Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme
Chapter 87: Father (3)
CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER 87: FATHER (3)
Even in her dealings with him, the Lady was always careful to keep a measured distance, and therefore, Nanny Fang dared not be too careless.
The Lady’s brows knitted tightly together as she murmured in a low voice, "Let her cause a scene. The more raucous, the better! You should also find a place to avoid the trouble. If the First Master asks, just say that you’re busy with tasks and got delayed for a moment."
Nanny Fang’s eyes lit up and she nodded, "I’ll go sit in the outer courtyard and also take a look at how the Eldest Young Master’s flower garden has turned out." The Lady held her hand and gave a few more explanations, and Nanny Fang nodded repeatedly, "I’ll handle it right away!"
The Lady watched Nanny Fang’s departing figure and smiled slightly.
The group moved to the inner room, where the Lady asked Zijuan to serve the meal and called Xu Tianqing and Tong Minzhi from the outer courtyard. They sat around a round table with a black lacquered ivory surface. Luo Mei and the two concubines stood behind the Lady and the First Master, serving dishes. At this moment, Xiqiu secretly felt relieved that fortunately Madam Xia hadn’t returned to the mansion yet, otherwise she would have to endure sitting there while her own mother served dishes to her like a maid!
Everyone ate the dishes in front of them with decorum. Tong Minzhi hung his head low, occasionally glancing at Xiqiu with his peripheral vision, and Xiqiu would smile at him when she thought no one noticed.
The First Master was in a good mood today and had someone bring up a pot of Jinhua Wine. He invited Tong Shenzhi and Xu Tianqing to join him. Tong Xiyan had visited the outer courtyard a few times recently and had become closer with Xu Tianqing than before. He smiled and said, "Father, cousin is not accustomed to drinking this Jinhua Wine. I see he usually has spirits!" After speaking, he covered his mouth with his sleeve and laughed.
"Oh?" The First Master looked at Xu Tianqing in surprise, "Where are the spirits from? Did you bring them from Shandong?"
Xu Tianqing looked a bit embarrassed, smiling shyly, "They’re... they’re from a distillery in the Capital. I don’t usually drink them, just use them to entertain friends!"
"Friends?" This piqued Tong Shenzhi’s curiosity, "Is it Lord Jiang?"
Xu Tianqing shook his head, "No!" She quickly glanced at Xiqiu, revealing a peculiar expression, "It’s... it’s Fourth Young Master Xiao and them!" She omitted mentioning Third Young Master Ren and others.
This answer left everyone astonished. The Lady’s face changed on the spot, her voice tinged with displeasure, "Is it Marquis Xuanning’s Fourth Master Xiao? How did you become familiar with him?"
Xiqiu’s brows furrowed; could it be that the wine Tong Minzhi used to wipe his body last time was actually prepared by him for Fourth Master Xiao?
She suddenly thought that Count Wujin’s Second Master seemed to be his fellow candidate, also participating in this year’s autumn examination. It was widely known that Fourth Master Xiao was close to Third Master Ren, so could they have met this way?
Everyone cast questioning glances at Xu Tianqing, who blushed and said, "Not familiar, just happened to be a guest by chance!" In his words, there was none of the common disdain or avoidance mentioned about him by others, but rather an appreciative and admiring tone.
The Lady’s expression slightly eased, but she couldn’t help but admonish, "Although you shouldn’t always stay cooped up at home, you must still focus on your studies. A person like Fourth Master Xiao is best avoided entirely, even if encountered!" It was as if avoiding a serpent.
Xu Tianqing nodded absentmindedly but said nothing.
The First Master interrupted the Lady’s words, "I don’t see Fourth Young Master Xiao as unruly as he appears. If it’s just a matter of friendship, there’s no harm in socializing a bit."
Tong Shenzhi also nodded thoughtfully, "I saw him last time outside Puji Temple with his friends. Although somewhat arrogant, his manners were impeccable."
The Lady was rendered speechless, but her expression was not agreeable.
The First Master glanced at her, concerned about embarrassing Xu Tianqing, who was after all only a nephew. He smiled, "Let’s head to the study to spare the Lady from being disturbed here."
Tong Shenzhi had no objections, and Xu Tianqing nodded in agreement. The First Master suddenly turned to Tong Minzhi, whose eyes brightened, thinking that he, too, would be invited, and waited with bated breath. But the First Master said, "You’re still young. Go back and rest early."
It was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head!
Tong Minzhi nodded woodenly, eyes brimming with disappointment. Xiqiu noticed his expression, her heart aching but unable to say anything.
The First Master led Tong Shenzhi and Xu Tianqing to the study, leaving Tong Minzhi to return alone to the outer courtyard. Several young ladies accompanied the Lady for a while longer before she, showing signs of fatigue, said to them, "Disperse now, go back and rest!"
Xiqiu exited, and Tong Xiyan pulled her to discuss which opera troupe to invite, clearly invested in the matter. But Xiqiu glanced back and shook her head, "I have some matters to attend to, I’ll come to you tomorrow!" With an appearance of urgency, she left with Siliu and Sixing.
Tong Xiyan sighed, "Why is everyone so busy?" Almost as if she’s the only one with nothing to do!
Tong Xiyang watched Xiqiu’s retreating figure with a half-smile and said to Tong Xiyan, "Sixth Sister is not the same as before, does Fourth Sister still think she’s like us?"
Tong Xiyan was puzzled and looked at her, "What do you mean?" As she spoke, she glanced at Tong Xiyang behind whom Tong Xiyu stood, shrinking back, evidently understanding the implication in Tong Xiyang’s words.
"You don’t know?" Tong Xiyang chuckled, "I thought Sixth Sister and Fourth Sister were quite close, but it turns out such a big matter is known to us, yet only you have no idea!" She watched in satisfaction as a flash of anger crossed Tong Xiyan’s face, and she whispered, "Sixth Sister is to be married into the Marquis Mansion, to become the Third Young Madam of the Ren Mansion!" She paused, observing Tong Xiyan’s changing expressions, finally feeling relief from the pent-up frustrations of recent days, and sneered, "Fourth Sister certainly doesn’t compare to her. Mother currently favors her far more than you. Otherwise, why would she concern herself with her marriage and not care about us, who are older!"
"What did you say?" Tong Xiyan was shocked. She was aware that her mother had recently been closely interacting with Wujin Bo Mansion but had never imagined it was for Sixth Sister’s marriage.
The Third Young Madam of Wujin Bo Mansion? Why didn’t Sixth Sister tell her?
Filled with anger, Tong Xiyan forced a derisive smile, "I wonder what it is. This matter wasn’t Sixth Sister’s doing alone, how did Third Sister find out?!"
"How I know is my own business." Tong Xiyang, clutching a handkerchief, laughed, "But seeing Fourth Sister being led around in circles is something I saw with my own eyes!" She turned to Tong Xiyu, "Eighth Sister, let’s go!"
Tong Xiyu stood trembling, not moving, glancing at Tong Xiyan, "Fourth Sister."
Tong Xiyang frowned, scolding, "Fence-sitter!" She descended the steps without looking back, her maid in tow.
Tong Xiyan sneered, "So haughty? Think that Madam Wang can rise again just because Father has returned? Hmph!" Paying no heed to Tong Xiyu’s goodwill, she led her maid and attendants out of the courtyard. Tong Xiyu stood awkwardly at the courtyard gate, her eyes red with tears, clutching her handkerchief.