CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 119: CONCUBINE (3)

Manager Lai nodded solemnly, while Laiwang’s wife’s face was full of concern, and she said no more.

The two left the Tong Mansion together, and only then did Manager Lai say, "Find an opportunity to give Sixth Miss a little hint about this matter. Don’t say too much else; she’s smart and will know what to do."

"Sixth Miss, I’ve come to deliver some embroidery thread for you." Laiwang’s wife stood in the courtyard, holding a basket filled with threads of various colors. The curtain of the main room moved, and Sixing came out with a smile. Laiwang’s wife’s face immediately broke into a smile as well, as they exchanged pleasantries. Sixing said, "You could have sent a little maid for such a task; there’s no need for you to come personally."

Laiwang’s wife replied with a smile, "It’s just something I was passing by for, no need to trouble anyone else." Yet she didn’t hand the basket to Sixing. After a brief astonishment, Sixing said with a smile, "Why don’t you sit inside and rest your feet, have a cup of tea before you leave." Laiwang’s wife politely lifted the curtain herself and entered the room.

In the Warm Pavilion, Xiqiu was bent over working on embroidery, while Chunyan and Siliu were sorting threads into separate baskets. Nanny Song was assisting on the side. When they saw Laiwang’s wife enter, they all paused their work. Laiwang’s wife curtsied toward Xiqiu with a smile and said, "I’m here to deliver threads for Sixth Miss, these are all according to Miss’s requests. Please see if there’s anything missing. If it’s not quite right, I’ll make another trip this afternoon." With that, she placed the basket on the edge of the kang herself.

Xiqiu took the bamboo basket and carefully examined each color under the light. Only then did she look up and smile, "I trust your work, this will do nicely."

Laiwang’s wife smiled and glanced over at Nanny Song, who was observing her intently. She nodded with a smile toward Nanny Song, "This must be Nanny Song. I’m responsible for buying supplies for the outer courtyard."

Nanny Song raised an eyebrow. Although she wasn’t as informed about the Tong Mansion’s affairs as Nanny Fang, she was aware of who handled what tasks. Thinking this, she returned the greeting to Laiwang’s wife and took her hand with a smile, "So you’re Laiwang’s wife? My, I’ve heard many say that your family is quite capable in this mansion. Even though you’re not working directly with Lady, she can’t do without you for any matter, big or small. I’ve only been in the mansion for seven or eight days, so there are many things I’m not familiar with. Thank you for looking after matters for Sixth Miss here before."

Laiwang’s wife subtly raised an eyebrow in her heart, realizing that this Nanny Song might not be a simple character. No wonder Lady sent her to Sixth Miss. She glanced at Xiqiu out of the corner of her eye and saw her still smiling without any displeasure, so she replied, "No need to say that, entering Lady’s favor is my good fortune from a past life. Compared to you, my position is nothing much." Her words were polite but not overly friendly.

Nanny Song exchanged a few more courtesies, while Xiqiu continued to watch with a smile as they went back and forth, until Laiwang’s wife finally stopped, "Look at me, I almost forgot my business. Lady asked me to visit her once more yesterday, but I’ve been busy with work in the outer courtyard and didn’t have the chance. Now that I’ve finished with Sixth Miss’s matters, I really must go; I shouldn’t keep Lady waiting." With that, she gave Xiqiu a deep look, bowed to her, and greeted the girls in the room, "Busy yourself, ladies."

"I’ll see you out," said Sixing busily, lifting the curtain, while Siliu and Chunyan also stood up to say, "Take care, Nanny!"

Xiqiu nodded toward Laiwang’s wife, "Come by often whenever you have time." Her tone was very courteous.

With a flash in her eyes, Nanny Song also said with a smile, "I’m here distributing threads for Sixth Miss and can’t see you off. Please convey our regards to Lady from Sixth Miss; it’s been some days since she last paid her respects, and such formalities shouldn’t be forgotten."

A gleam flashed in Laiwang’s wife’s eyes, and she responded with a smile, leaving with Sixing accompanying her out.

As soon as Laiwang’s wife left, Nanny Song’s expression instantly cooled, but then she noticed Xiqiu watching her, so she quickly regained her smile and said, "It’s almost noon now. I shall go to the kitchen to check the meals and bring them back for Miss."

"Thank you, Nanny." Xiqiu nodded with a smile. Nanny Song exchanged a few polite words and then turned and left the room.

Xiqiu casually resumed her embroidering, while Chunyan quickly ran to the curtain, lifted it to take a quick peek outside the courtyard, and then put it down, "Nanny Song’s gone out. I think she’s heading to the main courtyard."

"Let her be," Xiqiu said with a smile. "Laiwang’s wife has always been scheming; just Nanny Song won’t be a concern for her."

Chunyan tilted her head with a thoughtful expression, and Siliu nudged her, "What are you daydreaming about? Quickly sort out the gold thread; Miss needs it now." Chunyan snapped back to reality, asking Xiqiu as she unraveled the threads, "Miss, why do I feel like Laiwang’s wife was a bit off today?!"

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do you mean?" Siliu also looked puzzled.

Chunyan frowned, thinking, "What she said earlier, to someone who doesn’t know her, it would seem like she’s boasting. Making Lady wait for her is such a big deal." That’s why, as soon as she finished speaking, Nanny Song’s face changed, "Laiwang’s wife usually wouldn’t speak like that; even if Lady were waiting, she wouldn’t tell the whole world. She seemed more exaggerated than usual."

Xiqiu pursed her lips into a smile and then looked at Siliu, "What do you think?"

Siliu shook her head, "I didn’t notice anything, but now that Chunyan mentioned it, I do sense something."

"She usually does things steadily; if she said that, there must be a reason. Even if we can’t figure it out, there’s no need to waste our brains on it..." Xiqiu glanced at the blue-green handkerchief on the edge of the table and spoke with a smile. Chunyan was puzzled and frowned, confused. Just then, the door curtain was lifted, and Laiwang’s wife’s face appeared behind it again. She smiled as she came in and said, "I forgot my handkerchief here and came back for it!" She picked up the blue-green handkerchief from the edge of the kang and tucked it into her bosom.

Chunyan jumped up in surprise, and only then did she understand Xiqiu’s words. With a flash in her eyes, she immediately went to grab Siliu, "Chunliu said we should change the mosquito net today. Let’s go see if we can help."

Siliu blinked in confusion, bowed to Laiwang’s wife, and was pulled out of the room by Chunyan.

Xiqiu looked at Laiwang’s wife with a smile and said, "If you have something to say, please sit down." Laiwang’s wife sat on the small stool near Xiqiu’s feet, glanced at the doorway, and seeing Chunyan sitting at the door doing needlework, she smiled knowingly and said, "Lady asked Nanny Fang to send for me yesterday. I said I was running errands for First Master and postponed it; today I can’t delay any longer, so I thought I’d come by here before going."

She spoke earnestly, and Xiqiu showed a serious expression, "Please go ahead."

Laiwang’s wife composed herself, lowered her voice, and briefly recounted Madam Wang’s bribery, adding, "Master cannot tolerate this matter at all."