CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 88: FATHER (4)

Over here, Madam Wang smashed the last porcelain arrangement in the room, and the entire room was filled with fragments of porcelain and shattered glass, leaving no place to step.

Her hair was disheveled, and her face was sallow as she sat by the low table. The servants around her didn’t dare to breathe loudly: "A bunch of useless things, I sent you to fetch the First Master, yet after half a day, there’s still no sight of him. What’s the use of keeping you? After I wore my lips out pleading for you all last night! You deserve to be sold off by the Lady." She angrily poked the maid’s head beside her: "Can’t find Nanny Fang, and you won’t barge in directly? Just waiting outside, are you courting death?"

The maid, being pointed at the head, dared not move an inch, letting her vent!

"First, they took my child, then ruined Third Miss’s marriage proposal! Now they even speak ill of me in front of the First Master, and even he has developed a grudge against me!" Madam Wang squinted her eyes and sneered: "Do they think I have no other means? Humph, we’ll see!"

She turned and said to Nanny Qiu: "Tomorrow, you personally go to Madam Chen and propose the marriage, propose, propose...how can you give up after just one attempt!"

Nanny Qiu flickered her gaze and thought secretly: It was not the Chen Mansion proposing, the Wujin Bo Mansion, despite everything, still has a noble rank, why are they so eagerly eyeing the daughter of the Tong Mansion’s concubine?!

Madam Wang’s face turned livid with rage, but at that moment, a burst of joyous laughter came from the courtyard, making her suppressed anger flare up again. She pointed at the maids in the room and shouted: "Go! See who’s laughing, beat them to death with sticks for me!"

The maids shivered, but before they could speak, Madam Luo’s voice sounded from outside, still outside in the courtyard, but clearly audible: "Prepare the hot water, the tea that the First Master loves, the pastries he enjoys, and his usual clothes, have them ready so that when the First Master comes over, he won’t be missing his regular items, or I’ll hold you accountable."

She added: "Go check the study, see if the First Master has eaten well, I heard he’s in good spirits today and even agreed to have Fourth Miss sing a play. If you notice him getting tipsy, take care of him carefully, the night path is dark, be wary of him bumping into things!" Her voice gradually faded, and a maid came in to report to Madam Wang: "Madam, Madam Luo just returned from the small kitchen, passing by our courtyard."

Smack!

Madam Wang slapped the maid, glaring and said: "You lack foresight, get out!" She then turned over the newly set tea set on the table and angrily returned to her room.

"Seventh Brother!" Xiqiu searched the entire courtyard for a long time and went around outside the First Master’s study before finally encountering the elusive Tong Minzhi at the second gate, speaking in a low voice behind him.

Tong Minzhi paused in his steps but did not immediately turn around. Xiqiu walked up and embraced him, and his small body trembled in Xiqiu’s arms, quietly beginning to sob!

"Sister!" Tong Minzhi’s tears fell like rain: "Why is father only treating me this way?" He had sneaked to the outer courtyard to see, where his father was amiable with the eldest brother and cousin, but only kept him at a distance.

Xiqiu didn’t know the answer either, so she could only smile and say: "Quick, wipe your tears!" As she said this, she took out a handkerchief to wipe Tong Minzhi’s tears and continued: "You feel that father is not good to you, but I don’t think so!"

"Ah?" Tong Minzhi stopped crying, looking at her in confusion.

Xiqiu said: "Father asking you to return is also for your good. You’re young and can’t drink, if you went, you’d just be sitting there uselessly. If you can’t sit still, wouldn’t it be torture? Besides, although father is cold to you, compared to the past, there has been some change. We just need to be patient, do what we should do, and eventually everything will come to light. Father will treat you the same as he treats big brother."

Tong Minzhi lowered his head, still looking very downcast.

Xiqiu then smiled and said: "Didn’t the teacher ask you to write an essay on hierarchy a few days ago? Take it to show father!"

"Can I?" Tong Minzhi lifted his head, uncertainty filling his eyes. He feared his father would be as before, excited to see him only to be choked by a cold face or displeased tone.

Xiqiu nodded: "Some things, you have to try!"

Tong Minzhi clenched his fist and nodded, "Alright, I’ll listen to sister." Xiqiu smiled with relief. She didn’t believe that their concubine mother would do anything to wrong the First Master, and it was even less likely to be as others said—that Tong Minzhi was not the First Master’s biological son. As long as the bloodline remains, and this father is so important to Tong Minzhi, they must try to understand the situation, to improve this relationship. It would be a significant help for Tong Minzhi’s mental well-being and growth.

Xiqiu sent Sixing to take Tong Minzhi back and took Siliu herself to return to the West Courtyard. Suddenly, a few people walked by, and Xiqiu’s gaze flickered as she turned sideways to greet the oncoming figure: "Father!"

The man halted, scrutinizing Xiqiu in the dim lantern light without speaking.

Xiqiu quickly glanced at the First Master, noticing his slightly flushed cheeks and eyes darker than before, surrounded by an overwhelming sense of authority. She quickly lowered her eyelids, standing quietly with her head down.

"Why have you come here?" The First Master spoke very slowly, with a slight slur but his words were clear.

Xiqiu answered truthfully: "I was worried about Seventh Brother, so I escorted him to the second gate before returning."

The First Master nodded, then glanced at her overcoat. His eyebrows slightly furrowed, and after a moment of contemplation, just as Xiqiu thought he was leaving, he suddenly spoke up: "This clothing...is too plain, you’re young and should wear something more vibrant. If you don’t understand clothing and dress, ask your mother for guidance." There was no reprimand or displeasure, just a simple expression of his opinion about the outfit.

Xiqiu nodded, her tone filled with a comforting reverence: "Thank you for your guidance, father." Unable to hide her disappointment inside.

"Go back!" The First Master had already turned aside, walking towards Zhui Garden, but suddenly turned back to ask her: "Does your concubine mother...adapt well living in the temple?"

Xiqiu’s eyes lit up, feeling happy yet bittersweet. The First Master had been back for two days and only now thought to ask about the concubine mother. She held her breath and replied: "She says she’s a bit thinner, but her spirit is much better than before." After speaking, she held her breath, secretly waiting for the First Master’s reaction, her ears catching an almost indistinct sigh from him, though she wasn’t sure.

"When the time is right, let the Lady bring her back, it’s always more comfortable in the mansion." The First Master finished speaking and seemed reluctant to say more, heading out with the valet.

After walking a few steps, suddenly a maid jumped out from the bushes by the East Cross Courtyard, kneeling straight in front of the First Master’s path without a word.

Xiqiu was startled, and the First Master also said angrily: "What are you sneaking around for in the middle of the night?"