Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 671 - 673: Show of Force (1)

"Madam, Madam..." Biwu rushed in from outside, slightly out of breath, saying, "Third Master and Third Madam from the Marquis Mansion have arrived."

Xiqiu felt puzzled upon hearing this and asked, "Third Master and Third Madam?" Biwu nodded and replied, "Yes, Third Master and Third Madam have brought the eldest daughter along."

What are Xiao Yancheng and Third Madam doing here at the new mansion?

To visit Fourth Master Xiao and her? Xiqiu shook her head; it wasn’t that she thought ill of people. If someone cut off her arm, even with just cause, she wouldn’t consider that person a friend or brother... It’s human nature, and likely difficult for anyone but a saint to disregard.

She didn’t believe Xiao Yancheng was a saint, so she held a skeptical attitude towards the purpose of their visit.

"You and Chunliu go greet them." Since they have come, they couldn’t be left at the door, and besides, she was also quite curious about Xiao Yancheng and Third Madam. Chunliu supported Xiqiu into the room, and Xiqiu said, "Help me change my clothes."

Chunliu complied, fetching a newly made water-green overcoat with patterned silver edges for Xiqiu, which made her skin appear as if drenched in water. Chunliu smiled and said, "I think, Madam, since you got pregnant, you look more beautiful than ever."

"Stop your flattery." Xiqiu laughed, looking at Chunliu and asking, "Can you go to the clinic in the afternoon? Sister Jingliu and Chunyan Tianyi have gone to Shandong, so I’m not sure how the clinic is doing."

Chunliu agreed and then mentioned something else, "A few days ago, Nanny Qiu came and talked to me about something." After pausing, she continued, "She said she heard that there’s a vacancy for the Chief Steward of the outer courtyard and wanted to recommend a distant relative from the Jiang Family. It’s said that he once took the imperial examination but never achieved high rankings and has been idle at home, feeling frustrated. However, he’s reputed to be loyal and straightforward, and if Madam feels it’s suitable, she could bring him for you to meet."

Hearing this, Xiqiu furrowed her brow. The Chief Steward of the outer courtyard manages all significant matters within the mansion. If he isn’t reliable, she’d rather not have him. Currently, Tianjing is handling some affairs. She initially planned to promote Yiquan after some experience, but recently asked Erquan, who said although Yiquan is literate, his literacy isn’t extensive...

She dismissed the idea.

"Tell Nanny Qiu, if this gentleman of the Jiang Family is looking for work, we can recommend another position for him or he can help Sixth Master Luo at the clinic. Fourth Master has already chosen someone for the Chief Steward position in the outer courtyard."

Chunliu nodded, helping Xiqiu sit in front of the dresser, then rearranged her hair and said, "I understand, Madam." After finishing Xiqiu’s hairstyle, she opened a jewelry box made for Madam by Fourth Master before New Year, which contained a beautiful plum blossom ornament dotted with a ruby in the center. She shook it slightly, "Madam, this hasn’t been worn yet."

"No need to be so formal." Xiqiu shook her head, picking two hairpins and a fluffy flower from the box and handing them to Chunliu, "At home, being this formal would seem odd."

Chunliu looked helpless and arranged the hairpins and flower in Xiqiu’s hair as instructed.

"Madam, Third Madam has arrived!" Bihuai quietly reported as she came in, "She’s drinking tea in the main hall."

Xiqiu acknowledged and stood up, asking, "Where is Third Master?" Bihuai replied, "Fourth Master just returned, so Third Master stayed with him in the outer courtyard, while Third Madam brought the eldest daughter into the inner courtyard."

She smiled slightly and, supported by Chunliu and Bihuai, left the bedroom and turned into the main hall.

Her gaze fell upon a little girl running around the main hall, about four or five years old, with many small braids tied with colorful ribbons, dressed in bright red and green clothes, very eye-catching. Her eyes were round, and she had a delicate appearance. She stood on the treasure cabinet, tilting her head to examine an enamel hand warmer...

On the chair to the left, Third Madam sat with a dignified posture, dressed in a short red jacket and skirt, like fire, with long legs and a slender figure despite not being particularly tall. Xiqiu’s gaze fell on the leather whip wrapped around her waist, with its slender coils and tassel swaying by her side. Hearing the commotion at the door, Third Madam turned to look at Xiqiu.

Both were momentarily stunned.

Third Madam’s features weren’t exceptionally beautiful but radiated youthful energy, reminding Xiqiu of a high school student in her previous life, complete with a ponytail and school uniform, with a fiery yet fresh appearance, though her eyes were somewhat... peculiar!

"Third Sister-in-law!" Xiqiu slightly bowed to Third Madam, who looked back at Xiqiu and saw her wearing a commonly favored overcoat among Great Zhou women. The fresh green color made her wonder whether the woman in front of her had even reached adulthood. Third Madam’s secretly puzzled gaze met Xiqiu’s own, which was calm yet profound like a deep pool making it difficult to see through. She smiled at Xiqiu, "Fourth Sister-in-law!"

She recalled what Fifth Madam had said: "... Her appearance is quite exceptional in the Capital."

Indeed, Fifth Madam hadn’t lied; she was indeed very pretty.

While thinking this, she adjusted her clothes and gestured for Lyuzhu to come over, calling, "Lyuzhu, come meet your Fourth Aunt."

"Fourth Aunt?" Lyuzhu turned around, glanced around the main hall, and her gaze landed on Xiqiu’s figure. She raised an eyebrow and questioned, "Are you Fourth Aunt?"

Xiqiu walked over to sit across from Third Madam, smiling as she looked at Lyuzhu, "Yes." Lyuzhu dropped the incense burner she was holding, walked over to Xiqiu, scrutinized her for a while, and nodded, "Min is your child?"

Chunliu frowned slightly at this. Are Miaojiang girls raised without family manners, speaking this way to elders!

"Min is not born of me, but he is my child." Xiqiu said with a smile, then glanced at Third Madam and took a small box from Chunliu, "This is for the eldest daughter to play with."

"Thank you, Fourth Aunt." Third Madam said with a smile.

Lyuzhu took it in her hands, opened it casually and found a set of coral-made small jewelry inside. Her eyes lit up, but with a dismissive expression, she tossed it aside on the table and turned to resume exploring other objects without expressing thanks or addressing her as Fourth Aunt.

Third Madam glanced around the room, smiling as she said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, this is indeed spacious. I heard it used to be where a prince lived, is that true?" She didn’t apologize for Lyuzhu’s impropriety.

"It was the mansion of the Sixth Prince before." Xiqiu maintained her calm demeanor, secretly observing Third Madam. Her speech was awkward with a heavy foreign accent, and her mannerisms suggested she was likely a native of Miaojiang. While Great Zhou men might marry women from different ethnic groups, due to status and background differences, such marriages were typically as second wives, making it rare for one like Third Master to marry as the primary wife.

"So that’s true." Third Madam stood up, naturally inserted her hand at her waist, and nodded, "No wonder it’s decorated so splendidly, even better than the Marquis Mansion."