CHAPTER 374: CHAPTER 376: EXPOSED (PART 3)

"How could it be!" Fifth Madam suppressed the fire in her heart, her face full of smiles as she nestled in Xiao Yanting’s arms: "I promise this time I won’t do anything!"

Xiao Yanting looked at her uncertainly: "Really?"

Fifth Madam showed a docile appearance, nodding repeatedly: "I promise."

Xiao Yanting let out a sigh of relief.

Fifth Madam pouted again, holding the Fifth Young Master’s hand: "Master, but I still feel a bit uncomfortable in my heart." Xiao Yanting looked at her with full vigilance, and Fifth Madam smiled gently: "Imagine, that formation cost me so much silver, I invited Zhou Dao Po to arrange it. I didn’t have any ulterior motives, just wanted our family to have more prosperous offspring..." She paused, then showed a sincere look: "Of course, there was some personal concern. That Tong Xihua was so ruthless, I’m really afraid she won’t rest in peace even after death."

Hearing her talk about the purpose of the formation, Xiao Yanting, though skeptical of such supernatural claims, understood Fifth Madam’s feelings. Thinking of the hardships she suffered these two years, he felt uncomfortable as well, and his tone softened: "It’s all in the past; luckily we still have Sheng, and that’s enough!"

Upon hearing this, a fierce glint flashed in Fifth Madam’s eyes, but then she showed a tearful countenance, nestled in Xiao Yanting’s arms, and sobbed softly: "I know no one believes it, but I’m just seeking peace of mind; isn’t that okay? The warm room has stopped, yet Mother let people come in and start construction again. It’s clearly targeting me, disgracing me!"

Xiao Yanting said nothing.

Fifth Madam continued: "Fifth Young Master, I know you’re filial; I wouldn’t dare to go against Mother’s wishes, but destroying the formation just like that leaves me unwilling." Xiao Yanting was startled and asked: "Then what do you want?"

"I want you to help me!" Fifth Madam smiled and said: "Mother has forbidden me from leaving the house and won’t let anyone by my side go out either. So I want to ask Fifth Young Master to help invite Zhou Dao Po in. I promise I won’t do anything else, just to see if there’s a way to salvage the broken formation."

Xiao Yanting furrowed his brows and retorted angrily: "No way!"

Fifth Madam leaned over and kissed him on the cheek gently and tenderly: "I beg you, there’s no one else who can help me... Besides, I really just want to see Zhou Dao Po, I have no other intentions, even if I did, I wouldn’t dare." She pouted again: "...Mother won’t let me off."

Xiao Yanting hesitated, knowing that Fifth Madam’s words were true. If anything happened in the Fifth Branch again, the Grand Dowager surely wouldn’t spare the two of them.

"Master..." Fifth Madam clung to Xiao Yanting: "I promise, just to see Zhou Dao Po; there will be no trouble!"

Xiao Yanting stiffened, looking at Fifth Madam’s charming smile, his mind wavered... his brain buzzed, losing the ability to think, and Fifth Madam stopped at the critical moment, looking at Xiao Yanting and asked: "Master, will you help me?"

Xiao Yanting blushed, quickly grabbed Fifth Madam’s hand, and nodded: "Alright, I promise you!"

Fifth Madam chuckled happily...

After a while, Qingjia brought water inside. Fifth Young Master and Fifth Madam washed up, then Nanny Wu arrived, and Fifth Madam followed her to the Grand Dowager’s courtyard, while Fifth Young Master took his servant out!

Xiqiu sat opposite the Grand Dowager, with Mrs. on her left and Second Madam on her right. Opposite sat the Grand Dowager and Nanny Wu. She seemed at a loss staring at the tiles in front of her, turned to ask Xiao Yanzheng: "Which tile should I play?"

Xiao Yanting chuckled, and said to the Grand Dowager: "Mother, Fourth Sister-in-law really can’t play!"

The Grand Dowager waved her hand: "You need to practice playing cards to get good at it." Xiqiu furrowed her brows, looking troubled: "I played with Mother at home too but just can’t learn." She said while randomly throwing a tile out.

The Grand Dowager’s eyes lit up, and she laid down her tiles: "Won!" Nanny Wu smiled with pursed lips: "Fourth Madam, how many times has it been today?!"

Xiqiu looked frustrated: "All my money is going into Mother’s pocket..."

Second Madam smiled and joined in: "They say your skill at cards reflects your character, and I see Fourth Sister-in-law truly has great character." With that, everyone in the room laughed.

Fifth Madam absently smiled along, sitting behind Second Madam.

The Grand Dowager glanced at Fifth Madam and turned back to speak with Ziwei: "Find a maid to go to the front and have a look, people should be arriving about now."

Ziwei complied, lifted the curtain, and went out.

Fifth Madam’s face stiffened, her hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.

Xiqiu looked distressed, holding the tiles, seemingly unaware of the Grand Dowager’s expression.

After playing a while longer, Fifth Madam finally seemed impatient, signaling to Qingjia beside her: "Go see if Fifth Young Master is back." Qingjia answered and went out, just in time to meet Ziwei at the door, who entered with a smile to report to the Grand Dowager: "Housekeeper Hu is leading people over; there are maids guarding both inside and outside now, saying they’ll measure the ground and start work again soon."

The Grand Dowager nodded in acknowledgment!

Chunliu’s face flashed by outside, and Xiqiu’s eyes twitched slightly, then she absent-mindedly picked up a tile to ask Xiao Yanzheng: "Should I play the nine-bamboo or the seven-bamboo?" Xiao Yanzheng laughed and said to the Grand Dowager: "Mother, look, I’ve taught her seven or eight times and still Fourth Sister-in-law can’t learn."

Xiqiu, feeling discouraged, set down the tiles and said to Xiao Yanzheng: "You take over, I’ll watch from the side." With that, she relinquished her seat.

"Alright, but if I lose, it’s on you."

"Fine!" Xiqiu smiled and nodded: "It’s on me!" She said, and then sat intently watching Xiao Yanzheng play. After a while, she quietly got up and left the room; sure enough, Chunliu was waiting outside for her. Seeing her, Chunliu lowered her voice and said: "Fifth Young Master has left."

Hearing this, a smile flickered in Xiqiu’s eyes, and she nodded: "Got it." She added: "Go to the side door, Third Young Master’s servant is waiting there, tell him Fifth Young Master has left."

Upon hearing this, Chunliu’s eyes lit up, grabbing Xiqiu’s hand excitedly: "Miss, you’re going to..."

Xiqiu furrowed her brows and shook her head gently, saying blandly: "Don’t say anything unnecessary, go on!"

Chunliu glanced at the Warm Pavilion, then stepped lightly out the door.

Xiqiu returned inside, and Mrs. looked up at her with a deep gaze, Xiqiu smiling faintly as she sat back beside Xiao Yanzheng.

About half an hour later, the Grand Dowager was rubbing her forehead, just about to speak when the curtain was suddenly lifted, and Ziwei hurriedly came in with a maid from the outer courtyard...