Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 588 - 590: Divorce (2)

Xiqiu was stunned, how did Mrs. Wang end up with Tong Xiyang?

Madam Jiang also harbored doubts and asked, "Third Young Madam couldn’t come because she had something to do. Does First Young Madam know my family’s Third Young Madam?" Mrs. Wang smiled and replied, "Nanny Ren is straightforward. I’ve met her a few times."

Madam Jiang nodded thoughtfully.

The group chatted as they walked towards Ruyi Gate. After passing through, they entered the inner courtyard, where a row of houses sat opposite. They could already see the main house, and standing at the entrance were several well-dressed wives. Upon seeing Xiqiu and Madam Jiang, they immediately performed a respectful squat greeting, their eyes frequently glancing towards Xiqiu.

Some even whispered softly, "Is this the Grand Commander Xiao’s legitimate wife who vowed not to take a concubine?"

"Yes, she is our Second Madam’s Sixth Sister," someone replied quietly.

"She’s indeed beautiful, but isn’t she a bit young? Has she come of age?"

"How could she not be? I’ve heard that the main guest at her coming-of-age ceremony was Princess Changning. Few ladies in the Capital have her prestige, despite being just a concubine’s daughter from the Tong Mansion..." they sighed, "So, one must really trust in fate."

Madam Jiang turned her head, holding Xiqiu’s hand in hers. Xiqiu shook her head to indicate she didn’t mind, to which Madam Jiang responded with a smile, still holding Xiqiu’s hand.

Xiqiu let her lead, and the two entered Old Madam Jiang’s courtyard.

Old Madam Jiang sat cross-legged on the Arhat Bed, with a maroon headband wrapped around her head. She had a round, black, and plump face, appearing to be in her sixties, though Xiqiu had heard she was younger than the Grand Dowager.

"In-law Old Madam." Madam Jiang smiled and bowed slightly to Old Madam Jiang. Xiqiu half-bowed as a younger person should, but given her noble title, Old Madam Jiang should have greeted her instead.

However, Old Madam Jiang obviously wouldn’t come down to greet her!

"In-law Madam, Sixth Young Madam, please sit." Old Madam Jiang gestured with a broad smile to the chairs on both sides, "Hurry and bring in the tea!" showing great enthusiasm.

Xiqiu and Madam Jiang sat down with a smile, and Old Madam Jiang said with a laugh, "I’m sorry to trouble In-law Madam and Sixth Young Madam over such a small matter at home." She sighed, "The second family is really..."

Madam Jiang frowned, her smile slightly faded, "Old Madam, there’s no need for formality. What concerns Fourth Young Madam concerns us; family need not speak like outsiders." She paused and added, "How is Fourth Young Madam doing now? Can we visit her?"

"No rush, no rush. A physician already visited this morning. She just took her medicine and is sleeping. In-law Madam and Sixth Young Madam, please sit for a while. If she wakes, I’ll have the eldest’s family take you there," Old Madam Jiang’s eyes flickered as she took a sip of tea, glancing at Xiqiu. She covertly assessed her. Though not tall, her large eyes were quite attractive, but she was thin, likely not robust for childbirth.

Xiqiu felt slightly displeased. Did this family always look at people so blatantly without the slightest concealment?

Madam Jiang was also unhappy, smiling as she said, "I heard about the illness early this morning, and both her father and elder brother at home were very worried, prompting us to come over and take a look. They even considered bringing an Imperial Physician from the palace, which I stopped. I suppose Fourth Son-in-law should already be informed!" she paused, her face full of concern as she looked at Old Madam Jiang, "How did she become ill so suddenly? She was perfectly fine at home yesterday."

Old Madam Jiang’s eyes flickered. At that moment, Mrs. Wang, smiling, entered with tea, "The nights have been chilly these past two days. I don’t know if that’s why, but I noticed a slight fever and a rash on her face this morning. Nothing else seemed wrong."

Do they really take us for fools who know nothing?

Madam Jiang was truly too angry for words, sipping her tea as she fumed silently.

Xiqiu appeared uneasy, looking at Mrs. Wang, she asked, "Fourth Sister has had hay fever since childhood, so she’s always been very careful. When we came in, we didn’t see many flowers in the courtyard. How did her old illness suddenly flare up?"

Old Madam Jiang was momentarily stunned, displeased. To think this family of sisters spoke so ungraciously and seemed so delicate, thinking that daughters from the Tong Mansion should be treated like Bodhisattvas. She was just a lady from a seventh-rank official’s family, where did all this frailty come from!

"Maybe the wind was too strong. There are many flowers in the neighboring courtyard; perhaps the pollen was blown over," Mrs. Wang laughed, "The mansion is aware of my sister-in-law’s health, so we never risk bringing flowers inside."

Xiqiu showed an understanding expression, sighing, "That’s most unfortunate." Then she looked at Old Madam Jiang, "I’d trouble First Young Madam to take us over, even if she’s still asleep, sitting by her side will ease our minds."

Xiqiu suddenly understood why Tong Xiyan had lost so much weight. This Old Madam Jiang and Madam Jiang didn’t just speak poorly; they held their heads too high.

Probably, in their eyes now, the Tong family was just a minor seventh-rank official’s family, while Jiang Shilin was a formidable fifth-rank Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel trusted by the Emperor. Comparing the status of the two families now indeed seems like the Tong Mansion is reaching too high.

Mrs. Wang noticed that Xiqiu and Madam Jiang seemed displeased and secretly glanced at Old Madam Jiang. Seeing Old Madam Jiang frown and nod at her, Mrs. Wang then smiled and said, "I’ll accompany In-law Madam and Sixth Young Madam."

Xiqiu and Madam Jiang stood up, nodding and smiling, "Thank you, First Young Madam."

They then nodded at Old Madam Jiang and headed out. Just as they stepped out the door, a girl about sixteen or seventeen years old with a round face and a plump, wealthy appearance approached them. She wore a crimson ornate overcoat, and when she saw Mrs. Wang accompanying Xiqiu and Madam Jiang, she smiled broadly, revealing two cute canine teeth from afar that made her look endearing.

She curtsied to Mrs. Wang, Madam Jiang, and Xiqiu.

Madam Jiang looked at Mrs. Wang and asked, "And who might this be?" Judging by her attire, she seemed to be an unmarried girl, yet Madam Jiang couldn’t recall any young girls in the Jiang Mansion.

"This is Miss Mei," Mrs. Wang’s expression stiffened slightly and turned to Madam Jiang and Xiqiu, "She is the daughter of my father-in-law’s old classmate, presently staying at the mansion."

Xiqiu was taken aback and looked carefully at Miss Mei; could this be the junior sister whom Jiang Shilin was about to bring in as a concubine?

She was already residing at the mansion?

Madam Jiang’s face turned cold, and she nodded very coolly at Miss Mei, turning to Mrs. Wang, "We should go see Fourth Young Madam sooner rather than later."

"Yes, yes!" Mrs. Wang appeared quite embarrassed, looking at Miss Mei, who seemed unaware and blinked with big innocent eyes at them, "First Young Madam, who are these ladies?"

Mrs. Wang frowned and replied, "They are Second Madam’s family-in-law relatives." No longer wishing to elaborate, she waved her hand, "Quick, go to your aunt’s place; she’s waiting for you."