CHAPTER 86: CHAPTER 86: FATHER (2)

Xiqiu’s gaze subtly shifted as she naturally adjusted the overcoat on her body. This garment was something she had asked Chunyan to specifically fetch from Madam Xia’s chest. Just now, she noticed a change in First Master’s eyes when he looked at her, but she thought it might evoke his memories of Madam Xia, yet he showed no reaction at all.

She sighed inwardly, feeling a tinge of disappointment.

"Father, it’s rare for you to return, and it’s been a long time since there’s been any excitement in the mansion," Tong Xiyan looked at First Master with anticipation. She remembered how Xiqiu had described the scene of watching a theatrical performance at Count Wujin’s. It had been six years since the Tong Mansion last invited an opera troupe for a performance, something she barely remembered: "Why don’t we invite an opera troupe back to the mansion for a day of performance?"

"Why this sudden interest in operatic performances?" First Master revealed a faint smile, not displeased by Tong Xiyan’s somewhat whimsical request.

Tong Xiyan, seeing his calm expression, breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "During the Festival of the Daughters on the third day of March, we accompanied Mother to Puji Temple and didn’t get to enjoy ourselves. This time, let’s think of it as making up for the Festival of the Daughters!" After all, Tong Xiyan was the legitimate daughter, and her relationship with First Master was truly like that of father and daughter, more intimate, less formal and distant than with Xiqiu and the others. She went up to First Master’s side and linked arms with him, saying, "Father, is that alright?!"

Lady showed displeasure and frowned, "How can you be so frivolous? Your father just got back, and you’re causing such a fuss, not letting him rest well!" She paused and added, "Even for a theatrical performance, there must be a reason; we can’t just casually invite people back for it!"

Tong Xiyan lost some of her enthusiasm but couldn’t help glancing at First Master.

First Master waved his hand with a smile, saying to Lady, "She’s still a child!" He then expressed some guilt, "I’m rarely at the mansion; even if they want to make a fuss, there are few such opportunities. It’s hard for Fourth Girl to want to watch an opera, so let’s just indulge her this time, without needing any particular reason."

"Master... as for the Imperial Censor..." She feared that the Tong Mansion’s extravagance might affect First Master’s report of duty.

First Master waved his hand and said, "There’s no need to always be so tense. We’re not making a big fuss, just a one-day performance, it’s fine!"

Since First Master had spoken thus, even if Lady was unwilling, it was hard to continue opposing it. She thought she could take advantage of the opportunity to invite several ministers from the Ministry of Personnel. It might even help with his report of duty. Thinking of this, she smiled at Tong Xiyan and said, "All you know is to pester your father; aren’t you quick to thank your father?"

Tong Xiyan’s lips curled up as she nestled beside First Master and said, "Thank you, Father."

First Master looked at the few daughters sitting below and asked, "Since you all want to watch an opera, why don’t you decide among yourselves which troupe to invite to the mansion? Then inform your mother, and she can make the decision!" As First Master spoke to them like this, even Tong Xiyang, who had not had much to cheer about in recent days, felt her spirits lifted and looked at First Master with bright eyes!

Tong Xiyu’s eyes also lit up, and her face showed excitement...

Xiqiu, however, frowned and couldn’t help but feel curious about First Master. She was trying to define what kind of person he was, as if beneath a competent and steady exterior, there lay a loving heart, yet the things he did broke one’s heart.

She remembered how Madam Xia spoke of First Master with tearful eyes. Having married from distant Suzhou to the Capital, she thought there would be mutual affection and respect, but ultimately, after three years of warmth came a lifetime of desolation.

Although he could be described as indifferent, he always took good care of Madam Wang and never neglected Madam Mei or Madam Luo.

Only Madam Xia was treated differently!

Thinking of Tong Minzhi’s yearning for fatherly love, she too raised her head and flashed a sweet smile at First Master, "What kind of opera would you and Mother like to hear?" Her voice was as clear as a bubbling spring, and a trace of surprise swiftly passed through First Master’s usually calm eyes...

Xiqiu continued to smile. Regardless of what happened back then, or what kind of person First Master was, she wanted to make an effort for Tong Minzhi and Madam Xia!

"Oh, you. Your father is asking you what you want to hear, and you turn around and ask us instead." Lady smiled at Xiqiu; she was in a good mood today.

Xiqiu said with a smile, "I’ve never heard an opera before, so I can’t tell good from bad. Whatever Mother listens to, I will listen to as well."

First Master nodded approvingly, "That’s how it should be." Even Tong Shen Zhi had a slight smile playing at his lips.

"So dutiful!" Tong Xiyan said with a smile as she sat beside Xiqiu and whispered in her ear, "What’s the name of that opera you mentioned last time? Maybe we should invite that troupe back."

Xiqiu tilted her head, pondered for a while, and sighed, "I can’t remember!"

Tong Xiyang laughed and interjected, "What are Fourth Sister and Sixth Sister talking about?" Tong Xiyan showed disdain, but she didn’t dare behave this way in front of First Master and replied with a smile, "Oh, nothing much. We were just discussing with Sixth Sister which troupe to invite."

Tong Xiyang laughed behind her sleeve, "That’s quite a predicament. We’ve only heard a few performances, and looking back, it was just a few painted faces on stage singing indistinctly. How could we remember the opera styles or the troupes?"

Tong Xiyan said nothing, and Xiqiu turned her face away, not engaging. Tong Xiyang, feeling slightly embarrassed, fell silent, her cheeks reddening as she glanced at Xiqiu and smiled, asking, "Sixth Sister, do you remember any good opera troupes?"

Xiqiu furrowed her brows but then smiled, "I’m not as knowledgeable as Third Sister, so I don’t know either!"

"That’s certainly true!" Tong Xiyang laughed while looking at Lady, "We should just follow Mother’s lead!" Silently, she scorned; showing off in front of First Master? You’re still too green!

Watching his daughters getting along harmoniously, First Master smiled. Lady laughed and said, "You all seem so eager. Later, I’ll have Nanny Fang record all the famous troupes in the Capital and what performances they do, so you can choose for yourselves!"

The daughters all laughed together and said in unison, "Good!"

Suddenly, Tong Xiyu, blushing, looked at Lady and asked, "Mother, will Big Sister come back on the day of the performance?"

Lady raised an eyebrow, satisfaction showing in her eyes, "Of course, we’ll invite her. It’s touching that you still think of your Big Sister."

Tong Xiyang’s smile froze slightly, and Xiqiu also looked down. Tong Xiyan immediately pouted and said, "It sounds like it was only Eighth Sister remembering Big Sister, as if the rest of us forgot!"

First Master looked pleased, and Lady, watching her daughters, showed a look of helplessness.

With laughter and enjoyment in the room, Lady, sipping tea with a smile, noticed Nanny Fang’s face appearing briefly outside the curtain. She rose and went out of the room inconspicuously.

"What’s the matter?" Lady looked at Nanny Fang, knowing that if it weren’t important, she wouldn’t have acted this way.

Nanny Fang glanced toward the inner chamber and lowered her voice, "There’s trouble again over in the East Cross Courtyard; they’re saying they haven’t eaten all day!" She looked up and cautiously suggested, "Should we tell the Master?" If this keeps up, something might actually happen. First Master, regarding women, is usually mindful; if there’s dissatisfaction, it’s like a cut thread, never to be seen again. Madam Wang and Madam Xia are prime examples.