CHAPTER 411: CHAPTER 413: MISSING (PART 3)

Xiqiu looked at the Grand Dowager and saw her smiling at her, with no unusual expression on her face. As the Second Madam had said, she might not only know but had already consented.

"I certainly have time." Xiqiu replied with a smile, "Second Sister-in-law is so busy, while I idle away in my room every day. If I can truly be of help, it’s I who should thank Second Sister-in-law, so that I won’t feel like I’m just eating idle meals." Saying this, she blushed and covered her face with a smile.

Not trying to act superior or put on airs, the Grand Dowager nodded secretly upon hearing this.

The Second Madam nodded with a smile, "Two good people make one good thing, and that is indeed the best outcome." She did not go overboard with modesty.

Xiqiu nodded and then asked the Second Madam, "Is it possible for me to report to Second Sister-in-law there tomorrow?" Xiqiu then looked at the Grand Dowager, saying, "Just now, the nanny from my maternal family came and said something happened at home, asking me to return once. I was just about to discuss it with Mother."

The Grand Dowager looked surprised and solemnly asked, "Has something happened, or is it that matters on Third Miss’s side are unsteady again?"

Xiqiu hesitated, while the Second Madam stood up, "Then, Mother, you talk with Fourth Sister-in-law, I’ll go check how the accounts in the room are doing." Saying this, she was about to leave.

The Grand Dowager frowned.

Xiqiu quickly gestured to the Second Madam, saying, "Second Sister-in-law, please stay a while longer. It almost seems like my arrival is rushing you away." After speaking, she stood up and helped the Second Madam sit down again.

The Second Madam did not refuse and sat down again. The Grand Dowager’s expression eased slightly!

Xiqiu frowned and whispered, "It’s about Madam Wang from my home, who went missing last night." The Grand Dowager and Second Madam showed expressions of surprise, and Xiqiu continued, "Her health was not very good. Father sent her to the estate for recuperation a couple of years ago, where she has been fine until now. It’s unclear what happened last night, but she disappeared without a trace." She did not directly say Madam Wang ran away on her own, and as for the reason Madam Wang was sent to the estate, she spoke of it in a veiled manner, but the Grand Dowager and Second Madam could easily guess the underlying causes.

A concubine needing convalescence would naturally stay in the mansion for careful nursing, how could someone be sent to an estate for two or three years? What this implies... goes without saying!

The Grand Dowager nodded gravely, "Since the First Young Madam has asked you to return for consultation, it must be a matter difficult to decide. You should go back and take a look, lest she finds herself undecided." Xiqiu nodded gratefully.

The Second Madam was taken aback upon hearing this; this matter could be seen as a scandal for the Tong Family. However, Xiqiu didn’t avoid discussing it in front of her, which reassured her a lot, and her words carried a sincere tone, "A bird must leave traces; since this happened at the estate, there must be leads to follow. Fourth Sister-in-law, quickly go back and take a look. If anything happens, send someone back to inform us."

This matter of the missing concubine could be significant or minor; if something embarrassing really happened, it would be hard for everyone involved to face it.

Xiqiu nodded, "Then I shall return." The Second Madam also stood up and said to Xiqiu, "Let Zitan arrange a carriage for you, Fourth Sister-in-law can take the mansion’s carriage."

The Marquis Mansion had carriages marked with its insignia, and each household also had their own individual carriages. Although there was no substantial difference between the public and private ones, the Second Madam’s offer to arrange one for Xiqiu was a gesture of goodwill.

Xiqiu did not refuse, smiling as she thanked her, "Then I shall trouble Second Sister-in-law." The Second Madam waved her hand indifferently, "It’s no trouble, these are matters I ought to handle." The Second Madam then turned to the Grand Dowager and said, "Mother, I will escort Fourth Sister-in-law and take the opportunity to check the rooms."

The Grand Dowager watched them with a cheerful expression and responded warmly, "Go ahead, take care on the road."

Xiqiu, accompanied by the Second Madam, left the Grand Dowager’s main room side by side. In the courtyard, Xiqiu expressed her apology, "I might be back late today. I’ll deal with Second Sister-in-law’s matters early tomorrow. I’m sorry."

The Second Madam laughed, unconcerned, "There’s no urgency. Take care of your family matters first, and we can talk about my affairs later."

Xiqiu thanked her sincerely, said farewell, and, accompanied by Chunliu and Bihuai, went to the second gate.

When the carriage reached the side gate of the Tong Mansion, Nanny Qian had already had Nanny Cai and a few others remove the threshold. Taking the whip from the nanny driving the carriage from the Marquis Mansion, she said with a smile, "You ladies, go take a rest; there’s wine warming inside."

Six accompanying nannies from the Marquis Mansion came along, and upon hearing Nanny Qian’s offer, they handed over their whips without hesitation and nodded, "Then thank you." They then turned to Xiqiu in the carriage and said, "Fourth Madam, we’ll be waiting outside."

Xiqiu lifted the curtain and replied with a smile, "Thank you, nannies, please go and warm yourselves with some wine." The six nannies followed Nanny Cai to the outer courtyard to drink wine.

Nanny Qian personally drove the carriage to the second gate, and once it stopped, set down a footstool outside the carriage, assisting Xiqiu down along with Chunliu.

"Sixth Lady." Nanny Qiu was waiting at the second gate and was visibly excited to see Xiqiu dismount, greeting her with enthusiasm, "It’s a relief you’re back, our lady has been thinking about you."

"Is Sister-in-law alright? Has Brother gone to the government office?" With Nanny Qiu’s support, Xiqiu entered through the second gate, heading straight to Madam Jiang’s courtyard.

Nanny Qiu responded to Xiqiu as they walked, "The Young Master sent the mansion’s servant out to look in the morning, then he went to the government office, mentioning there’s something to deal with there, and will discuss it upon returning at noon."

Tong Shen Zhi is currently at the Hanlin Academy, usually with a relatively leisurely schedule. However, recently, reports of snow calamities from places have flown to the Capital like snowflakes, making the Hanlin Academy incredibly busy with these reports daily.

She nodded, entered Madam Jiang’s courtyard with the maidservants and nannies.

Madam Jiang was talking with Madam Xia. Upon seeing Xiqiu enter, they stopped and greeted her together, "Sixth Lady is back." Madam Xia was also utterly delighted, "The roads are full of snow. Was your journey smooth?"

It had been a few days since Xiqiu last saw Madam Xia, and she replied with a smile, "I’m fine. Has Seventh Brother returned?"

Madam Xia responded with a joyful smile, "Yes, yes, he just now is in the outer courtyard." After all, she was in Madam Jiang’s presence and could not neglect her. Xiqiu turned and sat in the Taishi Chair in the main hall, asking Madam Jiang, "Does Mother know?"

Madam Jiang nodded, "We intended to keep it under wraps, but the matter couldn’t be concealed in the mansion. Nanny Fang heard the news in the morning and came to ask... Mother is furious as we speak, saying that irrespective of whether the person can be found, she mustn’t stay anymore."

If it were a concubine or newly-acquired woman in the family, her disappearance might not matter much, aside from the effort of burial. However, a concubine who had been part of the household for many years, and had children, couldn’t just be dealt with casually. The Lady nowadays lacks the skill and precision she had back then.

Madam Jiang’s face was filled with helplessness and difficulty. On one side was the issue in the mansion, on the other the Lady’s anger, leaving her caught in a difficult position.