CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: COUNTERATTACK (PART 1)

Siliu was taken aback and said, "But these young misses can’t give it to her."

Xiqiu shook her head and tapped Siliu’s forehead, saying, "Figure it out yourself."

Siliu pouted and looked to Sixing for help, but Sixing also shook her head, indicating she didn’t understand either. Siliu sighed in frustration, "Miss always teases us servants. How could a servant like me be so clever?"

For several days, the mansion was calm and quiet. The Seventh Young Master recovered and was lively again, going back to his studies. Madam Xia had requested to go to Puji Temple to eat vegetarian for forty-nine days, and the First Lady had approved. Early in the morning, Xiqiu, along with Madam Luo and Madam Mei, went to see Madam Xia off, with Nanny Qian standing by the carriage.

Madam Xia, with tearful eyes, looked at Xiqiu and said, "You and the Seventh Young Master must take good care of yourselves. If anything happens, let someone inform me at the temple." She spoke with a downcast face, thinking to herself that in her condition, even if her siblings were in trouble, what more could she do than give her life?

Xiqiu smiled and said, "Mother is here to take care of everything in the mansion, so there’s nothing to worry about. You can leave at ease!" Smiling, she held Madam Xia’s hand and discreetly placed a pocket in her hand. Madam Xia was startled and wanted to refuse, but seeing there were many people around the carriage, she only moved her lips without saying anything, tears flowing more fiercely.

"What’s all this about, making it seem like a life-and-death parting early in the morning?" Madam Luo, arms crossed, leaned against the door, raising her brows with a half-smile at the two. Madam Mei glanced at Xiqiu, her eyes flashing, and nudged Madam Luo, saying, "It’s early morning, sister, don’t speak nonsense."

Madam Luo snorted coldly, not even sparing her a glance, leaving Madam Mei feeling awkward and closing her mouth.

Xiqiu knew Madam Luo was putting on a show for others, so she just smiled casually and didn’t respond.

Madam Xia, with tears in her eyes, gave Madam Luo a look full of many meanings, pulled out a handkerchief and smiled through her tears, saying, "Sister is right, I’m losing my composure!" She then turned to Nanny Qian, "Let’s go, don’t be late for the hour!"

Madam Luo flicked her handkerchief, stepped ahead of Xiqiu, and said, "Let’s go! It’ll be just over a month before you’re back, and you’re being all emotional!"

Xiqiu nodded to Madam Xia, gave a few instructions to Xiuzhi and Xiulan, and told the coachwoman, "Let’s go!" She then bowed to Nanny Qian, "Thank you, Nanny."

Nanny Qian said, "It’s my duty, Sixth Miss, no need to be polite!" With that, she personally helped Madam Xia onto the carriage, followed by Xiuzhi and Xiulan. They drew the carriage curtain, and the coachwoman swung the whip with a crisp sound, setting the carriage in motion!

Xiqiu maintained her smile, her hand tightly clenched, her gaze following the carriage as it gradually moved away...

Sixing, fearing she might lose composure, was about to speak up to remind her, but Xiqiu smiled and turned her face calmly to look at Madam Luo, "I still need to visit Mother for greetings, would Aunt like to come?"

Madam Luo’s eyes showed admiration, but she swayed her hips and said, "I’m not feeling well, I won’t go!" With that, she led her maidservants away without looking back!

Xiqiu smiled and then looked at Madam Mei, who smiled and said, "I won’t go either. The First Lady asked me to finish making a few sheer silk nets." She bowed to Xiqiu, "I won’t go with Sixth Miss then."

Xiqiu nodded to her, "Walk slowly, Aunt!" and turned with Sixing and Siliu, heading onto a small path towards Zhui Garden.

As soon as she entered the door, she saw a charming figure ingratiatingly sticking to the First Lady, her soft laughter filling the room.

Madam Wang was wearing a peach-colored cotton jacket with double gold, a lake-green overcoat with scattered floral patterns dragging on the ground, and a gauze skirt embroidered with large red peonies. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, she wore no jewelry, though her face was slightly powdered, her cheeks had some acne appearing puffy, and many butterfly spots appeared around her eyes, vastly different from the charming and coquettish impression she usually gave off...

She smiled while speaking to the First Lady, taking over Zijuan’s duties as she sat on a footstool, "I haven’t seen the First Lady for days, I’ve missed you and worried. A few days ago, the Third Miss was tirelessly copying the Buddhist scriptures for the First Lady day and night, so I was concerned about her health and hadn’t had the chance to come pay my respects to the First Lady."

The concubine is like half a maid, her referring to herself as a servant was somewhat deliberate but appropriate.

The First Lady, with a smile that did not reach her eyes, pressed down on her Beauty Hammer and looked at Zijuan, "Haven’t you helped Madam Wang up yet?" Zijuan immediately stepped up to assist Madam Wang, and the First Lady continued, "You’re not young anymore, and now being with child, you should take care of yourself, let the maids handle such rough work. Just sit by me and talk for a while."

"Then I’ll graciously comply!" Madam Wang smiled as she curtseyed, taking a seat on a nearby embroidered stool.

It seemed as if the recent tension and underlying currents of hostility were illusions, and the current harmony among wife and concubines was the true reality.

"Mother!" Xiqiu entered and curtseyed to the First Lady, then nodded to Madam Wang, "Madam Wang." Madam Wang’s eyes flickered, and her face immediately filled with smiles as she approached Xiqiu, holding her hand and looking her over for a long moment, "Is this the Sixth Miss? I haven’t seen you for a few years, and you’ve grown so tall that I almost didn’t recognize you!"

Xiqiu smiled at her, blushing and lowering her head without speaking, while the First Lady said, "At her age, it’s natural to grow quickly." She looked at Xiqiu, noticing her gentle demeanor, and remembered what Zijuan had said, "Sixth Miss didn’t hurry to see Madam Xia upon entering but chatted with her at the door for a while before going in... Madam Luo arrived later, so it’s unclear if she knew Sixth Miss was there or not. They spent around half a tea’s time in the room, and when Sixth Miss left she didn’t say goodbye to Madam Luo and just left, not even waiting for her."

What did she and Madam Luo discuss that made the usually mild-tempered Sixth Girl forget her manners?

"Sixth Girl has just recovered from a severe illness, and Madam Wang being with child shouldn’t overexert either, so please sit down for a chat." Zizhu served tea, and Xiqiu took a cup, looking at the First Lady with a smile, "Mother looks especially good today."

The First Lady’s eyes were full of laughter, "Really?! I’m not sure if it’s because of the Heavenly Fire Grass I had last night, but the days of vexation seem to have eased quite a bit."

Not a miraculous drug, how could it work so quickly? Xiqiu thought to herself, but she smiled and said, "Mother’s skin has always been good, the Heavenly Fire Grass is just the icing on the cake."

Madam Wang interjected, "Sixth Miss is right, I just said the same thing, the First Lady hasn’t changed a bit over the years." After speaking, she sighed, touching her own face, "As for me, this pregnancy looks unsightly, my face is full of rashes and swollen, and even spots are appearing..." She looked at the First Lady, surprised, "What did Sixth Miss say about this Heavenly Fire Grass having such effects?"

The First Lady’s brow twitched imperceptibly, she took a slow sip of tea before saying, "It’s the Heavenly Fire Grass brought back from Miaojiang by the Marquis, given to us by Xihua who planted some in the flower garden. It can be used in medicine or externally, Sixth Girl says it’s for beauty, nourishing the skin, soothing the mind."

Madam Wang’s eyes lit up, and she gazed affectionately at Xiqiu, "Sixth Miss, what is the origin of this grass, having such properties?"