet. Xiqiu then saw Madam Jiang lying diagonally on the bed with a red cloth wrapped around her head. In her elbow was a small bundle, and Madam Jiang smiled broadly, saying, "Sixth Lady is here."
"Big Sister-in-law." Xiqiu walked over, looking at the pale and weak Madam Jiang, saying, "Are you alright? You’ve suffered so much!"
Madam Jiang replied with a smile, "It’s nothing, don’t worry, Sixth Lady." She looked down at Kun in her arms and said, "Now that I see him, all the suffering is worth it."
Xiqiu’s gaze fell on the swaddled baby, small eyes closed, nostrils flaring with each breath, blissfully asleep. His lips resembled Madam Jiang’s, full and pretty, and his tiny, chubby hands were adorably cute.
"So tiny, truly adorable." Watching him reminded Xiqiu of Madam Jiang’s recent peril, and she was also moved with tears in her eyes, reaching out to touch Kun’s little hand: "When you grow up, remember to be good and filial to your mother." Then she took out a custom set from the Brocade Pavilion with six small rabbits strung together in various poses with colored threads. One embraced a carrot, another happily gnawing with eyes closed in enjoyment. Each was no larger than a thumb, whimsical and charming. She placed them beside Kun, smiling, "May aunt wish our little Kun excellent health, a long life, and happiness!"
Madam Jiang delightedly admired the string of tiny rabbits: "You’ve gone to such trouble, Sixth Lady. They’re utterly delightful."
