CHAPTER 114: CHAPTER 114: IDENTITY (3)

Lady laughed, the heavy burden in her heart finally lifted. As long as Marquis Xuanning is still around, the Marquis Mansion will only get better and better. She said, "That’s exactly the reason." There was a point she didn’t mention: Tong Xihua has been married into the Xiao Family for eight years without bearing children, and the Marchioness also has no offspring. Fourth Master is the way he is, and only Fifth Madam has finally gotten pregnant after much difficulty, but Fifth Young Master is illegitimate, which brings less joy to the Grand Dowager. The Marchioness has the Marquis’s support, so there’s no issue for her, but Xihua she’s quite worried about. She’s afraid the Grand Dowager doesn’t like her and might have the Second Young Master take a concubine. If a legitimate son is born, it could later become a root of disaster!

The First Master wasn’t as meticulous in his thoughts as Lady. He laid down the teacup and got up: "The Emperor’s health has been increasingly unstable recently, I should go and visit Second Master. You’d better rest early too!" Lady went over to him and called Zijuan: "Bring the First Master that cloak." Then, she said to the First Master: "The night is chilly, take care of your health, don’t stay up too late!"

The First Master slightly nodded, letting Lady tie the cloak for him before he headed out the door.

Lady’s smile faded from her face, watching the light gradually disappear with the First Master’s departure. Her eyes showed a hint of daze before she waved her sleeve and went inside.

"Go cover the Arhat Bed with cloth. Tidy up the things inside and restore them to their original place!" With that said, she entered the side room and leaned on the edge of the kang to rest her eyes.

Nanny Fang came in carrying a tea tray. Lady suddenly opened her eyes and said: "Tomorrow, from the storehouse, find that bolt of Floating Light Brocade along with the Qianxue Gauze and send them to Fourth Miss. Also, get some current patterns from the Brocade Pavilion and take them over." Nanny Fang nodded in agreement.

Nanny Fang showed a hint of surprise and nodded: "I remember!" She picked up the Beauty Hammer from the side, sat on the footrest, and started massaging Lady’s legs. Observing Lady’s somewhat weary appearance, she asked: "Lady, has the First Master’s administrative assignment been finalized?"

Lady shook her head wearily: "The position should follow the usual practice of retaining its current holder; it should have been very affordable. But this year, with the Emperor’s health constantly fluctuating, who in the court would attend to practical matters? Even Second Master is constantly running to the Third Prince Mansion daily, which only delays the First Master’s affairs!"

Nanny Fang laughed: "This might be a good thing; the First Master can stay at the mansion a bit longer." She thought about it and tentatively asked: "In previous years, the First Master would decide which concubine to take. This year, it seems quiet; does Lady have any plans?"

At this mention, Lady’s face turned darker. Seeing him just once a year during the festival, as the principal wife, she spends less time with him than a concubine...

"Nothing has been decided yet. If it doesn’t work out, we might as well elevate Zijuan."

Nanny Fang froze and stopped her actions to look at Lady: "What you said reminds me of something, but I don’t know if I should mention it."

Lady furrowed her brows and said: "What’s with you lately, speaking cryptically?" Fearing Lady’s anger, Nanny Fang replied with a smile: "I noticed several maids in the mansion have come of age. Does Lady have any plans for them?"

"I was just about to discuss that with you." Lady sat up: "Have Laiwang’s wife come see me tomorrow; I have questions for her."

Nanny Fang nodded: "I remember."

Over there, Xiqiu went back and had Chunyan fetch the cloth they cut yesterday. She lit a lamp and sat on the kang. Sixing and Chunyan were busy with the edging, while Nanny Song came in from outside. Seeing the master and servants quietly working under the lamp, she curiously approached to see. She saw three men’s robes of varying sizes laid out on the kang and exclaimed: "Miss, who are you making these for?"

Xiqiu paused her work and smiled at Nanny Song: "Sit down, let’s talk." Nanny Song sat next to Siliu. Xiqiu said: "These are for the First Master’s big brother. Originally, I was taking my time to do them, but now Mother has assigned tasks again. I thought I should finish them in the next two days while Fourth Sister and Eighth Sister are busy preparing clothes and edges."

Nanny Song raised an eyebrow: "Will you have enough time? I heard in previous years, the Lady always sent paintings, porcelain, and other delicate items. It’s rare for her to want a few young ladies to show themselves. I’ll be frank, this task is more important than anything else, so you absolutely must not delay it!"

Xiqiu understood Lady’s intentions. Ever since she saw Madam Xia leaving the First Master’s study with that expression, it kept swirling in her mind. Hearing that the First Master still requested to be stationed elsewhere, he would inevitably take a concubine with him unless Lady was willing to fetch another one for him, which means selecting from the mansion’s concubines.

He hoped the First Master would resolve his misunderstandings about the concubine; it would be good if she could accompany him on the assignment, even if only temporarily.

To her, no other matters were as crucial as this.

"I understand what you’re saying, but Mother’s fabrics, designs, and patterns will be delivered tomorrow. Fourth Sister still needs a day to organize them, so I have two days to work on these few garments; it’s nothing major."

Nanny Song’s eyes gleamed: "I’m just worried about you, Miss. Since you say so, I’m relieved!" She straightened up, her gaze sweeping over the faces of the several maids.

When Chunyan saw Nanny Song looking at her, she asked with a smile: "What are you looking at me for, Nanny? Is there something on my face?" She said, wiping her face with her hand.

Nanny Song laughed: "Don’t wipe, your face is very fair." Chunyan blushed and lowered her head to continue her work.

"I’ll have the servant make some lotus seed soup to keep warm. Miss, have some before bed so you won’t get hungry at night!" Nanny Song joked as she walked out.

Siliu pouted: "She grills Miss about everything. I think she’s not here to serve Miss but to supervise!" Chunyan gave her a light slap, disagreeing: "I find Nanny Song alright. If she truly had ulterior motives, why didn’t she take charge? Whether she’s Lady’s person or not, as long as she can think of everything for Miss, then other things don’t matter."

Siliu protested: "You’re just naive. She didn’t take charge because she just came and couldn’t make it that obvious. Just wait, in a few days she’ll show her intentions." She then tugged on Sixing and asked: "Do you agree with me?"

Sixing didn’t lift her head, her hands swiftly sewing, answering: "I think both of you are right, but neither more so than Miss!"

Xiqiu smiled slightly. Chunyan and Siliu both raised their heads to look at Sixing: "What do you mean by that?" Sixing smiled: "Fools! When you can’t grasp the situation in the room, just observe Miss’s attitude. It’s a lesson I’ve only learned this year. Miss is respectful to Nanny Song but not overly close. Whatever Nanny Song asks, Miss tells her everything that can be said without withholding anything. She allows Nanny Song to see everything in the room, yet doesn’t assign her any specific duties. By elevating her in this way, if Nanny Song is smart, she won’t stir things up in our room."