CHAPTER 313: CHAPTER 313: EACH OTHER (2)

"Sixth Sister, come and sit." Madam Jiang pulled Xiqiu to sit on a chair, and she sat beside Xiqiu herself, turning to call to the nanny by her side, "Sixth Sister loves Longjing tea, go and brew the Longjing I brought for her to taste."

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows slightly, and Madam Jiang held her hand with a bit of a shy smile, "When we were at home, I had someone come to ask. I secretly remembered what each of you liked and disliked." After saying this, she winked at Xiqiu playfully.

Xiqiu was startled, suddenly feeling that she was a bit overly cautious in suspecting others, but the thought passed as she laughed, "Being a new bride must be very tiring, isn’t it?"

A sweet smile appeared on Madam Jiang’s face as she laughed and said, "Not at all!" As she finished speaking, the nanny just happened to bring the tea, and Madam Jiang personally received the tea and handed it to Xiqiu, "Try it, this is the new tea from this year, just brought back from Yuhang by my brother."

Xiqiu smiled, holding the tea cup and sipped a mouthful. It had a light and slightly sweet taste. She nodded while smiling, "New tea really is different!"

Seeing she liked it, Madam Jiang immediately smiled broadly and instructed the nanny, "Wrap up the rest and send it to the Zhiqu Courtyard for Sixth Sister!" After speaking, she was afraid Xiqiu would refuse, and explained, "I don’t usually drink it, leaving it with me would just waste good things."

"I feel bad about taking such good tea from my sister-in-law!" Xiqiu blushed a little.

Madam Jiang looked at Xiqiu with a smile, recalling what her mother had said to her before she came: This Sixth Miss, when managing the household, keeps the mansion in perfect order, the servants are all compliant, even those who were once under Lady’s service dare not cause trouble. You don’t even need to see her to know she’s not a simple person. When you marry into the household, don’t be in a rush to manage it; the most important thing is to get along well with her. If she doesn’t suggest handing you the keys, you must not bring it up. Moreover, even if she gives you the keys, you should earnestly refuse several times first!

She understood her mother’s words at the time. Sixth Miss is obviously about to marry soon. Even if she doesn’t hand over the keys, it’s just a matter of half a year. Why bother fighting for the moment? If others see it as her winning, it’s expected. If she loses, can she continue living in the Tong Mansion?!

Besides, Sixth Miss is marrying into a high-status family, and in the future, Tong Shen Zhi will serve as an official in the capital. They will have many areas to support each other. She can’t afford to offend her over such matters.

She thought of the four bolts of Hangzhou silk sent by Sixth Miss, which really helped her out in a crisis. Whether it was a deliberate show of goodwill by Sixth Miss or a demonstration of kindness, she would take it as a gesture of good intent and sincerely treat her. Without her maternal family’s support, and in the future, without Yue Family’s backing in Tong Shen Zhi’s political career, she could only rely on her siblings!

She understood this reasoning, so before marrying into the Tong Mansion, she’d thought it through clearly.

As the thought passed, her gaze fell again on Xiqiu’s bright eyes, clear as starlight, containing no imperfection. She silently marveled... a person with such eyes should be as pure and translucent as the eyes themselves!

Madam Jiang smiled slightly. Her mother was right; no matter who it is, you should be guarded but can’t solely focus on guarding. Everyone can see the sincerity you invest!

"Sixth Sister is too polite. It’s not something precious, so just take it. If you find it agreeable, I will write to my brother to bring some more from Yuhang!"

Deciding to decline further would appear pretentious, so Xiqiu laughed, "Thank you, sister-in-law!" Madam Jiang then showed a satisfied smile!

"Sister-in-law!" Xiqiu put away her smile, lowered her head, took out a string of keys from her pocket, and placed them on the table. Seeing the keys, Madam Jiang’s heart skipped a beat, understanding Xiqiu’s intention as she heard Xiqiu say, "Since Mother fell ill, there have been many affairs at home. Father was worried about exhausting Mother, so he temporarily handed the keys to me. I dared not go against Father’s intentions and have managed for over a year. I’ve made quite a mess of things..." She paused and laughed, holding Madam Jiang’s hand, "Now that you’re here, I can finally relinquish this burden!"

With that, she pushed the keys towards Madam Jiang.

Madam Jiang nodded silently, thinking, if she were Xiqiu, she probably wouldn’t be able to say those words so easily!

"Sixth Sister." Madam Jiang did not take the keys, "Sixth Sister, you are being too humble. I’ve been here for seven or eight days, and I’ve seen with my own eyes how the mansion’s been managed. Though the servants appear lax, they are actually efficiently tight-knit. The entire mansion is alive with energy yet free from chaos. Such capabilities, even some revered women, may not achieve!"

Madam Jiang was earnest, shaking her head, "To be honest, today if this family was handed over to me, without distinguishing who is who, not knowing directions nor courtyards, it would be risky to say it wouldn’t result in chaos. So, I must trouble Sixth Sister to handle affairs for a few more days as a favor to your sister-in-law, could you?!"

Ever since Madam Jiang married into the family, these seven to eight days every morning after sending First Master and Tong Shen Zhi to the government office, she went to Lady’s room to abide by rules, serving tea and water, administering medicines and soups. Even when Lady wet the bed, she personally changed the sheets, and when leaving Lady’s room when night fell, she was worn out and it was too dark, leaving no strength to familiarize with estate management.

Tong Shen Zhi had seen her standing aside, repeatedly rubbing her waist multiple times. He frowned deeply, but serving her mother-in-law and complying with familial rules were rightful duties, even though he, as a son, had no choice.

"Please agree to help sister-in-law, sister-in-law will remember your kindness!"

Xiqiu looked at Madam Jiang, internally admiring her. She was shrewd indeed!

After contemplating, Xiqiu laughed, "Sister-in-law just arrived, it’s normal not to be familiar with personnel. So why not place the keys with sister-in-law first? From tomorrow onward, I’ll come daily to accompany sister-in-law in handling chores as a way to familiarize with people, how does that sound?!"

Madam Jiang put on a troubled expression, "This..." but Xiqiu interrupted, "Sister-in-law, don’t overthink it. You just mentioned that we are family. Though you are newly in the mansion, we have many days ahead together. If we have to be polite like this all the time, it would truly distance us!"

Xiqiu said this while holding Madam Jiang’s hand, as if hinting at something...

Madam Jiang raised her eyebrows abruptly and turned to look out at the courtyard, catching someone swiftly moving past the doorway. She suddenly understood why Sixth Sister insisted she take the keys!

She expressed gratitude with a smile, took the keys, and nodded, "Thank you, Sixth Sister!" As they spoke, both exchanged helpless smiles, seeming to become much closer instantly.

Madam Jiang saw off Xiqiu and looked at the keys on the table with mixed feelings. She somberly returned to her room, letting the nanny help her remove the red hairpin, ready to wash when a young maid’s voice came in, "Nanny Fang is here!"