CHAPTER 361: CHAPTER 363: HUSBAND AND WIFE (PART 4)

Xiqiu listened, stunned, "Nanny Song?" She looked at Chunliu and saw Chunliu’s face had changed too.

"Where is Nanny Song now, and what about Nanny Lin who is with the Second Madam?" Chunliu asked cautiously, but after asking, she felt her question was inappropriate; with such a major incident, how could the Grand Dowager still keep them!

Sure enough, Nanny Cen glanced at Chunliu and replied, "Nanny Song and Nanny Lin are locked in the wing rooms of the Second Madam’s former courtyard; they hanged themselves with their belt that night... The close servant women and maids around Second Madam Tong, now only Maid Qiuping with several young maids and old women are guarding the original house, but the Grand Dowager ordered that they are not allowed to move freely!"

No wonder it’s been so long, Tong Xihua’s original courtyard obviously had people living there; Chunyan also said she saw the old companions of Tong Xihua, yet they didn’t come out. It turns out that the Grand Dowager has them under house arrest?!

So, the Grand Dowager’s change in attitude towards the Fifth Madam is because of this matter?

No matter how Tong Xihua is, she is the daughter-in-law of the Xiao Family. Her merciless actions naturally angered and upset the Teng Family for rectification. Although the Teng Family’s power is far less than the Marquis Mansion, this incident still damages the reputation of the Xiao Mansion; hence, the Grand Dowager felt guilty and considered the Teng Family’s grievances? Also feeling apologetic to the Fifth Madam, allowing more indulgence?

But the words the Grand Dowager said last night, and Nanny Tang’s hesitant words seem to imply there’s more hidden truth. What exactly is it?

Is it really just tolerance and concession to the Fifth Madam?

Or am I overthinking?!

With this thought flashing by, Xiqiu looked at Nanny Cen and asked, "Nanny Cen, do you know the Fifth Madam has set up a Feng Shui formation in the mansion?"

Nanny Cen’s face changed and she quickly glanced outside the door, lowering her voice to reply, "Everyone in the mansion knows about it. At that time, I secretly went to take a look. All I heard was the Daoist muttering prayers; I couldn’t understand, it seemed mysterious. As for whether it’s a Feng Shui formation, I don’t know!"

So, the Fifth Madam says it’s a Feng Shui formation, but it’s just her external explanation?

What exactly is she secretly planning?

"Do you know where the Daoist woman comes from, her surname, and where she lives?"

Nanny Cen said, "Her surname is Zhou; I don’t know her exact residence, but this Daoist woman is quite famous in the Capital. If Fourth Madam wants to find her, sending someone outside to inquire should be possible."

Xiqiu made a mental note and thanked Nanny Cen, "Thank you. If not for you, I might still be in the dark about these matters!"

"I dare not take credit!" Nanny Cen stood up, "I’ve always served Fourth Master, and now that Fourth Madam has married in, you are my mistress. If you need me for anything in the future, I will not decline!"

Xiqiu smiled and nodded, "Absolutely!" Then, she told Chunliu, "See Nanny Cen out."

Chunliu and Nanny Cen bowed and left.

Xiqiu sat quietly in the chair, contemplating Nanny Cen’s words. No wonder the Fifth Madam resented Tong Xihua. She’s young and has only given Xiao Yanting one child, Sheng, yet Tong Xihua deprived her of more offspring. How could she not hate her, especially with Teng Qiuniang recently lifted into the household...

Tong Xihua’s methods are indeed chilling.

However, something else caught her attention; it seemed the Xiao Family was particularly concerned about Miao medicine. She has heard about Miaojiang several times at the Xiao Mansion.

While thinking, the door suddenly opened, and Fourth Master Xiao strode out. After resting, his complexion improved greatly, and he appeared full of energy. He smiled at Xiqiu and asked, "Have you learned everything you wanted to know?"

Xiqiu also smiled but shook her head, "No, I have one more thing I’d like to ask Fourth Master for clarification!"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded and said, "Alright, go ahead!"

Xiqiu thought for a moment and asked, "Besides managing canal transport and currently dealing in the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ ceramics, what else does the Teng Family deal in?"

Fourth Master Xiao was momentarily stunned but then chuckled, looking at Xiqiu in admiration, "You are indeed smart." After speaking, he stood up, walked to the door, and watched the bustling servants and maids in the courtyard, saying, "When the Second Prince ascended the throne, the court was utterly silent. Even the few dissenters were easily suppressed by the Emperor. Have you considered why this happened?"

Xiqiu tilted her head, pondering this problem. Although she lived in the inner chambers, she only learned about court affairs when Tong Shen Zhi or Tong Minzhi mentioned them. She hesitantly guessed, "Was it not the credit of Princess Changting and Old Madam Shen?"

Fourth Master Xiao turned around, embracing her and whispered, "You’re right. A large part was due to Old Madam Shen’s mediation, but no matter how capable Old Madam Shen was, there would be no operations without Silver Coin. Therefore... the funds for these operations came from the Teng Family."

Xiqiu knew this answer; she had heard Fourth Master Xiao mention that the Teng Family had secretly contacted the Emperor, offering support. She frowned, looking at him, understanding that his words were not complete.

Sure enough, Fourth Master Xiao lowered his head and spoke softly, "At that time, the Emperor’s testament was established but privately withheld by Old Madam Shen alongside the inner ministers. Besides the Shen Family and the Emperor, the Teng Family also knew the details!"

Xiqiu was too shocked to speak. Is the Emperor so attentive to the Teng Family because of this matter?!

Therefore, the Teng Family grew bolder, daring to compete with the Marquis Mansion?!

Thus, the Emperor had concerns, leading Fourth Master Xiao and Shen Ji to secretly build canal transport in Tongzhou to suppress and guard against the Teng Family?

"Why are you suddenly interested in these matters?" After speaking, Fourth Master Xiao paused, furrowing his brow slightly as he looked at Xiqiu, asking, "Are you..."

Xiqiu held his hand with a smile, "Fourth Master, don’t overthink. I’m just casually asking!"

Fourth Master Xiao held her close, resting his chin on her head, "Silly girl, if you want to do something, go ahead. Don’t worry about anything else. Remember, you have me!" He watched Xiqiu slowly speaking, "I didn’t marry you just to have you endure grievances!"

Feeling touched, Xiqiu buried her head in his chest and said with a choked voice, "I understand Fourth Master’s intentions!" Yet she still didn’t reveal her plan to him.

She preferred to handle her matters personally!

Xiao Yanting returned from the fourth household to his own courtyard, where the servants walked cautiously and even their breathing seemed involuntarily quieter, lest they disturb the Fifth Madam in the room.

Since Qingshuang and Nanny Du were executed by the Grand Dowager’s order, the Fifth Madam had already smashed everything in the room that could be smashed. Everyone in the courtyard was silent as cicadas in winter; even Madam Teng hadn’t visited for two consecutive days.

Xiao Yanting entered the courtyard, strode into the study, carefully opened the box, and took out a pen rack carved from Tourmaline. He placed the Wolf Hair gifted by Fourth Master Xiao onto the treasure cabinet, admiring it fondly for a long time.