CHAPTER 312: CHAPTER 312: EACH OTHER (1)

The thought flitted by, and Madam Jiang was already gracefully approaching with light steps. Tong Xiyang, Tong Xiyan, Xiqiu, Tong Xiyu, and Tong Minzhi all stood up. Madam Jiang first went to Second Lady’s side and paid respects together with Tong Shen Zhi. Second Lady, smiling, sealed a red envelope and also gave a golden headpiece, though slightly smaller than what Lady had given.

On this side, Xiqiu and the others also stepped forward to greet Madam Jiang. Smiling, Madam Jiang called out one by one, "Third Sister, Fourth Sister, Sixth Sister, Eighth Sister." She then turned to Tong Xijia, "Eleventh Sister!" After speaking, she took shoes from the maid’s hands and handed them to the crowd as if she had memorized their names long ago, distributing them calmly... Xiqiu thanked her and held the shoes, making a bow to Madam Jiang, "Thank you, Sister-in-law!"

Madam Jiang’s cheeks blushed, yet she gracefully accepted the courtesy and gave Xiqiu a deep look, then smiled and said, "Sixth Sister, you’re too polite!"

Xiqiu smiled, glancing at the shoes, finding the size just right for her. The craftsmanship was quite exquisite, indicating significant effort had been expended.

Tong Xiyang pursed her lips, wanting to say something, but before she could, Madam Jiang had already turned to speak with Tong Minzhi, "Uncle!" Tong Minzhi blushed and greeted Madam Jiang, "Sister-in-law!"

Tong Xiyang’s heart was filled with covert sarcasm, daring not speak it aloud, and thus swallowed it back.

That evening, everyone had a reunion dinner together. Though people say ’for three days after the wedding, there is no ranking’, Madam Jiang insisted on not taking a seat, sitting by Lady’s bedside, spooning medicine into her mouth one spoonful at a time, assisting her to rinse and feeding her meals. Nanny Fang looked on, satisfied, and though Tong Shen Zhi and First Master said nothing, Xiqiu could tell that Madam Jiang’s actions had met their approval.

Even Xiqiu herself had a very good impression of Madam Jiang!

Madam Jiang was clearly the future mistress of the Tong Mansion, and everyone knew it in their hearts.

From the first day Madam Jiang married into the house, Xiqiu knew there were people secretly eager to watch a drama unfold, awaiting Madam Jiang to assert herself and engage in a power struggle with Sixth Miss.

Xiqiu revealed a faint smile, understanding that in this world, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests!

She bowed to First Master, "Father!"

First Master stood behind the desk, halted his pen, and looked up at her, "You’re here; is there something you need?" Xiqiu’s gaze fell on the large characters First Master was writing, and she smiled, saying, "Am I disturbing Father’s work?"

"No," First Master said, putting the pen down, turned to wash his hands in a basin in the corner. Xiqiu obediently fetched a towel to await him. First Master took the towel, wiped his hands, and smiled, "Just scribbling. Since you’re here, do sit with father for a while."

With a year left before his three-year term was up, First Master developed a desire to remain in the Capital. Initially, he had left unexpectedly, not wishing to be entangled like Second Master Tong in any succession struggles. With the current political climate stable, he now wished to return to the Capital to start anew!

The future prosperity of the Tong Mansion for another forty years did not rely on him or Second Master, but Tong Shen Zhi!

Tong Shen Zhi was soon to finish his studies. Whether he stayed at the academy, went out for experience before returning to join the Six Ministries, or directly entered the Six Ministries to build seniority, someone had to pave the way for him...

Xiqiu nodded, stepping forward to pour tea for First Master, smiling, and said, "Father’s scribbles are better than most ordinary people’s writing!" Saying this, she assisted First Master in sitting down. First Master looked at her and said, "You’re much more astute than your aunt." Then he shook his head, for wasn’t it Peirong’s simplicity and pure-heartedness that he had admired for decades?

