Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 672 - 674: Show of Force (Part 2)

Xiqiu smiled slightly, and suddenly there was a bang behind her, followed by Lyuzhu’s crying. When Xiqiu turned to look, she saw Lyuzhu had knocked over a glass goblet, her fingers cut by the broken shards. Lyuzhu held her finger and wailed, and Third Madam came over, repeatedly asking, "My dear, my dear."

Lyuzhu raised her finger, crying tumultuously, "What a stupid thing, it actually cut my finger, Mom, it hurts so much!"

Third Madam hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe her hand, and Xiqiu asked, "Is it serious? Do you need the Imperial Physician?"

"No need!" Third Madam replied, then took out a small bottle of ointment from the pocket hanging on her waist, pulled out the stopper, and poured it on Lyuzhu’s finger. Immediately, the bleeding stopped, and Lyuzhu, relieving her pain, sobbed while leaning on Third Madam.

Xiqiu felt a bit awkward and asked, "Is everything okay?"

Third Madam turned back to Xiqiu with a smile, replying, "It’s just a small injury. Miaojiang medicine is very good; the wound will heal in three days."

Xiqiu was slightly stunned, thinking about the past events in the Marquis Mansion, almost every one related to Miao medicine. She couldn’t help but frown, her gaze falling on the small bottle in Third Madam’s hand in contemplation.

It was a small interlude. Lyuzhu, after yelling twice, stopped crying and was carried out to play by her maidservant. Third Madam, holding a cup of tea, looked at Xiqiu’s belly and asked, "Is Fourth Sister-in-law pregnant?"

"Yes!" Xiqiu replied with a slight smile.

Third Madam nodded and asked, "Is it a boy or a girl?" Xiqiu was stunned for a moment and shook her head, saying, "I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl."

"Let me check your pulse," Third Madam said, putting down the teacup in her hand, "It only takes a try to know if this child is a boy or a girl."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiqiu smiled and raised her eyebrows, saying, "Does Third Sister-in-law know medicine?" Third Madam waved her hand, with an indifferent face, saying, "I don’t, but in Miaojiang everyone is a doctor. Ordinary minor illnesses and injuries we can treat ourselves, unlike you, where you have to have a doctor come to your door at the slightest illness."

Xiqiu nodded in agreement. Miaojiang has many mountains, and villages are far apart. Often a village and another are so far apart that despite being able to see one another across the mountains, it takes several days to walk there. So people there often have some medical knowledge or keep herbal medicine at home so they don’t have to wait for a doctor when they fall ill.

"It doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or a girl. Not knowing also has its own advantages, as it adds a surprise when the baby is born!" Xiqiu laughed as she declined and pointed to the candied platter beside Third Madam, "These were made by the moms in the mansion. Third Sister-in-law should try some."

Third Madam’s eyes flickered, and she sneered inwardly but waved her hand, saying, "No, I don’t really like sweets." After speaking, she stood up, "Isn’t Fourth Sister-in-law curious? When I was pregnant with Lyuzhu, I was very curious." Walking towards Xiqiu, she said, "Why don’t I check your pulse and see, without telling you, how about that?" Her smile was bright and guileless.

It seemed like she had to try.

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows and smiled too, "I dare not trouble Third Sister-in-law." Calmly looking at Third Madam approaching, not avoiding or dodging, waving her hand said, "Third Sister-in-law, you’re curious now, but once you find out, you’ll have to restrain yourself from telling me; it’ll only be more torturous. It’s better not to know." Saying this, she stood up with a smiling face.

Third Madam stopped after taking a few steps, looking at her.

Third Madam looked at her face but couldn’t see a hint of difference. She reached out to grab Xiqiu’s arm, but Xiqiu deftly turned her arm, holding her hand through the handkerchief, smiling, "Why don’t I accompany Third Sister-in-law for a stroll in the garden?"

Third Madam’s eyebrows twitched uncontrollably, and she smiled, "Sure, then I won’t insist. Let’s go for a walk in the garden."

Xiqiu nodded with a smile. As they turned to leave the room, they saw Fourth Master Xiao striding out from the corridor, coming in from outside. Xiqiu naturally released Third Madam’s hand, tucking the handkerchief into her pocket, and saluted Fourth Master Xiao, "Fourth Master!"

Fourth Master Xiao stopped at the steps, his eyes glancing over Third Madam’s face, then expressionlessly ascended the steps, taking Xiqiu’s hand, "Weren’t you feeling unwell? Go and rest quickly."

"Okay," Xiqiu seemed very obediently nodding repeatedly, then with difficulty looked at Third Madam, "Third Sister-in-law, please stay a little longer."

Third Madam curled her lips with disdain, laughing, "Since Fourth Sister-in-law is unwell, I shall return first. Anyway, we’re close, I can come over another day." After speaking, she looked at Fourth Master Xiao, "Fourth Brother, is Third Master in the outer courtyard?"

Fourth Master Xiao frowned slightly, but before he spoke, Xiao Yancheng walked past the corridor, entering the courtyard.

Third Madam fluttered towards Xiao Yancheng like a butterfly, holding his arm, saying, "Did you see Lyuzhu? She’s playing outside the courtyard."

"I saw her," Xiao Yancheng, with his arm around Third Madam, looked across the courtyard, his gaze falling far on Xiqiu, standing beside Fourth Master Xiao. A flash of stunning realization passed through his eyes; he smiled crooking his lips, calling out, "Fourth Sister-in-law."

"Third Brother," Xiqiu bowed slightly, quickly glanced at Xiao Yancheng, who resembled Fourth Master Xiao somewhat, but his skin was so pale that he appeared somewhat sickly. Indeed, his left sleeve was empty...

Fourth Master Xiao snorted coldly through his nose, holding Xiqiu, without even looking at Xiao Yancheng, turned to head inside, but then halted, his gaze coldly fixed on the couple, his voice icy, "You’re not welcome here, no need to see you off!"

With that, he entered the room without a backward glance.

Xiao Yancheng stood in the courtyard, his mouth still carrying a gentle smile. He patted Third Madam’s back, laughing, "Clearly, we’re not welcome here; let’s go!"

Third Madam laughed lightly too, holding on to Third Master as they walked out, speaking as they went, "Husband, Fourth Brother, as you said, is indeed interesting!"

Xiao Yancheng remained noncommittal.

Third Madam paused, "But Fourth Sister-in-law is even more interesting." She then told him about her attempt to feel the pulse, "She must have heard about the power of Miao Poison, so she was very guarded against me, yet her face lacked the proper panic and fear. She even used a handkerchief to shield her palm while holding my hand..." As she spoke, she shook her head, looking highly intrigued, "The women of the Central Plains are indeed interesting!"

Xiao Yancheng couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows as he listened, then he smiled and said, "Fourth Brother has always been like this since childhood; anything he values is bound to be astonishing." Finished speaking, he paused, his gaze filled with meaning as he turned back, casting a glance towards the main house.

Third Madam’s expression turned cold, pinching Xiao Yancheng’s arm, "Are you captivated by her beauty?"

"There you go again!" Xiao Yancheng looked helpless, pinching Third Madam’s face, "Be good! In my eyes, you are the most beautiful woman in this world."