CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 72: ACCIDENT (5)

This small room is about a dozen square meters, with two partition screens set in the middle. Inside the partitions, there is a red lacquered chamber pot, accompanied by necessities such as clean water and soap. After she finished washing her hands and rearranging her clothes, she heard urgent breathing sounds and the collision of heavy objects from the other side of the partition.

Each sound was particularly clear in the dim room.

Xiqiu frowned. This room was exquisitely made, with two partitions dividing two enclosed spaces. She hadn’t noticed someone next door when she came in. Now, such sounds were coming from inside...

Her face changed. Could it be that inside... She thought about this mansion, where the old Count’s concubines numbered in the double digits, and several young masters were competitive as well. The entire mansion was filled with women. Perhaps it would be best to leave and avoid seeing something she shouldn’t.

She lifted her skirt and walked quickly for a few steps. Suddenly, she halted as the breathing sounds from the partition disappeared, leaving only the banging noises.

Could it be?

She turned around and quickly walked to the inside, lifted the curtain of the partition, and was immediately filled with astonishment.

Second Miss Xiao was lying on the ground, her eyes rolled back, mouth foaming, and body convulsing. Her head kept hitting the ground, making those banging sounds from just now.

She hurried over, immediately balled up her handkerchief and stuffed it into the girl’s mouth, took off her shoe to cushion under her head, loosened her collar, and pinched the philtrum.

After a while, Second Miss Xiao stopped convulsing and gradually regained consciousness, but her eyes were still unfocused. She didn’t recognize Xiqiu immediately and looked at her in confusion.

"Second Miss!" Xiqiu helped her up, leaned her against her arm, and took out the handkerchief from her mouth: "How are you feeling? Do you want me to call your maid in?" Based on her symptoms, it was likely a seizure. Usually, such patients should have pills on them, but when Xiqiu checked her pocket earlier, she hadn’t found any.

Second Miss Xiao’s gaze gradually cleared, her face so pale it was startling. Recognizing Xiqiu, she immediately looked nervous: "No... no need."

Xiqiu helped her sit on the huanghuali armchair outside, knowing that such a person shouldn’t be stimulated at this time. She comforted her gently: "Would you like some water, or just rest here for a while before returning? I’m also free, so I can stay with you for a bit. We can go back when you feel better; how does that sound?"

Her long almond-shaped eyes filled with suspicion, Second Miss Xiao said: "You... aren’t you curious about what happened to me just now?"

"You just had a fall." Xiqiu smiled and said: "It’s damp here, and there’s water on the ground. I almost slipped myself."

There were no screams, no curiosity, no questioning, and unlike others, no mocking either. Second Miss Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Xiqiu’s gentle smiling face, she weakly smiled back: "The ground really is slippery!"

With that said, the two of them exchanged silent smiles.

"Why are you here alone, without a maid?" Xiqiu asked. She hadn’t noticed when she came in because there wasn’t a maid guarding outside the door.

Second Miss Xiao leaned back into the chair, her gaze clear again, though her face was still pale. She covered the spot on the back of her head she had just hit, her brows slightly furrowed: "They follow me everywhere, and I find it annoying!" She then looked at Xiqiu with a grateful expression: "Thank you!"

Xiqiu understood how she felt. Since she had such an illness, the Marquis Mansion would certainly have people closely following her everywhere, fearing she would have a seizure with no one around and have an accident. No wonder First Young Madam Ren didn’t ask if she wanted to play but asked if she was tired.

Could it be that her illness was no longer a secret? With such an ailment, finding a husband would indeed be very difficult. It would typically be kept tightly under wraps.

As if seeing Xiqiu’s doubts, Second Miss Xiao said: "No one knows about my illness yet... Could you help me keep it a secret?!"

"Of course." Xiqiu replied calmly: "Besides, Second Miss merely had a fall."

Second Miss Xiao nodded, her gaze landing on Xiqiu’s feet, apologetically saying: "Your shoes!" Xiqiu was stunned, remembering she had taken off her shoes for cushioning earlier and hadn’t put them back on. She hurried back to put them on and returned to feel the back of Second Miss Xiao’s head: "Does it hurt? Do you want me to call a doctor?"

"It doesn’t hurt!" She smiled: "Luckily, my hair bun provided some cushion..." Her eyes sparkled with a hint of playfulness.

It seemed she was accustomed to the seizures, recovering faster than average patients.

Seeing she was fine, Xiqiu said: "I’ll have someone get a basin of water for you." Then she turned to call Sixing.

"Second Miss Xiao?!" Sixing’s expression was surprised when she entered. Xiqiu said: "Second Miss accidentally fell. Please get a basin of water."

So many people falling today?! Sixing nodded with doubt: "I’ll go right away." She curtsied to Second Miss Xiao and lifted the curtain to leave.

Second Miss Xiao said: "Don’t call me Second Miss. My maiden name is Yanzheng."

Xiqiu remembered her sister’s husband was called Xiao Yanyi and the Marquis Xuanning was Xiao Yanji.

Although Xiao Yanzheng appeared aloof and unapproachable, she seemed very attentive and amiable after a closer acquaintance. Xiqiu smiled and curtsied to her: "Sister!" She added: "My maiden name is Xiqiu."

"Xiqiu... like the phrase ’Meticulously examined down to the finest details’? Is that the Xiqiu you mean?"

Xiqiu nodded with a smile.

"Master Tong must have come from twice-ranked Advanced Scholar origins to choose such a name. Unlike our family, which is full of military men!" Although she said this without disdain, her words indicated admiration for scholars.

"In literature, there is no first; in military, there is no second... The Marquis has killed thousands of enemies, achieving peace for the region. He is a hero in the hearts of the people of the Great Zhou, not just a mere military man!" Xiqiu smiled and said: "Civil and military governance are different; sister, you’re being modest."

Second Miss Xiao laughed: "You’re too kind!" Just when she was about to speak to Xiqiu, Sixing lifted the curtain again, followed closely by Nanny Luo.

Xiqiu barely perceptibly frowned but smiled and said: "Thank you, Madam."

"Second Miss Xiao, Sixth Miss Tong." Nanny Luo’s gaze flitted between the two of them without asking why Xiao Yanzheng was there, her face full of smiles: "It’s my duty. Sixth Miss can ask anything of this old woman."

Xiqiu glanced at Sixing. Sixing helped Nanny Luo set the basin down and then pulled her aside: "Mom, why don’t you wait outside..." She also slipped a pocket into her hand.

Nanny Luo discreetly measured the weight and then beamed: "Then I’ll be waiting outside for the two Misses." She walked out with Sixing.

"Sorry for the trouble," Xiao Yanzheng apologized, looking guilty.

"It’s just a small matter." Xiqiu smiled, letting down her hair and redoing her hairstyle, wiping her face. Her skin was naturally smooth and pale, without any powders.