"Sixth Sister!" Tong Xiyan looked at Xiqiu emotionally, finally feeling a bit relieved in his heart. Xiqiu saw Chunliu come in with water, so she personally wrung out a towel and handed it to Tong Xiyan. "Usually, you’re sharp-tongued when bickering with Third Sister, but now you’re left speechless by Madam Jiang. It seems that Madam Jiang is no ordinary person."

Tong Xiyan glared at her playfully. Xiqiu took back the towel and gave it to Chunliu, then picked up the Osmanthus Dew on the table for Tong Xiyan, holding up a bronze mirror for her. She continued, "Don’t listen to her words. If she were really doing so well, she would stay at her own home, rather than come here to provoke you. Clearly, your mere presence is a thorn in her side, so she sought you out regardless of the occasion. What ’great return’... I think she sees you as more endowed with wisdom than you realize."

Tong Xiyan burst into laughter, and Chunliu, standing by, also couldn’t help but smile. Daiju, standing at the doorway watching her own lady finally stop crying, breathed a sigh of relief.

"I know her words were meant to provoke me, but I also realize that she wasn’t entirely wrong. I shouldn’t burden the family. Perhaps the ’great return’ is my best option!" Tong Xiyan sighed, setting down the Osmanthus Dew, letting Chunliu arrange her bangs.

"Nonsense!" Xiqiu frowned and said, "There are women in Great Zhou who divorce and remarry, not everyone spends the rest of their lives in a temple. You’re still so young, don’t speak such dispirited words!"

Tong Xiyan nodded, holding Xiqiu’s hand, and said softly, "Thank you!"

Xiqiu smiled back and stood up, "Let’s go back. The banquet is about to start, and Grand Dowager was just asking about you." She pulled Tong Xiyan outside, saying as they walked, "Today there’s Kun Opera, a dream come true as Mother would have often mentioned, especially at Mother’s favorite Peony Pavilion."

"Is it really Kun Opera?" Tong Xiyan showed interest and then said dejectedly, "If my mother were here, she’d definitely invite the troupe to perform at the mansion."

Xiqiu walked out without replying, instead picking a peony from the flowerbed in the garden to hold.

At the second gate, Madam Jiang timidly looked at Jiang Shilin, just as she was about to speak. Jiang Shilin’s face turned stern, "Do not go back inside. The Marquis Mansion’s carriage is waiting outside. Leave now!"

"Husband!" Madam Jiang pleaded, "It’s rare for me to come out, and I haven’t even greeted the other madams. How can I leave like this?"

Jiang Shilin looked around, waiting until the young servants of the Marquis Mansion passed by. Only then did he express his frustration, "I will explain to the Marquis and the Grand Commander. You should leave quickly. Do not make a fool of yourself here."

"I’m making a fool of myself? How can you say that about me, Husband? I came along with the eldest sister-in-law, how am I a disgrace?" Madam Jiang also showed anger, her tone unpleasant.

Jiang Shilin flicked his sleeves, refusing to explain to her, and turned away, saying as he walked, "I’ll see you onto the carriage!" He had already exited the Yimen gate.

The coming and going servants looked over, Madam Jiang flushed with embarrassment, stamped her foot in anger, yet still chased after him, demanding as she walked, "Why do you say I’m a disgrace, and how did you even know I was here and had someone come in to find me?"

Jiang Shilin glanced at her from the corner of his eye, replying coldly, "How would I not know about you attending a banquet at the Marquis Mansion?" He paused suddenly, fixing a chilling gaze on Madam Jiang, "This is my final warning: I have nothing to do with her anymore. If you dare to seek trouble with her again, I will not forgive you!"

Indeed, he knew. Madam Jiang felt a chill all over.

She had never seen Jiang Shilin with such a visage, staring at her like a lurking, man-eating beast, ghastly. She immediately broke out in a cold sweat, uncertainty in her voice, "You... what do you mean?"

"You know very well what I mean, do not make me say it a second time!" With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

Madam Jiang stood there in a daze, not coming to her senses for a long time.

