Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 733 - 734: Awaiting Childbirth (Part 2)

Xiqiu covered her face with a smile and said, "Master told me to come because she was worried you might be concerned, so she sent me to put your mind at ease." After a pause, she continued, "She also said that after the full moon, she would come to the mansion to chant prayers for the young master."

The two chatted for a while longer before Siliu rose to take her leave. "I’ll come again in a few days. I’ll sort out everything at home these days so that when you go into labor, I can serve you." Xiqiu was taken aback and waved her hand, saying, "No need, you should stay at home with your two children. I have plenty of people here!"

"That won’t do." Siliu smiled and looked at Bihuai, saying, "How can they compare with me? I’ve given birth before and have experience."

Bihuai blushed, but Xiqiu shook her head with a helpless smile, asking Bihuai to see Siliu out. After Siliu left, Bihuai lifted the curtain again and came in to inform Xiqiu, "Madam Shen is here."

"Madam Shen?" Xiqiu was surprised. "Did she come by herself?"

Bihuai nodded at Xiqiu.

Why had Madam Shen come? Xiqiu thought for a moment and replied, "Help me change clothes." After saying this, Bihuai assisted Xiqiu in changing, and then she went to the Warm Pavilion. She had just sat down when Madam Shen lifted the curtain and entered. Xiqiu stood up with a smile, and Madam Shen looked at her, saying, "Oh my, your belly is so big now, you’ll give birth soon, won’t you?"

"By the end of this month or the beginning of next month," Xiqiu replied, gesturing for Madam Shen to sit on the bed. "Please have a seat!"

Madam Shen sat in the main seat, smiled at Xiqiu, and said, "My mother-in-law intended to come personally, but she has caught a cold recently and is not feeling well, so I came in her place." After a pause, she continued, "I’ve also been thinking of visiting you. With your due date approaching, I haven’t come to see you yet, and I feel I’ve been very neglectful."

"You’re too kind," Xiqiu said, her face showing concern. "Is the Grand Dowager unwell? Is it serious?"

"There’s nothing to worry about," Madam Shen said, waving her hand. "Just a bit dizzy, but she’ll be fine in a few days."

Xiqiu looked relieved and smiled, "That’s good to hear. People say having an elder at home is like having a treasure, and indeed, they are our treasures now!"

"Exactly," Madam Shen nodded repeatedly, smiling. "Fourth Madam, you put it well. For example, in our family, even though I manage the household affairs, my mother-in-law still has the final say on major issues. As she says, ’I’ve crossed more bridges than you’ve walked roads!’"

Xiqiu pursed her lips and chuckled lightly. Madam Shen looked at Xiqiu’s belly and said, "It’s bigger than mine was at the time; perhaps it’s a big chubby boy." She continued, "But you’re too slim. You need to take good care during confinement."

Xiqiu nodded and smiled. Madam Shen paused, furrowing her eyebrows slightly, and asked, "Has there been any word from Fourth Master? Where is he now?"

"I’m not sure. He left only two days ago, so he might still be near Zhenyuan," she said, looking at Madam Shen. Madam Shen contemplated, her expression thoughtful.

Should Shen Ji go to meet Fourth Master Xiao? The matter of the relief effort he led last year is still being held against him by Imperial Censors, and in the past, the Shen Family might have been able to argue, but this is a glaring issue... leaving no room for defense...

"To be honest with you," Madam Shen sighed, "yesterday the Emperor was furious in the palace..." Xiqiu noted the lift in her eyebrows, showing an attentive expression, and looked at Madam Shen, who hesitated before continuing, "I’m telling you this, so don’t think too much of it."

Xiqiu was inwardly startled. Did the Emperor’s anger have something to do with them, or was it because of Xiao Yancheng’s matter?

"Please speak freely," Xiqiu nodded with a smile. Madam Shen paused before saying, "The Emperor somehow heard rumors that the Marquis was involved in the salt mines in Liaodong..." Finishing her sentence, she observed Xiqiu’s reaction. "Right away, my husband vowed that since the Third Master left home as a child and bore a grudge against Fourth Master, this time even you almost met with danger because of his return. The Marquis Mansion and the Third Master have severed ties long ago and wouldn’t be involved in Prince Rong’s matters." Everyone knows Prince Rong and Xiao Yancheng are connected.

Xiqiu frowned; the Emperor had indeed learned about that treaty, yet she had some doubts about the Emperor’s reasons for his anger. Madam Shen continued, "...after urging for half a day, the Emperor calmed down a bit, so my husband told me to come and inform you to write a letter to the Great Governor, so he can be prepared." After a brief pause, she added, "And the Marquis, it’s been a couple of days since he’s been seen; my husband tried to find him but couldn’t."

"I understand, thank you for informing me of this; otherwise, I’d know nothing while cooped up at home all day." As she spoke, she added, "The Grand Dowager has been unwell these days, and the Marquis is attending to her illness day and night at her bedside. I’ll have someone pass on Shen Ji’s intentions to my second brother."

Madam Shen gave Xiqiu a long look, smiled, and nodded. She took a sip of tea, smiled, and said to Xiqiu, "We must have a lively feast for the full moon celebration. You didn’t host a housewarming banquet, so you owe us that celebration." With these words, she changed the subject.

Xiqiu nodded, "Of course, of course. I’ll send you an invitation then; you must come."

Madam Shen nodded repeatedly with a smile, and the two women talked about other matters. After a while, Madam Shen stood up to leave. "I’ve been here half a day. I should return; my household can’t do without me."

Xiqiu politely tried to make her stay longer but ultimately escorted Madam Shen to the door herself. Once Madam Shen had left, Xiqiu’s expression turned somber...

In the following days, Ruan Jingliu moved into the mansion, accompanying Xiqiu on daily walks in the garden and monitoring her pulse every morning and night. Xiqiu hovered between anxiety and anticipation, worried that if the child was overdue, it might grow too large, complicating childbirth. Yet she also feared it might come early, leaving Fourth Master Xiao not enough time to return.

Fourth Master Xiao sent another letter, and Xiqiu relayed Madam Shen’s words to him. After that, no more letters came from him.

By the end of March, there was still no movement from her belly. Nonetheless, Madam Jiang, Tong Xiyan, and Xiao Yanzheng visited daily. Xiqiu remained unconcerned, while they were like ants on a hot pan, anxious and unsettled.

One day, just after Xiqiu had finished grooming and had seen Xing and Min off, Tiancheng rushed into the courtyard, looking at Xiqiu with visible excitement, saying, "Madam, the Grand Dowager and the Marquis have arrived in Tongzhou."