Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 579 - 581: Ties of Affection (1)

Xiqiu was taken aback.

Nanny Fang, the dowry maid of the First Lady, had stayed behind to serve her rather than getting married. She was a respected servant in the mansion, from the First Master down to young masters and misses like her. Xiqiu had rarely seen anyone whom Nanny Fang knelt to, as even she had more prestige than their half-mistresses. The servants preferred to associate with her rather than contact them.

Yet now, she knelt before Xiqiu.

Xiqiu couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows.

Madam Jiang was also shocked. Nanny Fang stood in for the First Lady, so her kneeling was equivalent to the First Lady herself kneeling.

She glanced at the First Lady, who was glaring forcefully, her eyes filled with unwillingness and frustration.

For decades, the First Lady had wielded power in the Tong Mansion, but now she was kneeling before the illegitimate daughter she had always despised. Even when the Sixth Lady married into the Marquis Mansion as the Fourth Madam, the First Lady never regarded her highly. Yet now realized she could only turn to the Sixth Lady for help.

Madam Jiang turned her gaze away!

"Nanny Fang," Xiqiu stood up to help Nanny Fang, "What are you doing? This is really shortening my lifespan. You just said we are all one family. You are highly respected in the mansion, providing great support to my mother over these years, your contributions are irreplaceable. How can you kneel to me!"

"Sixth Lady," Nanny Fang did not stand up and pushed away Xiqiu’s assisting hand, her eyes resolute: "You are correct. From the moment I followed the First Lady to the Tong Mansion, besides the First Master and Lady, I haven’t knelt to anyone else. But today, I willingly kneel to you, with no other intentions." She paused and continued, "I must be honest with you, Sixth Lady, when you first married into the Marquis Mansion, I was indeed worried. I feared that due to the past marriage issues with the Hong Family in Shandong, you might hold resentment towards the First Lady and would not treat Young Master Xin kindly... However, in the past six months, I’ve heard about the happenings at the Marquis Mansion, and I’ve been reassured that Young Master Xin gets along well with you, and you treat him as your own. I am here to admit my mistake and ask for your forgiveness for my petty thinking." Saying so, she kowtowed deeply to Xiqiu, "Please, Sixth Lady, forgive this servant!"

"What is Nanny Fang saying, what is there to forgive? Please get up," Xiqiu sighed and helped Nanny Fang, "Moreover, regardless of the marriage my mother arranged, as a daughter, I should comply, harboring grievances would be unfilial!"

Nanny Fang shook her head: "I did not mean it that way, please don’t misunderstand, Sixth Lady." She contemplated: "I was overly concerned about Young Master Xin, which led to my misspeaking."

"Please rise and speak," Xiqiu frowned, "Nevertheless, Young Master Xin is unhurt now, besides, the Grand Dowager and the Marquis are still protecting him in the mansion, he’ll be fine."

Nanny Fang sighed, looking up at Xiqiu, "The Grand Dowager is elderly and can sometimes overlook things, and the Marquis is too busy with affairs to assist further. After all, they are Young Master Xin’s grandmother and father, but also the Second Madam’s mother-in-law and husband. Only you, Sixth Lady, only you are Young Master Xin’s exclusive sixth aunt, agreeing to look after him offers more reassurance to the First Lady than the Grand Dowager or Marquis could."

Xiqiu, seeing her still on her knees, turned her gaze towards the First Lady.

The First Lady painfully closed her eyes, tears falling down the corners; she had always been strong, never imagined she’d have to...

Opening her eyes, she nodded stiffly at Xiqiu.

This was conceding to Xiqiu, conceding to the illegitimate daughter she had always looked down upon.

Madam Jiang was astounded.

Xiqiu was equally surprised, hearing Nanny Fang continue: "Regarding the recent poisoning of Young Master Xin, irrespective of what the Marquis Mansion concludes, in our hearts, we know, beyond the Second Madam, there is no one else. Yet, her status stands; certainly, neither the Grand Dowager nor the Marquis will penalize her, perhaps even shield her. Moreover, she is now with child... Rather than maintaining a frail legitimate heir, why not strive for multiple healthy secondary heirs, considering the importance of the Marquis Mansion’s lineage proliferation."

"Sixth Lady, recently, First Lady has been plagued with nightmarish episodes, awakening to sleepless nights, day after day, night after night; it aches my heart. Sixth Lady, regardless of other considerations, just for the sake of the upbringing First Lady provided you, please agree to my plea!" Nanny Fang concluded, incessantly kowtowing to Xiqiu: "This servant begs you."

Nanny Fang’s words were clear and logical indeed, yes, compared to an heir uncertain of life, future progeny seemed more significant.

However, had they not considered, the unknown gender of Second Madam’s unborn child, why would the Grand Dowager and the Marquis risk losing Young Master Xin, the legitimate heir?

Xiqiu sighed, asking the First Lady: "Mother...how shall I proceed?"

The First Lady’s expression shifted slightly, while Nanny Fang showed relief as the Sixth Lady appeared to soften, glancing at the First Lady before turning back to Xiqiu.

"The Second Madam...cannot remain!"

She spoke with solemnity, as if weighing each word.

Xiqiu couldn’t help but smile, realizing she didn’t need to inform the First Lady about last night’s events. Even if they knew the results now, they’d find no satisfaction, though the Second Madam had miscarried, problems lingered while she lived, posing continued threats to Young Master Xin.

Undoubtedly, the First Lady’s schemes outpaced Nanny Fang’s proposed plans; had Xiqiu taken her advice against the Second Madam, all underlying threats within the Xiao Mansion would indeed have been eradicated.

After all, Marquis or Fourth Master Xiao might marry again... By then, Young Master Xin would already be safe and grown.

This, truly, would be resolving potential dangers.

And still, the First Lady intertwined her own plan.

Madam Jiang’s face changed, evaporating any recent sympathy or reluctance—envisioning the Sixth Lady eradicating the Second Madam...the First Lady could conceive such a scheme!

She looked at the Sixth Lady, observing her momentary rigidity, quickly laughing, "Mother, you know, the Sixth Lady now stays at the Marquis Mansion, most versed in current circumstances, why don’t we listen to the Sixth Lady, and consider future steps?"

Prior apology or posturing, all mere facades.

Xiqiu observed the First Lady and Nanny Fang, replying: "Mother, perhaps other matters might allow me to contribute minimally, however, on this matter, I must decline!" Without elaborating on her thoughts, she directly rebuffed the First Lady.

"Ugh!" The First Lady glared at Xiqiu, as if seeing a stranger; previously, irrespective of her inner thoughts, Xiqiu had always maintained appearances with courteous demeanor in front of her, though indifferent or perfunctory. But now, she refused even this pretense, infuriatingly she breathed heavily, hunched, her eyes like copper bells filled with resentment, as though she was the Second Madam, about to pounce and tear her apart.