CHAPTER 370: CHAPTER 372: THE CONSERVATORY (3)

Xiqiu brought the two people over to the Grand Dowager’s place. Just as they entered, the Grand Dowager was being supported out of the bedroom by Nanny Wu. Seeing Xiqiu, Nanny Wu smiled and said, "Fourth Madam comes the earliest every day."

Xiqiu smiled and paid her respects, then walked over to support the other side of the Grand Dowager. The Grand Dowager asked, "Since you’re here, join us for breakfast."

Xiqiu had already eaten, but after a moment’s thought, she nodded and said, "Okay." She and Nanny Wu helped the Grand Dowager into the next room, assisted her with setting the table, and when she was about to serve porridge to the Grand Dowager, the Grand Dowager waved her hand and said, "Let them do it; you sit and eat."

When Madam Jiang entered the household, she stood by Lady’s side daily to learn etiquettes. Even when Tong Xiyang married into the Ren Mansion, she practiced for a month. It seemed in the Xiao Mansion, the Grand Dowager was not this particular.

She couldn’t help but feel slightly relieved.

Ziwei served Xiqiu half a bowl of porridge. Xiqiu gratefully glanced at her and, holding the porridge, quietly ate opposite the Grand Dowager. Once the Grand Dowager finished her meal, Xiqiu also set down her bowl and helped the Grand Dowager to the Warm Pavilion to sit. Nanny Wu brewed some tea.

At this moment, Xing and Min also arrived. Min respectfully paid his respects to Xiqiu, while the Grand Dowager frowned at Min and said, "Didn’t I tell you, each morning you must go greet your mother, so why are you up just now?!"

Min’s face froze upon hearing this, and he stood awkwardly with his hands down, not saying a word.

The Grand Dowager’s expression also darkened slightly.

"Kids... and it’s winter, so they always want to stay warm in bed." Xiqiu smiled to ease the situation for Min, then said with a smile, "Go quickly and have breakfast, don’t let yourself get hungry."

The Grand Dowager’s face softened slightly upon hearing this, "Go eat then." She then saw that Xing was still dozing on the nanny’s shoulder and frowned again. Seeing this, Nanny Wu immediately went to lift Xing up with a smile, "I’ll accompany you to wash up." Then she took Xing and Min to the washroom.

The Grand Dowager shook her head helplessly as she watched their backs.

The Second Madam and Xiao Yanyi arrived, and Xiqiu stood up to greet Xiao Yanyi and the Second Madam. Everyone took their seats. The Second Madam smilingly said to Xiqiu, "There are two cooks, and later I’ll have Nanny Qiu send them over. One is from Shandong, and the other from Hu-Guang; their cooking might suit your taste better, sister-in-law."

Xiqiu was taken aback upon hearing this and glanced at the Grand Dowager, who was nodding approvingly...

Xiqiu, with eyes full of gratitude, said to the Second Madam, "Thank you, Second Sister-in-law, for being so considerate." It seemed the Grand Dowager knew about the small kitchen being set up.

The Second Madam’s face was full of smiles, "There’s another matter I need to mention to sister-in-law, the sizes for spring garments have been measured for each household, only sister-in-law’s place is missing. In the afternoon, a seamstress will come to take measurements, is it convenient for you, sister-in-law?"

Making spring garments in October is actually earlier than the Tong Mansion!

But with so many servants in the Xiao Mansion, starting early is better.

"I have time." Xiqiu replied with a smile, "When I go back, I’ll inform them." The Second Madam nodded and said no more.

The Grand Dowager and Xiao Yanyi were conversing, "Aren’t you attending morning court today?"

Without waiting for Xiao Yanyi to speak, the Second Madam blushed and replied, "It’s because of me; I wanted the Marquis to accompany me back. My brother has some matters to discuss with us."

