Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 542 - 545: The Gathering (Part 4)

Everyone laughed and responded.

Xiqiu turned and instructed Chunliu, "Ask Nanny Cen to stew it and bring it over, be careful with it." After a pause, she added, "You don’t have to come back, stay there and help out." She thought over it again and felt it was better for her to go back and check on the children who had been left there all day.

Chunliu agreed.

The dining hall was still as organized as it was at noon, but unlike the earlier meal which had more meat than vegetables, this one was lighter. Each table had a wine pot, no different from a standard banquet, yet it felt particularly exquisite and meticulously prepared.

Old Madam Lou raised her eyebrows and nodded at the Grand Dowager, whose eyes flickered slightly, though she sighed inwardly.

Xiqiu led everyone to their seats and approached the Grand Dowager to greet her, "Mother, I’m going to check on the children in the room."

Before the Grand Dowager could speak, Second Madam laughed and said, "You can’t leave, Fourth Sister-in-law." Upon hearing this, Madam Ruan chuckled and took Xiqiu’s hand, "You’re the heroine of the day, you must sit down and have a few drinks."

First Young Madam Tang nodded in agreement, "Indeed, you can’t leave!" She then turned to Madam Lou beside her, "Look at today’s arrangement, so orderly and pleasing. Although the Fourth Madam is young, she handles things quite steadily."

Madam Lou nodded in agreement.

Madam Ruan continued, "Exactly, the Fourth Madam is not only quick but also very considerate!" She called Ruan Pingrong over to discuss earrings, "Her hands are very skillful, even when doing business, she stands out."

Madam Qian nodded with a smile, and Madam Huang said with a laugh, "Indeed, if it were me handling the whole day, things would have gone wrong or I would have been too exhausted to move..." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Under Madam Ruan’s lead, praises for Xiqiu began to rise and fall.

Xiqiu responded with a shy smile, "It’s only because everyone is tolerant and not picky..." she paused, "It is my good fortune!"

Madam Ren glanced at Xiqiu and then at Tong Xi.

Tong Xi lowered his head, watching Second Madam from the corner of his eye.

Old Madam Lou noticed that the Grand Dowager did not respond jokingly as usual, so she changed the subject and asked, "I haven’t seen any of the children all day, where are they?"

The Grand Dowager replied with a smile, "They’re all playing in the old fourth’s courtyard!" Old Madam Lou then said, "I haven’t seen those little darlings in days, I miss them so much!"

"Min fell yesterday, and now he can’t move. Xing and Sheng felt he might get bored, so they went to accompany him," the Grand Dowager said calmly. Old Madam Lou was taken aback and asked, "How did he fall? How serious is it?"

Several madams also voiced their concerns.

The Grand Dowager waved her hand and said, "Although there was some bleeding, it’s not serious, just needs a few days of care!" She brushed it aside with this line.

Old Madam Lou glanced at Xiqiu, seemingly understanding the Grand Dowager’s indifferent attitude.

Madam Qian warmly held Xiqiu’s hand, "You’ve been busy all day, just sit down with us and become a hands-off manager for once, sit down and eat with us." Madam Ruan also laughed and said, "Yes, we can’t have you keeping busy on an empty stomach, otherwise Fourth Master Xiao will come looking for us."

Everyone knew about Fourth Master Xiao not taking a concubine, and hearing this, they all laughed!

First Young Madam Tang even poured tea for Xiqiu herself, "Let me serve you once, so Fourth Master Xiao can’t blame me now."

"Haha..." Madam Qian patted First Young Madam Tang on the hand, "Your sharp tongue!"

Xiqiu blushed and laughed, held back by the others, she couldn’t leave.

Old Madam Lou raised her hand to point at everyone, frowning with a look of disdain, "Look at them, look at them, how crazy they’ve become today." She then looked at the Grand Dowager, "It’s all because you are too lenient, otherwise they wouldn’t go crazy like this every time they come here."

The Grand Dowager laughed, "A bit of craziness is good, a bit of craziness is good. Usually, they’re all overwhelmed by matters in the household, rare is the chance to let loose and play around."

Madam Qian and Madam Ruan nodded and said, "Indeed, in front of the two old long-livers, and with such a joyous occasion, one must play as they wish." They then looked at Xiqiu, "Fourth Madam, you shouldn’t be so reserved, look at your Second Sister-in-law, her condition isn’t convenient today, otherwise, she would be the most boisterous."

Second Madam covered her face and laughed, "You’re ruining my reputation!" She looked at Xiqiu, "Don’t believe her."

Xiqiu squinted her eyes and nodded with a smile, while Madam Qian persisted, "See, aren’t they just a happy family of in-laws? And they pick on me, the outsider, when they speak."

Everyone was amused by Madam Qian’s manner!

The courtyard door was tightly closed, Qiuping stood behind it, looking at the little maid Cuicui in front of her, and asked, "Is Young Master Xin in the Fourth Madam’s courtyard?"

Cuicui replied, "Yes, the young masters are all playing inside."

Qiuping sighed in relief and instructed, "Continue to keep watch at the courtyard gate, no matter who comes, you must come back and inform me."

Cuicui agreed and hurriedly opened the door and ran out, her double topknots twirled with two red ribbons fluttering in the wind...

Qiuping rubbed her hands and thought of what Nanny Fang had said, "Always have someone following Young Master Xin, don’t let him out of your sight for even a step. As for Second Madam..." She paused, "Second Madam is pregnant, the shoes she wears must be soft-soled with a thousand layer bottom, secretly take her shoes and add a layer to the soles... Add a layer every few days..."

Qiuping understood Nanny Fang’s intent, if the front of the shoe is heavier than the back, it’s easy to stumble... Adding weight gradually, she would adapt without noticing any anomalies.

But although it sounded easy, it was difficult to execute. She had secretly wandered around Second Madam’s courtyard one day, the place was so tightly guarded, not even a fly could pass through the door unscathed!

Nanny Fang also mentioned Madam Shen, stating that Madam Shen’s child was lost, and relying solely on Teng Qiuniang was unlikely to succeed. Second Madam must have had some involvement, either by tacit approval or by direct instruction, she was somehow implicated. If she could think of it, Madam Shen must be able to as well, so she should try reaching out to Madam Shen.

But when she tried, she only spoke with Jinxiu outside, and didn’t even get inside the door!

Qiuping had a hundred methods, and Nanny Fang’s ideas were even more ingenious—poisoning, incense... etc., anything they encountered could lead to Second Madam’s miscarriage.

But she was just a servant, unable to get close, how could she do such things?

Things that were easy for others were as hard as climbing the sky for her!

But thinking of Young Master Xin, her heart ached with worry, what to do, what to do...

The Fourth Madam, the image of the Fourth Madam sprang to her mind.

Just as she spoke, the courtyard door was knocked on softly, startling Qiuping who opened it a crack. She asked, "Didn’t I tell you to watch the Second Madam’s courtyard, why are you back now?"