CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: MISSING (2)

Xiqiu maintained a calm expression, her hands ceaselessly working the needle and thread: "Who else was there at the time?"

Siliu, setting the dishes, replied: "All the girls from various rooms were present, even Moxiang from Third Miss’s room was there."

Xiqiu chuckled, placing the needle and thread aside, pointed to the opposite side: "So many, sit down and let’s eat together!" She took a few sips of white porridge with pickled cucumbers, then set down her chopsticks to wipe her mouth before asking: "What was discussed?"

Siliu originally wanted to inquire why she stopped eating, considering she hadn’t properly eaten last night, but swallowed her words before saying: "What else could it be, except for Xinzhu, everyone else looked displeased."

Xiqiu smiled slightly, for a commotion like that made by Lady, none of the young misses would likely be unaware, especially Tong Xiyang wouldn’t remain inactive...

She was waiting for Tong Xiyang’s move; only when the waters were muddied would she have the opportunity to seize the initiative.

Xiqiu got off the bed as Siliu assisted her in dressing a light pink overcoat: "Where did Chunyan go?"

Siliu shook her head, wearing a puzzled expression: "I don’t know either!" she said, pausing before adding: "I saw her heading to the front before dawn; she’s been frequently visiting with Shuixiang these days, maybe she went there." Just as she spoke, Sixing and Chunyan entered together, Siliu joked: "Speak of the devil!"

The two, upon seeing a table full of dishes and porridge, were startled: "What’s going on here?"

Siliu pursed her lips, explained the situation to them, and looked at the table of food with an excited expression: "Is it because Miss held Fourth Miss’s banquet, received Lady’s reward, and those matrons are currying favor?" After speaking, she wrinkled her brow in puzzlement: "Doesn’t seem right, it’s been over half a month, why suddenly become so enthusiastic today?"

She hadn’t gone, so didn’t know the specific reasons; Chunyan lowered her gaze in silence. Though unaware of the particulars, she could vaguely guess some; Miss’s current situation left her uncertain.

"Neither ignoring you nor flattering you feels right, truly don’t know how to serve you." Sixing tapped Siliu’s forehead: "Hurry and clean up, still need to go to Lady’s place."

Siliu stopped speaking, the two cleaned the table and served tea.

Xiqiu looked toward Sixing: "How are things over at Seventh Young Master’s side?"

Sixing nodded, smiling: "When I went, Liufu was serving him to go out, carrying the backpack Miss made for school; his complexion seemed better than the past few days."

Xiqiu felt a bit relieved; after Sixing and Siliu left, she took out a note from under her pillow and handed it to Chunyan: "Quietly go to the outer courtyard and give this to Cousin."

Without an envelope, Chunyan glanced at the note, suddenly startled, then remarked in surprise: "Miss, perhaps let me inquire, after all, Cousin Master..."

Xiqiu waved her hand; if possible, she’d prefer to investigate herself, but they in the inner courtyard were like frogs at the bottom of a well. Chunyan often leaving the mansion wasn’t convenient, whereas Xu Tianqing differed; being male, both his actions and motives were simpler, and the information gathered would be richer than what she could obtain.

Knowing oneself and one’s adversaries; she didn’t even understand Third Young Master’s circumstances right now, how to proceed left her without confidence.

"Go!"

Chunyan said no more, took the note, and left the room.

Having prepared everything, seeing the hour was appropriate, Xiqiu was ready to visit the main room to pay respects when Sixing, leading Liufu from Tong Minzhi’s side, came hurriedly: "Sixth Miss... Seventh... Seventh Young Master ran out on his own."

Xiqiu jumped up from her chair, her knee hitting the table leg unnoticed: "Tell me in detail, what’s going on?" Tong Minzhi had become much more sensible lately, why suddenly run out alone?

Liufu also looked puzzled, shook her head: "I don’t know either." Then she paused: "Before Seventh Young Master went to Puji Temple, I found him odd." Thoughtfully searching for adjectives, she frowned momentarily: "Seems weighed down by heavy thoughts."

What was troubling him? Could it be reprimanded by the teacher?

"Who’s the servant with him now? Have you inquired about the academy? He’s usually close to Third Young Master Ren, did anyone ask him?"

Liufu shook her head, tears pooling in her eyes: "No! Sister Chunyu said the Young Master should be independent, no need to follow daily, and... and..." After choking on her words for a while, Sixing handed her a cup of tea, but she shook her head and continued: "I came to report to Miss, but she stopped me. If not for borrowing an excuse to visit the lavatory, I wouldn’t have been able to get out."

Xiqiu’s mind buzzed with anger, Sixing looked on worried, comforting: "Seventh Young Master’s studying at the academies within the household, might have gone visiting another residence with another young master? I’ll ask the gatekeeper if anyone’s visited him lately."

Before Xiqiu could respond, Liufu interrupted: "No need, Sister, Seventh Young Master hasn’t been socializing with anyone."

Xiqiu had calmed down; despite not understanding the situation fully, she couldn’t have the entire manor know. If it were nothing, fine, but if something serious occurred, how would Tong Minzhi continue to stay in the manor?

"Go back first, and if Seventh Young Master comes back, don’t ask anything, just serve him properly." She pondered a moment, then instructed Sixing: "Later, take some yam cake over, see what’s happening; retrieve the plate a bit later."

Sixing nodded, wiped Liufu’s tears: "Hard to believe at your age, you think so thoroughly; stop crying quickly, don’t let Miss worry as well."

Liufu obediently stopped crying, kowtowed to Xiqiu before leaving the courtyard hunched over.

Xiqiu said nothing further, left the room with a stern expression, and headed to Lady’s quarters. After roughly half an hour, she returned, took out a half-made summer shirt for Tong Shen Zhi, sewing swiftly until noon, finally finishing a lake-blue overcoat.

She stood and let Chunyan help her switch outfits, redoing her hair: "Has Sixing returned?"

Chunyan nodded: "She did, saw you busy, so didn’t come in. Seventh Young Master... hasn’t returned yet."

Xiqiu said no more: "Wrap up the clothing for Eldest Young Master, we’re heading to Lady’s place."

Upon arrival, it was Nanny Fang who came out to meet her, smiling and stopping Xiqiu: "Lady hasn’t been sleeping well these days, just took a nap; any urgent matters, maybe wait inside?"

She knew prior that this was Lady’s usual nap time, while Tong Shen Zhi would return home for lunch: "Not anything urgent, just that with the weather getting hotter, made Eldest Brother a spring and summer shirt. He sent someone to inquire yesterday, fearing he needs it, thus wished to present it to Mother myself; also wanted to check if the measurement is suitable!"

Nanny Fang chuckled, her gaze lingering over the blue bundle in Chunyan’s hands: "Sixth Miss, your heart is truly thoughtful, even Lady wouldn’t have thought of it. Eldest Young Master still needs to go to the academy this afternoon; why not you proceed first, and I’ll report once Lady wakes."