Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 766 - 767: Experience (2)
Truly, every family has its own difficult scripture to recite, and it’s no wonder that each time I see Madam Lou, she always appears gloomy and unable to untie the knot in her heart.
The two of them were in mid-conversation when they spotted Madam Jiang approaching. Xiqiu and Madam Lou greeted her and went to meet her: "Sister-in-law." Madam Jiang glanced inside but didn’t see Tong Xiyang, and asked, "Have you seen Third Young Madam yet?" Her family is here, she should at least come out to greet them.
Xiqiu smiled at her, unbothered: "Let’s go inside." The two of them then entered the main hall, where they greeted the ladies sitting inside. After a moment’s thought, the sisters-in-law stood up and headed towards Tong Xiyang’s courtyard. After all, they are her family, and since she didn’t come to them, they had to visit her.
Xiqiu had been to the courtyard once before, so it wasn’t unfamiliar. Two little maids were guarding the entrance. Seeing Xiqiu and Madam Jiang approach, the maids greeted them with smiles: "Greetings, In-law Madam, Fourth Madam." They then led the two inside the courtyard: "Third Young Madam just returned from the front and is probably changing clothes right now. In-law Madam and Fourth Madam, please wait a moment."
Madam Jiang nodded, and she and Xiqiu went past the gallery into the courtyard, where chairs were set in the main hall. The two sat down next to each other, and indeed, there was no sign of Tong Xiyang. Xiqiu glanced around the hall. It wasn’t much different from a few years ago, still neatly arranged.
Madam Jiang looked at Xiqiu and asked, "Did you come alone? Is Zhi being taken care of by the Grand Dowager?"
"Yes, I just need to say my hellos and then I’ll head back, can’t stay long." Xiqiu sighed lightly and asked, "Is everything at home alright?" Tong Shenzhi’s return to Baoding has been decided, and he’ll depart in a couple of days, which is why Xiqiu asked such a question. The First Master is in the Capital, so Madam Jiang couldn’t possibly return with Tong Shenzhi.
Madam Jiang nodded, her gaze carrying a hint of helplessness: "I came with your elder brother, and he’s in the outer courtyard at the moment." She paused and lowered her voice, "I heard Ren Jun caught dysentery on the way."
"Dysentery?" Xiqiu was taken aback. To catch dysentery in such hot weather... it seems Ren Jun’s health is indeed deteriorated: "Where are they currently stationed? Has a doctor been called and medicine prescribed?" She didn’t have a good impression of Ren Jun, but she didn’t wish for him to die like this.
"I heard they just reached the borders of Shandong, and it’s been hot the past couple of days, so their progress is slow." Madam Jiang spoke, frowning, and continued, "Though your elder brother is upset with Third Young Madam, they are family, after all. If it’s possible to recover, he naturally wants to help, so he thought to discuss with the First Master of the Ren Family for a memorial plea to the Emperor, hoping for a few days’ delay to allow him to recover before continuing the journey."
This shouldn’t be difficult, and it’s not about reducing punishment, just extending the timeframe, which shouldn’t be a problem, but Xiqiu found it odd. If there were to be a discussion, it should be the First Master of the Ren Family seeking out Tong Shenzhi, not the other way around.
Madam Jiang was about to say more when Tong Xiyang came out. She saw Xiqiu and Madam Jiang but showed no surprise. She coldly looked at the two and sat across from them without any polite words, just sitting there.
Xiqiu knew her and had already anticipated this behavior. However, seeing her red, swollen eyes and deathly pale face, Xiqiu was secretly taken aback. She wondered if Tong Xiyang was heartbroken over Ren Jun or grieving Count Wujin’s passing. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
With the matter of Lady at hand, Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyang had already said what needed to be said, and now it was just about keeping appearances to avoid giving outsiders a laugh.
"Third Young Madam, please accept my condolences." Madam Jiang said softly.
