Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 626 - 628: The Sinking Boat (Part 3)

The implication is that the Emperor dearly loves the Eldest Prince, and given such affection, his future glory and status are unmatched by anyone!

Xiqiu smiled slightly, appearing attentive and earnest.

Old Madam Shen suddenly remarked, "I hear your eldest brother works as an editor at the Hanlin Academy?" Xiqiu nodded affirmatively upon hearing this. Old Madam Shen appeared thoughtful and said something seemingly trivial: "Children grow fast, and the Eldest Prince starts his education earlier than others!"

Xiqiu was taken aback, her gaze flickered slightly. What did Old Madam Shen mean? Was she hinting that when the Eldest Prince begins his education, Tong Shen Zhi could be appointed as the Assistant Lecturer?

Appointing someone as the Assistant Lecturer to the Eldest Prince is akin to gifting your family with a cash cow. Unless there’s a natural disaster or the Eldest Prince is not foolish or ignorant, according to the Great Zhou’s laws, the future Eldest Prince is destined to become the Crown Prince. At that time, what kind of treatment would the Crown Prince’s enlightenment teacher receive?

It’s self-evident.

This was extending an olive branch to Xiqiu, yet she nodded calmly and said, "Yes, indeed, children grow up fast, in the blink of an eye, they become adults." As if she had not understood.

Old Madam Shen was also momentarily surprised, secretly observing whether Xiqiu had understood, yet her face still wore a smiling nod and said, "Indeed." Then she continued, "Have some tea, I heard you like Longjing; this is this year’s new tea."

Xiqiu took a sip and praised, "Indeed, it’s good tea." Such a taste is probably only found in tributes, yet the Shen family offers it to guests... Old Madam Shen was conveying her intentions everywhere...

"What has the Great Governor been busy with recently? A few days ago she would often drink at the mansion, but I’ve seen her less lately." Old Madam Shen said.

Xiqiu replied with a smile, "I do not know either, I rarely ask about court matters, even if I did, I wouldn’t understand it, so I simply don’t ask." Old Madam Shen looked at Xiqiu and nodded, Madam Shen smiled and continued, "I am like the Fourth Madam, I rarely ask about his affairs."

Xiqiu smiled and nodded, and the few people chatted about other matters, speaking of the flood disaster at Ligudu in Huaxian, Wei Hui Prefecture. Madam Shen wiped her eyes and said, "... I heard many people died, some children lost both parents, I had the household gather many unused items and donated some money as well. I don’t know if it could help, but I feel somewhat relieved, and consider it a little merit on behalf of my two children."

"Natural disasters and misfortunes are unexpected." Xiqiu sighed, "Madam is indeed kind-hearted, unable to bear others’ suffering."

The atmosphere turned silent, and Old Madam Shen looked at Xiqiu, revealing a thoughtful expression.

After a while, Xiqiu stood up to leave, "I’ve been out since morning, there are still many things at home." Old Madam Shen did not insist on keeping her, asking Madam Shen to see Xiqiu off: "Come often." Madam Shen also said, "By next month it should be your turn to give birth, you must come to the bathing ceremony then."

Xiqiu agreed, "I will definitely come then!"

Then she said farewell to Old Madam Shen and left with Madam Shen to where she had come in at the Ruyi Gate. The two stood at the door talking for a while: "You’re still good, though you manage the household matters, you have no other worries, though tiring, yet it is satisfying."

Xiqiu knew what she was referring to; Madam Shen had two consecutive pregnancies, and in the past year or two, there were three concubines added to the back courtyard. Madam Shen was in a position where she couldn’t speak her difficulties, after all, being pregnant, if she prevented her husband from taking concubines, who knows what unpleasant rumors might spread outside.

She didn’t explicitly say, so Xiqiu couldn’t console her, and after chatting about other matters, she bid farewell and got onto the carriage, still escorted out of the Shen Mansion by the same ten or so old women.

Xiqiu closed her eyes and leaned against the carriage wall, carefully considering what Old Madam Shen had said.

Bihuai, Chunliu, and Biwu each sat on one side, Chunliu poured tea for Xiqiu, the scent of tea was refreshing, and she sighed, "This tea is indeed fragrant." After saying that, she handed the tea to Xiqiu, and added, "The tea we just drank in the servants’ quarters was also the finest Da Hong Pao..."

Xiqiu smiled slightly at them and said, "Hmm, tell me, what impression do you have of the Shen family?"

Chunliu thought for a moment and replied with a smile, "Though the residence is not large, it exudes identity and status everywhere. They say Old Madam Shen is low-key, but I feel she is quite ostentatious." Otherwise, why would she use Da Hong Pao to entertain the servants?

"I don’t think so," Bihuai thought for a moment and said, "This is precisely where Old Madam Shen is clever. We’re from the Marquis Mansion, we’ve seen all sorts of fine things. If she doesn’t use the ultimate to host us, how would she show the difference between the Shen family and the Marquis Mansion?"

Xiqiu slightly raised her brows and looked at Biwu, who said nonchalantly, "I don’t understand what you’re saying. I only know the pastries on the table were great, and I haven’t had them before." Saying so, she took out a piece of pastry from her sleeve and showed it, "To take it back for Steward Niu to see if we can make it."

Xiqiu reached out her hand, "Let me see!" Biwu handed it over for her to look at, and Xiqiu examined it. The pastry was red, square-shaped, and a peony flower pattern was carved on top with a mold, and she smiled, "Indeed, very exquisite."

She handed it back to Biwu.

At this moment, the carriage suddenly jolted, and it was such a substantial movement that Xiqiu accidentally bumped into the carriage wall, Chunliu, who was close, hurriedly supported her, "Madam, are you alright?"

Xiqiu shook her head, Chunliu angrily was about to lift the curtain to inquire, but Xiqiu stopped her and said, "This is not the Marquis Mansion’s carriage, be gentle."

"Understood, Madam." Saying so, she lifted the curtain and looked outside, but before she could speak, she was dumbfounded. She saw the old women accompanying the carriage from the Shen family lying all over the ground, each with a menacing appearance, some with arrows in their chests, others with their throats slit. The carriage’s sudden jolt was because the driver fell off, causing the wheel to run over her.

She was dumbfounded and couldn’t believe it, staring wide-eyed, even her breathing forgotten.

Xiqiu, seeing Chunliu’s reactionless state, asked in surprise, "What happened?!" Bihuai too, puzzled, pushed Chunliu aside, saying, "Sister Chunliu, what’s going on?" She half-lifted the curtain to look and immediately covered her mouth and screamed!

Xiqiu frowned and asked, "What’s wrong?"

Bihuai’s face was pale, pointing outside with a stutter, "Dead... people!"

Xiqiu’s eyes turned icy, and she couldn’t care about anything else, lifting the curtain to look. Suddenly she too was shocked, ten or so old women were silently dead. Even if they were in the carriage without martial arts, they should have heard something. Yet just now, there was no sound at all, if not for the carriage’s jolt, they might not even know what happened.

She squinted to survey the surroundings, discovering that the carriage was now in an alleyway, just wide enough for two carriages to pass. At this moment, there were masked individuals wearing black close-fitting garments standing front and back in the alley, some holding bows and arrows, others wielding swords, all exuding murderous intent, besides the old women dead by the carriage.