CHAPTER 156: CHAPTER 156: POSSIBILITIES (1)

Xiqiu noticed Madam Qian’s eyes flash slightly before she gave a bright smile: "It’s such a pity, I just happened to visit my family yesterday. Another day when Madam comes, be sure to visit my place. Let me fulfill my duty as a host!"

Fifth Madam said: "No hurry, Madam. My mother has left, but I stayed behind. Wait until Madam has time, then invite her over to give you a proper bow."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow, finding it odd. It was reasonable for Fifth Madam, being pregnant, not to be here hosting. Yet now she suddenly appeared, not speaking with Lady or Madam Ruan, who is familiar with the Marquis Mansion, but instead choosing to talk with Madam Qian, all the while focusing on her maternal family’s affairs...

Her heart stirred, she glanced at Lady, and saw Lady frown ever so slightly!

"Quickly sit down and talk." Marchioness went forward to support Fifth Madam and said with a smile: "You’re all with child, yet still acting childishly. Don’t only focus on talking, take a rest too." She effectively interrupted Fifth Madam’s words.

Fifth Madam’s face changed slightly and allowed Marchioness to lead her to a seat.

Meanwhile, with Nanny Wu’s support, the Grand Dowager also walked out.

"Mother, this outfit makes you look several years younger." Fifth Madam immediately stood up and laughed, going to hold Grand Dowager’s arm: "This overcoat and skirt match perfectly in color and material, especially the embroidery of crabapple flowers, so lifelike." Fifth Madam said, laughing behind her sleeve.

Lady’s eyes were full of joy, and Grand Dowager also laughed: "I felt much younger myself." Saying this, she smiled and sat down. Fifth Madam cheerfully said: "Indeed, Sixth Miss’s embroidery is something I’ve seen firsthand. The small clothes she made for my son, the embroidery techniques, I showed to my mother, and even she praised them highly."

The lively atmosphere in the room suddenly cooled down...

Everyone here was astute; Lady clearly mentioned that several Misses worked on the embroidery together, but Fifth Madam singled out Xiqiu, overtly undermining Lady.

Xiqiu lightly furrowed her brow, looking up at Lady, and saw her face change several times, looking unpleasant. Madam Qian and others turned to chat with those beside them, or, like Countess, sipped tea as if they hadn’t heard.

Grand Dowager’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of sharpness passing beneath her gaze. She deftly avoided Fifth Madam’s hand, and Xiao Yanzheng smoothly took Fifth Madam’s arm to hold Grand Dowager’s instead. Grand Dowager turned her face to speak to Xiao Yanzheng: "Look, how skillful our family’s Misses are with their hands; you should learn more." No one responded to Fifth Madam’s words, leaving her aside.

Xiqiu noticed Fifth Madam’s lips briefly reveal a trace of derision before quickly disappearing...

"Please don’t say that." Madam Ruan chimed in with Grand Dowager’s words: "Second Miss is so talented, I’ve heard her calligraphy is even more outstanding than the Marquis’s."

Madam Qian’s gaze shifted as she smiled and added: "Looking around at the Misses here, they’re all excellent. Seeing their radiant, jade-like beauty, those of us who are older really feel inadequate."

The whole room burst into laughter, Madam Ruan smiled looking at Madam Qian: "Madam, don’t say that." Then she touched her face: "I think I’m still quite young."

Lady pointed at Madam Ruan, chuckling but speechless, even the always calm Marchioness couldn’t help laughing.

The momentary awkward atmosphere quickly dissipated in the laughter.

Lady’s expression slightly eased.

Fifth Madam returned to normal, also smiling slightly along with everyone.

"These two are indeed a family of sharp-tongued women." Grand Dowager, having sipped her tea and calmed her tone, gazed kindly at Xiqiu and the others: "Still, we’ve been chatting away, making our family’s Misses feel bored."

Tong Xiyan stood up, facing Grand Dowager: "Listening to the Madams speak, we’ve learned a lot. We’re delighted and couldn’t be bored."

Grand Dowager smiled and nodded, pointing at Xiao Yanzheng: "You don’t have to stay with me, go sit with the family’s Misses and chat with them."

"Certainly!" Xiao Yanzheng smiled, got up, and a maid quickly moved a stool next to Xiqiu, so she sat beside Xiqiu.

The Madams continued talking; although Xiao Yanzheng sat with the young ladies, she couldn’t really start a new conversation, so the four continued sitting quietly, listening to the Madams, until Madam Qian suggested playing leaf cards. Grand Dowager agreed: "That’s a good idea; we shouldn’t just sit idly, playing cards passes the time quickly."

Madam Ruan and Countess had no objections, but Lady stood up: "You start playing first, I just happen to go see Xihua, I’ve been busy and haven’t visited for some days..." Leaf cards are for four players, so Lady’s volunteering avoided one extra person sitting idly.

"What do you mean, you’re the main guest today. If you leave, how can those of us who are mere companions have the face to stay!" Madam Qian held Lady’s hand, smiling at her: "Mother-in-law mustn’t leave."

Lady said: "I’ll be back soon, you stay and sit." Grand Dowager also helped Lady out, saying to Madam Qian: "Let her go, seldom has the chance to visit. Xihua hasn’t felt well these days, visiting will ease her mind."

Madam Qian quit smiling and asked: "Did the Imperial Physician check her? What’s wrong? No wonder she’s not here today."

Grand Dowager smiled and replied: "Just a cold, nothing serious; rest for a few days and it’ll be fine." She turned to Countess and Madam Ruan: "Let them chat, we’ll play leaf cards." She instructed Xiao Yanzheng and Nanny Wu: "Accompany Lady and also take the family’s Misses for a walk, Sixth Miss and Eighth Miss are visiting the Marquis Mansion for the first time."

Lady smiled and bid farewell to everyone, Tong Xiyan, Xiqiu, and Tong Xiyu paid respects to the Madams and were accompanied by Xiao Yanzheng, each bringing their maidservants and attendants to Tong Xihua’s place.

Once outside, Lady walked ahead, conversing with Nanny Wu and the others, while Xiao Yanzheng walked alongside Xiqiu, Tong Xiyan leading with Tong Xiyu following her, whispering unknown words.

"I live back here, beyond the passage there’s a courtyard, let’s visit my place later." Once out of Grand Dowager’s garden, Xiao Yanzheng pointed to a passage separated from the right wing room by a wall for introduction, then turned her finger eastward: "That’s Bamboo Pavilion, my sister-in-law and brother’s courtyard." She pointed further south: "My second sister-in-law’s courtyard, crossing the small garden leads there. My fifth sister-in-law originally lived near her in Mei Garden, but due to pregnancy and talks of feng shui and horoscope, she’s moved to Pinglan Pavilion."

Xiqiu noticed Xiao Yanzheng’s tone cooled sharply when speaking of Fifth Madam.