CHAPTER 94: CHAPTER 94: CHAOS (PART 4)

Hard to explain, after all, the concubine and Lady are sisters, so why need an intermediary to convey their matters?

Thinking it over several times, some points Xiqiu couldn’t figure out, she quietly observed Madam Yang, listening to their conversation.

It seemed that Lady and Madam Yang had reached an understanding, no longer mentioning affairs of Jiangnan or Shandong. Lady chatted briefly with Madam Jiang when Nanny Fang returned, and Lady asked: "How’s it going over at the outer courtyard?"

Nanny Fang whispered in her ear: "First Master and Second Master are entertaining Lord Liu, Lord Yang, as well as a few officials who have returned to the Capital to report from posts. The eldest son-in-law and the eldest young master are conversing with Lord Jiang, Scholar Qian, along with some scholars... in First Master’s study at the outer courtyard." First Master’s study is right at the entrance of Tong Mansion, just beyond the side hall and East Cross Courtyard separated by a wall.

She paused, her eyes flashing: "Third Master Ren hasn’t arrived yet!"

Lady nodded, Madam Chen had sent a maid early in the morning to convey a message saying she wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t join the bustle!

What illness, it seems she just doesn’t want to come!

Lady’s eyes revealed ridicule, she leisurely took a sip of tea, then smiled at everyone: "Perhaps the gentlemen are delayed in the outer courtyard, let’s not wait for them, let’s go eat first!" She stood up first, helping Madam Liu: "It’s just a home-cooked meal, I hope you all won’t mind."

"Why would we! We came empty-handed, freeloading from you!" Madam Liu walked alongside Lady, Madam Yang chatted with Tong Xihua and Fifth Madam, leaving Madam Jiang somewhat isolated. Her face was stiff as she silently walked behind Lady.

Xiqiu sighed inwardly, with the Jiang family like this, it seems Miss Jiang might not have an easy life if she marries into the family.

The group moved to the side room when Lady said: "No outsiders today, please sit freely." Although she said to sit freely, she gave the head seat to Madam Liu, and sat with Madam Yang on either side, followed by Madam Jiang, Fifth Madam, and Tong Xihua at the same table, while Xiqiu and several sisters sat at another table, and the maids gradually served the dishes.

Lady then told Zijuan: "Go and see if Second Lady has arrived."

Second Lady had said she’d go watch the stage, but hasn’t returned yet.

Just as they were speaking, Second Lady was escorted in by maids, her crisp laughter echoing in the room: "I’ve arrived just in time for dinner!"

"Quickly sit down, we were waiting for you!" Lady personally held Second Lady’s hand, Madam Jiang stood up smiling at Second Lady: "Second Lady, sit here next to me, I’ll squeeze in with the young ladies." She then walked toward Xiqiu’s table.

The expression of everyone present varied, and Lady’s face turned quite unsightly. Second Lady’s eyes flashed as she smiled, stepping forward and holding Madam Jiang’s hand: "No need for you to give up your seat! Though we’re one family without distinction, you don’t come often, so you’re considered a guest!" She smiled as she pressed Madam Jiang back into her seat, and then said to Tong Xihua: "If anyone should give up their seat, it should be our great aunt!"

That helped dissolve the awkwardness just now.

"Alright, alright!" Tong Xihua laughed, stood up: "I knew aunt loves to tease me!"

Second Lady laughed, patting her hand, and Lady’s expression returned to normal: "Don’t bother about giving up seats, just add an extra seat, it’s all family here!"

"Good idea." Madam Liu patted the seat beside her: "Don’t pick places, just sit between me and Lady."

Nanny Fang laughed, personally setting a chair between Lady and Madam Liu. Second Lady covered her mouth with a handkerchief, laughing as she walked over: "I’m like a child today!" At a table, only children sit between the adults.

Madam Liu laughed: "Compared to us, you are certainly like a child."

The whole house burst into laughter.

Meanwhile, Madam Jiang’s face remained awkward, she sat rigidly in her seat, while Lady seemed not to notice, casually engaging others...

After dinner, everyone returned to the main hall for tea, rested a bit before moving to the temporary stage set up in the little garden to watch performances.

The stage was converted from the courtyard where the eldest young master used to live, taking a few days to set up, mimicking the style of the Wujin Bo Mansion with curtains around, and a temporary stage in the middle. Though not spacious, it was quite unique!

The troupe leader of Liu Rong Society was a woman, around forty, dressed flamboyantly. She presented the playbill to Nanny Fang, who handed it to Lady.

"Ladies and misses, what would you like to hear, the playbill lists everything!"

Lady passed the list to Madam Liu, who courteously said: "I’ve heard Kun Opera, and some Yue Opera but not much, honestly I’m at a loss." She turned to Madam Jiang: "Perhaps Lady could decide!"

Madam Jiang waved her hand: "Born and raised in the Capital, if it were Qiong Opera I’d be familiar, but with Yue Opera I dare not boast."

Madam Yang took the playbill: "Let me choose." She smiled: "Since it’s the renowned Liu Rong Society, even a Huagu Drama would sound heavenly." She opened the list, suddenly exclaimed, and turned to the ladies: "There’s a Five Daughters’ Birthday celebration in Yue Opera, this is so novel, why don’t we listen to this one!"

Madam Liu laughed: "Sure!" Lady, Second Lady, Madam Jiang, and Fifth Madam had no objections, and Lady added a couple more plays: "Jade Hairpin" and "The Beating of the Golden Branch," the troupe leader from Liu Rong Society bowed and exited: "We’ll prepare then!"

At the courtyard entrance, Tong Shen Zhi, in a striking blue robe, walked in majestically with Xu Tianqing, Tong Quanzi, and Tong Minzhi in a lake blue jiaao.

As soon as the three of them entered, all the maids and servants in the room bowed to them.

Tong Shen Zhi, with a calm expression, walked to Lady and bowed: "Mother!" Then he bowed towards Madam Jiang: "Lady!"

Xu Tianqing followed suit, and Tong Minzhi’s chubby little hands clasped in a fist, imitating the etiquette with precision, making Xiqiu smile uncontrollably at the corner of her mouth.

Madam Jiang’s face was full of smiles, her eyes not leaving Tong Shen Zhi, obviously very satisfied with this future son-in-law.

Lady also looked at her son with satisfaction, her eyes couldn’t conceal the pride, introducing to Madam Liu and Madam Yang: "This is my worthless eldest son."

Madam Liu’s eyes lit up, saying: "Truly a talented young man!" She joked with Madam Jiang beside: "Lady you are blessed!"

Madam Jiang used a handkerchief to cover her mouth, the crow’s feet around her eyes forming a floral pattern: "It’s all thanks to Madam Tong!"

"Indeed, when it comes to raising children, there’s no one in the Capital like Madam Tong." Madam Yang acclaimed: "It’s not just the scholarly accomplishments, but the appearance too, dignified and elegant."

Lady glanced at Tong Shen Zhi, who calmly let everyone scrutinize him, yet said nothing flattering. She sighed inwardly; if there’s anything she wasn’t satisfied with Tong Shen Zhi, it was only his rigid personality and the marriage with the Jiang family!