CHAPTER 164: CHAPTER 164: FAMILY AFFAIRS (4)

Xiqiu did not expect Xiao Yanyi to ask about Tong Zheng’an. She answered with her face slightly lowered: "Nothing much was said, just that the family only escorted to the second gate and wouldn’t let us go any further... just that first to Baoding and then to Yongzhou." Xiao Yanyi nodded thoughtfully and turned his face to Fourth Master Xiao: "Do you know the current Magistrate over in Baoding Prefecture?"

Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brows slightly and pondered for a moment before speaking: "Had a brief encounter while in Quanzhou Prefecture, remember the surname Chen." Xiao Yanyi then nodded, saying: "Among the officials returning to the capital for their debriefing this year, there hasn’t been any mention of Lord Chen from Baoding. Tomorrow I’ll check at the Ministry of Personnel."

Fourth Master Xiao then asked, "Is there something going on?"

Xiao Yanyi answered, "Not really, just asking because Sixth Sister mentioned Baoding." Lord Chen, able to be reassigned so smoothly amidst the unrest in Guangdong and Fujian, must have someone backing him; as to who it is, he might find a clue by checking the reassignment orders at the Ministry of Personnel.

Fourth Master Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly, nodded, but didn’t say anything more. On the other hand, Xiao Yanzheng complained: "Fourth Brother hasn’t been home in a long time, and as soon as he’s back, we’re discussing these things?!" Fourth Master Xiao then lifted his eyes to look at her, and there was a bit of coldness in them: "I heard you had an episode at the Ren Mansion a few days ago?"

Xiao Yanzheng was taken aback, then shrugged her shoulders slightly, glanced at Xiqiu, and nodded: "Yes."

"Alright, alright!" Xiao Yanyi was afraid that Fourth Master Xiao would reprimand Xiao Yanzheng in front of Xiqiu, so he interjected: "You are rarely at home, so don’t mention it; Mother has already punished her."

Xiao Yanzheng nodded, "I’m truly fine, if you don’t believe it, ask Sixth Miss." Saying that, she grabbed Xiqiu’s hand, "Sixth Miss, tell Fourth Brother, didn’t I recover quickly at the time? Even Second Sister-in-law didn’t notice." She blinked at her desperately.

Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyebrows to look at Xiqiu, Xiqiu’s gaze flashed briefly, and she nodded earnestly: "Yes."

Xiao Yanzheng smiled and looked at Fourth Master Xiao: "If you don’t believe me, you should at least believe Sixth Miss?!" Fourth Master Xiao’s brows furrowed slightly, his gaze fell on Xiqiu again, his voice still very low: "Thank you!"

Xiqiu was taken aback, not understanding his sudden gratitude.

Xiao Yanzheng smiled and said: "Fourth Brother was thanking you for me."

Xiqiu glanced at Fourth Master Xiao, he still sat opposite with a cold face, without any extra expression, she sighed inwardly, suddenly feeling she had a communication barrier with people.

Xiao Yanyi was afraid that Fourth Master Xiao’s demeanor might frighten Xiqiu, so he smiled and explained: "Sixth Sister, don’t mind him, he’s been like this since childhood."

"It’s fine!" Xiqiu sincerely nodded: "Besides, Fourth Master isn’t strange at all, nor frightening!" Xiao Yanyi showed a surprised expression, and Xiao Yanzheng laughed: "No one has met Fourth Brother without fearing him; you’re the first one!" She laughed with delight.

It was evident that Xiao Yanzheng seemed particularly close to Fourth Master Xiao.

Xiao Yanzheng turned her face to ask Fourth Master Xiao: "Fourth Brother, are you not leaving this time? Eldest Brother is not here, Second Brother has too much to manage, and there’s so much to do in the mansion. With you back, Second Brother would have a lighter load." She paused and added: "Moreover, we all miss you."

Fourth Master Xiao picked up the teacup, took a sip, looked at Xiao Yanzheng, his gaze became much softer: "I’m not convenient to stay here; if you need anything, have someone find me at Nanfang Alley."

