Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 541 - 544: Gathering (3)

The Grand Dowager knew she wasn’t feeling well and did not insist.

Everyone saw the time and got up to take their leave!

"You’re not allowed to leave!" At this moment, the Second Madam entered with a smile, lifting the door curtain, leaving the Grand Dowager slightly surprised, asking, "Why are you here, not resting in your room?"

The Second Madam, already smiling, walked over and took the Grand Dowager’s arm: "Knowing all the old madams, madams, and young madams are here, how could I rest well? If not for the nanny in the room insisting I take a nap, I would have come earlier." Then she paused: "I was just afraid you would leave!"

With that, she exchanged greetings with everyone, and they all sat down again.

Madam Qian looked at the Second Madam’s body, smiling: "You’re now with child, about to become a mother, and you’re still so fond of playing." Then she looked at the Grand Dowager: "You must keep her restrained!"

The Second Madam covered her face and laughed, while Old Madam Lou chuckled: "I think Chengning has the best temperament; I’m delighted she could come, penalizing her is not an option!"

Xiqiu happened to enter from the doorway and inadvertently saw a trace of bitterness on Madam Lou’s lips!

The Grand Dowager chuckled as she sat down with the Second Madam’s support: "How could I punish her, she’s quite precious now." The Second Madam pouted, nestling against the Grand Dowager, and said to everyone: "See, it’s not me mother’s adoring, it’s my belly she’s adoring."

Everyone laughed, and Madam Ruan added: "Isn’t that belly yours though!"

The conversations about each person’s pregnancy began anew, delaying their farewell once more.

Tong Xiyang turned his head just in time to see Xiqiu sidestep out the door, her mouth curling into a mocking smile.

Xiqiu stood outside the door and instructed: "Prepare dinner, as before, in the great hall. Once the menu is drafted, bring it to me for a look."

The maid accepted the order and went off, soon returning with the menu, which Xiqiu amended: "Hurry along now!"

The kitchen bustled to life again. Tianjing, a newly arrived servant at Fourth Master Xiao’s side, came in from outside and reported to Xiqiu: "Lord Qian, Marquis Jinxiang, Lord Lou, and Third Master Ren are still in the outer court. Fourth Master said they’ll dine there before returning."

Xiqiu nodded and asked: "Did Fourth Master drink wine?" Tianjing nodded: "Just a few cups, not drunk, but the Marquis seems a bit tipsy."

"Then go quickly, if Fourth Master drinks, make sure to keep the tea coming for him to drink more." She paused before adding: "The night will be chilly after drinking, remember to have a cloak ready!"

Tianjing bowed and returned to the outer court!

Xiqiu entered the room where the topic had shifted to last month’s gossip: at Duke Mao’s house, the eldest son had taken in a new concubine from Yangzhou, said to be not only stunningly beautiful but proficient in all the arts, to the First Master Sun’s great delight, spending nearly every day with her. One day, the First Master Sun had to leave for some business, and the Second Master Sun sneaked into the concubine’s room, couldn’t contain himself upon seeing her, and directly...

The First Master Sun happened to return and caught them.

The brothers fought fiercely over the concubine.

Now, Duke Mao is embroiled in chaos.

Madam Qian looked scornful: "Those women are reincarnated fox spirits, specialized in luring men, truly shameless!" Madam Ruan, seeing her grandaunt’s indignation, fearing she might say something harsh, laughed: "People like that, without background or upbringing, even if they enter a noble family, they’d be as useless as ever. After three to five years, once they’re old and faded, men forget them!"

Everyone agreed.

The Second Madam’s gaze flickered, quickly glancing at Xiqiu, then she smiled and took Old Madam Lou by the arm: "I heard you’re not well?"

"Your news is quite timely indeed." Old Madam Lou laughed: "I’m getting old, there’s bound to be some discomfort now and then. Medicine will make it better."

The Second Madam frowned at this and said: "Medicine is three parts poison; eating it daily will spoil the stomach."

"At our age, as the saying goes, being alive with medicine is better than without it!" Old Madam Lou laughed heartily, while the Second Madam, as if suddenly recalling something, looked at Xiqiu and said: "Speaking of which, I just thought of Fourth Sister-in-law."

Everyone churned, turning to Xiqiu, who was equally stunned, not understanding why the Second Madam suddenly mentioned her.

"It’s like this." The Second Madam laughed: "A few days ago, the Fourth Sister-in-law opened a medical hall on West Street, with Nurse Zhang in charge of consultations. Later, they opened a shop next to the medical hall selling medicinal foods..."

Madam Ruan smiled and nodded: "I’ve heard about it. Recently, everyone’s been talking about making medicinal foods; it turns out it started with Fourth Madam. I’m quite behind the times." Pausing, she looked at Xiqiu: "Such a wonderful idea..."

"It wasn’t my idea," Xiqiu replied smilingly: "It was Nurse Zhang; she studied these things and taught the maids beside me. Initially, it wasn’t a big deal, but when the maids made it, everyone loved it, so I thought of selling it outside. The common folk can’t afford expensive medicine, so they could spend a few copper coins for a bowl of medicinal food to take home, regularly eat for health, and it doesn’t burden them financially..." She paused and continued: "It’s also thanks to everyone’s support!"

Old Madam Lou nodded thoughtfully and asked: "...Does it really have health benefits?"

"Of course it does," Xiqiu laughed: "But it must be eaten regularly to be effective, if it’s stopped for a day or two, the effects cannot be seen."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Madam Ruan said: "Of course, even taking medicine needs half a month to be effective, not to mention making soups and broths."

"How about this," the Second Madam laughed: "Today, I’ll make the decision for Fourth Sister-in-law and have those in your room make some for everyone to taste." She covered her face laughing, with a teasing look in her eyes: "In the end, you won’t remain the employer of your medical hall." Pointing around: "Each one here is quite wealthy..."

Everyone laughed, and First Young Madam Tang clapped her hands: "That sounds great, today we’ll take advantage of Fourth Madam."

Xiqiu looked at the Grand Dowager, who nodded in agreement: "Go and give the orders!"

"Alright then!" Xiqiu smiled and said to everyone: "I’ll have the mammas in my room prepare... but we can’t just wait idly, let’s go to the great hall and eat while waiting. This isn’t like lunchtime; I’ll have two jars of Jinhua Wine brought up from the cellar and also the osmanthus wine brewed by my sister-in-law..."

Everyone was taken aback!

Just when they said they were leaving, the meal was already prepared?

Madam Qian laughed: "Oh my, how generous! Initially, we came to offer congratulations, but now we’ve eaten two meals for free and are still waiting to taste Fourth Madam’s concoction..." Old Madam Lou laughed heartily: "We’re quite the gluttons now."

The atmosphere in the room returned to its previous lightness.

The Grand Dowager extended her hand: "Come, having gathered for a day, no one is allowed to refuse now, drink to our heart’s content!"