CHAPTER 358: CHAPTER 360: HUSBAND AND WIFE (1)

Xiqiu did not speak. Why does the Grand Dowager protect that person so much? Is it really just for the unity of everyone in the mansion?

Instinctively, she didn’t believe it. Maybe there was such a reason, but she felt more that there was an unknown hidden story behind it.

Chunliu saw Xiqiu not speaking, and she cried in anger on the side. Bihuai, with a gloomy face, walked over, comforting Chunliu by saying: "Sister Chunliu, don’t say anymore. The Madam has her reasons for doing this. As for Sister Chunyan, as long as this matter is suppressed, preserving her reputation would be a good thing for us all!"

Chunliu murmured, unable to speak!

Xiqiu glanced at Bihuai and nodded slightly: "From now on, don’t mention this matter in front of Chunyan. No one is to speak of it again!"

Chunliu clenched her fists, feeling incredibly wronged!

That night, news spread that a jade pendant and some jewelry and silver notes went missing from the First Madam’s room. The Grand Dowager had the whole mansion search for the thief, and finally, a body was found near the lake behind the Plum Garden. Everyone in the mansion was in an uproar; it turned out to be Maid Zijuan from the First Madam’s room. When her body was searched, fifty taels worth of silver notes and some gold jewelry were indeed found on her.

She probably intended to steal and leave the mansion overnight but accidentally drowned in the lake.

The Grand Dowager instructed Nanny Wu to investigate Zijuan’s room. They found several notes there, and Nanny Wu concluded that Zijuan had several accomplices in the mansion. Upon hearing this, the Grand Dowager was furious and ordered a thorough investigation, searching all the servant girls’ and women’s rooms in the mansion.

Eventually, they found that Miss Qingshuang in the Fifth Madam’s room and Nanny Du, who served the Fifth Madam closely, were Zijuan’s accomplices. The Grand Dowager summoned the Fifth Madam to the main room, expressing tremendous anger, and in front of the Fifth Madam, had Qingshuang and Nanny Du beaten to death! The Fifth Madam was also reprimanded for half an hour because of inadequate supervision.

The Grand Dowager also used this incident as a pretext to completely clean out the servant girls and women in the mansion. A maid and four women originally by the First Madam’s side were all sent to the estate, as well as four doorkeepers at the side gate, and two close maids by the Fifth Madam’s side were also sent away!

The next morning, Xiqiu just faintly smiled while listening. The Grand Dowager’s purge of the mansion staff, although it weakened the Fifth Madam’s people, was also a way to seal this matter. In the future, even if she wanted to investigate further, there would probably be no trace to follow!

Truly, the Grand Dowager acts with swift and resolute authority!

After washing up in the morning, Nanny Tang from the First Madam’s side suddenly visited, smiling at Xiqiu: "Fourth Madam, the First Madam wants me to let you know that the matter of the flower room is temporarily shelved; once the New Year begins, we will bring people in to start construction, and in the future, you don’t have to have the servant girls avoid that area!"

Is the First Madam making a concession and compromise?

Xiqiu looked deeply at Nanny Tang, calmly nodding: "Understood, thank you for coming all this way!"

Nanny Tang’s gaze flickered slightly, smiling as she said: "Our Madam has a somewhat cold temperament, and yesterday she was in a bad mood. If she said anything inappropriate, I hope Fourth Madam will not take it to heart."

What did she want to say? Was she trying to ease the relationship between her and the First Madam?

Xiqiu smiled and replied: "How could I? It was just a misunderstanding, and now it’s been resolved!"

Listening to this, Nanny Tang felt a shiver in her heart, secretly thinking that the Fourth Madam is definitely not as soft and weak as she appears. She must be very clear-minded. Thinking of this, her gaze flickered, and she said: "Actually, whether it is you, our Madam, or the Grand Dowager, everyone has their unavoidable circumstances. In this mansion, everyone is family, and some things are better left vague to keep the peace!"

Listening to this, Xiqiu’s eyebrows slightly raised, and Nanny Tang quickly covered her mouth, smiling: "Look at me, speaking nonsense. Fourth Madam, just consider what I said as nonsense from an old woman." After speaking, she stepped back: "I’ve delivered the message our Madam asked me to convey, so I won’t disturb you anymore, Fourth Madam."

After saying this, she quickly exited and descended the steps.

Xiqiu watched her back, feeling secretly puzzled. What was Nanny Tang trying to say?

Was she trying to inform her of something?

What was the Grand Dowager concerned about? Whom was she really worried about? The Fifth Madam or someone else?

Just as she was thinking, Chunliu hurriedly ran in, face full of joy: "Madam, Fourth Master has returned and is talking in the Grand Dowager’s room!"

Xiqiu went out and saw Fourth Master Xiao striding into the courtyard.

He was wearing a teal-brown jiaao buttoned straight down the front, and his hair was adorned with a hairpin that matched Xiqiu’s, just like his outfit when he left three days ago. As he strode in, the servant women and maids standing on both sides of the courtyard lowered their heads instinctively, respectfully saying: "Greetings, Fourth Master!"

Fourth Master Xiao did not look at them, striding up the steps with his head held high.

"Fourth Master!" Xiqiu’s face lit up with a smile. She approached to greet Fourth Master Xiao and, upon seeing a cloak draped over his arm, immediately stepped forward to take it, that pleased smile on her face exceedingly charming.

Fourth Master Xiao’s expression, initially cold and solemn, softened involuntarily when he saw her smile. The two of them entered the room one after the other. Xiqiu took the tea Chunliu brewed and handed it to Fourth Master Xiao: "Fourth Master, sit and rest a while. You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? Shall I have someone prepare it for you?"

"No hurry," Fourth Master Xiao took the cup but did not drink it. Instead, he held Xiqiu’s hand, looking up at her with deep, unreadable eyes. He pondered for a moment before saying: "Have the past two days been good for you at home?"

Hearing this, Xiqiu’s eyes flickered. She looked away, sitting opposite Fourth Master Xiao across the kang table, and cheerfully replied: "Of course, I am the wife of the governor, who would dare to make me feel aggrieved!"

Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze darkened, looking at her with a hint of guilt in his eyes. He tightened his grip on Xiqiu’s hand, placing it in his broad, dry palm, slowly caressing it...

The room grew silent, filled only with the sound of their quiet breathing.

After a long while, Fourth Master Xiao spoke, his voice low and soft: "I just spoke with Mother. Let’s move out."

With his expression like this, Mother surely didn’t agree, did she? Otherwise, he should be happy.

Previously, he was Fourth Master Xiao, mingling with the common people, getting into fights, abandoning orthodoxy, being unfilial and unruly. If others knew, they would only say he’s a reckless playboy. But now, he’s a coveted power figure to many eyes, the Great Governor of the Five Cities Governor’s Mansion. If he acted that way now, abandoning his mother to live alone and failing in his filial duty, even if the Grand Dowager said nothing, the spray of criticism from the Imperial Censors in court could flood beyond the Capital.

What’s more, with the matter of Chunyan coming out now, she cannot move out at this time. She is not afraid of trouble, nor is she afraid of people. Since the Grand Dowager suppressed this matter, she naturally would not say anything, but regarding the Fifth Madam, she cannot let her have her way!

She bears it because she understands the Grand Dowager’s intentions. The Marquis Mansion is a great tree, and if it falls, no one enjoying its shade will be spared. Whether it’s Fourth Master Xiao or herself, neither will be exceptions...