CHAPTER 152: CHAPTER 152: MARQUIS MANSION (PART 2)

Just entering Zhiqu Courtyard, Siliu impatiently sends Nanny Song away and blurts out what she’s been holding back for half a day: "Miss, what was going on today? Didn’t Nanny Wu say the gift was for you? Why did you turn around and say it was shared?" She seemed upset.

Xiqiu smiled slightly without speaking, and Sixing tugged at Siliu’s sleeve, scolding softly: "Miss knows what she’s doing, it’s not for you to question the reasons." Siliu was indignant: "I’m just standing up for Miss!"

Sixing stomped her foot in frustration: "Miss, I can’t control her anymore."

Xiqiu laughed aloud: "Alright, alright! Let her speak." Siliu pouted and said, "Miss doing... it makes one look..."

Xiqiu smiled and finished her sentence: "Like a small-minded person, isn’t it?"

Sixing shook her head, while Siliu nodded vigorously!

Xiqiu laughed: "You might think that, but Lady certainly doesn’t see it that way. Just one cloak was enough to make me stand out before the Grand Dowager. Whether she only remembers me or counts all three sisters, I’ve already caught enough attention. Tomorrow, I’m going to the Marquis Mansion too. According to Lady’s original plan, she likely only intended to bring Fourth Sister, but now the Grand Dowager has invited me and Eighth Sister. Such attention, I must defer. Giving the gifts away is my way of telling Lady that I know how to weigh matters and what to do."

"Ah?" Siliu exclaimed in surprise and sat down on the stool, dispiritedly. Sixing also sighed softly.

Xiqiu smiled lightly, turned to Siliu, and said: "You shouldn’t go tomorrow, instead you should take this opportunity to buy the needed things. There’s hardly any time left, and it’s your own wedding affair, don’t be careless."

Siliu nodded, reluctantly opened the box, and then froze, smiling at Xiqiu: "Luckily, Miss didn’t give this away, it’s quite a treasure."

Xiqiu didn’t need to look; from Siliu’s words, she could guess it must be gold, silver, or jade, something that could be exchanged for silver. When Siliu brought the box over, there was indeed a gold headpiece inside, weighing about five to six taels, with a common design.

She couldn’t help but sigh, "The Grand Dowager is certainly experienced; the gift is given so cleverly."

Siliu quickly recovered her earlier disappointment, put away the item, and locked it in the chest, smiling: "Now this is good, I was worried Miss wouldn’t have money to use. With this gold headpiece, our days will be much better."

Sixing was also full of joy but showed signs of worry: "Since it’s a gift from the Grand Dowager, wouldn’t it be improper to sell it for silver?"

"Don’t worry," Xiqiu had already stood up, took off her overcoat, replaced it with a slightly old cerise one, sat at the edge of the kang bed, and began drawing floral patterns, saying: "The fact that the Grand Dowager sent such a gift implies that it’s meant to be used, so go ahead without concern."

Sixing and Siliu laughed: "Miss’s dream really paid off!" Then added: "We shall inquire what Fourth Miss and Sixth Miss received."

Xiqiu was speechless...

Early the next day, an old woman from Lady’s residence beckoned through the door curtain: "Lady says to set out at 5 a.m., tell Sixth Miss to prepare."

Xiqiu rose, had breakfast in the room, changed outfit, and then visited Tong Xiyan who was sighing in the room, and remained motionless upon seeing Xiqiu, with a sullen face full of displeasure.

Xinzhu kept winking at Xiqiu.

"What’s the matter?" Xiqiu smiled, sat next to Tong Xiyan, and noticed the untouched breakfast on the table, scattered clothes on the bed: "No eating, no changing clothes, are you feeling unwell?"

Unexpectedly, Tong Xiyan sighed, her eyes turned red and said: "He wrote to me a few days ago saying he met the Marquis and even stayed in his military tent, telling me not to worry. But after that letter, I’ve heard nothing from him for seven or eight days, I have no idea what’s happened, it’s tumultuous there, I’m really worried."

"No news doesn’t necessarily mean something has happened to him," Xiqiu pulled her to sit at the table and placed chopsticks in her hand: "Isn’t it said that no news is good news? Moreover, with the Marquis and Young Master Jiang, who is wise, how could anything be wrong? Keep it in your heart, don’t let yourself fall sick worrying about him."

"Really?" Tong Xiyan clung to Xiqiu’s hand: "Why do I feel so uneasy, and my eyelids keep twitching."

Xiqiu smiled: "I think you’re just famished..."

Xinzhu chuckled from behind, Tong Xiyan was annoyed, glaring at Xiqiu: "I’m genuinely upset, yet you jest with me."

"No, I’m being honest. Eat up, Mother is waiting for us. Regardless of his situation, an empty stomach solves nothing, so calmly wait for his return!" She picked up chopsticks and placed a piece of yam cake into Tong Xiyan’s bowl.

After much persuasion, Tong Xiyan finally calmed down, reluctantly ate half a bowl of porridge, and had Xinzhu change her clothes. Together with Xiqiu, they went to Zhui Garden.

Upon entering, Tong Xiyu had arrived earlier, attending Lady. After greeting Lady and Tong Xiyu, Lady finished breakfast and sat for a while. The carriage sent by the Marquis Mansion came to pick them up, surprising Xiqiu at how much the Grand Dowager valued the Tong Mansion, even sending a carriage.

They followed Lady to the second gate, where the carriage awaited, two plain black-headed carriages, yet the interior decoration was elaborate: Su Embroidery silk pillows, bright red Gurong Blankets, even the curtains were embroidered with Xiangxi Embroidery...

Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu sat in the carriage behind, while Lady accompanied Tong Xiyan in the front. Behind followed a Tong Mansion carriage, carrying maids and old women along with gifts for Tong Xihua and the Grand Dowager’s medicine.

The Marquis Mansion is located outside the Imperial City, just a short two-tea journey from the Imperial Palace, not far from Wujin Bo Mansion. It took nearly half an hour from the slightly distant Tong Mansion, crossing most of the Capital. Along the way, Tong Xiyu appeared both excited and somewhat anxious, touching the pillow, inspecting the stitches on the curtains with anticipation, tilting her head to ask Xiqiu: "Sixth Sister, have you been to the Marquis Mansion before?"

Xiqiu was slightly surprised, recalling the last visit to Wujin Bo Mansion, where Tong Xiyu wasn’t as nervous as today. It reminded her of her post-graduation experience, when she applied for a prestigious firm she favored, feeling apprehensive and restless.

She smiled at Tong Xiyu, shaking her head: "It’s my first time too." Tong Xiyu seemed relieved but quickly tensed again: "Sixth Sister, is there anything inappropriate about my attire today? I wanted to consult Auntie, but there wasn’t enough time."