Xiao Yanzheng looked exceedingly disappointed.

Since it was a matter between siblings, Xiqiu couldn’t say much, she lowered her head to drink tea. Suddenly, there was a commotion across, Fourth Master Xiao had already stood up, flicking his sleeves, saying: "I still have matters, I’ll be off first."

Xiao Yanzheng immediately ran over and tightly held onto Fourth Master Xiao: "Stay in the house for just one night, your courtyard has been meticulously cleaned by Sister-in-law, and the servants haven’t changed, they’re all old hands!" Fourth Master Xiao looked at Xiao Yanzheng and spoke in a low voice: "Next time!" A determined look to leave.

Xiao Yanzheng glanced back at Xiao Yanyi, Xiao Yanyi stood up and said: "Eat Mother’s longevity noodles before you go."

As soon as the words fell, Xiqiu saw Fourth Master Xiao’s hand at his side twitch slightly, but in an instant, his voice returned to calm: "Every year there is this, why care about this instance?" Saying that, he let go of Xiao Yanzheng’s hand.

Xiao Yanzheng began to cry, since childhood she had been following behind Fourth Brother, no matter where they went, Fourth Brother would take her along, never like Fifth Brother disdain her illness, whenever she tired, Fourth Brother would carry her, sleep on his back when exhausted... If it weren’t for that incident, Fourth Brother wouldn’t have moved out, nor would the situation be as it is today.

No one had treated her like Fourth Brother did.

Xiqiu watched Xiao Yanzheng with concern, her emotions were so intense, she had just been mentioning dizziness earlier, fearing she might have another episode, as the thought flashed, she saw Xiao Yanzheng’s crying eyes suddenly roll upward, feeling a chill, she thought ’not good’, her feet moved without thinking towards Xiao Yanzheng...

Fourth Master Xiao watched Xiqiu’s action, but he reacted quickly, immediately turning to observe Xiao Yanzheng’s expression, then squinting slightly, his arm reached out, encircling Xiao Yanzheng before Xiqiu arrived, Xiao Yanyi also came over, seeing Xiao Yanzheng’s condition, immediately turned around sweeping everything off the platform table, freeing up space.

"Lay her here."

Fourth Master Xiao placed Xiao Yanzheng flat on the bed.

Xiqiu watched the brothers, slightly taken aback, their coordinated actions, done so skillfully and comprehensively, clearly showed experience. While her thoughts still lingered in her mind, Fourth Master Xiao turned to look at her, saying: "Why are you standing there, have someone get some water."

Xiqiu wasn’t dazed initially, but his words truly made her hesitate a bit, why his way of speaking always made one feel blocked inside.

Regardless, it was for Xiao Yanzheng’s sake, she endured, turned back to instruct Xiao Yanzheng’s maid: "Bring her medicine, fetch some hot water, get clean clothes, and find Mrs." After speaking, the maid obeyed and left, Xiao Yanzheng on the bed had completely lost consciousness, just like last time, white foam trickled from the corner of her mouth, limbs stiff, head mechanically striking against the edge of the platform, producing a monotonous sound that sent chills down the spine, the room soon filled with an unpleasant odor.

"Make space." Xiqiu disregarded much else, stepping forward and pushed away Fourth Master Xiao and Xiao Yanyi, walked to the bedside and loosened Xiao Yanzheng’s already loose collar further, loosened her belt, tilted her head to the side, after completing a series of actions, she turned to instruct Xiao Yanyi: "Kindly open the windows completely."

Xiao Yanyi slightly nodded, proceeding to open the windows near the platform entirely, finally dissipating some of the room’s unpleasant odor, Xiqiu sat by the bed taking Xiao Yanzheng’s hand to press her acupoint.

He was a martial artist, applied too much force, and after just a few presses, Xiao Yanzheng’s acupoint was already red and purple.

Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze paused, thinking of the last time Xiao Yanzheng had an episode, it was Xiqiu who treated her, presumably she understood medicine better, he said nothing and willingly stepped aside.