Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 581 - 583: Kinship (Part 3)

"So what!" Tong Xiyang said disdainfully, "Mother dares to do, why fear what others say. Whether I’m filial or not is known to everyone in the Marquis Mansion, in the Capital. Only Nanny Fang says I’m unfilial!"

Another sound of porcelain shattering.

Xiqiu was secretly surprised, why did Tong Xiyang, who had endured for so long, suddenly confront Lady at this critical moment?

Just then, Tong Xiyang pulled back the curtain and walked out. Seeing Xiqiu standing in the main hall, she was taken aback, then smirked sarcastically at her, raising an eyebrow and said, "What, is Sixth Sister going to thank me? I said all the things you don’t dare to say."

Xiqiu gave her a faint look without any response. Tong Xiyang laughed and walked over, looking at Xiqiu and said, "Does Sixth Sister know why Fourth Sister didn’t come back today?"

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow, only to hear Tong Xiyang laugh and say, "Because Old Madam Jiang didn’t allow her to return."

"Why didn’t Old Madam Jiang let her return?" Xiqiu was puzzled.

Tong Xiyang then covered her mouth and laughed, deliberately raising her voice, saying loudly, "Because Old Madam Jiang is still holding a grudge, remembering how her son was driven out of the Tong Mansion, how he resentfully went to Fujian, and yet returned to the Capital badly injured, almost losing his life!"

The room suddenly fell silent.

It seems that Tong Xiyan’s illness was just an excuse?

She sighed secretly, never expecting Old Madam Jiang to hold such a long-standing grudge.

Tong Xiyang looked gloating, "That’s why I say, actions have consequences, heaven is watching, evildoers get their just deserts, even if it’s not immediate, perhaps the hour hasn’t come yet." Finished with a flick of her sleeve, she laughed and said disdainfully to Xiqiu, "Sixth Sister wants to be a filial daughter, but I’m too busy to accompany you!" She left without looking back.

Then, the room suddenly echoed with Nanny Fang’s heart-wrenching cries: "Lady, Lady!" Shortly after, Nanny Fang rushed out, hurriedly running outside, "Quickly, call the First Master and Master back."

Xiqiu stood without moving. Madam Jiang hurriedly walked in from outside, pulling Nanny Fang and asked, "How is Mother? The doctor hasn’t gone far, should we call him back?"

Nanny Fang nodded, "Quickly call the doctor." Madam Jiang ordered Nanny Qiu to invite the doctor back again, looking up to see Xiqiu with a difficult expression. Xiqiu nodded at her, stepping into the room, seeing Lady lying lifelessly on the bed, rolling her eyes at the ceiling, motionless, with her usual high spirits and superiority nowhere to be seen, only... a large damp patch beneath her, emitting a foul smell.

Xiqiu walked over, quietly stood at the bedside looking at her, after a long time she reached out to press Lady’s neck...

She then silently retreated to the side, said nothing, and turned to leave the room.

Madam Jiang led Doctor Hu inside.

The courtyard was in chaos, Xiqiu sat quietly watching people come and go, their faces expressionless as they moved skillfully and freely...

It seems such situations were frequent, they were already accustomed.

First Master and Tong Shen Zhi returned, Xiqiu stood to salute them, First Master glanced around her, his brows slightly furrowed, feeling slightly disappointed that only she returned.

"Father, Brother!" Xiqiu called softly.

Tong Shen Zhi nodded at him, saying to First Master and Xiqiu, "I’ll go see Mother." He entered the bedroom.

First Master stood in the hall, his face gloomy, he sat opposite Xiqiu asking, "I’ve heard Xing has woken up. Is he alright now?"

"He’s alright," Xiqiu replied, "Grand Dowager has taken him back, though he’s still only able to eat porridge, Nurse Zhang said with a few more days of care he’ll be fine." First Master nodded, his expression slightly easing, he asked, "Have they found who poisoned him?"

Xiqiu nodded, she recounted Second Madam’s affair to First Master, "She was grounded by Grand Dowager!"

First Master frowned deeply, his gaze cold as he looked at Xiqiu and said, "You must remind Marquis to handle this properly. Although Empress Dowager is not in the Capital now, she will return for Mid-Autumn. If she knows about Princess Chengning’s misfortune, she surely won’t let it go. Marquis will be fine, but Xing lacks defenses!"

Xiqiu understood First Master’s concern, nodding she said, "Surely Marquis and Grand Dowager have their plans and considerations!"

After all, she was a sister-in-law, how could she easily discuss matters with Marquis.

First Master was taken aback, realizing Xiqiu’s meaning, he murmured while nodding, "Xing is beset with misfortunes, hopefully, Xihua’s spirit can keep him safe."

Xiqiu said nothing, not knowing what to say.

In the bedroom, low sobs from Nanny Fang could now be heard.

Xiqiu glimpsed into the room through the curtain, seeing Tong Shen Zhi stride out but went straight to the door. First Master asked, "Where are you going?"

Tong Shen Zhi replied without turning back, "To fetch Fourth Sister." His back revealed deep sorrow, he paused and added, "Mother wants to see Fourth Sister."

"Go on then," First Master nodded, saying nothing more.

Xiqiu looked at them, suddenly realizing First Master seemed to have aged considerably, wrinkles creased the corners of his eyes.

She called, "Father." First Master looked at her, Xiqiu asked, "Is Second Uncle well?" First Master nodded, "He spent his life navigating the officialdom, unable to sit idle at home, I heard he recently opened a private school, exclusively accepting children from humble families!"

Xiqiu was surprised, never thinking Second Master had such magnanimity and taste.

Suddenly she thought, doesn’t Second Master have another plan? In the future, if his students excel in the autumn examinations and enter the court as officials, he’ll have some influence at court?

She sighed secretly, if so, Second Master truly is farsighted.

"Third Brother said he wants to go to the military camp, Fourth Master originally intended to send him under Xuantong General Qin, but considering he’s too young, wants to wait a bit, but I see Third Brother is eager, don’t know what he does these days." Xiqiu said lightly.

First Master looked at Xiqiu, suddenly realizing this daughter had grown up, unconsciously already worrying and planning for the Tong family’s future... His heart filled with sentiment, his gaze towards Xiqiu became inexplicably close, he said, "Great Governor rightly pointed out, Quanzhi is too impatient, too young, joining the military now won’t temper his mind, might rather be counterproductive, better let him practice martial arts with his teacher, when truly in military hardship he might protect himself."

In the room, the cries of Nanny Fang and several maids grew louder, filled with unease and fear.

First Master remained seated motionless, but his gaze often fell on the curtain, Xiqiu understood, despite the resentment between him and Lady, years of marital affection remained.

Just like her feelings now were indescribable, a bit sad, a hint of joy, and some unease...

Neither she nor First Master spoke again, both silently sat there.