Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 661 - 663: News (1)

Tong Xiyang wore a crimson overcoat with gold-edged entwined patterns, paired with a pink gauze skirt. Adorning her head was a golden hairpin inlaid with green enamel, alongside a jade-colored comb. As she gracefully walked in, for a brief moment Xiqiu felt as if they were still in the Tong Mansion, living in the Zhiqu Courtyard, as if Tong Xiyang were just as she used to be.

But as she walked closer, Xiqiu suddenly noticed her bluish complexion despite the thick rouge applied, unable to conceal her haggard appearance.

"Sixth Sister." Tong Xiyang smiled as she entered, greeting Xiqiu. Although the smile didn’t reach her eyes, her expression appeared sincere. Her gaze fell upon Xiqiu, noticing her in a simple household hibiscus-colored half-old plain overcoat, with hair casually tied up, her face free from makeup, adorned with only a plain Mutton Fat Jade hairpin — just as before, comfort was her priority at home, not caring for dressing up...

Her gaze paused momentarily, yet she felt that Xiqiu was different from when she was at home. The change in her had previously gone unnoticed, but today it was particularly apparent. She seemed wholly relaxed, though her brows remained faint, there was something vibrant that made her radiant.

Reflecting on this, she felt as if her heart had been sliced by a knife. Why would she feel uncomfortable? Now, having opened her own household and living independently, she had no mother-in-law or sisters-in-law to deal with, nor any concubines or ensuing sons to scheme against her — just one son of three or four years old who adhered to her word.

Thinking of herself, never a peaceful day in the backyard; both her mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law were individually calculative, and she had to juggle business outside. Tong Xiyang couldn’t help but avert her gaze, silently seething with resentment. Despite their similar upbringing, Tong Xiqiu was even inferior, yet now...

Xiqiu was also somewhat surprised but smiled as she said, "Third Sister." She gestured for her to sit on the chair.

Sitting down, Tong Xiyang smiled and asked, "How’s your health? I was truly delighted to hear you’re pregnant." She then looked at her face: "Your complexion appears rosy, unlike the reactions from our eldest sister-in-law, right?"

Chunliu served the tea, and Tong Xiyang placed it on the tea table beside her.

Xiqiu replied with a smile, "Just a bit sleepy, otherwise fine." Pausing, she continued, "I received the gift you sent, thank you and the Countess for the expenses."

"No need for formality, we’re family!" Tong Xiyang’s face was adorned with a smile.

Xiqiu almost believed the smile to be genuine, but looking into her eyes again, they remained as cold and devoid of warmth as before, reminding her that Tong Xiyang was unchanged.

What was her purpose in coming? She certainly wasn’t here just to reminisce or care about her well-being due to pregnancy.

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow subtly and did not mention anything else, nor inquired about the Count Wujin’s illness.

She chatted with Tong Xiyang, from Madam Jiang giving birth to Madam Shen giving birth; in the Capital over the last two months, there had been a series of people giving birth. Tong Xiyang jokingly said, "This year, there’s good fortune in pregnancies, and all are sons!"

Xiqiu echoed with laughter, nodding in agreement.

After sipping a cup of tea, Chunliu entered with the teapot for a refill, and Tong Xiyang finally shifted the subject, speaking of the medical woman’s clinic: "The clinic’s business is doing well, perhaps starting to profit now?"

"Yes. Last month there was some improvement," said Xiqiu, lifting her tea cup calmly.

Listening to her, Tong Xiyang covered her mouth and laughed, saying, "It’s still Sixth Sister’s good idea, my embroidery shop, two months in, has only accepted a few orders. Although the orders aren’t small, they’re just breaking even, which is worrying me."

You worry for the embroidery shop? Or for the Silver?

Xiqiu nodded with a smile, "No need to rush, it’s important to build up reputation at the start."

Tong Xiyang nodded in agreement, then added, "Speaking of, I visited the clinic two days ago to have Nurse Zhang examine Father-in-law’s pulse." Saying this, her face grew solemn as she sighed: "He’s been dazed and hasn’t improved, likely won’t last through this winter."

"How can it be so serious." Xiqiu showed her surprise, "Wasn’t there mention of improvement before? Why has it relapsed now?"

Tong Xiyang’s gaze flickered as she looked toward Xiqiu, leaning slightly: "To be honest, I came today to ask Sixth Sister for help with something."

The main topic presented itself, and Xiqiu raised an eyebrow slightly, asking, "Please tell me, Third Sister." She did not say whether she would assist.

"It’s like this." Tong Xiyang sighed, saying: "Since the beginning of the year, Father-in-law’s health has been unsteady. Though there was some improvement, he suggested the court pass the title to my older brother for him to recuperate easily. But who would’ve thought..." She looked helpless, filled with worry: "The Ministry of Rites approved in three days, but when it reached the Emperor, it was dismissed, stating that he is still alive, how could he relinquish a title?"

Listening, Xiqiu was secretly stunned, finding the Emperor’s reason flimsy. In this dynasty, there were precedents of transferring titles to sons before their father’s passing. Yet, the Emperor refuted Count Wujin’s petition with an irrelevant reason...

It seemed clear the Emperor was deliberately targeting Count Wujin.

Since ascending the throne two years ago, the Emperor hadn’t dealt with the meritorious families. Was this the beginning of a warning, starting with Count Wujin?

She was secretly astonished as Tong Xiyang continued to speak: "... if only we knew the fault, we would amend it. But now, even Father-in-law doesn’t know where the mistake lies, and we’re uncertain about the Emperor’s stance."

Did she want Fourth Master Xiao to probe into the Emperor’s attitude toward Count Wujin?

She remembered Prince Rong—Ren Jun was close with Prince Rong privately. Yet reaching out to Fourth Master Xiao instead indicated either Prince Rong hadn’t discovered anything or was ensnared due to the Second Madam’s matter, having been recently reprimanded by the Emperor, thus prioritizing self-preservation.

She sighed alongside Tong Xiyang, saying, "They always say the Emperor’s will is hard to fathom, accompanying him is like living with a tiger; now it truly seems so."

She did not proactively offer to help.

Tong Xiyang lowered her eyelids, her gaze was fleeting as she nodded: "Indeed. Thus, Mother wished for me to ask Sixth Sister’s opinion. The Great Governor usually fulfills your requests, I hope you could bring this up to the Great Governor... Without the approval, Father-in-law... won’t rest in peace." As she spoke, tears began to fall, she wept softly, tears fell with a face full of grief and regret; it seemed Tong Xiyang did have a certain respect for Count Wujin as Father-in-law.

Listening, Xiqiu displayed a challenging uncertainty: "Why would Fourth Master be at my beck and call? outsiders might not know but how could Third Sister be unaware, it’s merely external rumor." As she spoke, seeing Tong Xiyang’s expression changing, she added, "Well, tonight I’ll convey Third Sister’s concerns to Fourth Master, I myself don’t understand court matters, we’ll have to rely on Fourth Master’s judgement."