Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 624 - 626: The Sinking Boat (Part 1)

"Old Madam Shen has invited me to the mansion." Xiqiu changed her clothes and looked over at Fourth Master Xiao, who was leaning against the bed reading a book: "I’ve accepted."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded indifferently: "Old Madam Shen knows the importance of planning ahead. With her in the Shen Family, there’s no worry about the future." He then looked up at Xiqiu and saw her frowning, her expression heavy. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Fourth Master!" Xiqiu edged closer and sat beside him. She thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow, Old Madam Shen will probably discuss something with me; I’ve guessed most of it. I want to know what the Fourth Master thinks."

Fourth Master Xiao put down the book, straightened up, and looked at her seriously, asking, "Oh? Then tell me, why has Old Madam Shen invited you?"

"Is the Fourth Master testing me?" Xiqiu chuckled lightly and replied, "Old Madam Shen’s invitation must have a significant relation to her being summoned to the palace yesterday and the birth of a son to Princess Rong. Some people in the court are surely restless. Although the Shen Family is currently very prominent, it’s hard for two fists to defeat four hands. I suppose Old Madam Shen wants to probe where the Fourth Master stands."

Fourth Master Xiao showed appreciation, nodding: "Since you’ve guessed Old Madam Shen’s intentions, why not guess mine as well?" He spoke with a mischievous look in his eyes, yet there was a hidden seriousness.

Xiqiu glared at him mockingly and said, "How could I guess the Fourth Master’s intentions?" She laughed, "Why not tell me so that I’ll know how to handle Old Madam Shen tomorrow."

Fourth Master Xiao smiled slightly, clearly enjoying her antics: "Lady, you may go as you wish. I doubt Old Madam Shen will say anything earth-shattering. It’s likely about the situation between Shen Ji and me in Liaodong. Just respond to her words truthfully and express your genuine feelings. You don’t need to worry about anything else; I have it covered!"

Clearly, Fourth Master Xiao was making vague statements.

Be it the Rong County Prince Mansion or the Shens, his stance and attitude remain ambiguous, even leaving both families guessing.

Thus, both families are eager to engage with Xuanning Marquis Mansion, not directly approaching Fourth Master Xiao, but probing through Old Madam Shen and her to understand his thoughts.

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows, smiling: "I’m uncertain in my heart, if I say or do something wrong, I’ll need Fourth Master to clean up the mess for me."

Fourth Master Xiao likewise raised an eyebrow and kindly nodded in agreement: "Lady, go as you please." He paused, then added: "Tomorrow, I’ll have Tiancheng accompany you."

Xiqiu shook her head and replied: "Tomorrow morning, the Shen Family’s carriage will come to the mansion to collect me. Having Tiancheng with me would make it seem like we’re wary of them. Besides, the Capital’s security is good; there’s no need for concern." Seeing that Fourth Master Xiao had not acquiesced, she laughed and said, "Once I return home, I’ll send someone to the government office to notify you, is that alright?"

Only then did Fourth Master Xiao nod.

Early the next morning, Xiqiu went to the Grand Dowager’s room to explain her visit to the Shen Family. The Grand Dowager merely smiled and nodded: "Go, and be comprehensive in your discourse."

"I understand." Xiqiu responded, then took Chunliu, Bihuai, and Biwu to Yimen. The Shen Family’s carriage was already waiting outside, accompanied as before by Nanny Shen, who personally helped Xiqiu onto the carriage: "Old Madam and Madam Shen know you’re coming. They’re already waiting at home."

Standing on the carriage step, Xiqiu replied: "I apologize for my lack of courtesy!" Nanny Shen laughed and said, "There’s no need for you to apologize; Old Madam and Madam Shen often speak of you. Today they’ve gotten their wish seeing you."

Xiqiu also smiled as she boarded the carriage, with Chunliu, Bihuai, and Biwu following. Nanny Shen stood outside the carriage smiling: "Madam will go first. I’ll be in the carriage behind. If you need anything, just stop and call me, and I’ll handle it."

Xiqiu had Chunliu lift the curtain and smiled: "Thank you, Nanny." Then she lowered the curtain, and the carriage, driven by a servant, trotted out of the Marquis Mansion’s courtyard. Chunliu peeked through the curtain, seeing some ten servants marching alongside in the alley at the side door.

The late Emperor once bestowed the Princess Mansion, yet Old Madam Shen has never lived there, staying with First Master Shen at the Shen Family home, never adopting the title Princess Changting, being called simply Old Madam Shen. Shen Family’s Old Master served as Fifth-rank Minister of the Ministry of Rites, less distinguished than Xuanning Marquis Mansion, somewhat secluded, about two tea sessions away from South Arch.

The carriage stopped at the Shen Mansion’s gate, where Nanny Shen waited outside, helping Xiqiu down. In the distance, she saw Madam Shen, visibly pregnant, standing under the Ruyi Gate. Xiqiu hurried over with a smile: "Why have you come personally!" She said, warmly linking arms with Madam Shen.

Madam Shen, nearing childbirth, is merely ten days behind Madam Jiang in dates; yet she comes personally to welcome Xiqiu. She shook her head and laughed: "The midwife says to walk more, it’ll make childbirth easier. Fourth Madam, don’t worry." Turning towards the door, she said: "With the first child, every step felt cautious; afraid of bumping into anything, I dared not move. This second child, I’m no longer afraid of anything."

Xiqiu laughed in reply: "Experience changes everything."

Madam Shen gave Xiqiu a sidelong glance, thinking of asking if she was pregnant, then let the thought pass with a smile: "Mother is thinking of you!" She laughed covering her face: "With you here, I’m out of place."

"You’re unmatched." Xiqiu replied with a wide smile, turning to view the Shen Mansion garden, intricately managed with many flowers, with an artificial lake on the left where a pavilion stood surrounded by gauze curtains, charming and refined.

She couldn’t help but think, as rumored, First Master Shen had a lifelong passion for landscaping, loving horticulture the most. Both Marquis Wuwei’s garden and Count Shouning’s garden were his creations; although Xiqiu hadn’t seen those, the Shen Mansion’s garden made her admire First Master Shen’s landscape design skills.

Since the Great Zhou men married princesses, they couldn’t serve in the court, a somewhat impersonal rule, yet better than the previous dynasty’s prince consorts who were separated from their princesses and had restricted movement. At least prince consorts only had their political careers hindered, their personal freedom largely unaffected.

Madam Shen noticed Xiqiu looking at the garden and smiled: "Father manages it all; he adores peonies and has planted various colors filling the rear yard. Here, there are but few. If Fourth Madam likes, I’ll accompany you later to the backyard. The regular peonies have passed their bloom, but the ones in Father’s garden are in full bloom." She spoke with pride: "Many say, regardless of the flower, once they pass Father’s hands, they become extraordinary."

"I’ve heard." Xiqiu smiled in agreement: "I also heard that often late at night, cultured individuals climb ladders at the courtyard wall to recite poetry at the peonies."