Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 639 - 641: Joyful News (1)

Xiqiu and the First Madam supported the Grand Dowager to kneel down in the flower hall.

Chief Chang unfolded the Imperial Decree, his gaze sweeping across it, and then read aloud, asking: "By the mandate of heaven, Princess Chengning, second daughter of the late Prince Rong, was titled Commandery Princess Chengning by the late Emperor. However, she disregarded the late Emperor’s benevolence, behaved arrogantly and lacking virtue, disrespected Women’s Training and Women’s Precepts, and dishonored the Imperial Family’s reputation. She is unworthy of the Chengning title. Now, her title is revoked, reduced to commoner status, expelled from the Imperial Family to uphold the royal prestige, decree thus!"

Xiqiu was momentarily stunned; would the Second Madam’s title and status be completely stripped? She turned to look at the Grand Dowager and saw her face was calm, recalling Chief Chang’s visit earlier in the morning...

The Grand Dowager must have known beforehand, or perhaps the Emperor had consulted with her before making this decision, gaining her approval before issuing the decree?

The Emperor’s action didn’t surprise her much; after all, the Second Madam was not only the Commandery Princess Chengning but also Marchioness Xuanning. If the Emperor took away her status without the Marquis Mansion’s consent, it would surely displease Marquis Xuanning. So, did the Grand Dowager agree to the Emperor’s action, or perhaps this decision was her suggestion?

She thought of how the Commandery Princess Chengning had been bestowed marriage by the Empress Dowager to become the wife of Marquis Xuanning. Now, being expelled from the Imperial Family, the bestowed marriage would be nullified, leaving the decision to the Marquis to divorce or retain her.

Inwardly, she marveled, lowering her eyelids.

After Chief Chang finished reading, he handed the Imperial Decree to the Grand Dowager, supporting her arm as she rose, saying with a smile: "The Emperor learned of the Marquis’s injury and specially sent me to inform the Grand Dowager. If there is any need, feel free to seek assistance from the Empress in the palace. The Marquis has always been kind-hearted and amiable. Such an incident is something none of us wish to see, and even the Emperor deeply regrets it."

"The trouble brought upon others is due to my fault. I extend gratitude on behalf of Yanyi for the Emperor’s grace." The Grand Dowager bowed in the direction of the Imperial City and then said to Chief Chang: "Trouble you, Chief. The fourth son isn’t in the mansion, please join Housekeeper Hu for some refreshing tea and rest your feet."

"No need." Chief Chang said with a smile: "I must return to the palace to report, so I won’t be having tea. Please convey my regards to the Marquis and the Great Governor." He said goodbye with clasped hands, accompanied by Housekeeper Hu to the outer courtyard.

The Grand Dowager took the Imperial Decree and looked at her two daughters-in-law, saying: "Come with me!" With that, she held Nanny Wu’s hand and went through the corridors to the main room.

The three sat down, and the Grand Dowager handed the Imperial Decree to Nanny Wu: "Place it on the altar!" Nanny Wu complied. The Grand Dowager sipped her tea and said: "You’ve all heard the contents of the Imperial Decree. From today onwards, there is no person known as Commandery Princess Chengning in the mansion!" With that, her gaze turned to her daughters-in-law: "She is now mad, and cannot handle household affairs anymore." She emphasized, looking at Xiqiu: "I will need Xiqiu to take on more burdens."

This means the Grand Dowager has no intention of dismissing the Second Madam, at least not now!

Xiqiu nodded with a smile: "I have the duty and responsibility for household matters, as long as Mother and Sister-in-law don’t mind my clumsiness."

"Just go ahead with your duties, isn’t everything else covered by me?" The Grand Dowager said with a slight smile, then looked at the First Madam. The First Madam also smiled and said: "Fourth Sister-in-law is modest, the management of the house recently has been in good hands. Even if I haven’t been involved, I’ve noticed. If you cannot do well, no one can."

"It’s thanks to Mother and Sister-in-law’s understanding." Xiqiu looked at the First Madam, smiling: "I resort to common methods when faced with issues. If you find me lacking, please feel free to tell me!"

The First Madam smiled at her and nodded: "I certainly will."

The Grand Dowager watched as the sisters-in-law conversed harmoniously and felt slightly comforted.

Just then, Ziwei lifted the curtain to enter and reported to the Grand Dowager: "Grand Dowager... Zijuan has been found." Upon hearing this, the smile on the Grand Dowager’s face gradually faded as her brows knitted together: "Where is she?"

Xiqiu also grew curious, wondering where Zijuan, who seemed to have vanished from the mansion since last night, could have been hiding. Nanny Liu searched with the maids all night, only to find her now. Where could she have been hiding? 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Ziwei’s expression was uneasy as she replied: "She... she’s already dead, found in the well in the back garden."

The Grand Dowager’s eyes narrowed at the news, asking: "Has a careful examination been carried out?" Ziwei nodded: "The household doctor checked, indeed it was drowning."

The Grand Dowager sighed and waved her hand: "Let her family take her back."

Xiqiu, slightly puzzled, asked: "In the well in the back garden, which well?"

"It’s... it’s the abandoned well near the western corner of the courtyard."

Xiqiu furrowed her brows, looking at the Grand Dowager, asking: "Mother, I recall that well was closed long ago. How did Zijuan end up in that well?" The Grand Dowager was momentarily dazed, as if recalling something, and asked Ziwei: "Was her body searched?"

"Nanny Liu searched, and there was nothing on her body. Even the jewelry she loved the most was still left at the bedside untouched," Ziwei replied.

This indicates she wasn’t trying to escape with valuables, but rather committed suicide directly. Zijuan disappeared before the Grand Dowager dealt with the Second Madam’s servants, before any decision about the Second Madam came. A typical person would hold a glimmer of hope even in despair and think of escaping unnoticed when the mansion wasn’t on guard, why did she go directly to drown?

Even though it was the death of a guilty maid, there were several puzzling points. With furrowed brows, Xiqiu asked: "Did the household doctor mention when Zijuan died?"

"This morning!" Ziwei replied, looking at Xiqiu: "The household doctor was very certain it was this morning, not more than an hour ago. Zijuan’s skin remained unbloated and retained body warmth."

The Grand Dowager, First Madam, and Xiqiu exchanged glances, seeing doubt in each other’s eyes. Squelching her eyes, the Grand Dowager ordered: "Tell Nanny Liu, we must ascertain Zijuan’s whereabouts last night, and whether there were any suspicious individuals coming or going in the mansion."

Normally, it would be impossible for outsiders to infiltrate the Marquis Mansion, but Zijuan’s death was too peculiar, forcing them to suspect.

Ziwei complied and added: "All the maids and servants in the Second Madam’s room have been sold off. Following your instructions, Nanny Liu moved eight maids from the outer courtyard, sealing several side doors in the Second Madam’s room, leaving only one main door. The room has been cleaned and locked up, with a maid inside to attend, and eight maids guarding the entrance in turn."

The Grand Dowager nodded and waved: "Go!" Ziwei obliged, bowed to the Grand Dowager, First Madam, and Xiqiu, and withdrew.

"Grand Dowager." Speaking was Bilian, one of the Grand Dowager’s personal maids, along with Ziwei, Lianqiao, and Honglian. Bilian and Honglian were younger and had been in the mansion longer than Ziwei, hence did outer courtyard duties, with Nanny Wu and Ziwei attending to the Grand Dowager’s closest needs.