CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 77: PUNISHMENT (4)

The next day, Madam Chen did come by. It’s unclear what was said with Lady, but Madam Chen left without staying for lunch, and her face looked unpleasant. Lady personally escorted her to the second gate, return locked the door, and smashed a glazed enamel she used to play with and cherish, sulking for several days. The entire household was too frightened to breathe heavily, and even Tong Xiyan did not dare to appear in front.

Chunyan came back to tell Xiqiu about this, adding that she saw Lady sending a letter to Shandong early in the morning. Nanny Fang’s expression, although still sour, was notably better than the previous days.

Xiqiu listened without saying a word, only giving a faint smile, but the atmosphere in Zhiqu Courtyard was noticeably more relaxed than before.

Tong Xiyan came daily to speak with Xiqiu: "Quick, tell me, what happened at Count Wujin’s that day? Why is Mother so furious, and I heard she even hit Third Sister?!"

No matter how close Tong Xiyan was to her, she was still Lady’s legitimate daughter. Xiqiu could not discuss Lady in front of her, just lowered her face and said, "I lost my composure that day and angered Mother."

"You?" Tong Xiyan showed a puzzled expression, "I know your temperament too well. Don’t say Third Sister only said those words, even if it were nastier, you wouldn’t strike." She pulled Xiqiu, extremely curious: "Quick, tell me what truly happened that day. Did Third Sister raise her hand first? And you are covering for her, playing the good samaritan?"

Tong Xiyan was indeed very attentive. Xiqiu feared saying too much would arouse her suspicion and couldn’t help but smile as she pinched her cheek: "You’re about to become Lord Yuan... Things really are like that; don’t add fuel and concoct wild ideas."

"Really?" Tong Xiyan squinted her eyes, showing a thoughtful expression, apparently still not believing Xiqiu’s "truth."

Xiqiu deliberately changed the subject: "I heard yesterday you went to the outer courtyard and borrowed a book from Cousin." She leaned closer and showed a mysterious expression: "What book?"

Tong Xiyan’s cheeks suddenly blushed, revealing an unnatural expression: "No... nothing, just a collection of poems!"

Is there really something? Xiqiu thought of Xu Tianqing’s gentle appearance, and looking again at Tong Xiyan’s delicate youthful demeanor, suddenly felt that if they were together, it would indeed be a good match for Tong Xiyan!

Tong Xiyan didn’t know what Xiqiu was thinking, seeing her side-faced with a frown, assuming she didn’t believe her words, and nudged her: "It’s truly just a collection of poems..."

Xiqiu knew Xu Tianqing cherished many poetry collections, some even rare, wrapped in kraft paper and sealed in boxes. Recently, she heard that he frequently followed Tong Shen Zhi in and out, knowing many candidates from this year’s exams, and even invited friends back to the mansion. The renowned officer Shilin was also among them, and they discussed poetry and painting throughout the night, lively.

"Got it, how could I not believe you!" Xiqiu said with a smile.

Tong Xiyan glared at Xiqiu, swallowed her words and turned to pick up the Great Zhou Geography she often read, lying slanted on the kang and flipped through it casually.

Xiqiu saw her like that, shook her head, said no more, and lowered her head to continue copying the Women’s Training Lady had punished her with.

Xiqiu enjoyed a clean slate for half a month. During this time, Xiao Yanzheng sent several invitations to visit Marquis Xuanning, which she politely declined, without elaborating any reasons.

Lady also stayed in Zhui Garden all day, occasionally going to sit in the side-room, reportedly Madam Wang’s illness worsened, requiring continuous folk doctors and herbal medicines, while the other concubines suddenly quietened down, and Tong Mansion sank into a rare tranquility.

Compared to the surface calm of Tong Mansion, the court was burgeoning with turmoil and intrigue. Lord Duan’s coldness from a few days ago hadn’t improved, spending ten days sick in bed without signs of getting better. So he instructed his eldest son to act as his scribe and submitted his resignation to the Emperor. The resignation was sent to the palace, but the Emperor withheld it, daily calling imperial physicians to diagnose, sending precious medicines to Duan Mansion, showing clearly his high regard.

Despite the Emperor’s apparent penchant, the vacant cabinet minister position inevitably surfaced party disputes in the court, straying towards open visibility.

As Second Prince and Third Prince’s factions deployed various strategies and perks, mutual attacks and innovations ran wild, Lord Duan recovered and returned to the court. The Emperor, ecstatic, appeased his two outstanding sons by rewarding the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Second Master. Though no promotion in rank or upgrade, his salary jumped from a hundred and ninety taels of patterned silver, fourteen measures of grain salary, to two hundred and twenty taels, sixteen measures. Simultaneously, he also elevated another Assistant Minister of the Imperial Stables.

Despite no promotion, their treatment rose a notch, sending an unmistakable message that promotion was merely a matter of time and opportunity.

The Second Prince and Third Prince finally quieted down.

On the second side, Second Lady beamed with joy. Coincidentally, First Master’s personal servant returned, reporting First Master went to Shandong and would return to the capital in a few days, so Lady need not specially send anyone to greet him as he intends to renew ties with Lord Xu, his brother-in-law.

Lady also delighted, specially prepared a gift and personally sent it to the second side.

Both mansions brimmed with joy except for a few grounded young ladies, even Madam Wang, who had been ill for days, showed an expectant smile, busily instructing Nanny Qiu to send someone to Zhui Garden and use silver to inquire the exact return date of First Master. The matrons judging East Cross Courtyard were long since bribed by Nanny Qiu, and a little girl easily slipped out, dodged everyone and went in front of the main house rockery, squatting for two days until an unexpected guest arrived.

Nanny Fang came out from the main house, noticed Nanny Han surrounded by three or four matrons and maids entering through the second gate, put on a full-faced smile: "Nanny Han, please inside!" This Nanny Han was the one standing beside Countess in Marquis Mansion, regarded as the top housekeeper mother at Marquis Mansion, tall and lean in her fifties, with somewhat sharp temple bones making her appear serious and difficult to deal with, yet apparently not. She affectionately took Nanny Fang’s hand, the two walked to the main house, chatting: "Originally wanted to come yesterday, at noon Count was summoned into the palace by His Majesty again, Countess followed in to accompany Empress Dowager, which delayed..."

Although Count Wujin held a leisurely position, he was quite witty, and Emperor Dezong often invited him into the palace. Nanny Fang couldn’t help but think of Countess’s high status and solemn demeanor, imagining the scene of entertaining with the reputedly witty Count in front of Empress Dowager and Emperor.

"Countess is busy, you are capable, you should just notify by sending servants, wouldn’t dare trouble you personally."

Nanny Han revealed a hint of pride, the two smiling and chatting entered Zhui Garden.

Lady sat in the main hall, on a vermillion lacquered round-back chair, smiling at Nanny Han entering.

Nanny Han bowed to Lady, while Nanny Fang helped her up, presenting a footstool covered with blue stone cushions: "Mother, please sit." She personally went to brew Laojun Mei tea.