CHAPTER 330: CHAPTER 330: WEDDING IN PROGRESS (PART 4)

Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly, and Princess Chengning spoke, "Fourth brother, don’t rush. Change your clothes first, I’ll go ahead and take a look!"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded towards Second Madam to express his gratitude, and Second Madam led a room full of people out.

"I’ll go change clothes, you should take off the phoenix crown," Fourth Master Xiao said to Xiqiu, lowering his head. "We’ll go out together shortly."

After everyone left, Xiqiu finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, saying, "Alright." The phoenix crown was so heavy that she couldn’t turn her neck.

She turned to two unfamiliar maids wearing Qiuxiang-colored bijia standing nearby and said, "Please, would you call my maid for me." The two maids curtseyed to Xiqiu, saying, "Yes!" and turned to leave.

In the blink of an eye, Chunyan and Chunliu hurried in. Chunliu asked, "Miss, are you alright?!" Though they hadn’t seen each other for only a day, it felt like a long time had passed, and she looked around the room with worry on her face. "Did the Great Governor go to receive the decree upfront?"

Xiqiu didn’t hurry to respond, she first pointed at her head, "Help me take it off first." Chunyan and Chunliu helped Xiqiu take off the phoenix crown, and Xiqiu let out a long breath, "Help me comb my hair again!"

Chunyan quickly styled Xiqiu’s hair into a bun, found an orchid-patterned enamel color hairpin, with a gold and jewel butterfly wing pin along with two red pearl flowers to adorn her hair. At this time, Fourth Master Xiao emerged from the inner room after changing into a crimson robe embroidered with five-inch patterns. The formal attire made him look more imposing and handsome, his figure upright, and he nodded slightly asking, "Ready?"

Xiqiu stood up and replied, "Ready." Fourth Master Xiao glanced over her once, nodded his head, and led the way out the door, with Xiqiu following behind him. The two passed through the passageway and exited the front of the courtyard into the Ruyi Gate, stepping onto the path...

Xiqiu felt as if she’d been here before, like the courtyard where Fourth Master Xiao used to live, although the position of the gate was different...

Upon reaching the front yard, they saw the Grand Dowager and First Madam, whom she hadn’t seen for two years. The former Marchioness Xuanning, now First Madam, had slimmed down considerably, appearing more cool and detached compared to before, her gaze lightly resting on the side. When Xiqiu approached, she nodded slightly but remained silent.

Xiqiu also nodded towards her, keeping her head bowed as she stood obediently behind Fourth Master Xiao, appearing graceful and poised without being ostentatious.

Xiao Yanyi, Second Madam, Xiao Yanting, and Fifth Madam stood in the courtyard chatting with a eunuch dressed in a crimson robe. Upon seeing Fourth Master Xiao approach, the eunuch smiled and clasped his fists, "Congratulations, Great Governor." As he spoke, his gaze briefly swept across Xiqiu’s face who followed.

Despite her age, she displayed steady conduct and calm eyes, without a hint of nervousness, panic, or curiosity on her face; this demeanor seemed hardly befitting the daughter of a fifth-rank official’s family!

The eunuch nodded silently and raised the imperial decree in his hand, "Great Governor, please receive the decree."

Xiao Yanyi and Second Madam knelt behind Grand Dowager, with Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu kneeling beside them, while Xiao Yanting and Fifth Madam knelt nearby.

The eunuch unfolded the imperial yellow scroll, reciting a passage on the nation’s foundation and family’s core... mutual respect and love... and such, then bestowed a pair of Jade Ruyi and a pair of Eight Treasure Glazed Silk Pattern Jade Pendant before rolling up the decree. Fourth Master Xiao stood up to express his gratitude, "Thank you, Chief Duan!"

Xiao Yanyi then smiled and said, "Chief Duan, please go to the front and have a cup of wine." Chief Duan smiled back, "I have to return to the palace to report the Empress Dowager’s decree, I’ll come back another day for a drink!" He said, saluting the Grand Dowager, who replied, "Please relay my gratitude to the Empress Dowager."

Chief Duan laughed, "Certainly!" Then turned to Second Madam with a fist-clasp to bid farewell.

Xiao Yanyi turned and spoke to the Grand Dowager, "Mother, I’ll see Chief Duan off." As he spoke, he quickly glanced over Xiqiu, the look in his eyes dimmed, and turned to speak with Fourth Master Xiao, "Fifth brother entertain the guests, I’ll see Chief Duan off."

Fourth Master Xiao gave no response.

Xiao Yanyi and Xiao Yanting each went to the outer courtyard, as First Madam, being widowed, was unsuitable to attend the wedding banquet. She followed them, taking her maidservants along, returning to her own courtyard.

Xiqiu stood there feeling a gaze fall upon her. She furrowed her brows slightly but didn’t look for it, instead walked over to the Grand Dowager, bowed and greeted her, "Grand Dowager!"

The Grand Dowager smiled and took her hand. At this point, Fifth Madam also approached with a smile, "Fourth Sister-in-law, you should change how you address her now, you still call her Grand Dowager."

Xiqiu blushed, quickly glanced at Fourth Master Xiao, lowered her head, and called, "Mother."

The Grand Dowager saw her adjustment, her gaze softened slightly, and she nodded slightly asking, "Are you tired? You should rest first; the Empress may send someone again, perhaps later."

Xiqiu was stunned; would the Empress still send someone?!

Xiqiu was about to say that she would accompany the Grand Dowager to rest, but Fourth Master Xiao took over the conversation, "I’ll escort Xiqiu back first, and return when another decree arrives."

The Grand Dowager nodded without further words.

Xiqiu saluted the Grand Dowager, "Mother, I’ll go back first." The Grand Dowager nodded, "Go ahead!" Xiqiu then turned to speak with Second Madam, whom smiled at her and said, "There are guests delivering gifts in Mother’s room, I can’t leave. Otherwise, I would accompany you to sit a while."

Xiqiu was secretly surprised but smiled on the surface, saying, "Sorry for causing trouble, Second Sister-in-law!" Fifth Madam was watching from the side, her gaze flickered slightly but she didn’t speak; she smiled at Xiqiu and then turned to support the Grand Dowager.

Xiqiu then walked back the same way with Fourth Master Xiao.

On the previously taken path she hadn’t noticed, that now walking it again she finally confirmed the location of the new room, it was indeed where Fourth Master Xiao previously lived. Only the original southeast-facing door was changed to the northeast direction, providing a longer route which placed distance between where Tong Xihua originally lived.

She wondered if Princess Chengning lived here after marriage, where did Tong Xihua’s accompanying rooms reside back then?

Fourth Master Xiao walked ahead with his hands behind his back, deliberately slowing his steps compared to earlier, Xiqiu followed behind, lost in thought. He suddenly stopped, causing Xiqiu to look up at him in surprise. Under the dim light, his face was hard to see clearly, as he asked, "Are you tired?"

With his voice sounding, the maids and servants following behind tactfully retreated several steps, Xiqiu shook her head, "Not tired!" Fourth Master Xiao thoughtfully nodded and continued walking.

Arriving at the new room, Fourth Master Xiao stood at the door but did not enter, his gaze firmly on Xiqiu, who raised her eyebrows and asked, "What is it?"

Fourth Master Xiao replied expressionlessly, "I’m going to the front to offer a toast, will you... be alright by yourself?" Pausing before he continued, "Otherwise, should I call Yanzheng to accompany you?"

It turned out he specially escorted her back.

Xiqiu smiled and shook her head, "There are all maids and servants in the room, I won’t mind being alone. You go ahead!" The first time interacting in this identity, Xiqiu made an effort to adapt.