Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 651 - 653: Perilous (5)

Madam Xia listened, feeling both surprised and joyful yet worried: "Moving out and being your own master without looking at anyone’s face or paying respects is certainly the best, but living independently is different from living with a big family; you must consider everything carefully, like handling the gifts and interactions with other mansions. You cannot exceed the Marquis Mansion, nor can you neglect it. Balancing these things is not easy."

Madam Xia’s considerations were reasonable. After moving out and becoming independent with Fourth Master Xiao, when interacting with other mansions for weddings and funerals, they must send gifts independently. The gift cannot surpass what the main house offers, nor be too low, or it would lose face for the new mansion. Balancing this is indeed a skill!

"We’ll take it one step at a time. It’s hard to think that far ahead now!" Xiqiu replied with a smile. Madam Xia, with a worried expression, asked quietly: "I heard the Second Madam went mad and stabbed the Marquis. How did she end up like that?"

Outside, only the matters between Second Madam and Xiao Yanyi were known, and no one knew about her disappearance for the entire afternoon. Xiqiu did not intend to tell Madam Xia and responded: "Second Sister-in-law has always been thoughtful and burdened with many things. Her mental stress may be the cause." Then, she comforted Madam Xia: "So, you should also let go and not overthink things. Compared to before, where we had to be extremely cautious, now we have everything going well, so you should live more peacefully."

Madam Xia let out a long sigh and nodded, acknowledging it. Although she no longer had the love she once yearned for, she had two considerate children, and now another in her womb. She had nothing left to ask for in life. She was simply hopeful that all three of her children would live happily and safely in the future, and she would be satisfied.

"It’s good; once Sixth Lady is pregnant and gives birth, life in the new mansion would be more stable. Without sister-in-laws, you and Fourth Son-in-law would be more at ease." Then she thought of Xiqiu’s illegitimate child: "He’s a well-behaved child who is endearing. When you have your own child, you should treat him kindly."

Xiqiu agreed. She deeply understood the treatment of illegitimate children from her time at Tong Mansion, where the distinction between births was profoundly felt. Therefore, she had an extra pity for Min, hoping he wouldn’t prematurely experience the social disregard and inconvenience brought by differences in social status.

Then they spoke of First Master, and just as they were speaking, Xiuzhi smiled from outside: "Madam is here!" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"I heard from Eighth Miss that Sixth Lady has returned, so I came to see."

It was Madam Mei’s voice. Madam Xia held Xiqiu’s hand and patted it, implying: "She has it hard." Meaning she was telling Xiqiu to help her if she could!

Xiqiu didn’t reply, and Madam Mei, ushered in by Xiuzhi, walked lively and greeted Xiqiu with a smile. Xiqiu stood up, smiling: "Madam, please sit!"

Madam Mei, without hesitation, sat across from Xiqiu: "I heard from Eighth Miss saying Sixth Lady returned, I was concerned about you, so I wanted to come and check!" Xiqiu responded: "Is Madam doing well?"

Madam Mei nodded: "Thank you for your concern, Sixth Lady. With Sister Xia’s care on normal days, I’m rather comfortable and at ease." She then sighed and spoke about Tong Xiyu: "... He will be thirteen by the New Year."

"Eighth Sister is getting more and more outstanding. As the saying goes, ’A girl is sought by a hundred families’; as long as Madam doesn’t have high demands, she’ll surely find someone satisfactory." Xiqiu replied with a smile, then thought for a moment before adding: "Whenever you’re free, allow Eighth Sister to come over and visit me."

Madam Mei was waiting for her to express this attitude, and her face immediately bloomed with delight: "She is idle every day, how could she not have time? Just fear she might annoy Sixth Lady."

"We are sisters; Madam is being overly polite." Xiqiu replied with a smile.

After sitting for a while longer, waiting for those from the mansion to leave, Xiqiu went with Tong Xiyan to the study, visiting First Master and Tong Shen Zhi. First Master was in high spirits, appearing much younger, while Tong Shen Zhi seemed older, sitting there increasingly like a scholar, serious without frequent smiles.

After bidding farewell to First Master, Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao returned home. On the way, Fourth Master Xiao hugged her and said: "Did you see the child? No need to be anxious and worried now, right?"

"I was overthinking, also troubling Fourth Master." Xiqiu replied with a smile: "When Kun grows up, he certainly will thank Fourth Master, who is his Sixth Uncle."

Fourth Master Xiao chuckled softly: "More than acting as an uncle, I prefer being a father."

Xiqiu smiled, leaning against him, hugging his arm: "Such a kind man like Fourth Master will surely have his wish fulfilled."

Fourth Master Xiao laughed, pinching her nose, saying: "A pity for the freshly relocated camellias in the rear courtyard; we’ll have to wait for next year." Hearing this, Xiqiu was momentarily stunned, and Fourth Master Xiao, seeing her dazed expression, laughed even more heartily.

Xiqiu’s face reddened, and she gave him a playful glare, leaning against him and quickly falling into a sleepy daze.

How she returned to the room, she did not know, waking to find it already daylight. She couldn’t help but rub her forehead and sigh, wondering if she’d end up like Madam Xia, napping endlessly.

