CHAPTER 317: CHAPTER 317: COMING OF AGE (1)

"Thank you, elder sister-in-law, I’m fine." Xiqiu smiled and went to wipe Madam Xia’s tears: "You were comforting me, but look at you, you cried first."

"Elder sister." Tong Minzhi also looked up at Xiqiu, clenching his fist and said, "Sixth brother-in-law is skilled in martial arts, ordinary people can’t get close to him, let alone just a few wolves or Mongolian Tartars. You can rest assured, he will definitely return safely!"

Xiqiu also hopes he can return safely!

In the blink of an eye, it was the end of June. Marquis Wuchang and the brave warriors sent by Xuanning Marquis Mansion had been on their way for half a month.

According to the pace of their journey, they should have reached Liaodong by now, but the news will likely not return so soon.

Rumors spread like wildfire in the streets, making Tong Mansion the center of conversation. These days, the First Master also claimed illness, took leave, and declined visitors at home, reverting a once bustling household back to quiet and deserted, as if everyone’s breathing was involuntarily restrained.

"Miss, someone from Xuanning Marquis Mansion is here!" Chunyan quickly ran in, Xiqiu looked up at her, slightly raised her eyebrows, Chunyan continued: "It’s the Chief Steward of the Marquis Mansion, he went to see the First Master directly, saying that on behalf of the Grand Dowager, he has come to deliver skillful needles to the young ladies for the seventh of July."

"Understood."

The Grand Dowager is doing this to show others that Xuanning Marquis Mansion does not believe the rumors about her being cursed to bring misfortune to her husband, right!

Xiqiu smiled slightly; she doesn’t believe it either!

"Third Miss has returned again, she’s in the Eldest Young Madam’s room. Do you want to go take a look?" This is the second time the Third Miss has come back in half a month; why is she so free!

Xiqiu lowered her head again to make knots. She just learned it from Madam Jiang, previously she thought it looked good but nobody taught her, now upon learning she realized how hard making knots is... Chunyan watched Xiqiu, heart aching without limit, Miss has not said anything these days, seemingly as usual, yet everyone could see she lost weight, the flesh she had nurtured back over the year slipped away within half a month.

"Let Biwu handle the laundry tomorrow, dealing with outsiders, to also test her capabilities!" Biwu has been running errands following Chunliu, these days, Xiqiu increasingly feels she is much like Siliu when she first joined the mansion, very clever and pleasing to get along with, just lacking some patience.

Chunyan was stunned, nodded and said: "I understand!" After speaking, she sighed quietly!

Just as they were talking, Madam Jiang arrived... Xiqiu put down the knot and stood to greet Madam Jiang: "Elder sister-in-law."

Madam Jiang smiled, her gaze fell on the knot on the table, smiling she said: "Sixth sister’s hands are truly skillful, when my teacher taught me, I learned for two months, but sixth sister learned in just a few days."

Xiqiu smiled and shook her head, offered a seat and said: "Please sit, elder sister-in-law." Then she asked Chunyan to pour tea: "Is there something you came for, elder sister-in-law?"

Madam Jiang did not sit, smiling she said: "I won’t sit, just came to tell you, father said no matter what others say, all young ladies of Tong Mansion are precious, so he asked me to tell you that your coming-of-age ceremony will proceed as normal."

"Coming-of-age ceremony?" Xiqiu was stunned, she hadn’t thought of this matter, Madam Jiang nodded: "He said the eighth of July is your birthday? The coming-of-age ceremony will be held on that day."

Xiqiu suddenly understood, her birthday is the eighth of July, she herself forgot, with everyone busy celebrating the Chinese Valentine’s Day on the seventh of July, she didn’t remember her own birthday. She recalled previous years how Madam Xia would make her longevity noodles, at times she wouldn’t ask why, only realizing it was her birthday days after eating.

Perhaps not truly feeling it’s her own birthday, hence the lack of belonging!

Xiqiu smiled and said: "Trouble you, elder sister-in-law!" Madam Jiang waved: "Your matters are also mine... I’ll go make arrangements..." saying so she turned to leave, Xiqiu hurried to see her off till the door.

"It’s hot outside, you better go back in!" Madam Jiang said, and with her maid holding an umbrella, she quickly left the courtyard.

Chunyan dropped the curtain and refilled Xiqiu’s tea, furrowing her brows, she said: "Madam Xia asked me to inquire whether to send the furniture to the Marquis Mansion now or wait a bit longer?" Xiqiu focused on making knots, not looking up, she replied: "Send it now!"

Chunyan hesitated a moment, then quietly exited the room.

After Madam Jiang left Zhiqu Courtyard, she planned to go to the second house to discuss with Second Lady. First Master wants Second Lady to be the main guest for the coming-of-age ceremony, she wants to inform Second Lady, but doesn’t have the experience, having looked through last year’s Fourth Miss’s ceremony where Scholar Liu’s wife was invited as the main guest. This year, the Lady is ill, asking her she knows clearly, she probably doesn’t have the face.

As for letting the Lady step forward, that’s even more impossible, not only is she ill and movement is inconvenient, even if convenient, she probably wouldn’t exert effort for sixth sister, though married in a short time, she’s already seen the undercurrents in the mansion... Most difficult is her, sandwiched between both sides, nothing she does feels right.

Lost in thought, Madam Jiang, surrounded by maids and nursemaids, walked through the small garden when faced with Nanny Fang coming forward, Madam Jiang’s heart thumped, she approached as Nanny Fang greeted her saying, "Lady asked you to come."

Madam Jiang nodded and said: "I’ll go right away!" Saying so, she turned and followed Nanny Fang to the main room.

Lady lay in bed, hearing Madam Jiang enter, her gaze turned coldly towards her, Madam Jiang’s heart missed a beat, she paid respect to Lady and called "Mother." Lady frowned, Nanny Fang spoke quietly: "Young Madam, Lady asks whether First Master instructed you to prepare Sixth Miss’s coming-of-age ceremony?"

Madam Jiang didn’t hesitate, nodded and said: "Yes, said it will be after the Chinese Valentine’s Day, not extravagant, just family in the mansion celebrating for Sixth Miss." Lady’s face changed slightly, Nanny Fang added: "It’s merely a coming-of-age ceremony, casually buy a hairpin and send it, but don’t delay Fourth Miss’s marriage." Hesitating, Nanny Fang looked a bit embarrassedly at Lady as if what followed was unpleasant, hesitating to speak, Lady’s eyes widened, her expression worsened, Nanny Fang reconsidered before saying: "Lady says, Fourth Miss is your legitimate sister, Sixth Miss being so ungrateful... You don’t need to bother about her, just mind your business, if First Master is dissatisfied, let him come to Lady, we’ll see when Tong Mansion started to prioritize an illegitimate over the legitimate daughter!"

Madam Jiang bowed her head, sometimes really unable to comprehend Lady’s logic; although Sixth Miss is illegitimate, isn’t she still Tong Mansion’s daughter when mentioned? Sixth Miss faces outside criticism, surely Tong Mansion wouldn’t retain dignity either. First Master’s intention to properly organize Sixth Miss’s ceremony aims to show outsiders that Tong Mansion is united, regardless of what happens, she remains Tong Mansion’s Sixth Miss.

She feels First Master is right, in times of crisis, unity is even more crucial!