CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: CONCUBINE

Xiqiu gazed quietly at her for a moment before stepping forward to help her up. "You’ve always had a good relationship with Moju, and Moju is loyal to the young master. You mean well, it was just a coincidence, don’t overthink it." She took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "I didn’t sleep all night and I’m very tired now, I really can’t comfort you anymore."

Sixing stopped crying but still felt uneasy. Xiqiu pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed. "I have something for you to do."

Sixing stiffened and looked at her seriously. "What does Miss want the servant to do?"

Xiqiu said, "Later, have someone buy two jars of Jinhua wine, and quietly send them to Nanny Qian!" Whatever reason Nanny Qian had for helping her last night, this token of gratitude couldn’t be skipped.

Sixing nodded, "I’ll handle it right away, Miss, you should rest!"

Xiqiu nodded, lay down on the bed still dressed, closed her eyes to rest her mind, and thought about last night’s incident. When she saw Qiuyun sneaking a glance outside the door, she had Liufu keep watch at the entrance of the courtyard, to notify her immediately of anything seen or heard. Thus, when Chunyu and the others entered, Xu Tianqing had already returned via the covered walkway from the back rooms.

The consecutive schemes of Chunyu and Qiuyun were clever, yet they were still young and quite careless in their actions...

As for who taught them to do so, apart from Madam Wang, there probably wasn’t anyone else in the mansion with both the capability and motivation!

This time she was somewhat careless, but at least it allowed her to see through Madam Wang’s tactics. She thought that Madam Wang must have become quite adept after so many years of battling within the inner court against the First Lady and Madam Luo. However, it seemed that even for a marriage, she was so vicious, spreading false rumors from six years ago purposely to reach Tong Minzhi’s ears. He was so young and naturally couldn’t bear such talk, which left him depressed and ultimately led to his fall into the water. Even then, Madam Wang didn’t stop, conspiring such a plot to completely ruin her reputation.

If so, then for the marriage with Wujin Bo Mansion, the only suitable candidate among the illegitimate daughters would be Tong Xiyang.

Thinking of the desperate words Tong Minzhi had spoken to her after waking up, her heart twisted like a knife and her fists clenched involuntarily.

In the afternoon, after getting up and tidying up, she heard from Siliu that Nanny Fang had personally had Chunyu and Qiuyun bound and flogged twenty times each in front of the maidservants and nannies at the second gate, and then sent them off by carriage to the estate. When she heard this, she merely smiled and proceeded to Lady’s room with her maid.

In the side room, some young ladies were present. Tong Xiyang was sitting beside Lady, holding a gauze skirt with red purple snow fine gauze, saying something. Seeing Xiqiu enter, her eyes flickered playfully as she asked, "Sixth Sister is here, is Seventh Brother feeling better? You stayed up all night, I thought you wouldn’t come today!"

Xiqiu curtseyed to the First Lady, greeted her sisters, and nodded with a smile to her. "Much better." She paused then sincerely thanked her, "Thank you, Third Sister, for your concern, but how could a mere half-night cause any exhaustion?"

Tong Xiyang’s eyes quickly revealed a trace of disappointment, but she soon smiled, "That’s good!"

Xiqiu looked at the skirt in her hands and said, "This skirt is really pretty."

Tong Xiyang’s face showed pride, lifting the skirt to smile, "Sixth Sister thinks so too?!" She turned to Lady, "Mother, you see, Sixth Sister also thinks it’s pretty. You should try it, it would look great on you." She laughed, covering her sleeve with her hand in a gesture of flattery. "If we go out like this, those who don’t know better might think we’re sisters!"

Lady laughed, patting her hand, "You sweet talker!" She then turned to Xiqiu, pointing at the skirt. "Your Third Sister made it overnight. You’ve always had a good eye, help me see what color of overcoat would look best."

Xiqiu looked carefully at the skirt and said with a smile, "Third Sister is indeed skillful, this snow fine gauze is as soft as water, it must have taken a lot of work!" She then furrowed her brows, troubled, "If matched with a muted color overcoat, it’d be too plain, but if paired with scarlet red, it’d be too bright..." showing hesitation in her choice.

Tong Xiyan came over, gently tapping Xiqiu’s forehead, "Up to your old tricks again!" She then turned to Lady with a smile, "Mother, don’t ask her anymore. She’s always the most indecisive, by the time she decides, it’ll be next year before it’s worn!"

Tong Xiyu looked toward Xiqiu, her lips moved but she didn’t speak.

"How can you talk about your sister like that?" Lady glared at Tong Xiyan. "I think Sixth Girl has a good eye, just a bit too plain and mature."

Xiqiu cooperatively lowered her head, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"How about pairing it with lotus color, it’s refreshing and doesn’t clash with this red-purple!" Tong Xiyang glanced at Xiqiu, nestled against Lady, and said with a smile, "Mother is well preserved, lotus color suits you best."

Every woman likes being complimented on her youth, and Lady is no exception, her face full of smiles.

The young ladies echoed these sentiments, talking about how well Lady maintained herself. Xiqiu sat elegantly, took a sip of tea, and nonchalantly mentioned, "Speaking of beauty care, I noticed the Heavenly Fire Grass in the garden has grown a lot since I entered. It seems a waste just letting it grow there. Mother, why not have someone pick some and make a paste to apply on the face for skincare? It can also be used in dishes, consumed internally for its beautifying, nourishing effects, and calming the mind – quite suitable for ladies."

Everyone was taken aback, Lady was even more surprised. "It has such uses?" Tong Xiyan clung to her arm in curiosity, "It’s just a plant with strange growth, does it really have so many uses?"

Xiqiu seemed a bit unsure, thought for a moment, and then said, "I read about it in a book. If a lady gets acne or swelling, applying its juice daily would have anti-inflammatory and beautifying effects. Internal consumption would be even better."

Nanny Fang had been remembering the Heavenly Fire Grass; the eldest sister had written out several ways to prepare it for Lady. She had hesitated due to its strange growth but now hearing Xiqiu’s explanation, her eyes lit up. "Does Sixth Miss know which preparation method works best?"

Tong Xiyang seemed especially interested too, prompting, "Is it eaten daily, or does one serving work?"

"Stir-fried, stewed, or served cold." She looked at Tong Xiyang, "No need to eat it daily."

Tong Xiyang fell silent, her eyes gazed through the window towards the garden, appearing thoughtful.

Nanny Fang was all smiles. "Alright, I’ll have someone pick some and make a stew for Lady tonight."

Xiqiu nodded, her peripheral vision catching a glimpse of Tong Xiyang’s downcast face, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

After having dinner at Lady’s place, Xiqiu intentionally lagged behind. Lady looked at her in confusion and asked, "What’s the matter? Did something happen with Seventh again?"

Xiqiu hung her head, her expression a bit guilty. "Thank you for your concern, Mother. Seventh Brother has recovered; a few more days of rest and he’ll be fine! It’s just..." She paused, looking hopefully at Lady. "I heard Aunt is ill...I...I want to visit her."