On this trip back from Yongzhou, First Master made a detour to Suzhou to seek out Madam Xia’s family, but after so many years it had changed entirely, so the trip was in vain.

Xiqiu continued to chat with First Master about many things. When First Master mentioned Tong Minzhi, Xiqiu replied, "He wrote saying that every day before 5 a.m. he rises, every student in the academy studies earnestly. Even if he thinks of slacking off once in a while, he feels guilty!"

First Master laughed as well, nodding, "For one so young, he already understands guilt!" Xiqiu also laughed behind her sleeve.

The father and daughter chatted for some time before First Master remembered the purpose of Xiqiu’s visit and asked, "What brings you to see your father?" Hearing this, Xiqiu’s smile gradually faded, and she replied, "When mother was unwell, father entrusted the household affairs to me. For the past year, I have been careful, always fearing not meeting father’s expectations... Now that Sister-in-law is married in, I am considering handing over the keys to her... So, I came to seek father’s opinion."

First Master’s face showed slight surprise, revealing a look of appreciation in his eyes. He may not concern himself with the affairs of the inner household, but he was aware of the situation in the mansion and knew very well how Xiqiu had managed things. He had presumed that she might cling to this power in her hands, reluctant to relinquish it, or at least delay doing so for some time.

He hadn’t expected she would act so swiftly.

After all, power, regardless of gender, possesses an irresistible allure and temptation. Even he couldn’t treat it with indifference.

Unperturbed by gains or losses, conscious of neither honor nor disgrace, indifferent to what comes or goes... First Master couldn’t help but sit up straight, looking seriously at Xiqiu, and asked, "You wish to hand the keys to your sister-in-law?"

Xiqiu too nodded earnestly, "Yes!"

First Master was pleased, nodding with satisfaction, patting Xiqiu’s shoulder, and smiling, "This is a matter of the inner household, you can decide yourself. Father trusts you to handle it well!"

Xiqiu looked at First Master and smiled!

After taking her leave from First Master, she went straight to Zhui Garden. From a distance, she saw Madam Jiang coming out and approached her with a smile, curtsying, "Sister-in-law!"

Madam Jiang was dressed in a bright red overcoat with entwining golden patterns, her hair in a neat round bun, with jade hairpins of red gold hollowed out and overlapping green on each side, a bit old-fashioned but even more dignified. Her mind conjured the image of Madam Jiang, whose demeanor, even her gaze, suggested immaculate family upbringing, neither more nor less, leaving no room for fault.

Madam Jiang also smiled while approaching, her small eyes curving warmly as she supported Xiqiu with her hands, "Why be so formal, Sixth Sister?" She smoothly pulled Xiqiu along, "We’re all family; if you act distant, it creates unnecessary separations!"

Xiqiu looked at Madam Jiang, blushing, "Yes!" Then hesitantly asked, "Does Sister-in-law have time now? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you."

Smiling, Madam Jiang responded, "How could I not have time if Sixth Sister is looking for me? If you’re not averse, why not come over and sit with me for a bit?!"

Madam Jiang’s enthusiasm was somewhat unexpected to her, Xiqiu raised her eyebrows secretly, smiling as she replied, "Of course, I’ll follow your lead, Sister-in-law." Saying so, she supported Madam Jiang as they walked into the garden and into Madam Jiang’s courtyard.

This courtyard, where Xiqiu had been several times, was a quadrangle with five rooms on the sides and two newly built side rooms, totaling seven rooms, slightly more spacious than Xiqiu’s place. Like the rest of Tong Mansion, no flowers were planted in the yard. Following Madam Jiang into the main entrance, the ceiling immediately struck the eye, a vivid mix of bright red, light blue, and turquoise... In the central room hung Lu Baizhang’s calligraphy and paintings, and on the left was a treasure cabinet filled with intricately crafted pieces of porcelain and enamel, dividing the left room into two, with the bedroom on the right side of the central room, where a distinctively rich jade and orchid screen stood at the entrance...