CHAPTER 351: CHAPTER 353: CONSPIRACY (PART 2)

Xiao Yanzheng held onto the Grand Dowager, saying, "I haven’t talked to Fourth Sister-in-law for a long time. I thought I’d take the opportunity while Fourth Brother is not at home to keep her company. This way, Second Sister-in-law won’t feel bored and lonely with no one to talk to."

The Grand Dowager chuckled, while the Second Madam covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, "It seems to me that it’s you who feels bored and goes to bother your Fourth Sister-in-law."

Xiao Yanzheng laughed, feigning sadness, "Second Sister-in-law, do you really see me as that mischievous?"

At that, everyone in the room joined in the laughter, while Xiqiu covered her face with her hand, her gaze landing on the First Madam. She remained indifferent, her gaze fixated on the teacup, as if the events in the room had nothing to do with her.

As the conversation continued, the Fifth Madam and Fifth Young Master entered shortly after. The Grand Dowager’s smile vanished instantly; she ignored them completely and turned to speak with the First Madam. "Your courtyard is the closest, and I’m afraid you’ll have noisy disruptions these days. Why not come stay with me for a few days?"

The First Madam smiled and shook her head, "I stay here during the day anyway, and going back at night doesn’t disturb anything. If I move, it would only disrupt your rest."

The Grand Dowager saw her firm refusal and sighed, saying no more.

"Mother!" The First Madam continued, "Next month marks the eldest’s anniversary, I was thinking of staying at the temple for a few days." The Grand Dowager was taken aback, displaying displeasure. "What’s the point of going to the temple, cold and quiet? We’ll do as last year, hire a master to perform rituals for three days at the manor. If you truly wish to worship Buddha, why not invite one here? That would be more reassuring than going to a temple... and I won’t feel at ease!"

"Mother..." The Grand Dowager waved her hand, indicating she should say no more. "I know you’re grieving, as am I. But now that Yanzhi is gone, if I don’t take good care of you, what face will I have in the future to meet the lord, meet him!"

The Grand Dowager said, her eyes reddening while the First Madam also wiped her eyes, holding the Grand Dowager’s hand, murmuring without mentioning the temple again.

Xiao Yanzheng glanced at the Fifth Young Master and the Fifth Madam awkwardly standing at the front, sensing the uneasy atmosphere in the room, so he held the Grand Dowager with one hand and the First Madam with the other, saying, "Let’s not dwell on it. If Eldest Brother were here, he wouldn’t want to see you so upset."

The Grand Dowager wiped her eyes, forcing a smile, "No more talk, that’s enough!" The First Madam turned her face to look aside.

The Fifth Madam and the Fifth Young Master seized the moment, bowing in greeting, "Mother!"

The Grand Dowager responded with a cold snort, not acknowledging them.

Xiao Yanting stood with a look of embarrassment, while the Second Madam diverted the conversation by instructing Ziwei, "Pour tea for the Fifth Young Master and the Fifth Madam." She smiled, "You’ve been busy rushing around these days, thank you for your hard work."

Xiao Yanting cautiously glanced at the Grand Dowager, responding in a soft voice, "No need, Second Sister-in-law. With Second Brother and Fourth Brother busy, these tasks should fall to me!"

The Second Madam listened with a broad smile, casting a glance at the First Madam’s indifferent demeanor.

The Grand Dowager’s expression softened slightly, and seeing this, the Fifth Madam prepared to speak. Xiao Yanting, fearful she might bring up topics like Feng Shui, subtly pulled her sleeve, signaling her to stay silent.

The Fifth Madam freed her sleeve with a broad smile, addressing the Second Madam, "Second Sister-in-law, with so many matters at the manor these days, if you’re short-handed, how about we transfer some staff from the different quarters? We’re all family, and though I can’t do much, I’d like to help."

Xiao Yanting listened with relief.

"No need," the Second Madam replied with a smile, "We don’t require many hands. The craftsmen enter the manor in the morning and leave in the afternoon. We just need to manage one meal at noon, and I’ve arranged for a maids to supervise. Thank you for your kind offer, Fifth Sister-in-law."

The Fifth Madam chuckled awkwardly, saying no more.

The Second Madam turned her head and addressed Xiqiu, "These days, there’ll be more people coming and going in the courtyard, remind the maids in the yard to be cautious!"

Today is the sixth, which suggests the craftsmen entering for construction are due to arrive at the manor. Xiqiu thought of this and nodded in response, "Thank you, Second Sister-in-law, I’ll ensure it’s all conveyed."

The First Madam kept her head bowed without speaking.

Seeing Xiqiu and the Second Madam talking amicably, the Grand Dowager’s demeanor eased a bit.

Xiqiu sat for a while, not seeing Xing or Min, and left with Chunyan to her own courtyard. Xiao Yanzheng also departed alongside the First Madam, the Fifth Madam, Xiao Yanting, all returning separately.

The room was left with just the Grand Dowager and the Second Madam. The Grand Dowager grasped the Second Madam’s hand, asking gently, "Yesterday, someone from the Prince Manor came by. What was it about?"

The Second Madam lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, and murmured, "It’s said there’s a reputable doctor heard about over in Yingtian, who excels in gynecology. My brother sent someone to inform me, and he’s dispatching people to Yingtian to invite the doctor to the Capital to examine me."

The Grand Dowager was startled, then sighed and tenderly held the Second Madam’s hand, lamenting, "Life has been hard for you!"

The Second Madam rested her head on the Grand Dowager’s shoulder, her voice choking, "Mother, I’ve been in the manor for two years without bearing a child, yet you’ve always treated me as your own. I’ve always regarded you as my mother. To propagate the Xiao Family and ensure the Marquis’s lineage is my duty, how could it be construed as hardship!"

The Grand Dowager nodded slightly, her eyes showing appreciation, "You’re always so considerate of others, but it’s hard on you!"

The Second Madam shyly replied, "Mother, you mustn’t praise me further, or I’ll find myself floating on air." The Grand Dowager laughed.

Nanny Wu stood at the side, her smile emerging subtly, as she couldn’t help but feel tender affection for the Second Madam, who despite being a Commandery Princess, remained gentle and approachable, never using her status to oppress others, displaying no arrogance at all.

Reflecting on the Second Young Master... she sighed faintly.

The Fifth Madam and Xiao Yanting exited the Grand Dowager’s chamber. Xiao Yanting stopped, saying, "I’ll go check; the craftsmen should have arrived by now." Seeing Xiqiu surrounded by maids, the Fifth Madam’s expression changed as she coldly remarked, "Fifth Young Master, there’s no need to rush. Housekeeper Hu is managing everything; even if you go later, it’s fine." After finishing, her voice softened, "The soup is still warm in the room, why don’t you head back, have some, and then rest before going."

Xiao Yanting was uninterested in listening to the Fifth Madam’s words and waved her off, saying, "You can drink the soup yourself; I’ll head over first."

The Fifth Madam furrowed her brows, protesting, "Fifth Young Master, are you still angry with me? I’ve apologized to you, and besides... Sheng hasn’t seen you all morning and was asking for you."

Xiao Yanting’s gaze shifted, his demeanor softened slightly. After some thought, he replied, "Then keep it warm, I’ll return soon." Nonetheless, he insisted on going.

The Fifth Madam was irritated and released her hand, about to express displeasure when Xiao Yanting had hurriedly rounded the corner and left.