After getting up, having breakfast, she went to sit in the Grand Dowager’s room. Ruan Jingliu arrived, giving her a pulse diagnosis in the Grand Dowager’s room. Ruan Jingliu smiled, saying: "It’s a pregnancy pulse, this time confirmed without a doubt!"

"Amitabha Buddha!" The Grand Dowager beamed with joy. Although she had known earlier, confirmation now brought her more cheer. She held Xiqiu’s hand and said: "From today onward, you no longer need to manage the affairs of the mansion. I’ve spoken with your sister-in-law; she will continue to handle things. If she’s tired, I am still here. Just move out with peace of mind!"

Xiqiu was somewhat moved and replied, "Mother, we..." The Grand Dowager waved her hand to interrupt what she was about to say, saying, "Don’t feel pressured in your heart. I’ve long been prepared for this day. I was just deceiving myself into thinking you could stay a few more days. This way is also quite good."

Xiqiu said nothing and glanced at the First Madam, who nodded at her, "I might have to trouble my fourth sister-in-law to tell me about the matters of the mansion. It’s been years since I’ve done this, and I don’t have much confidence!"

"Alright." Xiqiu agreed: "Tomorrow, I’ll sort out the accounts to make it easier for you, sister-in-law, to review them. As for the steward housekeepers, you already know them, so there’s nothing much."

The First Madam nodded, "When my fourth sister-in-law is ready, have someone inform me, and I’ll come to you!"

Xiqiu agreed and returned to her room to let Chunliu organize the accounts. Chunliu was busy, so she called Chunyan into the mansion, and the three of them worked on the accounts for three days. Xiqiu talked with Nanny Cen in the room, "I originally wanted to leave a nanny in the room, but there isn’t anyone capable and trustworthy around. When we move over, you shouldn’t be in the kitchen anymore; just stay in the room. With you here, I feel more confident."

This time, Nanny Cen did not refuse. She seemed to relax entirely, nodded, and said, "Then it is better to follow madam’s arrangements respectfully!"

Xiqiu laughed and then talked about the matters of the new mansion, rearranging the tasks of a few maids. Xiqiu listed them with a pen and thought of Lyuzhi, who had been with Nanny Cen, "How is she, is she still clever?"

Nanny Cen replied, "This girl isn’t very old yet, but she is quite resourceful. I think she’s good, with a proper mind, well-taught by Nanny Jin."

Xiqiu felt at ease and said, "When we move over, still keep her by your side to assist you, so you can be more relaxed. As for the maids and housekeepers of the new mansion, wait until we’re there, and then you and Nanny Rong can see how to specifically distribute them."

Nanny Cen agreed.

Regarding the pregnancy, Nanny Cen went around announcing the news, and Madam Qian and Madam Ruan, as well as the Tang Family, sent people over to congratulate.

Chunliu and the two others finished calculating the accounts, and Xiqiu met with the various steward housekeepers daily at 7 a.m. with the First Madam, spending five or six days to finally hand over all the matters large and small in the mansion.

On the twenty-ninth, the Shen Family also sent a housekeeper to announce the news, saying that Madam Shen gave birth to another son on August twenty-eighth.

Now that Xiqiu was pregnant, it was inconvenient for her to go, so she sent the gift over.

Everyone began sorting their belongings in the room; the unused items were packed into boxes with labels, and some were already transported there by carriage. Xiqiu had Chunliu take out the list of furnishings in her room from when she first married into the mansion, noting what was there upon arrival, what was taken upon departure, what was damaged and compensated, and what was worn out reported as waste. These are all public items, and if damaged, they must be compensated.

The Grand Dowager and the First Madam certainly wouldn’t require such inspections, but Xiqiu felt that since they were moving, they should account for everything clearly to avoid any unclear matters when dividing the family in the future.

After finishing these tasks, the Double Ninth Festival was near. With nothing to do, Xiqiu went early to the Grand Dowager’s room to keep her company. She laughed, saying, "Mother, let’s set up a table for leaf cards. You can teach me!"

"Alright, it’s been a long time since we played." With that, she had Nanny Wu bring a table, "Go and invite Yuzhen. Since today’s a festival, we aren’t going outside for the excitement; let’s have some fun at home."

Nanny Wu agreed and went to invite the First Madam. The Grand Dowager, the First Madam, Xiqiu, and Nanny Wu gathered together to play leaf cards. Xiqiu didn’t know how to play and ended up as the shooter, with the silver before her all ending up in front of the Grand Dowager and the First Madam. The Grand Dowager seemed very pleased, "Today’s card game was satisfying!"

Nanny Wu was all smiles, saying, "Indeed, the Fourth Madam seemed to enjoy shooting the cannon too!"

The room was filled with laughter, and seeing the very happy Grand Dowager, Xiqiu also appeared very happy.

In the afternoon, Xiao Yanzheng was brought back from the Pang Family, and the family sat together for a reunion dinner. During the meal, someone mentioned the Fifth Young Master, and Fourth Master Xiao said, "The matters of the Teng Family are resolved; he should be returning these days."

The Grand Dowager listened and nodded, saying nothing.

Xing quietly ate his meal, seemingly aware of their impending move. Even Sheng, who was usually the most boisterous, sat one side with a drooping face, not speaking.

The atmosphere gradually turned silent.