CHAPTER 163: CHAPTER 163: FAMILY AFFAIRS (3)

"Alas!" Xiao Yanzheng sighed, nodding. "You’re right. Sister-in-law hasn’t had any children all these years. Although she hasn’t shown much on the surface, I know she has secretly taken countless medicines and seen many doctors, yet there’s still no news. Brother is resolutely unwilling to take a concubine. I can’t imagine how distressed she is inside but she can’t say anything..." She leaned back against the pillow, looking at the canopy above her head. "There was a time when she quarreled with Brother, even asking him to dismiss her..."

Such a cold and aloof woman, to say something like that, must have been under immense pressure.

In the Duke’s House, they claim to value offspring, but it’s more about the title. Once there’s a title without an heir to inherit it, then the hereditary title that the Old Marquis fought so hard for would be cut off in this generation. For Marchioness Xuanning, the pressure is greatest. If the Marquis doesn’t consent to take a concubine, she either has to step aside to let another woman bear children for him, or the title will have to be given to another brother with heirs. No matter what, preserving the title and safeguarding the position of Marquis Xuanning takes precedence; who holds it is secondary!

Society won’t blame the men; they’ll only say it’s the woman’s jealousy that prevents her husband from taking concubines, cutting off his bloodline!

Xiqiu suddenly thought, could Tong Xihua’s painstaking effort to have a child be more than mere desire? If the Marquis never has an heir, the title would have to be ceded, and as the only legitimate son with offspring, it would be a logical step for Second Master Xiao to inherit the title. Even if the Marquis reluctantly steps down, at worst, her child would be adopted as the Princely Heir of Marquis Xuanning, ultimately inheriting the title!

In the end, Tong Xihua would still be the mother of the Marquis, honored by decree, and respected by all.

She sighed softly, suddenly feeling curious about Xiao Yanji, whom she had always held in high regard. What kind of a man would abandon wealth and glory to remain true to a woman’s heart?

"Ease your mind. Perhaps Marchioness Xuanning already has plans. Even if there are no heirs in the future, adopting a child from among the brothers isn’t impossible. Blood is close among kin."

Xiao Yanzheng sighed again, saying nothing. After a long pause, she said quietly, "If Fourth Brother were here, he would surely have a solution!"

Xiqiu rubbed her forehead, wondering what better solution he could offer in such matters?

At that moment, the sound of a maid’s startled cry was heard outside the courtyard: "Fourth Master?" Then there were footsteps running inside: "Miss..." Xiao Yanzheng’s maid came in, breathless: "For... Fourth Master has returned."

Xiao Yanzheng stood up quickly, looking excited: "Fourth Brother is really back? Are you sure?"

The maid also smiled, speaking loudly: "He is, I saw him enter before Second Young Master." Xiao Yanzheng lifted her skirts and ran out, with the maid following anxiously.

Only Xiqiu was left inside.

She stood awkwardly by the bed, looking around for a place to hide, but found none. It was a separate room, and unless she squeezed into the wardrobe, she had nowhere to go!

Sixing and Chunyan then rushed in from the outer room, somewhat flustered: "Miss, Elder Cousin and Fourth Master are already in the courtyard. Shall we go to Second Miss’s room to avoid them?" Even if they would meet eventually, it was better than staying here. Sixing couldn’t help but complain: "Even in one’s own home, someone should come to announce their arrival, right?" Without asking if there are female guests, it could make things awkward for others.

Xiqiu frowned slightly and said, "Don’t say that." It’s his home; as a guest, she had no right to criticize them.

"Let’s go!" she said, moving towards the outer room. By then, the footsteps outside were getting clearer, followed by a bright voice, and Xiao Yanyi’s figure appeared.

Xiqiu realized there was no escape, so she took a step back, quickly glancing at Xiao Yanyi. He wore an ice blue straight robe today, his eyes still warm, his face smiling. Xiqiu averted her gaze, along with Sixing and Chunyan, curtseying: "Brother-in-law."

Xiao Yanyi paused, surprise flashing in his eyes before revealing a faint smile. "Sixth Sister is here too!" He paused again before continuing, "Have you visited your elder sister?"

Xiqiu replied, "I came from there; mother, Fourth Sister, and Eighth Sister are still there."

Xiao Yanyi nodded, turning towards Fourth Master Xiao, who was walking in with Xiao Yanzheng. She was cheering brightly, her face full of joy.

Xiqiu kept her face slightly down, sensing Fourth Master Xiao’s unabashed gaze on her face, though only for a moment. Despite that brief look, she felt the air chill around her. Without lifting her head, she saw a pair of black cloud-patterned shoes enter her view. Lowering her face, she curtseyed towards Fourth Master Xiao and said to Xiao Yanzheng, smiling brightly: "You have guests, so I’ll return to my elder sister. I’ve been out for a long time, and mother might be worried. I’ll visit you another day."

Xiao Yanzheng, only thinking of her just a moment ago, had neglected to notice Xiqiu was still in the room, and now awkwardly held her hand, smiling: "You... you’re not familiar with the pathways here, so why not sit for a while and later accompany us directly to mother’s place, saving you the trouble of going back and forth." She then looked at Fourth Master Xiao standing behind her: "Besides, you’re second sister-in-law’s sister; we’re all family, no need to be formal."

Xiqiu shook her head and said, "Better not." She had nothing to say to Fourth Master Xiao or Xiao Yanyi, and idly sitting here wasn’t as good as taking a walk outside. When the timing was right, she would then return to Tong Xihua to find Lady.

Xiao Yanzheng felt guilty for earlier matters and was unwilling to let Xiqiu leave alone. She looked to Xiao Yanyi for help: "Second Brother!"

Xiao Yanyi smiled gently, saying to Xiqiu, "We’re all family; there’s no need for formalities. Later, I’ll take Second Sister along to escort you back."

With the conversation reaching this point, if Xiqiu continued to refuse, it would be too finicky. She nodded slightly, agreeing: "Alright." Xiao Yanyi pointed to a chair beside him and said, "Have a seat."

Xiqiu then sat in the chair on the right-hand side, while Sixing and Chunyan stood behind her. Xiao Yanzheng relaxed, sitting next to Xiqiu, and gestured to Fourth Master Xiao opposite them: "This is my Fourth Brother."

Xiqiu rose and curtseyed again to Fourth Master Xiao, "Fourth Master!" pretending it was their first meeting, as she couldn’t say: We already know each other.

If she did, who knows what thoughts Xiao Yanyi and Xiao Yanzheng might have?

Fourth Master Xiao gave Xiqiu a fleeting look, barely nodding, and replied plainly, "Mm." Neither revealing nor intending to engage further with her.

Xiao Yanyi sat in the main seat and looked at Xiqiu, saying, "The day your father passed, I happened to be busy at the government office, so I sent one of my guests. Did your father leave any last wishes?"