CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 76: PUNISHMENT (3)

Lady just snorted coldly, and looked at her coldly: "Don’t pretend to be innocent, acting like this, tomorrow you will spread the word that I, as the proper mother, have treated you all like dogs." She sneered: "All grown up, wings are hard now..." Her gaze was fixed on Xiqiu: "Go back and think carefully, where did you all go wrong today?!"

Where did it go wrong? Xiqiu lowered her face and kneeled to salute the Lady: "Daughter understands." She withdrew obediently.

Tong Xiyang also did not dare to say anything more, avoiding the Lady’s anger, and followed Xiqiu out.

Sixing and Chunyan were trembling as they waited outside the garden gate. Seeing Xiqiu safely come out, their hearts eased. They went forward to support Xiqiu and softly said: "Miss, are you okay." They also saw Tong Xiyang, with disheveled clothes, being supported by her maid.

"Sixth Sister is truly eloquent!" Tong Xiyang glared at Xiqiu with cold eyes, seemingly wanting to devour her: "But what have you gained from your righteousness, isn’t it the same outcome as mine."

"Third Sister, instead of being angry here, you might as well go back and copy Women’s Training a few times." Xiqiu slowly walked a few steps on the path, then stopped to look back at Tong Xiyang: "How to copy Women’s Training, Sister should think carefully."

After saying that, she left without looking back.

What does she mean? Tong Xiyang frowned, pushed away Moxiang’s support, suddenly froze showing a tense expression, and said eagerly: "Quickly... quickly go tell the concubine, let her give me some advice."

Moxiang looked around seeing Zhui Garden’s maids and old women all around, and reluctantly tried to pull Tong Xiyang: "Miss, anything you want to say, say it at home."

Tong Xiyang was startled, suddenly became aware: "Alright! We’ll talk... talk at home."

Once they left, the Lady sat stern-faced at the head of the bed. Nanny Fang had never seen the Lady so angry: "Please calm down, Lady, so you won’t hurt your health." She cautiously refilled the Lady’s tea: "The Countess hasn’t spoken clearly, the servant sees there is still hope."

The veins on the Lady’s forehead faintly pulsed. She rubbed her forehead and said: "It’s precisely because she hasn’t said anything, the meaning couldn’t be clearer. I always thought Sixth Girl was mature, but at the critical moment, she acted so recklessly."

Nanny Fang felt uneasy inside, but since Lady was angry, she could only agree with her: "Sixth Miss is young, Third Miss had intentions, it’s inevitable to make mistakes..."

"Third Girl doesn’t have such scheming..." Coldness flickered in Lady’s eyes, she looked up at Nanny Fang: "The letter from the concubine a few days ago, fetch it for me to see."

Nanny Fang nodded and immediately went to Dobao Pavilion and carried out a black lacquered gold-painted box, opened the box, and took out an envelope and handed it to Lady.

Lady opened it and read it carefully, suddenly laughed: "Do you know what she said in the letter?"

Nanny Fang was stunned, shook her head, showing a puzzled expression.

Lady put the letter away, her anger disappeared, and she laughed: "Lord Hong of the Shandong Governor is getting old and plans to retire. He intends to write a letter of recommendation to the Ministry of Personnel, recommending Lord Xu to take over his position."

Nanny Fang laughed: "This is really good news!" She looked a bit excited since the concubine was Lady’s family, supporting Lady giving her more power in front of the First Master: "Does Lord Xu have any hobbies, Lady, do you want to prepare a gift in advance?"

"No hurry for these." Lady showed a faint smile: "The concubine mentioned another matter in the letter, saying Lord Hong, after an old age, greatly cared for his son. But last year, Young Master Hong fell from the horse while playing with friends, leaving his left leg disabled. Young Master Hong is sixteen this year, and Lord Hong wished to marry a learned family daughter for him, regardless of status, just seeking virtue!"

The news was too shocking, Nanny Fang reacted slowly and asked Lady: "Lady, what does that mean?"

Lady drank some tea, her voice had a chilling tone: "Isn’t she afraid of her daughter’s marriage, fearing I might casually marry her off... Although Lord Hong wants retirement, the Hong Mansion’s roots in Shandong run deep, while not as noble as those in the Capital, it is equal to the Tong Mansion."

Third Miss? Nanny Fang finally understood the Lady’s meaning, rather than keeping Third Miss causing trouble at the mansion, it might be better to find a distant family for her. Though Lord Hong is no longer a court official, his assets remain. Young Master Hong is disabled for life and cannot be a court official, but he is the eldest legitimate son, fitting for the concubine-born Third Miss of the Tong Mansion, this marriage is a perfect match!

She admired Lady, stating: "Lady has really thought it through!"

Lady smiled slightly with the letter in hand.

Lady didn’t mention, after Young Master Hong fell from the horse, he incurred another disability, unable to be a man for life. However, the Hong Mansion only said externally that Young Master Hong had a leg disability, which the concubine occasionally learned from the Hong Mansion maids’ chat.

Xiqiu returned to the courtyard, Siliu served her in removing her headwear, Sixing held a half basin of warm water, while Chunyan wrapped her chest with a scarf. After they washed and dressed her, she sat again at the dressing table, Siliu brushing her hair, couldn’t help but ask: "Miss, hasn’t Lady always tolerated the disputes between you and Third Miss, why such anger today?"

Sixing and Chunyan also showed puzzled expressions.

Lady wasn’t just angry over this matter!

Xiqiu stopped Siliu, turned to look at the three and said: "Isn’t house arrest alright?! At least we can have a few peaceful days."

Being under house arrest, doesn’t that mean returning to a two-year situation, all the efforts Miss made in these two years, gone to waste! Siliu pouted, obviously disagreed with what Xiqiu said was good, Sixing and Chunyan also appeared troubled and distressed.

Xiqiu laughed, suddenly wanted to tease: "Can’t you accompany me to wed Count Wujin, and that’s why you’re sad?"

The three of them were stunned, Siliu scolded: "At this time, Miss is still teasing us!"

Xiqiu also laughed, but inside she was somewhat relieved, she had a feeling Lady’s gaze earlier was disappointed and angry, if the Countess had shown the slightest interest, Lady shouldn’t be so furious!

Could it be that this marriage encountering some unspeakable event made the Countess hesitant...

Could it be that the Countess learned about what happened at Taohuawu and was very dissatisfied with her performance? Hence Lady was so enraged!?

She twirled the hairpin in her hand, her eyes squinted slightly, the final outcome should be known tomorrow when Madam Chen comes visiting, everything will become clear!