CHAPTER 336: CHAPTER 337: ENTERING THE PALACE (5)

Tianyi’s face became tense, and he lowered his head, carefully putting the letter into his chest. He replied, "Fifth Young Master is in the back garden measuring dimensions. I went to take a quick look..."

Fourth Master Xiao squinted his eyes at him, prompting Tianyi to lower his head even further and hastily continue his unfinished words: "That place is not far from Li Jingxuan, but it faces the Plum Garden behind the mountain..."

"Hmm. I know!" Fourth Master Xiao seemed unbothered, so Tianyi hesitated before stopping himself. Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brow and said, "Keep an eye on things and notify me if anything else happens." He didn’t believe in superstitions and therefore didn’t give it further thought.

Xiqiu awoke after a short nap and called Chunyan to inquire, "How is the matter I’ve asked you to find out?"

Chunyan replied, "Young Master Xin and Young Master Min are still being raised under the Grand Dowager’s care. When the Second Madam first entered, she mentioned it, but the Grand Dowager said that Young Master Xin’s health wasn’t good and she was used to the medicine and care; it would be better for him to stay there temporarily and return once he’s healthier. After that, the Second Madam never mentioned it again... Young Min has also stayed with the Grand Dowager, living next to Young Master Xin!"

Though the Second Madam is a Commandery Princess, as a stepmother, she isn’t as honorable as Tong Xihua. Young Master Xin is the rightful child, and if the Princely Heir position is passed down according to lineage, it should naturally go to Young Master Xin... This situation seems somewhat unfair to the esteemed Second Madam... She slightly furrowed her brow and asked, "How are the Fifth Madam and Teng Qiuniang doing now?"

"Fifth Madam hasn’t been pregnant these past two years, and Teng Qiuniang isn’t either. At the end of each month, an Imperial Physician is invited to the mansion, and it is said she suffers excessive bleeding during her time..." Xiqiu listened, her heart tightening. She always remembered how Tong Xihua was prepared even before her death; she didn’t believe Tong Xihua would do nothing, simply allowing Fifth Madam and Teng Qiuniang to succeed.

Could their current state be the disaster Tong Xihua planned before her death?

She pondered quietly, still uncertain, only guessing!

Seeing Xiqiu’s expression, Chunyan cautiously said, "The servants and maids who accompanied the Grand Madam upon her marriage are still guarding the dowry at the original courtyard. I saw Nanny Lin outside the courtyard, but... I didn’t see Nanny Song!"

Xiqiu nodded and didn’t say anything more. She wasn’t really concerned about Tong Xihua’s affairs, but since she married into the mansion, in others’ eyes, she was Tong Xihua’s sister—a truth she couldn’t escape. She couldn’t harm others but had to be cautious.

Moreover, with the Grand Dowager’s current stance, if she didn’t understand the changes and relationships in the Xuanning Marquis Mansion over these two years, she wouldn’t be able to do anything.

Without the Grand Dowager’s approval, even with an imperial edict from the Emperor to move to the Governor Mansion, they moved under questionable pretexts.

Having married into the Marquis Mansion, she couldn’t help him much, but she couldn’t drag him down either.

"Find out how Mrs. has been these two years, where she lives now, and her relationship with the Second Madam and the Fifth Madam!" Xiqiu said softly while frowning. After speaking, she waved her hand: "Forget it, you are the main maid in my room, often coming and going might arouse suspicion in others, better let Biwu go, she is young and gets along with strangers; it will be more convenient for her."

Chunyan thought for a moment, felt Xiqiu’s reasoning was sound, and nodded to bring Biwu in.

After Xiqiu finished speaking with Chunyan, Fourth Master Xiao walked in with his arms crossed. Xiqiu set down the tea cup and greeted him: "Fourth Master, do you want to sleep for a bit?" Chunyan and Biwu bowed and left.

Fourth Master Xiao sat at the round table, looking at Xiqiu with deep eyes: "If you’re not happy living here, we can move to the Governor!"

Has he noticed the Grand Dowager’s rejection of her?

Xiqiu smiled and sat opposite him, pouring him a cup of tea: "This is your home, so we naturally have to live here. Besides, I just arrived and am not familiar with everyone, so I can’t speak for now. Over time, it’ll get better... Besides, Fourth Master should trust that I have this capability."

Xiqiu believed that with Fourth Master Xiao’s character, if he wanted to move, he would have done so already. Since he chose to stay in the mansion initially, there must be a reason.

Fourth Master Xiao looked at her with a hint of appreciation in his eyes, suddenly reaching out to her: "Come sit beside me."

Xiqiu blushed, gave him a coy glare: "It’s daytime now!"

Fourth Master Xiao appeared quite pleased, laughing heartily, and gently flicked Xiqiu’s nose: "Little girl, what are you thinking!" Saying that, he pulled her onto his lap.

Looking into his bright, joyful eyes, Xiqiu sighed at the thought of his cold and distant relationship with the Grand Dowager and how Young Master Min seemed afraid of him... How could he have such different faces in private and in public?!

"Did visiting the palace this morning tire you out?!"

Xiqiu knew what he was asking about, so she tilted her head and asked him: "The Empress seemed very hospitable, but I felt..." felt that it was quite intentional. After all, it’s the Empress, and she couldn’t speak lightly of her.

Fourth Master Xiao looked at her approvingly and nodded: "There’s no need for you to worry; if she calls you to the palace, avoid if you can, and if not, let someone tell me, and I’ll accompany you!"

Xiqiu contemplated, then tentatively asked him: "Young Master Min, he..."

Hearing this, Fourth Master Xiao’s eyes narrowed, and the hand on Xiqiu’s waist tightened, then caressed her face, avoiding the question: "What a crafty girl!" He said, pecking her on the cheek: "There will be a family greeting in the afternoon; the sisters-in-law from Songjiang you met last night, just be courteous to them when you see them."

He didn’t want to answer, so Xiqiu tactfully changed the subject, still regarding Young Master Min: "Then, should Young Master Min be brought over to live with the mother?" Officially as the legal mother, it’s necessary to appear concerned and speak of it. Besides, Young Master Min seems quite endearing.

Fourth Master Xiao frowned, shook his head: "Mother and I have discussed this; she said keep him there for now. If you wish to have him here, I’ll go talk to her!"

Xiqiu quickly waved it off. If he talked, the Grand Dowager might think she was manipulating her son into getting things done from the first day of marriage, sneaky and insincere, which wouldn’t be good!

However, what she observed in the Xiao Mansion in the morning seemed even more complicated than in the Tong Mansion.

After a few more words, Chunliu suddenly burst through the door: "Madam, time’s up..." she stopped mid-sentence, blushing, quickly bowing her head, rushing out...

Standing at the door, clutching her chest, her face flushed, how could it be in broad daylight...

Inside the room, Xiqiu’s face was also red from embarrassment; she frowned and stood up. What is all this? Thankfully, it was Chunliu; if it were Ziyang or Treasure Bead, who knows how the mansion would talk about her tomorrow...

Fourth Master Xiao looked at her awkward expression and laughed heartily again. Seeing his demeanor now, she intended to ask about what the Empress said concerning his injury later tonight.