Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 533 - 536: Undercurrent (Part 3)

Xiao Yanyi naturally understood the Grand Dowager’s meaning. If he was hesitant before about consulting the Second Madam, now he had no hesitation. Shen’s child, Teng’s downfall, including Xing’s health, were all connected to this matter. Deciding the position of Princely Heir early on would make future issues easier to handle.

The Grand Dowager sighed and waved her hand, saying, "I am old now. I can’t manage your affairs, but I have one point: no matter how you argue, you must not harm the child in her belly!"

Xiao Yanyi nodded: "I understand, Mother."

Xiqiu returned to the room with Min. Min sat on the rose bed, leaned over the tea table, and asked Xiqiu, "Mother, do you think Second Uncle thinks Xing is clever?" Xiqiu smiled and nodded, praising, "Yes, Xing behaved very well today. Our Min did a great job too." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Min relaxed and let out a happy smile.

Fourth Master Xiao strode in.

"Fourth Master!" Xiqiu smiled while leading him to sit on the bed, pouring a cup of cooled tea for him. Min came down, respectfully greeted Fourth Master Xiao, and called, "Father!"

Fourth Master Xiao glanced at him, nodded slightly, and asked, "What did the teacher teach today?"

Min glanced at Xiqiu and replied, "We learned the ’Five Character Mirror’." Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyebrows and asked, "Is the ’Thousand Character Classic’ finished?"

"Yes, we finished it. The teacher let us review it ourselves, and from the day before yesterday, we started the ’Five Character Mirror’." Fourth Master Xiao pondered, and Xiqiu smiled at him, changing the topic and said to Min, "Go wash your hands and come back to eat!"

"Yes." Min responded, and a nurse led him to wash his hands, while Xiqiu sat next to Fourth Master Xiao and said, "Fourth Master, did you hear that Teng Qiuniang committed suicide?"

"Hmm, I heard." His expression was calm and indifferent, but Xiqiu paused in her words, which surprised Fourth Master Xiao, prompting him to ask, "What’s wrong?"

Xiqiu furrowed her brows, considering whether to tell Fourth Master Xiao, while he held his tea, waiting for her to speak...

"I’m only guessing," Xiqiu hesitantly said. "After all, I have no evidence, and speaking to Fourth Master feels somewhat..." like a gossip.

Fourth Master Xiao adjusted his posture, looking at her seriously. Xiqiu thought for a moment and then softly said, "Madam Teng committed suicide at the monastery. Although I didn’t see it myself, it feels suspicious." Fourth Master Xiao paused, then Xiqiu recounted how Teng Qiuniang sought the Second Madam, how the next day the Second Madam went to the palace, how the Empress Dowager raised matters concerning the Teng Family with the Emperor, how Madam Shen had a miscarriage soon after, how the Second Madam was pregnant for two and a half months yet claimed two months to the Grand Dowager and Xiao Yanyi, and how Teng Qiuniang suddenly died...

These were all fragmented matters that Xiqiu connected together. After speaking, she looked at Fourth Master Xiao: "The Second Sister-in-law was born noble, always respected in the mansion, and Mother likes her very much. She even gets along well with us sisters-in-law." After a pause, she added, "That’s why I don’t really believe it, I only have doubts!"

Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brow. Since the beginning, relationships in the Marquis Mansion were relatively simple. He hadn’t personally experienced women’s struggles, but they weren’t rare, and he’d heard of such things in other mansions. Hearing Xiqiu say this, his face showed displeasure, "If that’s the case, let Second Brother investigate. If it’s true, we cannot let her continue like this!"

"Don’t!" Xiqiu feared this reaction and didn’t dare to mention it, "First, we have no evidence, and others may not believe us. Second, these matters belong to the Second Household, and it’s not our place to interfere. Mentioning anything might even make us seem scheming!"

Who knows if rumors might arise that they plotted against the Second Household’s downfall to gain from it.

Fourth Master Xiao was startled, frowning, finding it hard to understand the heart of women. Xiqiu pressed him, saying, "Fourth Master, please listen to me. If you must speak of this, wait a bit, alright?" Meaning they shouldn’t be the ones to say it, the Second Household still had Madam Shen!

Fourth Master Xiao hesitantly nodded, and Xiqiu detailed to him what Min had just said, about finding the ’Five Character Mirror’ in Fourth Master’s study and sending it over.

Fourth Master Xiao recalled Xiqiu seeking books in his study that day, but she hadn’t said which book she sought.

"I was worried about Xing, so I employed a little cleverness to remind the Grand Dowager and the Marquis... Xing is too weak. He’s young, unsuspecting—unable to endure any harm..." Before she could finish, Fourth Master Xiao suddenly stood up and coldly said, "No matter who she is, things in the mansion cannot proceed this way. The Marquis Mansion is not the backyard of a Prince’s Mansion, where she can do as she wishes without restriction."

Thinking of Xing and Xiqiu’s relationship, Fourth Master Xiao looked at Xiqiu and said, "You did well, but it’s too subtle. Brother and Mother may not fully grasp the meaning."

Xiqiu sighed, wondering if she should go to the Grand Dowager and say she suspects the Second Madam of harming Xing? Not only would the Grand Dowager not believe, but even Xiqiu found it hard to justify, for the Second Madam hadn’t yet done anything against Xing. Otherwise, she’d appear as someone stirring trouble without cause.

"Fourth Master. I thought, could we add a couple of attendants and a clever maid to Xing’s side?" To prevent any mishaps beforehand.

Fourth Master Xiao thought it over, furrowed his brow, and nodded: "I’ll discuss this with Second Brother!" Pausing, he added, "You should also be cautious. If she truly harbors ulterior motives, we cannot allow her to remain in the mansion!"

Xiqiu nodded. Be it Teng Qiuniang’s matter or Shen’s, they were affairs of the Second Household, and she and her husband shouldn’t interfere. But Xing was different—if nothing unexpected happened, he would be the future head of the Marquis Mansion, representing its hope and future position and power dynamics. There could be no negligence!

Xing is just a child, innocent no matter whose descendant he is. She could not ignore potential harm to him.

Fourth Master Xiao, with a sullen expression, sat by Xiqiu, putting an arm around her shoulder: "You’ve been managing the mansion’s affairs these past few days. Be mindful of your health, don’t overwork; leave regular matters to the servants to handle!" Xiqiu nodded, replying, "I understand."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded.

Min peeked at them from the doorway, prompting Xiqiu to pull Fourth Master Xiao up, saying, "Let’s eat." But Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brow and said, "I’m going to Lingbo Hall; you don’t need to wait for me."

"Fourth Master is heading to see Second Brother?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, speaking in a serious tone, "I have other matters to discuss with him as well."

Xiqiu said nothing more, taking Min’s hand to send Fourth Master Xiao off, then returned to their room to dine with her son.

Fourth Master Xiao made his way to Lingbo Hall, where Xiao Yanyi was speaking with his advisors. Upon entering, the advisors saluted and left. Xiao Yanyi and Fourth Master Xiao each sat on one side in the main hall, and Xiao Yanyi said, "You’re here at the right time; I just had something to discuss with you."