Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 555 - 558: Reactions (Part 2)

"Don’t go back to Mother’s place; with me managing things here at home, I’ll make sure someone informs you if anything happens," Madam Jiang said worriedly.

Xiqiu nodded. She truly didn’t have the time now, and she asked, "How is Father doing? Tomorrow is the thirtieth, and the day after he will take office at the Six Ministries. Are all the preparations complete? Is there anything lacking?"

"Don’t worry, everything is ready. It’s Xing that I’m worried about. He’s been sitting in his room with a sullen face all morning..." She sighed. "Although Xing was born in the Marquis Mansion, he’s a child of misfortune."

Who wouldn’t agree? Xiqiu also sighed, "Take care of yourself. With Mother sick, the whole family relies on you for management!"

Madam Jiang nodded, and the two sisters-in-law sat opposite each other, both lost for words.

The Second Madam, lying in bed, asked Nanny Li, "How is Zitan? She has suffered this time."

"She’s alright, her injuries are severe, but she’s young and you’ve given her medicine. In a few days, she should be fine," Nanny Li replied after refilling the Second Madam’s tea.

The Second Madam nodded, furrowing her brows anew, and asked, "Did the Grand Dowager just leave? Did she say anything?"

"She left and left Nanny Wu at the fourth house, taking Ziwei and a few maids back. I didn’t hear what was said, but the Grand Dowager didn’t look happy!" Nanny Li responded with a smile in her eyes.

The Second Madam sneered, a fierce light in her eyes, "That boy has a tough fate, still not dead." She paused and continued, "Although the Grand Dowager suspects her, she has nothing to go on, but I see she still deeply cares for the fourth house."

They are all her own children; they are like flesh cut from her hand, after all. Nanny Li understood the Grand Dowager’s feelings and tried to console the Second Madam, "Young Master Xin may not be dead, but things don’t look good. Though they said he would wake in three days, most of today has passed without a reaction. Moreover, Nurse Zhang mentioned it’s a matter of luck. I fear he may not wake at all."

The Second Madam never believed in luck. She sipped her tea, her eyes narrowing, "Whether dead or not, Zitan shouldn’t have suffered in vain."

Nanny Li was taken aback, asking, "What does Madam plan to do?"

"As the saying goes, beat the dog with the stick!" The Second Madam sneered, "As long as she’s unharmed, the stick must keep falling." A mere concubine’s daughter, does she really think herself the exalted Dudu Lady upon marrying into the Marquis Mansion?

Nanny Li looked puzzled, "The Grand Dowager already suspects the Fourth Madam. Wouldn’t it be improper for Madam to say more?"

The Second Madam waved her hand, exuding confidence, "In this situation, although Zitan was punished, our actions left no evidence. Neither Tong Xiqiu, Fourth Master Xiao, nor the Marquis is aware; they only think it was Qiuping. As for the Grand Dowager, she would hardly suspect me. How could they ever fathom it was me?"

Only when actions are half-true and half-false can they be indistinguishable. If entirely true, it lacks cunning; if entirely false, too easily detected.

Qiuping is not entirely innocent; the poison was indeed in the Ruyi Cake she prepared. How could they think she lured her in on purpose?

If not for this plot, how could they make her bear the blame for the Lilu poisoning beyond refutation?

Nanny Li nodded, deeply trusting the Second Madam’s words. From Young Master Min’s injury to Young Master Xin’s poisoning, every step was taken so intricately, without a single flaw.

"I understand," Nanny Li hesitated and added, "Is Madam going to see the Grand Dowager now?"

The Second Madam smiled serenely, replying, "Of course." Thinking of Xiao Yanyi, she asked, "Where is the Marquis?"

Nanny Li replied, "In Lingbo Hall." The Second Madam immediately sat up, "Go invite the Marquis back."

What harm is there in Qiuping’s death? She has ways to make everyone believe that the mastermind behind this matter is Tong Xiqiu. She intended for Xiao Yanyi to see how the one in his heart harmed his children, curious about what his reaction would be at that moment.

The Second Madam narrowed her eyes, unable to suppress her anticipation!

To hold a man’s heart, one may accommodate him in household affairs, but outside, one must rely on Xiao Qing. If it were an ordinary woman, it wouldn’t matter, but it just happened to be Tong Xiqiu.

Xiqiu, after seeing off Madam Jiang, returned to serve Fourth Master Xiao with his clothes and asked, "Fourth Master, is not going to the government office today for work?" She knew there were many matters at the military camp recently, with both the Five Army Camps and the West Mountain Camp stationed outside the city. The Emperor intended to personally observe the drills and confrontations between the two armies, making Fourth Master Xiao, as the Central Army Commander, extremely busy.

"I’m heading to the camp, will be back later," he said, wearing his usual robe, turning to Xiqiu, "Should anything arise, send Tianjing to find me outside the city."

He left Tianjing for Xiqiu’s use.

Xiqiu nodded and replied, "What could happen? Just go, Fourth Master, as for Young Master Xin, we can only wait now; there’s no rushing it!"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded and was seen to the door by Xiqiu.

Xiqiu turned towards the kitchen. Nanny Cen and Ziyang, along with the two cookmaids originally sent by the Second Madam, sat sullenly with no one speaking, in utter silence.

Upon seeing Xiqiu enter, the few immediately stood up.

Xiqiu nodded towards them, saying, "This time, the Grand Dowager has deducted your monthly wages; you should learn from this lesson and be more mindful in the future."

Nanny Cen was the first to respond, "This was my lapse in duty. Regardless, the issue arose from the small kitchen, and the blame cannot be shirked. I accept the punishment!" Ziyang also expressed regret, "I am also accountable, please administer punishment."

The other two cookmaids nodded in agreement.

"The matter cannot entirely be blamed on you; only when one is constantly scheming against others, can defenses slacken... As long as you learn from this and grow wiser, the punishment won’t be wasted."

All of them kneeled, kowtowing in agreement.

Xiqiu nodded approvingly, then exited without another word.

Chunliu approached quietly, "Madam, Chunyan had someone send a message, saying she and Tianyi took inventory of the warehouse overnight, and none of the Lilu herb was missing or excess!" Xiqiu, having anticipated this, nodded in understanding.

Chunliu escorted her inside, "Would you like to rest a bit, you haven’t slept all night and skipped lunch."

"No need." She told Chunliu, "Bring the token, keys, and account books and follow me to the Grand Dowager’s!"

Chunliu was startled, "Madam, are you sure? If you hand them over now, what gossip will arise in the residence?"

Xiqiu smirked, "If I don’t hand them over, will there be no gossip?"

Furthermore, if she survives, and Young Master Xin survives, would they be content...