Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 582 - 584: Prince (1)

The First Master had already stood up, walking back and forth in the main hall with his hands behind his back.

Xiqiu also became nervous; she didn’t wish for the Lady to die. By keeping her position as the First Master’s official wife, the Tong Mansion could remain peaceful for a while. If she passed away and the First Master remarried, what would become of her seventh brother and the concubine?

Yesterday, she checked the Lady’s pulse. It was weak but still continuous.

Madam Jiang came out of the room, glanced at the First Master, and said, "Father, please rest for a while. Mr. Hu is performing acupuncture on Mother." She paused, wiped tears from her eyes, and said, "Whether she wakes up depends on whether Mother wants to wake up."

Hearing this, Xiqiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief; the Lady was unlikely to give up on life due to world-weariness.

The First Master also relaxed somewhat, nodding in agreement, "You’ve worked hard. You should rest as well."

Madam Jiang’s tears flowed even more fiercely. Since the First Master returned, Madam Jiang was not in a position to stay at the mansion, leaving Jiang alone to handle everything, big and small, in the vast mansion. How could she not be exhausted? Usually, the Lady was quite indifferent to her, so receiving a word of praise from her father-in-law was an immense encouragement and comfort.

Xiqiu walked over, took Jiang’s hand, and gently pulled her to sit on a chair, "Father is right. You are pregnant and must take care of the child in your belly."

Jiang nodded, wiping her tears, and said, "Sixth Lady, it’s caused you to worry too. It’s really..." Xiqiu consoled her, "...It’s not just you managing everything. Each time I return, all I do is add to your troubles."

The two exchanged a smile as the First Master observed them, his gaze softening. With hands behind his back, he walked outside, turned back, and said to Jiang, "I’m going to the study!" With that, he strode out the door.

Xiqiu stayed with Jiang, speaking about Tong Xiyan: "...Elder Brother has been gone for a while. Why hasn’t he returned yet?"

Jiang’s eyes slightly flickered, and she sighed, "Sixth Lady, you’ve been busy with mansion affairs lately; there are many things you probably don’t know." Xiqiu looked surprised as Jiang continued, "Fourth Son-in-law ranks the youngest, with a sister and two brothers above him. The sister married early and maintains normal relations with the Jiang family. The two brothers of the Jiang family— the eldest took over the father’s career as a teacher. Later, finding countryside life too harsh, Old Madam Jiang had him move to the Capital to live with Fourth Son-in-law and Sixth Lady. The second brother has been slightly slow-witted since childhood, staying by Old Madam Jiang’s side. They say he is dumb, yet he can read and write; not dumb, yet apart from reading and writing, he knows nothing else." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Xiqiu was stunned, she hadn’t expected Jiang Shilin’s family to be so complicated.

If she remembered correctly, Jiang Shilin’s current residence was bought later. Initially, the Jiang family lived in Wanhua Alley on the city outskirts before moving to the current three-entry house.

With so many people in the family living in a three-entry courtyard, it indeed felt a bit cramped.

Jiang lowered her voice and said, "Old Madam Jiang is a decent person, but she..." Jiang’s words were hesitant, and Xiqiu recalled what Tong Xiyang had said: Old Madam Jiang held a grudge against the Lady, which explained her dislike for Tong Xiyan. It’s not improbable, considering Jiang Shilin was humiliated and expelled from the Tong Mansion by the Lady and later wandered at death’s door in Fujian. In Old Madam Jiang’s eyes, regardless of whether her son was at fault, it was all Tong Xiyan’s fault. Her resentment towards Tong Xiyan was understandable.

However, it was hard for Tong Xiyan, who had almost lost her life several times because of it.

"A while ago, Fourth Sister asked Doctor Wen to check her gynecology exam; I wonder if there’s any news. If she’s pregnant now, it could resolve a big problem. Old Madam Jiang might treat Tong Xiyan better as well."

Jiang showed a worried expression, sighing, "I don’t know if there is any news; I haven’t heard anything." She looked at Xiqiu and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law must be anxious, but sometimes the more you want it, the harder it is to conceive. Isn’t that strange?"

Xiqiu didn’t disagree; it was a form of psychological stress. In modern times, couples trying for a child were often advised to create a romantic and pleasant atmosphere during intercourse, as it was said that a relaxing and delightful environment made conception easier.

As they were talking, Tong Shen Zhi entered the courtyard, looking somber. Jiang immediately stood up, and Xiqiu followed her to the door. Jiang asked, "Husband, where is Fourth Sister-in-law?"

Tong Shen Zhi halted with his hands behind his back, glancing back nonchalantly, visibly displeased.

It’s rare to see Tong Shen Zhi displeased, as he usually maintains one expression, making it difficult for others to gauge his feelings. Yet today, his emotions were vividly apparent.

Could the Jiang family have troubled Tong Shen Zhi?

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Tong Xiyan had already walked in.

Xiqiu was taken aback; it had been only a month since she last saw her, yet Tong Xiyan seemed to have lost so much weight. Jiang, stunned as well, went over to hold Tong Xiyan’s hand, asking, "Fourth Sister-in-law, what has happened to you?"

Tong Xiyan paused, glanced at Jiang, then at Xiqiu standing at the door. Her eyes reddened, and she choked up, "Mother, how is Mother?"

"Yes, yes, Mother is waiting for you. Come with me." Jiang said, pulling Tong Xiyan by the hand into the room. Tong Xiyan walked up to Xiqiu and called, "Sixth Sister..." Tears brimmed in her eyes.

"Go in and see Mother!" Xiqiu nodded towards her. Jiang led Tong Xiyan into the bedroom, and Xiqiu, after considering a moment, followed them inside.

The servants left the room, leaving Nanny Fang tending by the bedside. The curtain over the bed was pulled down, and Mr. Hu was performing acupuncture on the Lady, her arms covered with silver needles.

Acupuncture is more common for men; for women, it is somewhat of a taboo and not widely practiced. The Lady was only exposing both arms, yet Mr. Hu’s face was still covered in sweat. Tong Xiyan, with reddened eyes, walked to the bedside, looked at the Lady through the curtain, and immediately kneeled down in tears, "Mother!"

Jiang went over, supported Tong Xiyan, and softly comforted her, "Mr. Hu is currently examining her. Don’t be too anxious, Fourth Sister-in-law. Mother has had such incidents frequently these past couple of days... try to be a little more relaxed." But Tong Xiyan kept crying hard, and Xiqiu watched her from afar, glancing at the Lady as well.

Nanny Fang also went to support Tong Xiyan, and master and servant sobbed face-to-face. Nanny Fang whispered the harsh words spoken by Tong Xiyang to Tong Xiyan, who frowned and said, "If anything happens to Mother, I will not let her off easily."

Xiqiu sighed, addressing Jiang and Tong Xiyan, "There are too many people in the room, and the air is not good. I will wait outside."

Jiang and Tong Xiyan knew, given the bond between Xiqiu and the Lady; her remaining at the door was already a significant retreat. Both nodded.

Xiqiu left the room to find Tong Shen Zhi still standing at the doorway. She walked over and called, "Elder Brother."