CHAPTER 409: CHAPTER 411: MISSING (PART 1)

Chunyan came in, smiling as she brought in the fabric she had cut herself: "Madam, the fabric is cut, please find some time to make it quickly. It would be perfect for Fourth Master to wear for the New Year." She paused, then laughed, "I saw that Fourth Master was wearing the shoes Madam made when he left this morning."

The clothes, shoes, and socks of Fourth Master Xiao were all made by Xiqiu herself, while Chunyan and the others just assisted on the side.

Xiqiu glanced at the pile of fabric in her arms, then laughed, "So much, you seem to only care about Fourth Master now and don’t have me in your heart anymore."

Chunliu hugged Chunyan and laughed softly, "Look, our madam is jealous now."

A few days later, the master from Fahua Temple came to the mansion to hold the Water and Land Dharma Assembly for three days. Once the masters from Fahua Temple were sent off, Second Madam started preparing New Year’s goods, while Xiqiu’s room was also dusted and cleaned, and New Year gifts were sent to relatives everywhere.

It’s the Laba Festival!

Laba porridge bestowed by the palace arrived at the mansion, and the Grand Dowager beamed, "Distribute it, everyone should have some to take in some blessings." Second Madam ordered the nanny beside her to take the porridge away, and soon everyone had eaten. Then the Pang Family’s New Year gifts arrived, three carts full of things, all rare fruits from Guangxi...

Xiao Yanzheng blushed, and the maid from the Pang Family was articulate and composed even before the Grand Dowager, "Our old madam and master started their journey last month. According to the timing, they will arrive in the Capital after the New Year and then come to pay respects to the Grand Dowager."

Being the youngest child in his family, Lord Pang’s parents are presumably elderly, but their long journey to the Capital shows how much the Pang Family values this marriage.

The Grand Dowager seemed very pleased, "When they arrive in Tongzhou, have Lord Pang take the Marquis’s name card, which will make the journey much more convenient."

This was a great honor because Lord Pang is merely a counselor at the Ministry of Communication, and having his parents carry Xiao Yanyi’s name card would ensure they are well regarded anywhere.

The maid was very pleased, bowing repeatedly to the Grand Dowager, "This humble servant extends New Year greetings to the Grand Dowager on behalf of the master at home." She then greeted each person courteously, "New Year greetings to each of the Madams."

The Grand Dowager was very delighted, and even arranged a banquet, having Nanny Wu accompany this maid from the Pang Mansion to enjoy the feast.

Once the guests departed, Second Madam held Xiao Yanzheng’s hand, laughing, "I almost forget that after the New Year, our second sister is getting married."

Xiao Yanzheng blushed, pulling at the Grand Dowager in jest, "Mother, Second Sister-in-law teases me."

The Grand Dowager chuckled, tapping Xiao Yanzheng’s head, "How rare, even Zhen Yan is shy!" Xiao Yanzheng turned red from embarrassment, stamped her foot and dashed out, bumping into Xiao Yanyi at the door. Surprised, Xiao Yanyi asked, "What happened to Second Sister?"

Everyone in the room except the Grand Dowager stood up to greet Xiao Yanyi, who returned the courtesy calmly. The Grand Dowager then replied with a smile, "A maid from the Pang Family just delivered some New Year gifts."

Xiao Yanyi’s eyebrow raised slightly, and he smiled, "I happened to see Lord Pang at court today!"

The Grand Dowager nodded with a smile, "Why didn’t you see the fourth one, didn’t return home with you?"

Xiao Yanyi glanced at Xiqiu, and replied to the Grand Dowager, "Tonight they are having a year-end banquet at the Five Armies Commander’s Mansion, and Fourth Brother was held by his colleagues, probably won’t return quickly."

The Grand Dowager frowned slightly, "Why is there drinking every few days, these soldiers must be made of drink barrels, they should at least get drunk for a day." Xiao Yanyi chuckled lightly, Second Madam covered her mouth and laughed, "Mother, you got it wrong, they aren’t drink barrels; they’re clearly drink vats."

After Second Madam spoke, everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Xiqiu furrowed her brows, as Fourth Master Xiao had more and more engagements nearing the year-end, and was either dragged by Shen Ji or blocked by Han Cheng, having not had dinner at home for five or six days.

Seeing Xiqiu’s worried expression, Xiao Yanyi thought for a moment before saying to the Grand Dowager, "Mother, I won’t be dining at home tonight either and will go to the Five Armies Commander’s Mansion to check, in case those people drink heedlessly without proper measure."

The Grand Dowager nodded, "Good to have you watch over, Fourth is good in everything, but he can be too loyal to those buddies sometimes!" Xiao Yanyi nodded, turned to greet the Second Madam, and walked out.

Xiqiu quickly glanced at Xiao Yanyi and then lowered her head back to drink tea.

That night, Fourth Master Xiao came back sober, while Xiao Yanyi, who was not good at drinking, returned slightly tipsy, making the Grand Dowager smile wryly.

After Little New Year, Xiqiu hosted the dusting and the worship of the Kitchen God in her room...

Nanny Qiu from Madam Jiang’s side came, her face sullen and unpleasant.

"They said she was missing since last midnight."

Xiqiu asked Bihuai to bring a stool for Nanny Qiu, who only sat halfway on the stool before Xiqiu, her brows furrowed, asking with a heavy expression, "How come no one saw anything? Has someone been sent to search?"

Nanny Qiu’s expression was also gloomy. Nowadays, Lady doesn’t manage affairs, and everything, both large and small within the mansion, goes through the Eldest Young Madam, establishing her prestige in the residence. But since it is a short time, coupled with the prior effective management by Sixth Miss, no matter what people do, it is always compared to how Sixth Miss would have done it. If the Eldest Young Madam manages well, it is deemed expected, but if she errs, those old ladies gossip unabashedly.

The pressure on the Eldest Young Madam is immense, keeping her busy round the clock, fearful that any oversight might leave room for criticism. Lady is also restless, having to serve herbal concoctions beside the couch daily, and with several concubines in the mansion, allocating resources like fabric or food must be meticulously balanced.

No one understands Eldest Young Madam’s difficulties better than her. Now as the year-end approaches, with such a situation occurring, how can anyone not be anxious and flustered?

"Early this morning, Master sent the mansion’s maids and servants to search, and also dispatched people to navigate the surrounding communities. Yet, until now, no news has returned, Eldest Young Madam is anxious and wishes to invite Sixth Lady to discuss the situation."

Where could Madam Wang have gone?

Recalling the time when Madam Xia left the mansion, could Madam Wang be imitating Madam Xia, heading to Yongzhou to find First Master?

Yongzhou is distant, and being year-end, merchant ships on the road should be stationed at the docks. Attempting to travel via land, water might be difficult, and the road journey would take too long, making it unlikely she would go to First Master’s side.

Could it be that upon hearing about Tong Xiyang’s miscarriage, she was concerned and daringly escaped from the village at night?

Xiqiu furrowed her brows, then asked, "Have people been sent to notify Third Sister? Madam Wang has stayed on the farm for the past two years without going anywhere. Has this been asked from Third Sister’s side?"