CHAPTER 385: CHAPTER 387: CARE AND CONCERN (5)

Tianyi nodded in agreement.

As he spoke, he hesitated for a moment, glanced at Fourth Master Xiao, and replied, "Fourth Master, regarding the matter of Maid Chunyan last time, my men returned from investigating that man’s background; nothing was falsified... However, I have noticed some peculiarities."

Fourth Master Xiao paused, squinting as he looked at him. Tianyi responded, "The man traveled widely in his early years and was once involved with barbarian bandits and thieves, making many acquaintances. His family’s life is quite prosperous. A few years ago, he was involved in grain transportation in Tongzhou, and only this year did he resign and come to the Capital." Although his words were vague, Fourth Master Xiao understood and furrowed his brow, saying, "Let this person go and assign someone to follow him!"

"Yes!" Tianyi nodded in agreement and retreated, coincidentally running into Chunyan, who was on her way to deliver tea to the study at the doorway. Feeling guilty at heart, Tianyi immediately lowered his head upon seeing Chunyan, who recognized him as the young servant who once blocked her on the back hill of Puji Temple. She frowned and brushed past him.

Tianyi stared blankly at Chunyan’s demeanor, unsure of how he had offended her.

In the meantime, Xiqiu was in the room listening to Chunliu’s report, "Jin Dairui’s family contains two sons and a daughter. The daughter stayed behind in Tongzhou, reportedly arranged by Manager Lai, married to a steward on the estate. The two sons, fourteen and nine years old, have followed to the Capital. It’s said his wife’s embroidery skills are quite renowned in Tongzhou. She often mends and sews for some affluent families, supplementing their income, and the family is well-liked on the estate."

"Zou Bochang’s family has one son and one daughter, both married. The son used to work in Baoding Prefecture as a shop assistant. However, after a fight, he couldn’t stay in Baoding and privately sought connections, taking advantage of Nanny Qian’s connections, and became a companion in the household."

"Zhu Sancheng’s wife is the daughter of a steward on the estate. However, the steward was dismissed by the Chief Steward of Baoding Prefecture for embezzlement, and Zhu Sancheng was implicated, unable to stay on the estate. So he brought his two daughters to the Capital." She paused with a slight smile on her face and added, "However, he didn’t rely on Nanny Qian’s connections, but rather on Nanny Lai’s."

Xiqiu was slightly taken aback, realizing that Zhu Sancheng indeed had some skill to connect with Nanny Lai.

Chunliu was all smiles as well, "The reasons imply a backstory. It’s said that before Nanny Lai married Manager Lai, the whole family stayed in Baoding. Zhu Sancheng’s mother is actually Nanny Lai’s maternal aunt."

So they are cousins!

It seems each of them bears notable backgrounds.

Xiqiu sighed inwardly, thinking of the hundred mu of land in Tongzhou, furrowing his brow.

The next day, Chunliu returned from the Tong Mansion, and Madam Jiang, upon learning that Xiqiu was looking for some books, quickly fetched "Four People’s Monthly Orders" and another book called "Four Seasons Summary" without making Chunliu wait long. She said, "Go back and tell Sixth Lady, if these are not enough, send someone back to let me know, and I’ll search for more at my parents’ home."

When Xiqiu received the books, she felt Madam Jiang was indeed wise and knowledgeable. These were precisely the types she was looking for. Some parts of the books had notes, while others had signs of being folded, suggesting Madam Jiang had studied them thoroughly.

As she flipped through the pages of the book, Chunyan entered, announcing the arrival of Tong Quanzi.

Xiqiu put down the book to greet him and saw Tong Quanzi beaming as he addressed her, "Sixth Sister." Xiqiu was all smiles and led him into the Warm Pavilion, asking Chunyan to serve tea and guard the door.

She asked, "Did the Five Cities Military Department give you any trouble?"

Tong Quanzi chuckled, patting his chest, "Rest assured, Sixth Sister, such a minor issue can’t stump me. Besides, I already had a word with Vice Commander Liu, telling him I held a grudge against Zhou Dao Po, and asked him not to interfere. As for the Fifth Young Master... I simply asked someone to report to the authorities, and Vice Commander Liu, upon hearing it involved the Fifth Young Master of the Marquis Mansion, immediately took action."

Xiqiu laughed and then asked, "Did you conceal those who kidnapped the Fifth Young Master well?"

Tong Quanzi smiled lightly, nodding, "Following Sixth Sister’s advice, I spent ten taels of silver to find some beggars on the road, making some idle threats and flashing a knife. By the time I reported it to the authorities, those beggars had already changed their clothes and left. Now, besides the people around the Fifth Young Master searching everywhere, no one is really investigating. And even if they did, they wouldn’t likely suspect those involved."

Indeed, it seemed Fourth Master Xiao had not intervened further in this matter. Not only did Fourth Master Xiao desist, but even Xiao Yanyi seemed intent on letting the matter pass.

Xiqiu was secretly puzzled, yet outwardly smiled and praised, "Truly clever." She added with a laugh, "You’ve worked hard, always troubling you with my affairs."

Tong Quanzi dismissed it casually, "Sixth Sister’s affairs are my own; should you ever require anything in the future, I will do my utmost to assist." After speaking, he paused and asked, "That Granny Zhou, shall I take her to the government office for you?"

This wasn’t necessary; surely the Grand Dowager wouldn’t want her dealt with in the government office, and as for how to handle this, it was not her concern.

That evening, when Fourth Master Xiao returned from the government office, Xiqiu greeted him with a face full of smiles. Fourth Master Xiao, secretly puzzled, thought that she had seemed so downcast yesterday; why is she so cheerful now? Could it be that the problem was resolved?

"Fourth Master, do you have any time tomorrow?" Xiqiu handed him the tea with a smile and asked.

Fourth Master Xiao drank the tea and asked, "Hmm, what is it?" As he spoke, his gaze lingered on "Four People’s Monthly Orders" placed on the bed, raising his eyebrows slightly.

So it’s the matter of the estate that’s bothering her.

Fourth Master Xiao pondered this as he heard Xiqiu say, "I heard that Fourth Master rests on the twentieth day of each month. Can I ask if you have time to accompany me to Yangpi Lane?" That is where her property, her real property, is located. Xiqiu wanted to see it herself. If it was unoccupied, regardless of whether the chamberlains decide to stay or not, it would be ideal to place some belongings there.

It’s her dowry estate?! Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly, "Alright, then after we visit your mother’s place tomorrow, I’ll accompany you to take a look."

Xiqiu looked at him, a sweet smile appearing on her face. Fourth Master Xiao’s heart softened, and he pulled her to sit on his lap, asking softly, "Yesterday you were unhappy, was it because of the estate issues?"

Xiqiu was surprised, not expecting him to be this attentive.

She thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "Yes, it’s just a small estate over there, sustaining a dozen households. If not managed well, people might go hungry. However, I heard from someone in my chamberlain named Zou Bochang that the wheat planted this year froze to death in the fields. I fear these people’s livelihood might be affected next year."

Fourth Master Xiao had already heard the report from Tianyi today, knowing her concern was valid. The estate was too small and surrounded on both sides, making anything difficult to manage.

He considered for a while, smiling, "Would you like to go and have a look at the estate?" Xiqiu was a bit surprised, considering his daily busy schedule. Tongzhou wasn’t like the Capital; it would take two days roundtrip. She thought about it and shook her head, "Even if I go and look, it won’t help. I should first think about what to plant, then divide the lots among the various rooms and see how the yield is after a year. If it really doesn’t work out, I can go again next year."