CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: FATE

"When I usually see Second Madam Xiao, I already think she’s graceful and beautiful, but I never imagined her family has such a water spirit of a girl hidden away," Madam Chen smiled at Lady Xiao, "You are truly blessed."

Xiao Yanyi is ranked second at the Xuanning Marquis Mansion, so outsiders refer to the eldest Miss of the Tong Family as Second Madam.

"What’s all this talk of blessings and not?" Lady Xiao was always good at making everyone feel like family once out the door. She just glanced at her four daughters, "I just hope these little monkeys don’t embarrass the family and make a scene!" But her eyes were full of indulgence.

"That’s not a low bar," Madam Chen teased with a smile, then took out four identical butterfly-shaped jade pendants from her bosom and said to the four Misses, "It’s not anything fancy, just wear them for fun."

"Thank you, Madam!" The four of them curtsied again, accepted the meeting gift, and sat properly at the lower seats.

Lady Xiao smiled, "You’ve gone out of your way. You didn’t bring Miss Chen along; it would be good for them to get to know each other, and they can visit in the future."

Madam Chen shook her head with a look of disinterest, but her tone revealed affection, "That girl doesn’t know who she takes after, terribly mischievous, always following her brother around fishing and catching birds, I really don’t know who can handle her temper in the future."

Xiqiu kept her head down sipping tea but saw out of the corner of her eye the expression of longing on Tong Xiyan’s face, and even the other two showed envy.

"How could that be! I think Miss Chen is excellent, looks good, and is so straightforward, much better than my girls," Of course, regardless of her true feelings, Lady Xiao had to praise her on the surface.

Madam Chen’s gaze fell back on the Misses, "You’re too modest!" Her gaze shifted and she looked at Xiqiu, pointing at her with a smile, "Is this the Sixth Miss?"

Lady Xiao’s eyes smiled even more, "Exactly."

Madam Chen then carefully examined Xiqiu. Her crimson overcoat, compared to the lake-green Fourth Miss, the goose-yellow Eighth Miss, and the lotus-pink Third Miss, was a bit more ostentatious, but she skillfully only wore two hairpins and a light pink pearl flower, which toned down the bright color, adding a touch of elegance.

Madam Chen nodded quietly, indeed from a scholarly family, a woman’s dressing is no less than those of commandery princesses or duchesses.

"Just a bit thin!" Madam Chen said with a light smile, her intention unclear from the words.

But Lady Xiao’s eyes flashed slightly, looking at Xiqiu.

Xiqiu stood up shyly, her head bowed and cheeks flushed, "I just don’t gain weight despite eating, and mother worries, saying to ask a doctor for some prescriptions for conditioning!"

Lady Xiao laughed again, "You child, talking about such trivial matters, making Madam Chen laugh." Then turned to Madam Chen, "She’s always been honest since young."

Madam Chen nodded silently, knowing how to advance and retreat, protecting her legitimate mother, whether their relationship was truly close or not, the facade was done beautifully. If genuinely filial, that’s great. Even if pretending, she’s still clever.

Then she looked at Tong Xiyan, "This is the Fourth Miss, right? I often hear your sister mention you."

Tong Xiyan’s eyes glowed, smiling at Madam Chen, "It must be my sister saying I’m too mischievous and never listen to mother."

Lady Xiao and Madam Chen laughed together.

Tong Xiyang frowned slightly on the side; why did it feel like Madam Chen had ulterior motives, not like she just came to offer incense with Lady Xiao?!

She had heard about the Chen Mansion, with three sons, but the eldest two are already married, and the third is too young to be speaking of marriage, so what was Madam Chen’s intent with this show?

Suddenly, a light bulb went off in her mind, matchmaking?

Matchmaking for whose family, Madam Chen holds a third-rank imperial decree; those who can invite her over are either high-ranking officials or eminent nobles.

Tong Xiyang became uneasy. Could it be that they’ve taken a liking to the Sixth Sister? If she marries Xu Tianqing in the future and meets her, would she have to pay respects?

In her anxious thoughts, Lady Xiao’s voice interrupted her wild musings, "Go ahead, bring more people with you and don’t run around."

It turned out that Lady Xiao had agreed to Tong Xiyan’s request, letting them play at the Lotus Pool behind the temple.

The four Misses were escorted out by maids and old women as they exited and coincidentally bumped into Master Puning at the door, dressed in a half-old gray robe, chubby and amiable, treating people warmly. Xiqiu’s eyes inadvertently met hers, and they nodded slightly to each other, passing by.

Several of them went up the corridor heading towards the back mountain.

Tong Xiyang suddenly stopped, falling back and frowning, "I’m not feeling well, why don’t you three go ahead?"

Tong Xiyan turned to look at her, expressionless, "Then Third Sister, rest well." Then she looked at Moxiang who was serving at the side, "Take good care of your Miss, if anything arises, report to Lady Xiao."

Moxiang nodded in response, supporting Tong Xiyang as they turned back.

Xiqiu, thoughtful, glanced at Tong Xiyang’s back, then heard her soft voice coming over, "Please trouble the young master to take me to the side room."

She was fine just now; how did she suddenly become unwell?

Xiqiu looked at Chunyan, Chunyan immediately understood and slowed down her steps.

Xiqiu caught up with Tong Xiyan and Tong Xiyu, "The scenery here is really beautiful." Like a natural oxygen bar, with pleasant temperatures and lush greenery, even doing nothing and daydreaming here is a kind of enjoyment.

Tong Xiyan seemed very happy, her voice full of joy, "There are more trees than when I came last time." Then she pointed to a few trees with white blossoms by the distant corridor, "I didn’t see those viburnums last time I came."

The maids and old women beside them also chirped in conversation, making the atmosphere lively.

Tong Xiyu, who seemed unfamiliar with the place, followed the direction of Tong Xiyan’s hand and marveled, "These flowers are beautiful."

Laughing and chatting, the three went up the back mountain, passing through a pavilion, holding the rail as they descended the steps, revealing a circular platform within the mountainside. In the middle of the platform was a square pool.

At the poolside were three or four maids surrounding two Misses, and upon seeing Xiqiu and others approaching, they took another path up the opposite steps.

Their behavior was odd; usually, if encountered, one would just nod and greet, but it’s rare for them to avoid contact when people approach.

Could they be the family members associated with that "Hu" family carriage at the entrance?

"That’s the Lotus Pool!" With people gone, Tong Xiyan’s smile widened, quickening her pace towards it.

Xiqiu withdrew her gaze, also leaning over for a look. It was just an ordinary pool. She reached out to test the temperature; the water was warm. Could there be hot springs in the mountains?

Thinking so, her eyes instinctively searched the lush green woods, as if one look could spot the steaming hot springs, but she saw no hot springs; instead, at a distance, there was a two-ended courtyard on the mountainside where people were coming and going. This must be where Tong Shen Zhi and others rested!