CHAPTER 136: CHAPTER 136: FETAL DREAM (PART 1)

Xiqiu had nothing to say. She had to admit that what Tong Xiyan had said was right. No matter how Lady handled this matter, there was no fault to be found in her approach. Even if there was, who in the Tong Mansion, except for the First Master, had the power to question Lady?!

It’s just a maid after all!

Tong Xiyan leaned against the head of the bed, seeing Xiqiu with her head down, thinking she was still worried about Lady being angry with her, he consoled, "There’s no need to worry about Mother. I’ll speak to her at noon, and you can apologize to her. I’m sure her anger will dissipate."

"Thank you," Xiqiu smiled, "Mother is busy right now. We shouldn’t disturb her. It’s alright to wait a day or two. Going now would just be asking for trouble." Tong Xiyan laughed, and Xiqiu continued, "How about this: how is it going with your and Eighth Sister’s clothes? Time is tight; bring them for me to see."

At the mention of this, Tong Xiyan frowned, "Eighth Sister took the clothes back. I wouldn’t want to waste time, and she’s particularly keen on this matter, so I decided to let her take them home to sew."

Xiqiu smiled helplessly and sat with Tong Xiyan for a while longer. Before Si hour, Caitao’s family entered the mansion. It was said that Caitao’s sister-in-law was a very formidable character. Upon seeing Laiwang’s wife, who was handling the matter, she started yelling and lamenting Caitao’s misfortune, cursing the Tong Mansion for being harsh. Her voice was so loud it reached the second courtyard. Laiwang’s wife calmly dealt with her, and Caitao’s sister-in-law knelt before everyone, tearfully describing Caitao’s intelligence and capability, and how she would explain to their deceased parents... She begged Laiwang’s wife to give her Caitao’s body so she could lay her to rest. Losing this sister was like a bolt from the blue for their family. Her husband fainted upon hearing the news and hadn’t yet come to...

Laiwang’s wife, unfazed by her words, asked Caitao’s sister-in-law, "Please accept my condolences. Although her death isn’t related to the mansion, it did happen here. How much do you think is appropriate for the funeral expenses?"

Upon hearing this, the sister-in-law’s sorrow disappeared, and she shamelessly demanded an exorbitant sum. Lady didn’t want to argue, so she had someone give her fifty taels of silver for the funeral expenses, returned Caitao’s body, and granted her a plain coffin, thus putting the matter to rest.

In the following days, Lady thoroughly reorganized all the servants in the mansion. She had Nanny Fang call over the heads and senior maids of each courtyard for a stern talk, and sent away a few maids who had come of age, including Zijuan, Zizhu, and Sujin, as well as three kitchen maids.

Xiqiu didn’t see Zijuan, but she sent a little maid to give Xiqiu a silver hairpin. Xiqiu didn’t know what it meant, but she had Chunyan put it away carefully.

This matter started because of Fugui, but in the end, Fugui was still empty-handed. Lady was busy for several days, then had Nanny Qian send well-trained new little maids to each courtyard. Madam Mei quietly accepted her maid without saying a word for Caitao.

In recent days, Tong Xiyu seemed to shrink three inches upon seeing Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan. Xiqiu noticed her absent-mindedness, but couldn’t deny she put her heart and soul into Grand Dowager’s clothes. Every stitch was meticulous and even, not like something Tong Xiyu, with her rusty embroidery skills, could produce.

The date for First Master was set for mid-May. Xiqiu paid special attention to his movements because she heard from Xiuzhi that First Master had been visiting the concubine’s room for several consecutive nights. Although his visits were brief, he always left with a delighted expression.

Once Lady had settled everything, Xiqiu prepared early to go to Zhui Garden to apologize.

On the way, Xiqiu asked Siliu, "Hasn’t Big Sister been back to the mansion for quite some time?" Since the last time they listened to an opera, some time had passed. Usually, Tong Xihua would have been back by now, but this time it’s been so long!

Siliu tilted her head thinking for a while and replied, "It seems to have been some time." She looked at Xiqiu, puzzled, "Why is Miss suddenly concerned about Big Mistress?"

Xiqiu smiled without speaking.

When Xiqiu entered, Lady was conversing with someone. With Zijuan and Zizhu gone, Lady had assigned four second-class maids as her senior maids and brought in several new little maids. Just as Xiqiu entered, a maid with a pointed chin and petite figure, new to the scene, greeted her with a smile and bowed, "Sixth Miss, this servant Daihe greets you." After speaking, she respectfully curtsied to Xiqiu.

So this was Daihe, who had previously been in charge of laundering in Zhui Garden, now assuming Zijuan’s role and responsible for matters in Lady’s room.

Xiqiu personally helped her up and smiled, "No need for formalities, Sister Daihe." She released Daihe’s hand and naturally removed a silver hairpin from her hair, handing it to Daihe, "It’s not much, just something for Sister to wear for fun."

Daihe declined, smiling, "How could a servant accept Sixth Miss’s belongings?" She firmly refused.

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows slightly but didn’t insist. She casually handed the hairpin to Siliu and then asked nonchalantly, "Who’s speaking inside?" Daihe glanced towards the inside and smiled, "Laiwang’s wife and Nanny Qian are inside."

Since watching an opera in what used to be Tong Shen Zhi’s courtyard, Lady thought it too small. When Tong Shen Zhi marries, living there would be cramped, so she planned to expand it, hence Laiwang’s wife and Nanny Qian’s frequent visits.

Lady didn’t announce it explicitly. She only knew because Laiwang’s wife mentioned it.

"Then I’ll wait here." As Xiqiu spoke, she left the door and sat in the main hall. Daihe summoned a little maid to serve tea to Xiqiu, then approached and said, "Miss, please sit for a while. This servant will take her leave."

Xiqiu nodded slightly and watched Daihe leave with the little maid. Siliu couldn’t help but pout, muttering, "She was just in the laundry, now she thinks she’s above everyone in Lady’s room. Such arrogance! When the mistress gives a gift, it’s a sign of favor. But she looked so guarded, as if afraid Miss would ask her something."

Xiqiu frowned and interrupted her, "What nonsense are you talking about."

Siliu quickly shut up. This was Zhui Garden. If someone heard, who knew what rumors would start.

They sat for half a tea’s time when Tong Xiyan and Tong Xiyu came in. Tong Xiyan, looking radiant and cheerful, her eyes light, causing Xiqiu to slightly raise her eyebrows. It was obvious; Young Master Jiang must have written again.

The three sisters greeted each other and sat down in the main hall. Xiqiu looked at Tong Xiyu and noticed the faint dark circles under her eyes and her weary demeanor. Tong Xiyu, noticing Xiqiu’s gaze, blushed and asked, "Sixth Sister, why are you looking at your younger sister?" She touched her face, "Is there anything dirty on my face?"