Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 611 - 613: Surprise (Part 3)

"You..." The Grand Dowager pointed at Nanny Wu: "Sometimes you’re not so muddle-headed."

Nanny Wu wanted to laugh but couldn’t bring herself to, since no one wanted to see this outcome: "I knew you had suspicions about the Fourth Madam back then, but I didn’t dare tell you."

Listening, the Grand Dowager’s face gradually darkened as she recalled that piece of paper...

It remained a nagging issue.

"I don’t know if I should say this," Nanny Wu gingerly kneaded her hands, speaking softer than before, and the Grand Dowager nodded, saying, "You’ve been with me for decades, isn’t there anything we can’t say?"

Nanny Wu then smiled and said, "In the past two months, Fourth Madam has been managing everything inside and outside the mansion; although you haven’t mentioned it, I’ve noticed that you’re more fond of her than before. After all, she takes good care of Young Master Xin, Young Master Min, and even Young Master Sheng, and none of them are her own children; yet, she attends to them carefully. Not everyone could manage that, the ladies and misses coming and going in the mansion privately praise Fourth Madam for being virtuous and capable. Although her background is humble, in other aspects she is no less than others. In my opinion, even those from highborn families might not measure up..."

The Grand Dowager nodded faintly, not denying Nanny Wu’s words, as Nanny Wu continued, "I mean... put your mind at ease. Even if there were some issues, over such a long time, we’ve seen what kind of person Fourth Madam is. Her good temperament and virtues are rare, even with a lantern, it’s hard to find. I dare say, Fourth Master’s judgment might be better than yours."

What Nanny Wu said made the Grand Dowager laugh, and she tapped Nanny Wu’s forehead: "According to you, I’m the one who’s blind."

"I wouldn’t dare!" Nanny Wu laughed and said, "Back when the Marquis was ill, if it wasn’t for you holding things together in the mansion, how could the Eldest Master strive outside? Your abilities are acknowledged by all. Nowadays, who doesn’t praise you as a heroine, and how many women dare accompany men onto the battlefield to face the enemy... I mean, Fourth Master observed Fourth Madam with his heart, whereas we..." She pointed to her eyes: "use these, naturally it’s not as accurate as using one’s heart."

The Grand Dowager said nothing, sighed, leaned against the pillow, and rubbed her forehead, saying: "There’s some truth to what you said."

"It’s not about me speaking truth, but you’re perplexed being involved," Nanny Wu smiled and then asked the Grand Dowager: "Shall I make you some jujube tea to drink before sleeping?"

The Grand Dowager nodded: "Let’s sleep, tomorrow morning they’ll leave the mansion, and only a few of us will be left."

Nanny Wu smiled silently, served the Grand Dowager tea, tucked the bed corners, extinguishing two wicks of the palace lantern in the corner. Then she set the tea to warm outside on the stove, closing the door as she lay on the footstool, and the master and servant rested.

Early the next morning, the Grand Dowager, with a few children, sent off Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu, then escorted the children to the study pavilion. When Nanny Wu quickly came in from outside, her expression was somewhat unusual, and she whispered a few words in the Grand Dowager’s ear.

The Grand Dowager was stunned upon hearing this and asked: "...Is it really true?"

Nanny Wu nodded, and the Grand Dowager frowned, asking: "What about the second son, where is he?"

"He left early, saying a message would be sent to inform you," Nanny Wu asked softly: "What do you think...?"

The Grand Dowager pondered for a moment, then sighed deeply, saying: "Let him go, it’s rare for him to proactively want someone." She paused, then continued: "Prepare two tables of dishes, invite her usual companions for a gathering, and let Madam Shen tidy up an courtyard to move her in today."

Nanny Wu acknowledged, and just at that moment, Lianqiao walked in from outside, with cheeks still flushed and wearing the clothes from last night, looking as if spring adorned her face. Upon entering, she knelt in front of the Grand Dowager: "Grand Dowager!"

Her head lowered, biting her lip.

The Grand Dowager looked at Lianqiao, assessed her for a while, then spoke: "No need to say more, I somewhat understand your intentions. Things have come to this; pack your things and move today. From now on, you don’t need to serve here without cause, just take care of the Marquis."

"Thank you, Grand Dowager." She knocked her head down three times firmly.

The Grand Dowager nodded, instructed Nanny Wu: "Take her to clear her face, and have the sewing room make her some clothes." She then regarded Lianqiao: "If there’s anything missing in your room, tell Nanny Wu."

Lianqiao thanked again, bowing her head.

As Lianqiao went out, coincidentally the First Madam came in. Seeing Lianqiao’s appearance, she was puzzled but kept it to herself. Later, in the afternoon, when several of the household’s main maids and Ziwei went to celebrate with Lianqiao, she learned that the Marquis had stayed at Lingbo Hall after drinking in the pavilion last night. Lianqiao went to deliver food... eventually staying the night there, and the Marquis had officially elevated Lianqiao to concubine status.

Nanny Tang stood behind the First Madam, saying, "Lianqiao is clever, with Second Madam ill and Madam Shen’s side rarely visited by the Marquis, she seized the right opportunity."

"People always aspire for higher and better. Once they climb up, they’ll realize where they truly feel at ease," the First Madam said softly, using trimming scissors to care for the golden orange in the pot, then smiled: "Tomorrow, send this pot of golden oranges back to Lady, she loves festive things."

Nanny Tang agreed, saying: "Lady will certainly like it."

"Are Fourth Master and Fourth Madam at the Jiwei Mountain retreat?" The First Madam asked casually. Nanny Tang replied affirmatively: "They should be there by now."

The First Madam revealed a slight smile, replying: "Hopefully, the house can thrive and expand with added members!"

Nanny Tang also laughed, thinking about Fourth Master and Fourth Madam...

Amidst the lush shrubbery, Xiqiu’s head emerged: "Fourth Master, there are really wild vegetables here." She looked up but didn’t see Fourth Master Xiao, paused, lifted her skirt to step out, then turned to ask Bihuai: "Where is Fourth Master?"

Bihuai smiled, shaking her head: "I’ve been following behind you all along, but haven’t seen Fourth Master." They had arrived in the afternoon, Fourth Master and Madam changed clothes to stroll the back mountain woods, Madam was cheerful, having listened to Biwu’s suggestion of the maid mentioning that rain brings wild vegetables in the mountain, and actually looked for them among the bushes.

Bihuai perceived Madam’s rare ease and smiling manner, feeling delighted.

Xiqiu glanced around, furrowed her brows, and said to Bihuai and Biwu: "Forget it, let’s not search anymore, let’s go back." Saying this, she took Bihuai’s hand, and the group walked slowly back through the trees, while the attendants guarding them discreetly moved aside.

The retreat was large, larger than she’d imagined, with a rectangular layout, featuring a courtyard with an atrium, and a substantial pond in the center hosting lotuses, under mountainous cool temperatures, at present the water’s surface was misty... Entering the rear courtyard, the first was the main hall, roughly the size of two reception halls in the Marquis Mansion, perhaps fifty or sixty square meters, surrounded by pillars reaching the beam, adorned with sky-blue ceiling tiles. She suddenly became curious about who conceived such a design, showing Mediterranean-style homeliness.