CHAPTER 338: CHAPTER 339: RETURNING TO HER PARENTAL HOME (2)

Xiqiu squinted her eyes slightly and replied, "Sheng is Min’s brother, naturally he should visit often."

Fifth Madam’s eyes flickered, and Xiqiu had already turned around with a smile to talk to the nurse holding Young Master Xin. Young Master Xin was still as curious as in the morning, tilting his head when he saw her, while Min earnestly bowed and called out, "Mother!"

Xiqiu handed them the small clothes she had prepared long ago. Young Master Xin took the clothes and laughed, "As beautiful as the cloak!"

The nurse felt a bit embarrassed and explained with a smile, "Young Master Xin really likes a certain cloak..."

Xiqiu quickly glanced at Second Madam, who was smiling while talking to Xiao Yanzheng. With a smile, Xiqiu patted Young Master Xin’s head, "What a good boy Young Master Xin is."

Min was different. He handed the cloak to the nurse, bowed to Xiqiu, and said, "Thank you, Mother!" Then he walked straight to Grand Dowager’s side and stood very still.

Xiqiu stifled a laugh, and others nearby also covered their mouths and laughed.

The little boy somewhat resembled Fourth Master Xiao.

Back in the room, Chunyan furrowed her brow and said, "I was just wondering how Fifth Madam could have such good intentions, but her words were full of hidden meanings..." She then turned to Xiqiu and said, "Miss, everyone in this Marquis Mansion has hidden motives; even I can’t understand them!"

Xiqiu replied with a smile, "No matter their intentions, we should do our tasks well and not bother about others." After finishing speaking, she asked, "Are the things to be taken back for tomorrow’s visit to my family prepared?"

Chunyan nodded, "Everything here for Miss is ready, except..." Yet unsure if everything was prepared on Grand Dowager’s side. After all, with Grand Dowager’s current attitude, she’s unsure if she’ll care for Miss’s dignity!

Xiqiu wasn’t worried about this. Being born into a prestigious family and having experienced life’s ups and downs, Grand Dowager wouldn’t be bothered by such trivialities.

Just then, Biwu walked in, reporting, "Miss, I’ve found out what you asked. First Madam still lives in the Bamboo Pavilion in front of our courtyard, and most of the maids were sent away last year. Now only two maids and five older women serve there, and she rarely goes out or returns to her family’s home, living quite quietly alone." Seeing Xiqiu nodding, Biwu continued, "As for her relationship with Fifth Madam and Second Madam, I didn’t hear much. First Madam seems cold and unsociable but is actually easy to talk to, just like Second Madam, who treats the household and the servants kindly. Everyone in the mansion praises Second Madam for being noble yet approachable. As for Fifth Madam, I did hear some criticisms."

Xiqiu nodded, finding nothing surprising. Since the death of Xiao Yanji, First Madam has lived alone without worldly concerns. She didn’t even need to ask to know that Xiao Yanzheng must have praised Second Madam as very good at something. She pondered for a moment and asked, "What did they say about Fifth Madam?"

Biwu thought for a while before replying, "Since last year’s major illness, the Teng Family came once, causing a scene that the Marquis resolved. Then they wanted to bring Madam Teng back, but Teng Qiuniang threatened with her life... It’s said to have caused quite a storm, and since then, Grand Dowager has shown more closeness to Fifth Madam."

Did the Teng Family cause a scene? Why?

Even if the Teng Family followed the royal path, they are still considered merchants, so what confidence do they have to make a scene at the Marquis Mansion?

Biwu continued, "I also heard something else; after Fifth Young Master measured the greenhouse dimensions for First Madam, that night, Fifth Madam seemed to have quarreled with him..."

Measuring the greenhouse dimensions? The greenhouse is First Madam’s idea, so why did Fifth Madam quarrel with Fifth Young Master?

"Did they say why they quarreled?" Biwu thought sideways for a moment and said, "It seemed the location of the greenhouse was not good. But because First Madam chose the location, Fifth Madam didn’t want to confront her and instead took it out on Fifth Young Master."

Chunyan was also puzzled, "It’s just building a greenhouse, and the garden is so big!" Biwu scratched her head in confusion, saying, "They said... they said it broke the Feng Shui Formation that Fifth Madam set."

"Ah?" Chunyan was dumbfounded and turned back to ask Xiqiu, "Miss, what is a Feng Shui Formation?"

Xiqiu was about to answer when Fourth Master Xiao strode in, causing Xiqiu to change the topic, and Chunyan and Biwu withdrew.

She smiled and went forward to help Fourth Master Xiao take off his outer garments. "Fourth Master, when should we set off tomorrow?"

Fourth Master Xiao paused and looked at her, replying, "You can decide on that matter." After speaking, he began to leave, and Xiqiu, a bit surprised, asked, "Are you going out?"

"Hmm." Fourth Master Xiao turned, looking less than pleased, "Shen Ji is here, I’m going to meet him."

Xiqiu nodded, and Fourth Master Xiao turned back, grabbing her hand to add, "It’s nothing serious, I’ll tell you when I return... You rest first!"

"Understood!" Xiqiu grabbed a cloak from the rack, "It’s cool at night, Fourth Master, wear this!"

Fourth Master Xiao’s cold expression softened gradually. He wrapped Xiqiu in his arms, resting his chin on her head, "I’ll be back soon!"

After speaking, Xiqiu’s face reddened, "It seems like I’m reluctant to let you go. Fourth Master, you should hurry!"

A smile returned to Fourth Master Xiao’s face. He took the cloak, wearing it, while allowing Xiqiu to tie the strings. He lowered his eyes, looking at Xiqiu’s pretty face, and smiled as he kissed her forehead lightly, "Wait for me!" After speaking, he strode out the door.

After dining alone in the room, Xiqiu had Chunyan call in the few serving in the room to distribute their usual responsibilities, with Chunyan in charge. She left Ziyang and Treasure Bead’s duties unchanged, since she initially thought they were following Fourth Master Xiao. Later, when she heard the names Ziwei and Lianqiao from Grand Dowager’s room, she realized the two maids probably came from Grand Dowager’s room.

Since they were given by Grand Dowager, it was best not to move them.

That evening, when Fourth Master Xiao returned, Xiqiu drowsily heard some noise, and just as she turned over, Chunyan called her softly from outside the door. She opened her eyes to see Fourth Master Xiao lying fully dressed outside, frowning. She carefully covered him with a blanket, gently climbed out of bed, and opened the door to Chunyan, whispering, "Fourth Master is still asleep, keep it down."

Chunyan nodded silently, cautiously assisting Xiqiu with dressing. By the time Xiqiu came out of the bathing quarter, Fourth Master Xiao was already awake, leaning against the large bed near the window, reading the "Great Zhou Geography" that Xiqiu often flipped through.

"Why not sleep a bit longer?" He had only slept for less than an hour.

Fourth Master Xiao put down the book and patted the space beside him, "Come sit." Xiqiu walked over and sat next to him, smiling, "What’s up?"