In the inner courtyard, Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan entered the grand hall directly, where everyone’s eyes turned towards Tong Xiyan. As soon as she left earlier, Madam Jiang also went out. Those present were no fools; even the slightest disturbance conveyed meaning to them.

Tong Xiyan felt a bit embarrassed as she entered with Xiqiu. Madam Jiang welcomed her with a smile, "Where did you go off to? Were you preparing the boat?"

"Yes." Xiqiu nodded. "It’s all ready, just waiting for Third Brother and Seventh Brother to arrive." Madam Qian laughed and asked, "Are you taking the boys for a boat ride this afternoon?"

Xiqiu covered her face and laughed, nodding, "Yes, the weather is just right today. Let’s let them relax for a bit too." She walked over to Madam Huang, "This flower suits you, let me help you with it."

"Oh, you really did pluck it!" As she spoke, Xiqiu had already helped pin it on, and Madam Huang touched it with a laugh, while Madam Xu nodded slightly, saying, "Truly beautiful."

Grand Dowager listened and laughed along with Old Madam Tang, Old Madam Huang, and Old Madam Lou, "We say it’s the children playing, but I reckon it’s the sisters who want to play." Her tone was affectionate and indulgent.

The whole room burst into laughter, and Xiao Yanzheng also came over, linking arms with Tong Xiyan, "I want to go too!"

The laughter grew even more!

After the laughter, everyone settled into their seats. There were five tables in total, dispersed around, with Xiqiu seated next to the First Madam. Opposite them sat First Young Madam Ma, who kept sending her maid out to look for someone, which made Xiqiu smile inwardly but stay silent.

Turning her head, Tong Xiyu was playing with Kun in her lap, while Kun clung to Min’s hand, unwilling to let go...

Everyone quietly finished their meal, and after drinking tea, they moved to the garden to watch the opera. Xiqiu trailed behind, organizing the boats for the trip. Madam Zhou approached, looking unwell, and spoke softly, "I’ll skip the opera and head back now."

"Are you feeling unwell?" Xiqiu asked, concern etched on her face. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Madam Zhou waved her hand, "It’s nothing serious, just old troubles, not to worry."

"Why don’t you rest in my former courtyard? It’s quiet there and won’t disturb you." She took Madam Zhou’s hand, "I’d feel uneasy if you went back like this." Madam Zhou looked quite pale.

Madam Zhou leaned her head on the matron at her side and said to Xiqiu, "Truly, it’s nothing serious, just haven’t been resting well these past couple of days. I’ll be fine after some rest, don’t worry!" She added, "Let’s not trouble Grand Dowager and the First Madam about it, so as not to dampen everyone’s spirits."

Seeing her insistence, Xiqiu did not argue further and said, "Then I’ll call for a carriage to see you off."

Madam Zhou nodded, and Xiqiu escorted her out.

After seeing Madam Zhou off, Xiqiu sent Tong Minzhi, Tong Quanzi, Tong Xiyan, and a few others to the back garden for a lake outing, also sending a matron with them. Tiancheng, Tianjing, and two servants from Xiao Yanyi’s side accompanied them, reassuring Xiqiu enough to head back. Passing by the Second Madam’s courtyard, she paused briefly, noticing it was the same as before but lacking its former liveliness. The doors and windows were tightly sealed with wooden bars, but a faint female voice could be heard inside, seemingly echoing the opera in the garden.

Her heart sank slightly as she was about to leave, when she spotted Lianqiao and Madam Shen walking out of the Second Madam’s backyard together, smiling. Her brow raised slightly...

If she remembered correctly, the two concubines were supposed to have moved to Mei Garden, so why were they here?

"Madam, let’s go, everyone’s still waiting up front." Chunliu urged, feeling uneasy just by seeing the Second Madam’s courtyard.

Xiqiu snapped back to reality, nodding slightly, and made her way towards the opera stage.

The melodies of Kun Opera—every note a tale of sorrow, every tune a river of lament—rose and fell, resonating through the flower-laden garden...