CHAPTER 305: CHAPTER 305: CHANGES (2)

Is she eyeing her marriage prospects, paving the way for Tong Xiyu?!

Xiqiu sneered internally. Compared to Madam Mei and Tong Xiyu, she actually preferred interacting with Madam Wang and Tong Xiyang. At least they were brave and straightforward. If they liked someone, they liked them; if not, they wouldn’t overly disguise their feelings!

Upon entering Madam Xia’s courtyard, Xiuzhi was talking with Dongqing in the yard. Dongqing was holding a sea blue package, and as soon as she saw Xiqiu coming in, her expression changed. She quickly hugged the package and hurriedly ran into the inner room, forgetting to greet them. Xiuzhi frowned as she watched, then came over and greeted Xiqiu and Madam Mei, saying, "Sixth Miss and Madam Mei, please don’t mind. That girl is always so rash and lacks manners. I’ll discipline her later."

These words were naturally addressed to Madam Mei. Xiqiu just smiled without responding, but her gaze lingered thoughtfully on Dongqing’s back.

Madam Mei smiled and said, "We’re all family, so why would I mind? Besides, Dongqing is always straightforward and likable; it’s just a small matter!" After speaking, she glanced inside the door and asked with a smile, "Is Sister Xia in the room?"

Xiuzhi nodded and said, "She’s in. Manager Lai brought the wedding cake samples this morning, and Madam Xia is tasting them now." As she spoke, she led Xiqiu and Madam Mei into the house.

Madam Xia was seated on a rosewood chair. In front of her on the round table were seven or eight types of wedding cakes. Seeing Xiqiu enter, she smiled and greeted her, then exchanged greetings with Madam Mei, "Sister, what brings you here?"

Madam Mei released Xiqiu’s hand and took the plate from Qingzhi’s hands, "I heard you didn’t have dinner, so I went to the kitchen to make some pastries to bring over. You should try them." Madam Xia paused slightly, then smiled and thanked her, "Thank you for your trouble, sister." She then asked Xiuzhi to take the plate and place it on the table.

Xiqiu sat down smiling opposite Madam Xia, while Madam Mei enthusiastically went over, picked up a wedding cake from the table, and praised, "There are so many new flavors nowadays. The way they’re crafted is also innovative." Then she turned to Madam Xia and asked, "Sister, which one have you chosen?"

Madam Xia hesitated before replying, "I’m in the process of selecting. I’m not sure which one is best." She paused and then said, "Since you’ve always been skilled, why not help me decide? See which one you think is better?"

Madam Mei’s eyes shifted, and she displayed a warm expression, "You flatter me, sister. In that case, I’ll give it a try." With that, she lowered her head to taste the wedding cakes on the table. Madam Xia stood behind her and glanced back at Xiqiu, who nodded slightly at her. Madam Xia then turned back to discuss the wedding cakes with Madam Mei.

Xiqiu sat quietly on the chair, catching a glimpse of Dongqing carefully leaving with the package in her peripheral vision. She narrowed her eyes and glanced at Chunyan standing beside her, who subtly slipped out.

After talking for more than half an hour, Madam Mei also nudged Xiqiu to try a few pieces. Finally settled, Madam Mei was sent off, and Madam Xia sighed while holding Xiqiu’s hand. Knowing the reason for her sigh, Xiqiu held her hand and said, "If you don’t want to get too close to her, it’s perfectly fine to avoid her in the future."

Madam Xia showed a look of hesitation and difficulty, "Since we live in the same courtyard, it’s hard to send her away when she comes over," she said, sighing again and holding Xiqiu’s hand, "Did you come to see me because there’s something on your mind?"

"It’s nothing, just came over to check on you in my free time." The two of them entered the room hand in hand. Xiqiu asked, "I just saw Dongqing. How come she’s missing now?"

Madam Xia’s expression changed, and she covered it with a smile, "I had something for her to do. She’s gone out to handle it." She then changed the subject, "Nanny Lai brought over quite a few threads at noon. You should take a look for me."

"Alright!" Xiqiu, still in thought, nodded and entered the room with Madam Xia, spending half a day helping her choose some colorful threads, returning to Zhiqu Courtyard only after nightfall. Chunyan was waiting at the door. Seeing her, she whispered, "I checked. It’s men’s shoes and clothes, not Madam Xia’s needlework, but items from the mansion’s sewing department... Dongqing handed them over to a servant boy at the main gate and came back." She paused and added, "I pretended to be from Madam’s room, saying something was missing inside and managed to check it."

Xiqiu was taken aback. If Madam Xia was making something for the First Master, she would have done it personally, not through the sewing department, nor would she need to be so secretive. But aside from the First Master, who else could she be making clothes and shoes for?

Seeing Xiqiu’s brow furrowed, Chunyan leaned closer and whispered, "I’ve never seen the size of those clothes and shoes!"

So, it’s not someone from the mansion?!

"Miss, should I try to find out where Dongqing delivered the package?" Chunyan was just as puzzled.

"No need." Xiqiu said blandly, sitting down in the chair, "Just go to the sewing department and find out the size of the garments Madam made!" If they were made by the mansion’s sewing department, no matter who Madam Xia claimed they were for, the size would be evident.

Chunyan’s eyes lit up, and she quickly nodded and went out. In no time, she returned, drenched in sweat, and handed a slip of paper to Xiqiu, "These are the sizes. I checked, and they seem unfamiliar."

Xiqiu held it, her brow furrowing deeply.

With a puzzled expression, Chunyan watched Xiqiu’s demeanor, uncertainly asking, "Miss, what’s wrong?" Shaking her head, Xiqiu replied, "It’s nothing!" With that, she stood up, went into the room alone, and closed the door!

She took out the "Great Zhou Geography" and turned to the Liaodong page. Traveling from the Capital to Liaodong by carriage would take at least a month and a half, while on horseback, it would still take at least fifteen to twenty days...

Chunyan stood guard outside while Chunliu came in carrying a basin of ice, prompting Chunyan to quickly go and help, remarking with a smile, "With the weather so hot, thank goodness for the ice, otherwise it’s hard to imagine how we’d get through summer." Saying this, they went to knock on the door, and Xiqiu opened it and asked, "What’s happening?"

Chunliu smiled and said, "I brought back some ice to keep in the room so that even during a nap, Miss can stay cool!" Hearing this, Xiqiu’s gaze landed on the ice basin, a thought flickering in her mind as she swiftly exited the room. Chunyan and Chunliu, puzzled, followed Xiqiu outside, asking, "Miss, where are you going?"

Xiqiu didn’t look back as she strode through the small garden straight towards the East Cross Courtyard, stopping at Madam Xia’s door. Xiuzhi was just seeing Nanny Lai out. Both saw Xiqiu rush by, ignoring their greetings. Nanny Lai and Xiuzhi were bewildered, then saw Chunyan and Chunliu approaching. Nanny Lai inquired, "What’s going on with Sixth Miss?"

Chunyan and Chunliu were equally puzzled, "... She just left and came this way, we don’t know either!" As they spoke, the four of them turned their eyes back to Xiqiu, noticing she had stopped at the main room’s door.