CHAPTER 392: CHAPTER 394: DISPUTE (PART 2)

The Countess raised her eyebrows slightly, somewhat surprised by Tong Xiyan’s directness. She nodded and said, "You ought to go see her. You should also advise them; both she and the Third Master are still young. Nutritional health is of utmost importance, and they mustn’t let their minds wander." She paused, her eyes reddened. "That child is truly lovable."

Tong Xiyan watched, twitching her cheeks repeatedly. Madam Jiang, fearing Tong Xiyan might say something to encourage the Countess to continue, responded with a troubled expression, "Madam, please be at ease. We will surely counsel her well when we see her."

The Countess nodded, dabbing at her eyes, and turned to speak to First Young Madam Ren, "Accompany the in-laws and Fourth Miss, Fifth Miss!"

First Young Madam Ren acknowledged and turned to speak with Madam Jiang, Tong Xiyan, and Xiqiu, "For some of the journey, should we call for a sedan chair?" Madam Jiang waved her hand dismissively. "No matter how far it is, it can’t be too distant, let’s not trouble you." With that, she stood up as well.

The group gradually exited the room.

Nanny Han came out from the adjoining room and, smiling, refilled the Countess’s tea. Watching Xiqiu descend the steps, she noted thoughtfully, "This Sixth Miss is quite different from before."

The Countess also noticed Xiqiu had changed significantly. Her eyes and brows lacked the previous timidity, bearing instead an air of serenity and confidence. She sighed, "This is her fate!" Secretly, Nanny Han also sighed, and couldn’t help voicing her thoughts, "If she had been married back then, I wonder if the Third Master would now be like the Great Governor?"

The Countess dazedly held her tea, recalling how Ren Jun returned home daily to greet her with a harmonious and prosperous family...

Standing at the entrance to Tong Xiyang’s courtyard, one could see the Taohuawu of the Ren Mansion’s rear garden. The peach blossoms hadn’t bloomed, snow layered on the branches, and it lacked the past lively atmosphere, appearing rather desolate!

Tong Xiyang’s courtyard was approximately two compounds deep, with about a dozen rooms on either side, and towards the back lay an independent courtyard where maidservants came and went. Xiqiu knew this should be where Ren Jun’s concubines resided.

Tong Xiyan pursed her lips and, pointing at several small courtyards in the back, muttered to Xiqiu, "This is where she spends her days nourishing a house full of people with her dowry." Before she could finish, five or six children, ranging from about ten years to two or three, emerged from the main room.

First Young Madam Ren smiled, "These are children of the third house." She then laughed, holding the hand of a little girl about five or six years old, "Just came back from greeting your mother?"

The little girl wore a flattering and fawning expression. "Mother is much better, Nunu just fed her half a bowl of porridge."

First Young Madam Ren approvingly nodded. Xiqiu saw that a flicker of pride flashed in the little girl called Nunu’s eyes. Holding her head high, her chin threatened the siblings behind her.

Some lowered their heads in silence; others’ eyes were filled with envy and resentment.

The tense atmosphere astonished Xiqiu.

"Quickly greet your aunt and Fourth Aunt, Sixth Aunt!" First Young Madam Ren introduced, smiling as Nunu released Ren’s hand and led the way to bow to Madam Jiang, Xiqiu, and Tong Xiyan.

Madam Jiang smiled, giving each child a pocket, while Tong Xiyan more directly gifted each a red envelope. Xiqiu, too, had prepared pockets filled with silver ingots beforehand.

She recalled the golden headpiece the Grand Dowager gifted her previously, twisted for sale, realizing these illegitimate children were perhaps in a worse position than she once was.

After a few words, Xiqiu and the others entered the main room.

A maid dressed in an elegant green overcoat, hair styled in a matron’s bun, welcomed them, kneeling to Madam Jiang, Xiqiu, and Tong Xiyan, and greeting, "Young Madam, Fourth Lady, Sixth Lady!"

Xiqiu looked stunned, finally recognizing her as Xiuyun, who had accompanied Tong Xiyang as a dowry to the Ren Mansion, now dressed as a concubine.

She remembered another prominent maid beside Tong Xiyang, provided by Lady, named Liuzhi. As Xiqiu scanned the room, she did not see Liuzhi.

Madam Jiang was already assisting Xiuyun to her feet, frowning, "What’s with the crying." She turned to First Young Madam Ren, "This girl always gets like this when she sees people from home..."

Knowing herself to be out of line, Xiuyun quickly wiped her tears and bowed to First Young Madam Ren.

Turning around, Xiqiu indeed noticed a scar on Xiuyun’s left cheek. Though not deep, it looked rather ferocious.

First Young Madam Ren waved her hand, "She’s loyal; seeing her mistress wronged, her heart aches." She paused, then continued, "Quickly, lead the in-law and ladies to see your mistress."

Xiuyun turned and lifted the curtain to the right-hand room.

A treasure cabinet stood against the wall, a white-glazed reclining lion incense burner atop it, with a Jade Pot Spring vase holding a few wax plum blossoms. A round table stood in the center of the room, cluttered with numerous bowls and medicine jars. By the kang stood two ornate women, one laughing and speaking to Tong Xiyang while holding a handkerchief, the other feeding her medicine from a bowl.

It seemed the situation was much better than they had imagined.

Xiqiu glanced at Madam Jiang, and a little maid inside quickly noted them, bowing to Xiqiu, Madam Jiang, and Tong Xiyan, and smilingly saying to Tong Xiyang, "Madam, the in-law, Fourth Aunt, and Sixth Aunt are here."

Madam Jiang entered, her face bearing a subtle sorrow, and approached Tong Xiyang.

The two women by the kang rose consecutively, turning to bow to the three of them. As they turned, Xiqiu was momentarily taken aback. The girl holding a handkerchief on the left wore a rose-red overcoat and appeared about fourteen or fifteen, possessing a gentle and charming beauty. The one on the right, holding the medicine bowl, seemed about twenty, honest and gentle. Different types, but both were striking in appearance, each with her own merits. It seemed Ren Jun was quite inclusive when selecting concubines...

Madam Jiang smiled, approaching the kang and addressing Tong Xiyang on the bed, "I planned to visit yesterday, but it just so happened the First Master returned to Yongzhou, so we came today with the two aunts." Speaking, she noticed Tong Xiyang’s eyes redden.

"Big Sister-in-law." Tong Xiyang forced herself to sit up, having Xiuyun place a cushion behind her. Xiqiu then saw her face, pallid and bloodless, dark circles heavy beneath her eyes, and sleeves revealing a purplish bruise. Leaning against the headboard, her gaze swept across Madam Jiang’s face, then moved to Tong Xiyan and finally settled on Xiqiu’s face...

Tong Xiyang’s expression darkened slightly.

She turned her head and instructed her two concubines, "You two, please leave." The concubines immediately bowed and exited.

Tong Xiyang hid her injured hand under the covers, coldly instructing Xiuyun, "Why are you standing there, hurry and pour some tea." Xiuyun awkwardly looked at Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan, "Young Madam, Fourth Lady, Sixth Lady, please have a seat. I’ll go pour some tea."