CHAPTER 357: CHAPTER 359: MISGIVINGS (3)

The tone was much softer than usual.

Xiqiu replied with a smile, "With you in the mansion, how could I not be accustomed?" After speaking, she nodded slightly at Nanny Wu as a form of greeting.

The Grand Dowager did not speak but sat down in the main seat of the hall. Her gaze swept around, landing on the brewed Wuyi Dahongpao on the table. With a slight flicker in her eyes, she smiled and said, "You don’t have to stand, sit down!"

Xiqiu did not decline and sat down below the Grand Dowager.

On the side, Nanny Wu gave Chunliu and the others a glance, leading a few maids out the door, and casually shutting it behind her.

The Grand Dowager wore an overcoat with a pattern of prosperity clouds and silver edges, her head wrapped in an elegant green headband. Even though she appeared somewhat aged, her tall and gallant demeanor from her days on the battlefield was still evident.

Xiqiu quietly observed the Grand Dowager, waiting for her to speak.

"You have been here for days, yet I haven’t had a good talk with you," the Grand Dowager sighed, looking at Xiqiu, "Since Old Fourth is not here tonight, we also can have a chat."

Xiqiu was taken aback, then she heard the Grand Dowager say, "You probably have heard that when Old Fourth insisted on marrying you, I initially opposed it. But he was determined, and as his mother, I couldn’t sway him, so I had to let him be." Pausing for a moment, she continued, "Old Fourth is stubborn. I feared you might not get along. To my surprise, things turned out differently."

Xiqiu’s cheeks blushed slightly, and she lowered her head, remaining silent.

The Grand Dowager glanced at Xiqiu, then added, "With Old Fourth not around, you have been wronged!"

Finally getting to the main point, Xiqiu was not surprised that the Grand Dowager knew about Chunyan’s matter. She lowered her head as tears welled up in her eyes. After a moment, she looked up at the Grand Dowager, with tears brimming in her eyes, shaking her head as she replied, "Daughter-in-law is not wronged!" She said, tears fell in grievance!

"Alas!" The Grand Dowager sighed and said, "Do you know what your father often used to say when he was alive?"

Regarding the Old Marquis, Xiqiu did not know much and shook her head lightly, saying, "Daughter-in-law does not know!" The Grand Dowager gazed distantly at the doorway, as if looking through the veiled white silk carved red lacquer door to a far off place. After pondering for a moment, she said, "He often said, ’When brothers are united, their benefits cut through gold!’"

Was she being told that the family should be united, and despite any friction, they should stand together in the face of larger interests?

Xiqiu did not speak, intently watching the Grand Dowager.

The Grand Dowager looked at her, nodding imperceptibly, then abruptly changed the subject, "I also heard about Chunyan’s issue, tell me, what are your thoughts?"

Xiqiu understood the Grand Dowager’s implication. She averted her gaze and replied in a low voice, "Mother, I... have no idea!" appearing somewhat lost.

The Grand Dowager narrowed her eyes, a hint of fierceness flashing through them.

Xiqiu caught it out of the corner of her eye, calmly using a handkerchief to wipe her eye corner, then continued, "However, Chunyan has been serving me for five or six years, and our relationship is as close as sisters. I originally intended to find her a suitable family when she came of age, to marry her off grandly, so she could live a peaceful life. But now..." As she spoke, she paused, "She has always been honest, yet this situation has unfolded so obviously. Daughter-in-law thinks... If justice is not served for her... in the end, it’s hard to be at peace."

It seemed as if the decision was difficult to make, yet expressing she and Chunyan had a deep bond, internally resentful and uneasy!

Surely, since the Grand Dowager had come, she must have already had a decision in mind. What Xiqiu needed to do now was not to vie against the Grand Dowager but to secure the greatest benefit for Chunyan.

The Grand Dowager looked at her, her expression finally softening a bit.

If Xiqiu had shown herself as upright and forgiving, the Grand Dowager would instead perceive her as having deep scheming. Such a person conceals their resentment, waiting to retaliate when the timing is right. Just now, when Xiqiu said she had no idea, the Grand Dowager immediately showed a harsh face, but when Xiqiu turned to complain and express her deep unease, the Grand Dowager found this side of Xiqiu authentic. At least she could candidly show her anger and dissatisfaction.

This appeared much more honest.

Indeed, the Grand Dowager nodded and said, "I have already understood the matter, this girl indeed was wronged!" Without denying Xiqiu’s description of Chunyan as the victim, the Grand Dowager continued, "I still have two fifty-year-old ginsengs at my place. Tomorrow, I will have someone bring them to calm her down... She will remain by your side from today onward, performing her duties, receiving two portions of her monthly allowance, one of which will come from me! Do you have any grievances?"

Is this how the matter was settled?

Wiping her eye corners, Xiqiu narrowed her eyes slightly and suddenly stood up, kneeling before the Grand Dowager, "Mother, with your handling of this matter, your daughter-in-law bears no grievance." Pausing, she added, "However, Chunyan is my maid, and I regard her as dearly as a sister. She has been wronged, and if I let it go like this, how will I face her in the future? Therefore, I must uncover the truth in this matter and restore her innocence!" She spoke with determination, tears falling on the stone-blue polished, mirror-like floor.

"What is this!" The Grand Dowager’s face darkened as she asked, "Get to the bottom of it? How do you plan to do that?"

Xiqiu looked up at the Grand Dowager and said, "Zijuan is currently missing, though her life and death remain unknown. But as long as she did it, there will surely be traces. I believe that if I follow the clues, I can find the real culprit!"

Was she telling the Grand Dowager that if she wants to investigate, she could certainly trace the matter to its source?

"Enough said!" The Grand Dowager placed the teacup on the table with a ding, her tone turning cold, "You married into the Xiao Mansion, and you are now part of the Xiao Family. Naturally, everything should prioritize the larger picture, with the Xiao Family coming first. Do you intend to make a commotion over a mere maid and let others laugh at us?"

Xiqiu looked up at the Grand Dowager, who then gestured for her not to speak, "I understand your heartache, and it’s understandable since she’s the maid you brought as a dowry... I will give you a proper explanation for this matter. If you want to clear your maid’s reputation, I will promise to do so, but aside from that, you don’t need to handle anything else!" The Grand Dowager approached Xiqiu, bending down to lift her up and spoke earnestly, "No matter what happens, we are family. Whether you’ve been wronged, Mother is well aware, and today’s grievance won’t be in vain. Remember my words!"

Whether she understood or not, Xiqiu naturally knew that at this point, she had no right to speak and could only see what the Grand Dowager would do!

After speaking, the Grand Dowager personally opened the door and, with Nanny Wu, left the courtyard, heading to the First Madam’s place.

Chunliu, who had been standing outside guarding the door, clearly heard the conversation inside. Frustrated, she bit her lip tightly and said, "Madam, is this really the end of the matter?"