Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 712 - 713: Status (3)

Xiqiu shook her head, smiling, "You’re too kind. At that time, I felt like you did, always sensing something was amiss, but I couldn’t be sure. It was only after my third brother came back and explained it to me that I was completely at ease."

Madam Qian laughed as she listened, still holding Xiqiu’s hand, "No need to be so formal with me. My life belongs to you now." Xiqiu covered her face and laughed, while Madam Qian sighed, her expression lamenting, shaking her head, "It’s just a pity for Madam Han, such a good person!"

Xiqiu hadn’t expected it and agreed, "I didn’t expect her with such skills to be..." Madam Qian paused to take a sip of tea, sighed, "When I was young, I often heard from the elders that those who drown are always the ones skilled at swimming... Madam Han was brave and skilled, perhaps she anticipated the circumstances but didn’t expect the opponents to be so malicious."

Xiqiu didn’t speak, but Madam Qian remembered the opponent was the Third Madam of the Marquis Mansion, Xiqiu’s sister-in-law. She pondered and changed the topic, leaning forward, lowering her voice to Xiqiu, "Did you hear? Last night, at Count Wuchang’s, they were aware of the situation early in the morning, Old Madam Shen locked the doors early... The family guards were already prepared to defend the mansion!"

Xiqiu was startled upon hearing this. Madam Qian’s words were subtle, but the undertone implied that Old Madam Shen clearly knew everything but only cared for her own house’s safety, not leaking a word beforehand. If these ladies were like Madam Han and believed in those people, who knows what might have happened by now.

She glanced at Madam Qian, whose face briefly showed sarcasm before dismissing it, pouting, "We can’t compare with them. Now that the Empress Dowager is gone, the palace has truly become dominated by one family. The Shen Family is royalty, people like us are just like the mud on the ground, they look down on us!" Madam Qian didn’t know that the night Old Madam Shen got the news, she also sent people to notify the other madams, only the household sent them out too late. Madam Han had already encountered trouble, and the other residences’ gates were locked and wouldn’t open. Naturally, Old Madam Shen didn’t boast about her failed attempt.

"You’re overthinking." Xiqiu paused, pursing her lips, "Old Madam Shen is getting on in years, inevitably there may be things she overlooks. Madam Shen is young, with two children to look after, lapses are unavoidable. Besides, last night’s events were confidential, it’s understandable they didn’t speak of it."

Madam Qian, however, was not convinced, furrowing her brow at Xiqiu, "You, you just have too kind a heart. There aren’t so many unavoidable reasons; clearly, it wasn’t taken to heart. Even you, pregnant and all, let your brother from your maternal family risk going out, didn’t you? It just shows this is human nature. They can see you clearly, but there’s always a barrier for you looking at them!"

The tone was no longer friendly.

Xiqiu’s eyes flickered, unable to persuade her, she just smiled and shook her head.

"Forget it, it’s over now. Prince Rong has either gone to Jiangnan or Wei Hui by now... Just hope this matter is settled quickly. The court has only been stable for two years; no one can afford another upheaval."

Xiqiu also sighed and nodded. Madam Qian glanced at her and asked, "How far along are you now, six months?"

"Seven months," Xiqiu replied, caressing her rounded belly with a smile, "These past two days, it’s been very quiet, not moving much. Last night I was anxious, but luckily, just now when I changed clothes, he turned over inside, finally putting my mind at ease."

"It must be a boy," Madam Qian laughed, "I had three children, the eldest and the third were like that, not moving a bit all day, so lazy. But the second was different, moving around like boxing inside, restless even at night..." Madam Qian’s eldest and third were sons, the youngest one was a year younger than Tong Minzhi, and the eldest was already engaged. The second was a daughter, said to have poor eyesight and not often out and about!

Xiqiu laughed, "Thank you for your blessing. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, I just hope for a safe delivery, I dare not ask for more."

Madam Qian nodded in agreement, thinking of Xiqiu’s recent experiences, she sighed, "I thought moving could allow you some peaceful days, but who knew this happened, making everyone anxious." After a pause, she continued, "You kept vomiting before, is it better now?"

"A bit better," Xiqiu nodded, "but I can’t eat greasy foods, light ones are fine."

Madam Qian appeared rueful, as if reminded of something, "When I passed by, why was Marquis Mansion’s gate still tightly closed? Is the Grand Dowager alright?"

"She’s fine," Xiqiu’s eyes flickered, hiding the matter of the Grand Dowager’s whereabouts, "She probably stayed up all night and was tired, hence a bit late."

These were all astute people, capable of deducing much from scant information. Madam Qian shifted her gaze thoughtfully, but didn’t pursue the question further.

The two conversed in the Warm Pavilion for a long time. Xiqiu spoke, "Stay here for a meal. Fourth Master hasn’t returned, and I’m afraid Lord hasn’t either. You’d feel bored going back." Madam Qian was about to speak when the curtain was lifted from the outside, and Bihuai appeared, smiling, "Madam, Madam Huang is here."

Xiqiu and Madam Qian exchanged a glance, a smile appearing in both their eyes. Xiqiu and Madam Huang didn’t usually socialize much. They had said only a few words to each other. Madam Huang had moved back from Liaodong with Lord Huang, not socializing much with other families in the Capital.

Madam Qian stood up, "... Then I’ll take my leave first."

Xiqiu did not know if Madam Qian and Madam Huang knew each other, so it was not appropriate to insist she stay, "I’ll see you out." She then left the Warm Pavilion with Madam Qian one after the other.

As Madam Qian’s sedan chair departed, it brushed past Madam Huang’s oncoming sedan chair. Clad in an autumn-scented overcoat, Madam Huang was around thirty, with her hair in a round bun, thin and tall, her skin slightly sallow and haggard. Seeing her, Xiqiu thought of the northern winds and sandstorms of Liaodong, and ushered Madam Huang into the Warm Pavilion, where Madam Huang began, "I’ve long wanted to pay you a visit, but after moving back, there were so many things inside and outside to handle. Finally having some time, I heard you were pregnant and dared not disturb on a whim. I thought it over all morning at home and felt I had to come, or I wouldn’t rest easy."

"Please, have a seat." Xiqiu invited Madam Huang to the couch. She sat down, nodded at Bihuai serving tea, "Fourth Madam, I really must thank you for last night," she said, recounting her readiness to go out the night before, and thanked her again, "I heard about Madam Han’s incident early this morning," wiping away a tear, "my two boys are still so young, what shall I do in the future!"