Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 690 - 691: The Strange Illness (5)_2

Xiqiu was startled, realizing that Huang Da’s trip to Liaodong to investigate the salt mines was still due to Ren Jun’s matter. The Emperor’s intention was naturally to use this as an opportunity to eliminate the ticking time bomb that was Commandery Prince Rong. But now, with this bomb about to explode, the salt mine issue was gone, rendering Huang Da’s trip meaningless. Yet Fourth Master Xiao still recommended him to go to Liaodong, and the Emperor did not suspect a thing... 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

In a flash of understanding, she looked at Fourth Master Xiao with bright eyes and said two words, "Yingtian?"

Fourth Master Xiao burst into laughter, kissed Xiqiu on the cheek, and sighed, "With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for!" Xiqiu also smiled brightly, leaning into his embrace more pliantly than usual, and softly asked, "Is Fourth Master not angry with me anymore?"

Fourth Master Xiao was taken aback. Xiqiu held onto his robe and lifted her gaze, her eyes as bright as pearls, softly saying, "Fourth Master, there’s no need to hide it from me. When Cousin came that day, you were still bothered, weren’t you?"

"Ahem..." Fourth Master Xiao coughed into his fist. He knew that whenever it came to matters between them, Xiqiu was always straightforward, but she had never been this direct before. He turned his face slightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Seizing the rare opportunity, Xiqiu naturally wanted to clarify, "Seeing him so heartbroken that day, it indeed made me sad..." They had never talked about Xu Tianqing. Xu Tianqing was different from Xiao Yanyi, as he occupied almost all of Xiqiu’s youthful years and provided her with much help. The feelings in Fourth Master Xiao’s heart might be different, which she understood, so she narrated everything about her and Xu Tianqing in detail, from their first meeting to his departure and disappearance...

"I know his feelings, but I’m clearer about my own. I regard him as an elder brother, with gratefulness but no improper thoughts." She spoke candidly and clearly.

Fourth Master Xiao felt even more awkward, "Well..." He was indeed a bit jealous, but more than that, he pondered on Xu Tianqing’s issues, his illness, and why he suddenly appeared at the mansion’s gate. Now that Xiqiu had explained it so clearly, he pondered for a moment, then hugged Xiqiu and said softly, "Silly girl!" Pinching her nose gently, he continued, "I just praised you for being smart, and now you’ve turned into a silly girl in no time!"

Xiqiu gently laughed,

Just as they were talking, Tiancheng responded from outside the door, "Fourth Master, Madam, First Master Xu has arrived."

Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao were both surprised. How could Xu Tianqing come so late? Xiqiu asked, "Did he come alone? Did he say anything?"

"He came alone and only mentioned he wanted to see Madam!"

Xiqiu glanced inquisitively at Fourth Master Xiao, who nodded slightly and said, "Invite him in." Tiancheng responded, and the sound of footsteps gradually faded away; soon the door was knocked again, and Tiancheng entered, allowing Xiqiu to see Xu Tianqing, dressed in a colored robe similar to that of bamboo, walk in.

Compared to a few days ago when he looked haggard, today he seemed somewhat spirited. As soon as he entered, his gaze fell on Xiqiu, and without looking at Fourth Master Xiao, he eagerly asked, "Sixth Sister, are you Sixth Sister?"

Xiqiu was taken aback and asked, "Have you recovered from your illness and remember us?"

"You’re really Sixth Sister, and you’re Xiqiu?" Xu Tianqing stepped closer, intensely scrutinizing Xiqiu, observing her from head to toe without missing a single detail.

Xiqiu hesitantly nodded, glanced at Fourth Master Xiao, and replied, "I am Xiqiu." She paused and then asked, "Cousin, have you remembered us?"

Upon confirmation, Xu Tianqing beamed like a child given candy. He stepped forward as if to embrace Xiqiu. She was about to sidestep him when Fourth Master Xiao extended his arm, pulling her aside and saying, "My wife is expecting; please forgive us!"

Xiqiu let out a sigh of relief, observing Xu Tianqing through Fourth Master Xiao’s broad back.

It was then she noticed him pause, as if just realizing there was someone else in the room, and he knit his eyebrows, looking at Fourth Master Xiao with pure, puzzled innocence, "Who are you?"

Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brow slightly while Tiancheng, already uneasy at the door, stepped forward and said, "First Master Xu, if there’s nothing urgent, I’ll escort you back."

"No!" Xu Tianqing shook his head, dodging around Fourth Master Xiao like playing hide and seek, gesturing to Xiqiu, "Come over, Sixth Sister, I’ve found a new embroidery book for you. You’ll definitely like it."

Xiqiu was stunned. Clearly, his intelligence had also been affected, seeming to be stuck at the age when they first met—a mere eight or nine years old.

"Fourth Master!" Xiqiu tugged at Fourth Master Xiao’s sleeve, "Cousin is acting very strangely." His gaze was fixed, his eyes moved hesitantly and rigidly, and he stared at one place...

"Send him back," Fourth Master Xiao said, frowning, "lest the clinic becomes anxious when they can’t find him."

Tiancheng nodded, just about to speak to Xu Tianqing, when the mute rushed in from the door, nearly colliding with Tiancheng, who had to sidestep to avoid a bump. The mute paid no attention to others, grabbing Xu Tianqing, gesturing wildly.

Xu Tianqing shook his head, refusing to leave... shaking his head repeatedly...

After seeing Xu Tianqing off, Xiqiu’s brows remained furrowed. Fourth Master Xiao sighed, looking at her deeply, and said, "I’ve already sent someone to find the antidote; for now, he’ll have to endure!"

"Do you mean, Fourth Master, that Cousin is truly poisoned?"

Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze turned, neither confirming nor denying.

The next day, Fourth Master Xiao headed to court early. Xiqiu was speaking to Maid Chunliu, "Go to the clinic and see if Cousin had any trouble returning last night or if he still falls ill around noon."

Maid Chunliu agreed and left. In the courtyard, she encountered an old woman from the second gate, who said, "Maid Chunliu, the Third Madam from the Marquis Mansion has arrived!"

Third Madam came in, appearing less polite and subtle than the last time, and said bluntly, "I have a way to cure First Master Xu’s illness!" brimming with disdain.

Hearing this, Xiqiu was secretly shocked, but she remained calm, asking, "How did Third Sister-in-law know about my cousin’s illness?"

Third Madam looked at Xiqiu, lifted her eyebrows with a shallow smile, and her eyes were filled with sarcasm, "No need to be paranoid, Sister-in-law. Even though I’ve just arrived in the Capital, it’s such a tiny place; who can really keep anything hidden?"

Xiqiu gazed at Third Madam, narrowing her eyes.

What did she mean, suddenly coming to say she could cure Xu Tianqing?

She couldn’t have come without a purpose...