CHAPTER 27: CHAPTER 27: FEIGNING ILLNESS (PART 1)

"Good!" Tong Xiyan sneezed while covering his nose, thinking that Xiqiu was afraid that the flowers and plants in the forest would trigger her illness, so he nodded and put on a mask himself.

Tong Xiyang’s face stiffened, and the handkerchief she was waving stopped abruptly, clenched tightly in her palm: "It’s just a bit windy, why wear a mask? It could just make you suffocate."

Xiqiu turned her face, her gaze sharp as an arrow, coldly looking at Tong Xiyang: "Even if Third Sister doesn’t need one, you should still rest."

Tong Xiyang’s heart clenched, looking at the girl in front of her, suddenly feeling a chilling unfamiliarity. Even though she was still the weak Sixth Sister, now she felt inexplicably fearful of her.

With a guilty conscience, she took a step back and forced a smile: "I’m just worried about Fourth Sister. What is Sixth Sister doing?"

Xiqiu shifted her gaze to Tong Xiyang’s handkerchief: "Sister’s handkerchief is dirty. Why not give it to me? I’ll wash it for you and send it back." Without waiting for a response, she took the handkerchief and stuffed it into her own pocket.

Tong Xiyang was stunned: "My things will naturally be washed by my maids!" She reached out to grab Xiqiu’s arm, trying to snatch back the handkerchief.

She seemed extremely tense!

"It’s just a handkerchief, why be so polite, Third Sister!" Xiqiu smiled, dodging her hand by turning sideways.

Tong Xiyang staggered, her eyes turned as she gritted her teeth secretly, seizing the moment to grab Xiqiu’s sleeve, trying to pull her towards the waterside pavilion!

Everyone was stunned by this scene, frozen in place.

She was truly desperate, willing to harm herself even by inflicting damage on others!

If it were really the frail Tong Xiqiu at this moment, she might have been pulled into the water by Tong Xiyang.

But now it was her, Xiqiu, who instinctively pulled her sleeve without thinking, and the silent bamboo forest echoed with the harsh sound of tearing.

The sleeve tore, seeming to outsiders as just the result of two people pulling, but Xiqiu, with the ripped sleeve, hinted a smile at Tong Xiyang: "Be careful, Third Sister!" She grabbed her backhand, preventing her from falling into the river.

Tong Xiyang was dumbfounded, unable to believe that Xiqiu ripped her own clothes. Didn’t she care about her reputation?

Just one step away, if she’d fallen into the water, the traces on the handkerchief would have been washed away. Even if Lady investigated, she would have an excuse.

But Xiqiu reacted quickly, making it impossible even for her to use the incident to gain sympathy.

Her elbow was tightly grabbed, and in an instant, both of their minds turned swiftly, but Xiqiu seemed to see through her, cutting off all her retreat and gaining the upper hand, leaving Tong Xiyang exasperated.

The best timing was lost.

The stunned onlookers had already reacted.

When Tong Xiyang tried to pull Xiqiu along, her arm was held by Moxiang, who was terrified: "Miss... Miss, are you alright!" She bravely pinched her arm: "You’re drunk and unsteady, let me support you."

The pain made Tong Xiyang’s gaze waver, waking her up, as if truly drunk, leaning on Moxiang.

Xiqiu was pulled by Xu Tianqing, turning her around, shielding her behind him. His face looked grim, but he couldn’t look back. Xiqiu was now disheveled, and while he couldn’t avoid her, necessary propriety had to be maintained, or Sixth Sister’s reputation would truly be in jeopardy.

Tong Minzhi also ran over, his chubby fist tightly clenched, protecting Xiqiu together with Chunyan on either side.

Tong Xiyan’s face was completely dark. Sixth Sister kindly offered to wash her handkerchief, yet not only did she not thank her, she even tugged and tore her clothes. If it weren’t for the sleeve tearing, wouldn’t Sixth Sister have been dragged into the river? And why did Sixth Sister suddenly snatch that handkerchief?

Tong Quanzi, never much of a thinker, patted his chest on the side: "Scared me to death, Third Sister must be drunk. If so, it’s better to go back and rest." He supported Xu Tianqing, grinning at Tong Xiyang: "Don’t have a drunken fit anymore."

Nanny Fang rushed over: "My goodness, what’s all this?!" She led a group of maidservants over, seeing the young ladies in disarray, hairpins askew, and Sixth Miss even with a torn sleeve, exposing the inner garment: "What a scandalous sight!"

Nanny Fang quickened her pace, came to Tong Xiyan, looked her over thoroughly to ensure she was unharmed, then turned to see the other two young ladies: "Did you all die here, letting the young ladies be like this?!" She scolded the silent maidservants and maids, turning to hold Xu Tianqing’s injured hand, her voice trembling: "Injured so badly, what to do, what to do!" Her eyes reddened with anger: "Report to Lady, sell every single one of them off!"

The maids were terrified, kneeling all over the place!

Xiqiu paused her gaze, quietly stuffed the handkerchief into Chunyan’s hand, and winked at her.

Chunyan immediately understood, took the handkerchief and smoothly knelt down, silently tucking it into her own pocket.

Tong Xiyang’s mind raced, turning her head to whisper to Moxiang: "Quick, call the concubine!"

Today’s events would inevitably lead to Lady’s punishment, but with the concubine’s protection, she might find a way to retrieve the handkerchief. Moxiang nodded vigorously, saying loudly: "Miss, I’ll fetch you some clothes." With that, she was about to leave.

Nanny Fang, as if embodying Lady, smiled more gently, yet her eyes were cold, standing in front of Moxiang: "No need to run, Moxiang. It’s windy here, the young ladies won’t stay long. Better to serve your mistress properly." She gestured to a maid: "Go support Third Miss, lest she gets hurt."

Moxiang turned pale but dared not defy Nanny Fang, lowering her head and returning to Tong Xiyang’s side.

Tong Xiyang bit her lip, trembling with rage, thinking, how dare a servant act superior before their master!

Nanny Fang came to Xiqiu, frowning. She hadn’t seen the incident earlier, assuming the young ladies quarreled on a whim, but seeing Xiqiu’s current state made her rethink. Sixth Miss was always gentle and steady, never seen her lose temper over the years. How could she argue with Third Miss today?

"Sixth Miss, let me help you back." They were all masters, and regardless of the situation, it wasn’t her place as a servant to question. Lady had the say.

Xiqiu’s face looked somewhat pale, shook her head: "No need to worry about me, Nanny. Fourth Sister also fell earlier. Her health isn’t good, please take extra care." With that, she gently saluted.

Nanny Fang was surprised but couldn’t help nodding in appreciation, speaking to the kneeling Chunyan: "Don’t kneel, serve Sixth Miss well."

Chunyan thanked her, stood up, and supported Xiqiu again.

Tong Xiyan walked over with reddened eyes, took the arm Chunyan was holding, squeezing it tightly but at a loss for words.

At this moment, a warmth wrapped around Xiqiu as Tong Shen Zhi appeared behind her, draping his coat over her shoulders, his voice heavy with obvious anger: "Call the doctor, help the young ladies back first."