Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 607 - 609: Joyous Occasion (Part 4)

"How could it be old-fashioned? I’ve just often heard people say so." Xiqiu looked at Fourth Master Xiao and couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe deep down, she was still worried about Xiao Yanzheng’s married life, and that’s why she found such an excuse.

Fourth Master Xiao laughed and said, "Alright, alright." As he spoke, he naturally touched her flat stomach and said with a smile, "Then let our son be like you, so we won’t have to worry about food and clothing in the future."

Xiqiu leaned against Fourth Master Xiao and laughed.

On the fourth day after Xiao Yanzheng’s homecoming visit, Xiqiu bid farewell to the Grand Dowager and returned to Tong Mansion. Madam Jiang was very happy to see her: "...I said I wanted to go, but your elder brother said we are family. Whether I go or not, the Grand Dowager won’t blame me. Besides, even if I went, I’d only be a burden on you with my condition."

"Elder brother is right, the Grand Dowager even specially instructed that if you came, you should rest in my room. Nothing is more important than the child." Xiqiu replied with a smile, "You don’t need to worry about anything now, just focus on nurturing the pregnancy."

Madam Jiang touched her belly, nodded with a smile, and Xiqiu asked again, "Is Fourth Sister alright?"

"Oh," Madam Jiang sighed when mentioning Tong Xiyan, "The other day, Lord Jiang came by, knelt outside First Master’s study for half a day, and First Master didn’t see him. Fourth Lady knew but didn’t react much, still making jokes and laughing, but I think something’s not right with her."

Xiqiu was taken aback and asked, "Why did he come?"

Madam Jiang frowned and replied, "He said he came to apologize to Fourth Lady." After a pause, she continued, "He and First Master, Master, and Fourth Son-in-law all serve in the same court, they see each other often, and now things have escalated to such a stage, becoming the talk behind everyone’s backs. How could he face others with such a loss of face?" 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Xiqiu also sighed, "Old Madam Jiang must not know, right? If she finds out, she’d probably cause a scene again." Madam Jiang shook her head helplessly, "Old Madam Jiang and Madam Jiang..." She shook her head repeatedly, "Only Nanny Fang and Madam Luo can speak a few words, I’m not someone who can get involved."

After Madam Jiang finished speaking, as if remembering something, she told Xiqiu, "I heard Old Madam Jiang put out the word that she wanted to find Lord Jiang a new wife. I heard there was a young lady in Lord Fang’s family who just came of age, Old Madam Jiang sent someone to propose, but she was turned away before even entering the door."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow. The young lady of Lord Fang’s Mansion, she was the Miss Fang at Wujin Bo Mansion back in the day. Calculating her age, she should indeed be coming of age this year. Unexpected that Old Madam Jiang would try to propose to Miss Fang...

Although the Fang Mansion is not as prestigious as the Jiang Mansion, Miss Fang is a legitimate daughter. What parent would want their daughter to become a follow-up wife, especially after the scandal of Lord Jiang’s divorce that has caused such a stir in the city? It would be like sending their daughter to be scorned by the Imperial Censor’s pen.

"Forget it, let’s see what kind of satisfactory daughter-in-law she manages to marry," Madam Jiang sneered. Xiqiu thought of Miss Mei and asked, "Is Miss Mei willing to be just a concubine? Her family background may not be great, but she is quite talented, having studied the Five Classics and the Spring and Autumn Annals..."

Madam Jiang understood Xiqiu’s meaning and laughed, "Then it depends on Miss Mei’s abilities."

The two smiled without speaking, and after accompanying Madam Jiang for a while, Xiqiu went to the West Courtyard. The courtyard door remained wide open, and Daijuan came out to welcome her. Upon seeing Xiqiu, she immediately smiled, "Sixth Lady, you’ve finally come." She led Xiqiu inside as she spoke.

"How has your spirit been these past few days? Have you been getting out for walks?" Xiqiu asked as she walked inside.

Daijuan replied with a furrowed brow, "She’s been cheerful but doesn’t like to move around, just sits before the embroidery frame sewing things. She embroidered sachets and handkerchiefs, made several little clothes for the First Young Madam, and is now making shoes and socks for the unborn young master."

"I’ll go take a look," Xiqiu said as she entered, then stopped in her tracks. There was Tong Xiyan, sitting cross-legged on the Arhat Bed, surrounded by scattered scraps of cloth. Her fingers grasped a needle, stitching diligently. Although her expression was serious, her complexion was sallow, and she appeared so thin it was as if she were merely bones. Her silhouette was so fragile it evoked pity.

"Fourth Sister," Xiqiu walked over, holding back tears. Tong Xiyan paused her hand, looked up at Xiqiu with a smile, "Sixth Sister has returned." Her tone was calm with no discernible emotion, "Look at the mess here..." She pushed aside the scraps of fabric, inviting Xiqiu to sit and instructed Daijuan, "Go brew tea for Sixth Lady."

Daijuan glanced at Xiqiu with anticipation and replied, "Yes," as she withdrew, taking Bihuai and Biwu to drink tea outside.

Xiqiu sat beside Tong Xiyan, picked up the shoe upper she was embroidering, and asked, "This is for my nephew?" She examined it in her hand, "Isn’t this size a bit small, can they wear it?"

"You’re just like me," Tong Xiyan took it back and continued embroidering, "A newborn baby is this small." She compared the shoe’s length to Xiqiu again, then showed her the little clothes she made, "See, I was shocked when I first got the size. How could someone grow this big? But Nanny Qiu told me a newborn is just this size."

Xiqiu sighed with admiration, holding the little clothes fondly, "Fourth Sister’s craftsmanship has become more exquisite, it’s really beautiful." Tong Xiyan laughed in response, "If you like it, when you have a child, I’ll make clothes for you too, from one year old to five years old. I’m not busy now anyway. I’ll make clothes for all the nephews."

Xiqiu sighed inwardly but smiled and said, "I can’t possibly burden Fourth Aunt’s artistic hands. Getting you to make clothes is not as good as having you teach them painting!" Tong Xiyan chuckled and tapped Xiqiu’s forehead, "Shameless!"

The two laughed for a while, then Tong Xiyan asked, "Is Yanzheng married? Is Lord Pang treating her well?"

Xiqiu nodded, recounting what Xiao Yanzheng said after her return, what Lord Pang looked like, and everything said during the return visit to Tong Xiyan, "He seems very gentle and good-tempered, quite similar to the Marquis. No wonder the Grand Dowager decided on the marriage as soon as she met him."

"If he’s like the Marquis, then there’s nothing to worry about. The Marquis is famously good-tempered." Tong Xiyan smiled and nodded, but her face gradually darkened, "I hope you all can live smoothly, not like me."

"Fourth Sister," Xiqiu held her hand gently and said softly, "We’re still young, no one can predict the goods and bads of tomorrow, whether it will be smooth or bumpy. The most important thing is to live well in the present." She looked at Tong Xiyan, touched her hand swollen from needle pricks, and with reddened eyes, said, "You’ve always disliked needlework since childhood, and now you hide in your room embroidering flowers every day. I know you’re still struggling to let go, but our hearts should only be troubled for those who deserve it. People and families like that aren’t worth our sadness and worry. They’ll regret losing you sooner or later!"

Tong Xiyan’s eyes reddened, but she held back her tears and nodded, "I understand, I know what you’re saying, but my heart just feels empty, as if a piece is missing. I try to stay busy with embroidery and work, but no matter how hard I try, that emptiness always remains unfilled."