CHAPTER 128: CHAPTER 128: SACRIFICE (3)

Tong Minzhi’s eyes were filled with fear. Xiuzhi had been by the concubine’s side for over ten years, treating the siblings well and being wholeheartedly devoted to the concubine. Now that something like this had happened, how could the concubine not be heartbroken and shocked? He began to cry out of fright; after all, he was only six years old. He came over, clung to Xiqiu’s arm, and said, "Sixth Sister, is Xiuzhi going to die? The concubine’s old illness has flared up; I don’t know how she is. Can I go with you?" He wept softly, his small frame leaning against the thin Xiqiu, surrounded by many people, yet they seemed so helpless and desolate.

Xiqiu, with red-rimmed eyes, went to wipe Tong Minzhi’s tears: "Why are you crying? Stop crying now. The physician hasn’t arrived yet, and you haven’t seen her. Why say such things?" She then looked apologetically at the Lady: "Mother, Seventh Brother is young and probably frightened."

The Lady’s gaze flickered, and she frowned, saying to Nanny Fang, "Let Zixia come in and support him back, and be careful on the way." Nanny Fang acknowledged and went out to call Zixia in. The Lady continued, "With the physician coming and going and someone being sick, you’re young and should avoid catching anything. Go back to rest early!"

Tong Minzhi, under the wide sleeve, tightly gripped Xiqiu’s hand, causing Xiqiu to involuntarily draw a cold breath due to the strength. She endured the pain and patted Tong Minzhi’s head: "Mother is right. You should go back to rest early. The concubine will be fine. Later, I will have someone tell you what’s happening, okay?"

Tong Minzhi bit his lip, finally nodded, turned, and bowed to the First Master, then saluted the Lady, and left through the main door holding Zixia’s hand.

"You all go back too," the Lady waved disbanding the children. Tong Xiyan looked at Xiqiu standing there alone, moved her lips, and suddenly ran to the First Master, pulling his sleeve and saying, "Father, may I also accompany Sixth Sister to take a look? Xiuzhi’s happened such a thing, and Madam Xia is sick as well. I might be able to help Sixth Sister."

The Lady frowned and interrupted her: "What nonsense, go back quickly. I will send the maid over." She then addressed Tong Shen Zhi and Xu Tianqing, who were standing motionless: "The affairs of the inner house are not for you to worry about. Go back!"

Xu Tianqing looked at Xiqiu, showing hesitation, but since Tong Shen Zhi had already walked out first, he had no choice but to leave with him.

Tong Xiyan was silenced by the Lady, pouting but not speaking, still holding the First Master’s sleeve. Tong Xiyu stood like an invisible person at the door, neither entering nor retreating.

The Lady said to Xiqiu: "When the physician arrives, and if the diagnosis is unfavorable, have someone notify her parents, give them ten taels of silver, and take her back. If there’s no issue, this mansion can’t keep her; sending her off early is better." She didn’t mention Madam Xia.

Xiqiu nodded silently without speaking, but from an angle the Lady couldn’t see, she cast a quick glance at the First Master with tearful eyes. The First Master’s heart involuntarily fluttered, his brows furrowing tightly, and he finally spoke: "Since the incident happened in the mansion, under any circumstance, send someone to bring her family into the mansion and explain the situation to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings." He paused and said to the Lady, "Let’s go and take a look."

The Lady looked shocked: "You’re going, my lord?"

"The Sixth Girl is only twelve years old, having never experienced such things. How do you expect her to handle it?! Besides, having the second house bear all the responsibilities of our house is not right." Saying this, he had already waved his sleeve and walked out.

The Lady glared at Xiqiu with narrowed eyes, but Xiqiu kept her head down all the time, appearing innocent and helpless. The Lady felt angry but couldn’t find any fault with Xiqiu, so she only let out a cold snort, following the First Master out with Nanny Fang’s assistance.

Tong Xiyan, trying to comfort, held Xiqiu’s hand. Xiqiu lowered her face and said, "Fourth Sister, did I say something wrong?" Tong Xiyan smiled helplessly and whispered, "I’ll explain for you when Mother’s anger subsides." She also realized the Lady misunderstood Xiqiu.

Xiqiu looked at her gratefully. Tong Xiyan smiled and said, "Mother is just angry about Xiuzhi. Such things shouldn’t happen in the mansion, bringing bad fortune." She finished, feeling it wasn’t right to speak about Xiuzhi in front of Xiqiu, so she smiled to change the subject: "Let’s go. The physician should be arriving, and we should also take a look."

Xiqiu nodded and walked out shoulder to shoulder with Tong Xiyan. Tong Xiyu stood at the back, pondered for a little while, then followed up with her maid.

In the East Cross Courtyard, the sounds of soft sobbing filled the air. The physician had not yet arrived. The Second Master stood with hands behind his back in the main courtyard. Upon seeing the First Master arrive, he slightly bowed and greeted him with folded hands, also greeting the Lady: "Sister-in-law."

The Lady turned and offered a slight curtsey: "Second Uncle!"

Xiqiu and others also curtseyed in front of the Second Master.

The First Master asked, "How is she?" The Second Master looked back at Xiuzhi, laid on the plank in the middle of the courtyard, frowned and said, "It shouldn’t be serious, but for some reason, she hasn’t woken up."

The First Master nodded slightly. The Second Master glanced at the Lady and continued, "Elder Brother, there’s something I’m not sure if I should say."

"Hmm? What is it?" The First Master nodded slightly: "Go ahead." The Second Master slightly lowered his voice and said, "We send maids out every year, but if a maid is unwilling to leave, we can allow some leeway. There’s no need to force them. Luckily, nothing happened. If she really died in the mansion, rumors about Tong Mansion bullying servants might spread."

The Lady’s face turned livid. She was the elder sister-in-law, and the two houses had already separated, so how she managed her house was no business of the Second Master! She smiled slightly, speaking before the First Master, continuing the Second Master’s words: "Second Uncle is right, but rules are rules; they can’t be changed at will. If everyone were like this, what would the rules be for? In the future, anyone unwilling to leave can just jump into a river or hang themselves, always finding ways to force their masters to concede."

Though smiling, her tone was obviously unfriendly.

The Second Master’s gaze shifted, then he smiled, and his tone changed, "Sister-in-law is right, I was thinking too narrowly." Saying this, he faced the First Master again with folded hands, "I initially came to discuss the appointment with you. Since you’re busy now, I’ll come to your study later."

The First Master nodded slightly, "Very well, I also have matters to discuss with you."

The Second Master bid the Lady farewell and left with his entourage.

The Lady then turned cold, while the First Master looked at her meaningfully before walking to where Xiuzhi lay on the door plank with hands behind his back.

Xiqiu silently followed behind the First Master. Xiuzhi’s face was pale, looking almost breathless, but Xiqiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. However, still uneasy, she stepped forward to feel Xiuzhi’s pulse. The First Master looked at her, surprised: "Did you study medicine?"