CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 21: THE SURFACE

Tong Xiyang’s heart skipped a beat, and words slipped from his mouth: "Cousin is leaving too?!"

As soon as the words were out, the atmosphere in the room suddenly froze.

Such urgency!

Lady’s gaze swept across her daughters one by one; Fourth Girl frowned with displeasure, Sixth Girl lowered her head to sip tea, lost in thought, and Eighth Girl still looked absent-minded.

Her expression softened slightly, but inwardly she sneered repeatedly as she looked at Tong Xiyang.

Tong Xiyang, under Lady’s piercing gaze, quickly forced a laugh: "Look at me, seeing Aunt leaving just now, I felt a bit reluctant. I just had someone cut some fabric yesterday to make a gauze skirt for Aunt. If Cousin isn’t leaving, he could have helped send it to Shandong."

Xiqiu secretly shook her head, making a skirt for the concubine? The concubine only arrived a few days ago, and instead of thinking about her own mother, she’s making clothes for an outsider.

Indeed, Lady’s smile grew even softer: "You are indeed filial, no wonder your aunt praised you yesterday for being so sensible and obedient."

Tong Xiyang was startled, but couldn’t help the delight showing on her face.

Her recent kindness had indeed been noticed by the concubine, and in her good mood, she completely missed the subtext in Lady’s words, casting a triumphant glance at Xiqiu, gloating: "Mother, the people fetching the concubine replied, saying she would arrive at noon. The concubine said that because she hadn’t spent the festival at the residence before, she brought back gifts for Lady and the siblings, which caused some delay on the road." Tong Xiyang’s face was radiant; now that Madam Wang was back, she had support. As long as they protected the concubine’s belly and gave birth to the Eighth Young Master, even the concubine would regard her highly. If both the concubine and First Master agreed to her marriage, not even Lady could stop it.

Lady seemed to see through her thoughts and said with a smile: "It’s hard for her, tell her since she’s expecting, she should rest properly and take care of her pregnancy. There’s no need to come to me and tire herself. You should move over tonight, too, and help ease my worries."

Tong Xiyang was taken aback; Lady’s words were like a bucket of cold water, thoroughly chilling her.

Not an ounce of face was spared for her and her mother!

She nearly ground her teeth into silver dust but could only kneel and reply: "Yes!" Daring not to speak further.

Lady turned to Xiqiu, her tone changing to one of intimacy and softness: "How are the preparations for the banquet?"

Last night, Xiqiu outlined a rough plan, calculated possible contingencies, and included solutions, ensuring Sixing and the others memorized it all, which naturally couldn’t be shown to Lady: "Fourth Sister already had someone send out the invitations for the siblings. Aside from Eldest Brother’s uncertain attendance, everyone else will come. Nanny Qian has prepared all the ingredients for the menu. As for the tables and chairs, Nanny Duan and Xinzhu have brought people to set them up in the courtyard, and Nanny Fang personally supervised, even bringing in an ivory peony screen, saying it would both block the wind and add elegance to the courtyard."

She recounted all the arrangements in one breath, acknowledging everyone involved while subtly praising them, yet completely omitting herself from the credit.

Lady looked at her with some surprise; she had managed everything with credit, yet showed no sign of claiming it!

Unexpectedly, this girl had such poise...

"You’ve been busy these days, you needn’t come over tonight, have a good rest." Saying so, she turned to instruct Zijuan: "There should be half a pound of Longjing tea from before the New Year from Hangzhou, wrap it all up for Sixth Girl." Then she said to Xiqiu: "It’s said to be pre-Qingming tea, but I can’t taste the difference."

Xiqiu rose and expressed her thanks.

Tong Xiyang’s prickly gaze turned towards her, both being illegitimate daughters, yet Lady’s favoritism was blatant.

Just relying on having a full brother, huh!

As the thought flashed, she felt a bit more at ease. So what if he was a young master, from birth, First Master hadn’t paid him a single visit, he was so unruly... They should realize who the real head of the household in this residence was. Only by earning First Master’s favor and trust, could one truly be the master here.

Even Lady must greet him with a smile, bending her knees in respect without daring to disobey First Master!

Suddenly, the door curtain was lifted, and Nanny Fang’s face appeared behind it: "Lady, the concubine says she’s ready, about to set off."

This time, even Lady couldn’t help but be surprised.

This was far too rushed!

A group of people escorted the concubine to the second door.

Subsequently, Madam Wang also entered the residence in a grand manner. Xiqiu intentionally avoided her, realizing it was wise not to meet at this time. Others might not understand Lady’s intentions, but she knew well. Her own mother was a legitimate woman elevated to a high-ranking concubine and bore a son, who should have been of higher status. However, being left out in the cold by First Master for six years placed her position in a delicate spot in the mansion. Thus, Lady used her against Tong Xiyu and Tong Xiyang, allowing them to fight amongst themselves, ensuring that Lady would benefit regardless of the outcome.

An upper hand’s typical balancing act!

Xiqiu was unwilling in her heart, but she couldn’t ignore it. Furthermore, Tong Xiyang, in line with Lady’s intentions, had indeed regarded her as her sole rival.

In such a case, Madam Wang was even less approachable. Should anything happen to Madam Wang, the three of them, mother and sons, would be the prime suspects, not just forbidden from interaction; knowing Madam Wang well, she needed to be closely guarded.

After pondering for a moment, she saw Siliu enter with a broad smile: "Miss, there is good news." She approached Xiqiu, her almond-shaped eyes curving into a crescent moon, lifting Xiqiu’s spirits a bit.

"What good news?"

Siliu leaned in close to her ear, lowering her voice but couldn’t contain the excitement in her tone: "Nanny Wang at the second gate said, perhaps the water in Yongzhou isn’t nourishing, or whatever it is, Madam Wang has returned much aged and broke out in a full face of rashes. Everyone is saying, once Madam Wang gives birth to this child, First Master’s affection might never be the same as before."

Xiqiu tapped her forehead: "Why are you so happy, what does it have to do with you?"

Siliu pouted, her face showing a longing expression: "If Madam Wang falls out of favor, then there would be no one else in this household besides our concubine, right?" If that were the case, wouldn’t the young miss have an easier time in the future!

Xiqiu felt a stir in her heart, her face remaining impassive.

Siliu continued to talk to herself: "I saw Third Miss packing her things, all smiles, eagerly moving to the East Cross Courtyard." Then she looked at Xiqiu: "Miss, maybe we should visit the concubine, it’s been a while since you’ve seen her."

Xiqiu waved her hand, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Siliu stood there and suddenly understood; the miss wasn’t indifferent to the concubine, but was acting for Lady to see, ensuring Lady’s trust in her.

Like this time, handing over Fourth Miss’s birthday banquet to the miss was equivalent to declaring her trust to everyone, raising her status among them. This was precisely the result the miss desired.