CHAPTER 407: CHAPTER 409: CONFIDENCE (4)

First Young Madam Teng stood there in shock, clutching First Master Teng’s sleeve, and said, "Didn’t the Emperor always show you favor? Even when you privately conducted maritime business in Fujian, he didn’t blame you. The Emperor remembers how we funded his military ventures in the past, valuing old ties. With the Emperor backing us, why should we fear a Xuanning Marquis Mansion?"

"Utter foolishness!" First Master Teng felt he had nothing more to say to her: "Enough, you don’t need to go to the Marquis Mansion tomorrow. Return to Tongzhou, stop embarrassing me here." With those words, he called for a carriage. The carriage pulled over, and without a backward glance, he got off and motioned, "Take Madam back to Tongzhou!" He intended to send her back immediately, without a moment’s delay.

The carriage, indifferent to First Young Madam Teng’s cries inside, trotted towards the city gate.

Fifth Madam shrank inside the carriage, lifting the curtain to look at her brother with fear and trembling. First Master Teng gazed at her with disappointment, turned on his heel, and walked away with a wave of his sleeve.

Fifth Madam collapsed to the ground instantly. Now that even her brother wouldn’t help her, and Fifth Young Master was angry with her, and Sheng wouldn’t pay her any mind... she might as well be dead!

In the Warm Pavilion of the Grand Dowager’s room, Xiqiu walked out with the First Madam and Second Madam.

Second Madam consoled the Grand Dowager beside her, "Mother, please calm down. Dealing with such people only harms your health for no reason."

"It’s nothing," the Grand Dowager’s complexion had returned to normal. She sighed and said to Xiao Yanyi, "Go and tell the Fourth one to stay away from the Teng family from now on. If they come asking for help, completely ignore them."

Xiao Yanyi’s face slightly darkened as he nodded, "The mansion’s ties with the Teng family have been gradually severed since last month. Rest assured, Mother."

The Grand Dowager nodded with relief, her gaze fell upon Xiao Yanting still kneeling on the ground, and she frowned, "Old Five, from a young age I knew you were too soft-eared, but you must understand what words you should listen to and what you shouldn’t. Yet you let her stir up such trouble."

Xiao Yanting was shamefully embarrassed.

The Grand Dowager, having no wish to speak further, waved her hand, "You may go back. I’ve said what needed to be said, take care of yourself in the days to come."

Xiao Yanting knelt on the ground, clutching his head in agony, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into...

"Fifth Brother!" Xiao Yanyi spoke softly, "Go back, we can talk another day." As he spoke, Xiao Yanting wanted to stay but could only mumble as he rose to his feet, bowed to the others in the room, and left with a slump.

Xiqiu watched Xiao Yanting’s retreating figure with a face full of helplessness, just as the Grand Dowager said, Xiao Yanting’s biggest problem was his weakness for sweet talk, and who knew where he would throw his guilt tomorrow.

After seeing Xiao Yanting leave, the Grand Dowager looked at Ziwei, "Go check on Sheng. Though he’s young, he understands things, his heart must be very saddened by this."

Ziwei, who was tidying up the teapots with a maidservant, nodded and agreed, then left.

First Madam sat next to the Grand Dowager, suddenly looked up at Xiqiu and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, didn’t you just have someone tidy up the charcoal stove? It should be ready now, right?!" As she spoke, Xiqiu smiled and replied, "It’s all ready, waiting outside for Mother to take her seat."

The Grand Dowager finally smiled, patting First Madam’s hand, and looked at Xiqiu with a smile, "It’s a blessing to have you all taking such good care of me." Her daughters-in-law surrounding her began to laugh.

The Grand Dowager was in high spirits, instructing, "Go, fetch the Second Miss as well, make sure she wears more clothes, it’s chilly on the way." A little maid took the task and left, then the Grand Dowager turned to Xiqiu, "No hurry, go to the kitchen and have them prepare tribute balls and fish balls, the Fourth and Second love them."

Xiqiu agreed, and Second Madam covered the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, watching Xiao Yanyi with love in her eyes, like jade and gold.

About an hour later, Fourth Master Xiao returned, Xiqiu noticed his stern expression and a faint smell of alcohol on him. He glanced at Xiqiu, his eyes full of unreadable emotions.

The family gathered around the table, and as the Grand Dowager watched the three daughters-in-law helping with the dishes, she smiled, "Stop fussing, all of you sit down."

Xiqiu noticed First Madam didn’t refuse, and she and Second Madam took their seats.

Sheng, Xing, and Min sat at a separate table nearby.

They laughed and chatted as they ate hot pot, then moved to the Warm Pavilion for tea.

During this time, no one mentioned Fifth Young Master or Fifth Madam. Only when Sheng, Min, and Xing were playing did the Grand Dowager’s face show a moment of sadness.

Regardless of whether they were born of the concubine, Fifth Young Master’s actions must have greatly saddened the Grand Dowager!

Close to 7 p.m., Xiao Yanyi stood up, and everyone took the cue to bid farewell to the Grand Dowager. First Madam stayed behind to keep her company, while the others returned to their quarters.

Walking along the path, the afternoon’s snow had begun again at some point, falling intermittently. Though Xiqiu walked under a sheltered corridor, snowflakes still blew in. Chunliu held an umbrella for Xiqiu, following behind Fourth Master Xiao. He walked with his hands behind his back, slowing his pace occasionally...

Suddenly, he turned around, took the umbrella from Chunliu, and with his other hand, held Xiqiu’s. Xiqiu looked in surprise, her gaze falling on his hand holding hers. Her fingers twitched slightly, she smiled and said, "Has Fourth Master had enough to eat? There are still some snacks warm in the room."

"No need," said Fourth Master Xiao. Holding Xiqiu’s cold hand, he frowned slightly and tightened his grip. Xiqiu asked, "Where did Fourth Master have drinks today?"

Fourth Master Xiao paused his steps and hesitated slightly in his response. Seeing his expression, Xiqiu thought he was reluctant to answer, so she quickly changed the topic, "The snow is really heavy. There might be reports of disasters arriving in the Capital in a few days. Did the mansion set up a porridge stall during this time in past years? Should we consider doing something?"

Fourth Master Xiao didn’t speak, pondered for a moment before replying, "Han Cheng just took a new concubine and invited me, Shen Ji, and Qian Zhong for drinks."

Xiqiu listened in surprise, then understood his earlier hesitation. What she said impulsively in the carriage yesterday, he still remembered, making him extra cautious now when mentioning Han Cheng taking a concubine.

He must be worried she’d mind.

Xiqiu laughed lightly, replying in a cheerful tone, "Then we should really congratulate Lord Han." Fourth Master Xiao listened, furrowing his brow slightly but saying no more.

Once back in the room, Xiqiu went in to change clothes, while Fourth Master Xiao sat on the outer kang drinking tea, his gaze fell on the shoes Xiqiu had just taken off. His eyes sparkled as he picked them up, inspected them from all angles, and then bent down to put them on his feet. He stood and walked around the room—perfect size and fit.