Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 568 - 570: Wrong, Wrong (Part 1)

"Madam, what should we do next?" Bihuai asked softly.

Xiqiu meticulously copied the scriptures, her posture upright without looking askance. After a long time, she finished a page before putting down her pen. She looked at Bihuai and said, "Wait a little longer!"

Bihuai did not understand. With Nanny Li and Zitan in their hands, as soon as they invited the Grand Dowager and the Marquis over for questioning, the outcome would be predictable. Bihuai couldn’t grasp it and furrowed her brows, saying, "I don’t understand your intentions, Madam."

This time, Bihuai’s reaction and keen mind made Xiqiu very satisfied. She had an agility that steady Chunyan lacked, a meticulousness that quick Chunliu didn’t possess, and more composure than Bihuai. Xiqiu felt she had not misjudged Bihuai after all.

"Think carefully." Xiqiu stood up and went to the cleansing room, leaving Bihuai standing blankly in front of the desk.

She furrowed her brows, knowing the Madam was testing her, prompting her to think even more carefully. They had Nanny Li and Zitan in their hands; no matter how loyal they were, the Fourth Madam would have a way to make them speak. So, they weren’t afraid of their silence. Being personal maids of the Second Madam, their words would certainly convince the Grand Dowager and the Marquis. So, what was the Madam waiting for?

She thought, the Second Madam was of noble birth, and even if the Grand Dowager and the Marquis knew her methods, at most she would be grounded or confined. Moreover, she was pregnant, which made excessive actions unlikely... because... she suddenly remembered, the Second Madam was the legitimate granddaughter of the Empress Dowager, and the sister of Prince Rong. If anything happened to her in the Marquis Mansion, neither the Empress Dowager nor Prince Rong would let it rest!

Yet, she still couldn’t understand what the Madam was waiting for...

"Madam." Xiqiu came out from inside, and Bihuai went up to help Xiqiu roll down her sleeves, bowing her head and saying, "I am too dull to understand!"

Xiqiu smiled faintly, held Bihuai’s hand: "Don’t worry, there will be an answer in a couple of days." She added, "Sister Jingliu said that after today, if Xing is okay, he can have some thin porridge. Later, let Nanny Cen personally make it and bring it over."

Bihuai acknowledged, and Xiqiu further instructed: "Go and remind the maids and servants at home to be extra careful while moving around the mansion these days. Do not use any food sent from the main kitchen. If home ingredients are insufficient, let Ziyang buy more. Even if it’s not as exquisite as the main kitchen’s, do not fuss. These days will pass."

Bihuai, aware of the Second Madam’s tactics, immediately nodded her head: "I’ll get on it right away."

Xiqiu nodded, and just as Bihuai was about to leave, Fourth Master Xiao strode in. Xiqiu went up to him, smiling, "Fourth Master, you’re back now." She led him to a chair and handed him clean slippers. Noticing the dark circles under his eyes, she asked, "Fourth Master, did you stay up all night?"

"Yes." Fourth Master Xiao sipped his tea: "Though the Emperor won’t be going to Chengde to escape the summer heat this year, the Empress Dowager is, so we had to arrange everything overnight."

Why were these matters left to a Central Army Commander like him? Xiqiu smiled and asked, "When does the Empress Dowager plan to set off?"

Fourth Master Xiao looked at her, raised his eyebrow as if understanding her implication, and asked, "You’re concerned about the Empress Dowager now." After a pause, he replied, "Initially planned for mid-June, but as the Empress is about to give birth, the Emperor suggested the Heavenly Empress leave for Chengde earlier. First, the weather isn’t hot, so the journey won’t be tiring. Second, once the Empress gives birth, the Emperor will be too occupied to attend to the Empress Dowager."

"And the Empress Dowager? Did she agree?" Xiqiu asked.

Fourth Master Xiao looked at Xiqiu, half-smiling, "Yes. Agreed, she will leave after the Dragon Boat Festival. The Empress Dowager will be quite busy these days, and Prince Rong is rushing to Chengde to prepare."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and asked, "And what about Second Sister-in-law, will she be going to see her off?"

Fourth Master Xiao replied with deep implication, "She’s pregnant; she cannot move about freely. She must stay home to rest."

Xiqiu laughed and exchanged a glance with Fourth Master Xiao, smiling, "Does Fourth Master have any other plans? Would you like to take a nap? We can eat later."

"Yes." But Fourth Master Xiao wasn’t in a hurry. He pulled her onto his lap, smiling, "Is Xing feeling better?"

Xiqiu nodded, "Much better. At noon, Sister Jingliu said he could switch to porridge. He seems more spirited." She paused and said, "When he’s better, shall we invite family friends to celebrate?"

She referred to Xing, who is now the Princely Heir of Xuanning Marquis Mansion, naturally, there would be visitors to congratulate.

"Let Second Brother decide then." Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brows: "Since you’ve handed over household management, don’t get involved anymore." He also thought of Xiao Yanzheng’s upcoming wedding, and how chaotic it was in the mansion, with no one managing. The Grand Dowager was preoccupied with Xing’s matter, so he added: "If Yanzheng needs any assistance, lend a hand if you can."

"Oh, Fourth Master, even if Second Sister doesn’t ask for my help, I’d still go assist." Laughing, she pushed Fourth Master Xiao, "Fourth Master, go wash up, you smell all sweaty."

Fourth Master Xiao looked at her and laughed loudly, "Madam, join your husband."

Xiqiu blushed at his words and glared playfully at Fourth Master Xiao: "Fourth Master, you must have spent too much time in the military..."

Fourth Master Xiao looked at her flushed, shy face with joy. The gloom and displeasure of the past days dissipated significantly. He pecked her on the corner of her mouth and went into the cleansing room with a smile.

Xiqiu brought his clothes inside. The two talked for a while, and finally, Xiqiu gave in and helped him wipe his back, wetting half of her skirt. She sighed, looking at Fourth Master Xiao.

Fourth Master Xiao’s face was bright with joy.

Xiqiu helped him lie down, and Nanny Cen came, calling through the curtain, "Madam!" Xiqiu came out, looked at Nanny Cen, and asked, "What is it?"

Nanny Cen whispered, "Nurse Zhang asked me to tell you, Zitan’s illness is under control."

Xiqiu nodded, knowing that Ruan Jingliu was particularly skilled with such difficult and complicated illnesses: "You should wash and rest well too!" Nanny Cen nodded and added, "Zitan wishes to see you."

"Understood." Xiqiu nodded: "Tell her that if she wants to live, she must patiently recover. The rest is under control."

Nanny Cen acknowledged.

The Second Madam didn’t sleep all night, sitting quietly. Zijuan and the other maids were all anxious. Nanny Xing wiped the Second Madam’s hands with a towel, comforting her: "Madam, rest assured, if she truly decided to break things open, she would have acted by now. In my opinion, she must be holding onto Nanny Li and Zitan to negotiate some terms with you..."