Tong Xiyang glanced at Madam Jiang, a look of mocking disdain in her eyes: "Thank you both for your gifts, but I’m quite busy today, so I won’t accompany you further. Please see yourselves out."
Madam Jiang’s expression turned awkward. Xiqiu smiled slightly, "Third Sister, go ahead with your tasks. My sister-in-law and I are not here for the first time; we know our way around." With that, she said no more.
The three of them just sat facing each other, silent for a moment.
Xiqiu then stood up, smiling as she spoke to Madam Jiang: "I have things to attend to at home, so I’ll head back first!" Madam Jiang also stood up: "Let me see you off." As she was a family member, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to leave so early.
Xiqiu nodded to Tong Xiyang and left with Madam Jiang without another word, as if they were strangers.
With Tong Xiyang like this, it seemed she was intent on severing all ties with the Tong Family. Madam Jiang said nothing, and given her relationship with Tong Xiyang, there wasn’t much need to start a conversation. The two of them left together, and went to greet the First Young Madam Ren and Second Young Madam Ren at the front.
First Young Madam Ren looked slightly frustrated: "Why not stay a little longer?" She had long figured out her sister-in-law’s temperament, so it was not surprising for Fourth Madam to leave early.
"The baby is still young, and my mother’s health isn’t great. I’m restless thinking about it and can’t sit still." Xiqiu replied with a smile, adding, "First Young Madam, please continue with your duties. Just find a maid to guide me out."
First Young Madam Ren looked at Xiqiu, seemingly wanting to say something, but then nodded: "Sorry for the short hospitality!" Saying this, she offered to accompany Xiqiu to the exit. Xiqiu politely declined, bid farewell to Madam Jiang, and greeted a few ladies before taking a maid’s lead to the door. Just as she was about to board the carriage, someone suddenly called from behind, "Fourth Madam."
Xiqiu paused, turned back to look, and saw Madam Zhou standing behind her with a smile.
She raised her eyebrows slightly, unsure of Madam Zhou’s intentions, and returned the smile with a bow: "Madam Zhou!" Madam Zhou returned the gesture and approached with a smile: "I heard the Grand Dowager is ill? Is she feeling any better?"
"She still lacks energy," Xiqiu replied with a smile, "but otherwise, she’s alright." Madam Zhou nodded upon hearing this, looked around, and smiled: "I came here with Madam Qian’s carriage, but may I take your carriage back?"
Xiqiu was momentarily surprised, then nodded: "Of course, Madam, please." Madam Zhou, being the elder, happily boarded the Xiao Mansion carriage. Xiqiu instructed Chunliu on a few things and joined her on the carriage.
"Does Madam wish to return to her manor or go elsewhere?" Xiqiu personally fetched a teapot from a secret compartment, poured tea for Madam Zhou, and offered it.
Madam Zhou took the tea and thanked her: "Please take me to Count Dongchang’s mansion. My carriage is parked over there." Xiqiu nodded in acknowledgment, gave instructions to the carriage driver, and they soon passed through the gates of the Ren Mansion.
"It’s been four or five years since I last saw Fourth Madam," Madam Zhou remarked with a smile, "and just like that, so much time has passed." Her tone carried a touch of nostalgia.
Xiqiu replied with a smile: "Time truly slips away unnoticed; it passes by in the blink of an eye." She sipped her tea with a smile, though in her heart, she pondered. She and Madam Zhou weren’t familiar, and given the past marriage arrangement between Tong Xiyan and Young Master Zhou, there wasn’t much interaction between the families. It seemed Madam Zhou had more on her mind today than just a simple request for a ride.
As for what she might say, Xiqiu couldn’t guess and could only wait patiently for her to speak.
Madam Zhou then mentioned Zhi: "The baby has been full moon, right? I heard he’s extremely cute and spirited... I happened to be in Tongzhou during the bathing ceremony and couldn’t return in time, such an oversight on my part."
