Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 531 - 534: Undercurrent (Part 1)

Housekeeper Hu hesitantly handed a note to the Grand Dowager.

"Found under the table in the room. I’ve confirmed, it is not Madam Teng’s handwriting!"

A note on its own means nothing, but the content made one’s spine chill; clearly, it was mistakenly left by the perpetrator.

Swift execution, leave no witnesses!

Housekeeper Hu, also breaking out in a cold sweat, bowed even lower.

The Grand Dowager took the note, its small, elegant handwriting showcasing a single line that made her expression suddenly tense.

Housekeeper Hu continued, "I’ve called the forensic doctor, there are two purple marks on the neck, one deep and one light..."

That is to say, Teng Qiuniang was strangled to death.

She, merely a concubine, had no external contacts, yet suddenly fell victim to murder...

The Grand Dowager clutched the note, waved her hand and said, "No need to linger, bury it tomorrow." She paused and added, "Do not tell anyone about this matter."

The body cannot be kept, no matter who did it, someone from the household is involved.

Can’t leave any evidence for others!

"Yes!"

Housekeeper Hu realized the Grand Dowager did not wish to probe further, so he didn’t ask any questions, carefully leaving and closing the door gently.

After he left, the Grand Dowager slowly smoothed out the small piece of white paper, her gaze sharp as a sword as she examined the writing, full of disappointment in her eyes.

After a brief contemplation, she rose and entered the green gauze cabinet. On the desk inside were some large characters written by Xing, alongside some small corrections. She compared the note with them...

Nanny Wu just came in, seeing the Grand Dowager’s somber expression as she sat in the chair. She quickly approached, soothing her back, and asked, "Grand Dowager, are you alright?"

The Grand Dowager gripped the armrest tightly, as if she had aged several years in an instant, her voice so low it was almost inaudible, filled with solemnity: "Bring a lamp."

Nanny Wu complied and brought a lamp.

The Grand Dowager, with trembling hands, tried to set the note on fire. Nanny Wu worriedly offered, "Let me help you!"

The Grand Dowager remained silent, the note felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, failing to ignite several times.

She suddenly closed her eyes, clenched the note in her palm, sighed deeply, calmed her emotions, and said to Nanny Wu, "Bring me my box carved with orchid wood."

Nanny Wu was startled; the Grand Dowager’s personal items had always been under her care, but not that particular orchid wood box. It was always kept in the Grand Dowager’s bedroom, with the key in her possession, and even she didn’t know what was inside.

Nanny Wu obeyed, went into the bedroom and brought the box out.

"You may leave." The Grand Dowager said gently, and after Nanny Wu left and closed the curtain, she guarded the door personally.

The Grand Dowager took out a key from the pocket at her waist, opened the box, and placed the note inside...

"Grand Dowager," Nanny Wu said from outside the curtain, "the Marquis has returned."

The Grand Dowager placed the box on the treasure cabinet, composed herself, and said aloud, "Come in." As her words fell, Xiao Yanyi had already lifted the curtain and entered. "Mother," he greeted, sitting across from the Grand Dowager, and said, "Housekeeper Hu says the burial will be tomorrow?"

"Yes," the Grand Dowager nodded, the tacit understanding between mother and son prevented further discussion of the topic.

The Grand Dowager glanced at Xiao Yanyi and asked, "What about the Fourth? Haven’t seen him for two days."

"He’s been training in the military camp; the West Mountain and the Five Army Camps are setting up fifty miles outside the city," Xiao Yanyi replied.

The Grand Dowager nodded slightly and asked again, "Has the Fifth looked for you?"

"I saw him yesterday; he said he was accompanying Fifth Sister-in-law to Tongzhou in the afternoon." He paused and added, "I’ve asked Housekeeper Hu to send a few competent stewards along."

Though the matter with the Teng Family was already a mess, given our kinship ties, it would be strange if the Fifth and his wife didn’t go. The Grand Dowager sighed and nodded, "It’s good to pay a visit, it silences many. No matter what others say, we’ll continue as usual."

Xiao Yanyi agreed with a nod, and the Grand Dowager continued, "Handle the matters in your household properly with Chengning; Yanzheng’s marriage is approaching soon, don’t let these troublesome issues affect it."

"Yes." Xiao Yanyi’s eyes flickered, then he lowered them, as the Second Madam lifted the curtain and entered, "Mother." She then noticed Xiao Yanyi, "The Marquis is also here!"

Seeing her, the Grand Dowager immediately patted the empty seat beside her and frowned, "Didn’t I tell you to rest in bed? Why come again? I’m fine, you don’t need to visit daily, take care of yourself first."

"With so much happening at home, I can’t let you worry alone." The Second Madam said, glancing at Xiao Yanyi, then frowned and showed an apologetic expression to the Grand Dowager, "Mother, it was my lack of discipline that caused so much trouble in the household."

"It wasn’t your fault; Teng has met this fate because of her own choices. She took one wrong step, leading to every subsequent misstep, ending in this result!" After a pause, she added, "Fate is predetermined, this was her fate!"

No mention of what Housekeeper Hu reported, nor of the note.

The Second Madam lowered her face in silence, glancing at Xiao Yanyi who sat calmly without showing any extra emotion.

The Grand Dowager paused and said, "Later, find some reliable people from her room and send them all to the estate in Yangzhou!" Ending that Chapter.

The Second Madam’s eyes flickered, a look of surprise flashed across her face, the Grand Dowager didn’t intend to investigate further, regarding that note... Understanding dawned on her suddenly that regardless of the authenticity of the handwriting, it implicated Tong Xiqiu, with all the chaos in the household recently, the Grand Dowager surely wouldn’t want to create more trouble.

As one ages, even a single day of peace is worthwhile!

What else could it be if not self-deception?

"Understood." The Second Madam nodded slightly, looked around, "Why hasn’t Xing returned yet, was he at the Fourth Sister-in-law’s place?" As she finished, she observed the Grand Dowager’s expression.

The Grand Dowager’s expression barely changed, contrary to the earlier days when mentioning Tong Xiqiu brought a smile, today she remained exceptionally calm, even frowning.

It was an effective result!

The Grand Dowager instructed Lianqiao, "Go see if he’s with Xiqiu." Lianqiao answered with a smile, "Bihuai from the Fourth Madam’s room informed us; she’s accompanying the young masters on a walk and will return them after two laps, they should be done by now."

The Grand Dowager nodded, and the Second Madam raised an eyebrow with a smile, "Fourth Sister-in-law indeed is attentive, taking the children for a walk to strengthen their health!"