The Grand Dowager was taken aback, looking at Xiao Yanyi with a questioning gaze, and Xiao Yanyi set down his teacup, glanced at Xiqiu, and slowly said, "Perhaps it concerns Fourth Brother, I’ll go take a look."

The First Madam and Xiao Yanzheng entered together, and Xiao Yanting and the Fifth Madam came in one after another. Xiao Yanzheng smilingly sat down beside Xiqiu, leaned in close, and whispered, "Come to my place later, I have something to tell you!"

"Okay." Xiqiu nodded, then rose and paid her respects to the First Madam, who returned a partial courtesy and sat down opposite her in a reserved manner. The Grand Dowager glanced at the First Madam and asked, "Is First Master Tang here?"

The First Madam nodded lightly, "He originally came to greet mother, but said there were matters at the government office and left in a hurry." The Grand Dowager was surprised and inquired, "Is there something urgent?"

"Nothing major," the First Madam replied with a smile, "Just that my sister-in-law is feeling a bit unwell, and he stopped by to inform me."

"Then go and take a look," the Grand Dowager’s face was full of concern, "Did he mention what illness it is? Bring some medicine when you go; even if you don’t need it, it’s better to be prepared."

The First Madam looked gratefully at the Grand Dowager, "Thank you, Mother, it shouldn’t be anything serious. I’m thinking of waiting a few days to check on her, and then I’ll come back and inform you."

Listening to this, Xiqiu was secretly puzzled. Even if the sister-in-law was ill, it shouldn’t have been notified by the elder brother. Since he came, the illness must be serious, yet the First Madam’s demeanor was indifferent. It seemed First Master Tang came for something else, and the First Madam simply used this as an excuse.

The Grand Dowager nodded slightly without saying anything more.

The Fifth Young Master and Fifth Madam were left standing awkwardly for a long time. The Grand Dowager didn’t even glance at them, just then Ziwei lifted the curtain and entered, glanced at the Grand Dowager, then spoke to Xiqiu, "The in-laws and cousin are here."

Xiqiu was stunned, and the Grand Dowager already smiled and said, "Quickly invite them in." Xiao Yanyi stood up looking at the Second Madam, "Let’s go as well, the sooner we leave, the quicker we’ll return."

The Second Madam bade farewell to the Grand Dowager and everyone present, and then left with Xiao Yanyi.

The Fifth Young Master also stood up to avoid being a disturbance, "Mother, I’ll go to the study." He then left as well.

Xiqiu also rose to walk outside, saying to the Grand Dowager, "Mother, I’ll go greet them."

The Grand Dowager nodded, and Xiqiu stepped outside. Just as she descended the steps, Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan had arrived. Xiqiu greeted them joyfully, "Sister-in-law, Fourth Sister."

"Sixth Lady." Madam Jiang smiled as she approached, "I intended to come yesterday, but Fourth Lady sent a message asking us to come together today." Tong Xiyan added, "There was something at home, couldn’t leave, now things are settled. Congratulations to you, Sixth Sister!"

"I’m already delighted to have you here, no matter the timing." She said as she led them toward the Grand Dowager’s room, "Let’s go greet the Grand Dowager first."

Xiqiu accompanied Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan inside. The Grand Dowager beamed upon seeing them, "Please, sit." Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan each paid their respects to the Grand Dowager, and then exchanged greetings with the First Madam, Fifth Madam, and Xiao Yanzheng.

"...Is your health well? Sixth Lady often praises you as a benevolent star-like figure, yet I’ve never had the fortune to meet you, and today I’m finally blessed with the chance..." Madam Jiang wore an embroidered leaf collar overcoat, with a beaming face appearing neither servile nor overbearing, gracefully composed.

The Grand Dowager nodded inwardly, silently remarking that, fortunately, the Tang Family had someone sensible in this generation.

She smiled and said, "In-law Madam, feel free to visit often." Then she turned to Tong Xiyan and asked, "I heard you’re married into Jiang Mansion, is your mother-in-law’s health well?"