Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 653 - 655: New Mansion (Part 2)

After everyone left, Xiao Yanzheng leaned close to Xiqiu and whispered, "... You go back first, I’ll come over shortly!"

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows to look at her, and Xiao Yanzheng blushed, saying, "My husband is living here alone, I’m a bit worried. I’ll settle him in and then come to find you." Xiqiu smiled and nodded, "Go ahead!"

Xiao Yanzheng then walked towards her own yard, where Pang Guibin would be staying for the night.

Min, Xing, and Sheng gathered together to chat. Xing nudged Min, somewhat awkwardly approached and asked Xiqiu, "Mother... Can I stay at Grandmother’s place tonight?"

He wanted to bid farewell to Xing and Sheng.

"Alright, I’ll have someone bring your change of clothes shortly. I’ve already informed Mr. Song, you have a half-day off tomorrow, so enjoy your time talking together."

The three children cheered together.

Grand Dowager chuckled and entered the room with Xiao Yanyi.

Xiqiu, Fourth Master Xiao, and Mrs. walked back, with Xiqiu walking side by side with Mrs., who spoke quietly, "Mother has me and my second brother here, you can rest assured, focus on taking care of your pregnancy without having to run back and forth; health is paramount."

"Thank you, sister-in-law." Xiqiu replied to Mrs., "It’s us causing you trouble." If she didn’t leave, Mrs. could continue planting flowers, reading books, and living as leisurely as before.

Mrs. appeared indifferent, waved her hand, "It’s no bother, after all, decades pass just the same." After saying this, she gazed intently ahead at the dim nothingness.

Xiqiu felt a twinge of sadness and lowered her head without speaking.

After parting ways with Mrs., she returned to the room with Fourth Master Xiao. Xiqiu asked Chunliu to tidy up the next room, then said to Fourth Master Xiao with some difficulty, "Tonight, Fourth Master will have to make do here."

"Hmm." Fourth Master Xiao responded. Xiqiu then brought up Min’s situation, "Looking at Min, it seems he wants to continue his studies here. I’d like to hear Fourth Master’s opinion."

Fourth Master Xiao sat by the table, pondered for a moment, then replied, "If he wishes to stay, let him be. Have Erquan and Tiancheng protect him daily."

Xiqiu nodded, agreeing, "I understand." After a pause, she added, "Although now the weather is pleasant, when it gets colder, waking early to rush about will be a bit arduous."

"That little hardship is trivial." Fourth Master Xiao dismissed it. Xiqiu knew he endured much more hardship training martial arts as a child; compared to him, Min’s situation was negligible. But she couldn’t help feeling some pity since Min was only four years old.

The two sat talking for a while, until Chunliu came in and reported, "The room is tidied up for today, except for some frequently used items kept within reach until they’re sorted tomorrow morning. But if Fourth Master or Mistress need something now, there might be some..."

Moving, as one would expect, entails inconvenience. Xiqiu nodded and said, "One night only, it’s fine." Then paused and continued, "Take Wenyu to the front and see, the cousin is staying over tonight, go greet her!"

Chunliu acknowledged, and Xiqiu went back to the bedroom to freshen up. Lying on the bed, she began to doze off, leaning against the headboard. She didn’t know how much time had passed before she heard footsteps, low voices of Xiao Yanzheng talking animatedly with Fourth Master Xiao.

Xiao Yanzheng seemed to be apologizing; perhaps Fourth Master Xiao thought she had arrived too late, disturbing Xiqiu’s rest. After Xiao Yanzheng entered, her eyes were red. Xiqiu put on her robe and sat up, saying, "Your fourth brother sometimes speaks harshly. You’re siblings and must understand him better than I do, don’t take it to heart; I wasn’t asleep anyway."

Xiao Yanzheng nodded and said, "Fourth brother is right. Fourth sister-in-law, being pregnant, I should’ve come earlier." Her cheeks reddened as she lowered her head, "However...I couldn’t stop worrying about my husband."

Xiqiu chuckled, held her hand, and laughed, "You, if you’re worried, why bother?"

"I simply want to chat with you like before!" Xiao Yanzheng laughed, "My husband agreed. He said Fourth sister-in-law is kind, attentive, and considerate—a good companion. He encouraged me to spend more time with you."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow, and Xiao Yanzheng nodded again, saying, "It’s true. My husband mentioned many of your virtues and told me to learn from you!" Despite saying this, she seemed cheerful rather than begrudged.

"You guys, using me as a topic." Xiqiu chuckled and held Xiao Yanzheng’s hand, "I’ve prepared everything for you; go freshen up!"

Xiao Yanzheng nodded and went to the cleansing room. After she finished, Xiqiu vacated the inner space for her, but Xiao Yanzheng shook her head, saying, "Fourth brother is right. I roll around in my sleep... better to rest outside."

"Why didn’t I realize that before? Last time we slept together, I didn’t notice!" Xiqiu laughed but still moved to the inner side, leaving her the outside space.

Xiao Yanzheng laughed, leaned against the headboard, and said, "I was too scared to sleep through the night, worried that I might inadvertently harm you."

Xiqiu shook her head, looking helpless.

Snuggled under the blanket, Xiao Yanzheng’s long eyes gleamed brightly, "Fourth sister-in-law, what’s it like being pregnant? Tell me."

Xiqiu tilted her head, thought for a while, and said, "I don’t know how to describe it. It feels like one’s heart is filled up, like it’s packed with many things inside; very reassured." After she finished, she looked at Xiao Yanzheng and asked, "Is something wrong? Are you pregnant as well?"

"No, no!" Xiao Yanzheng waved her hands, "Not so soon. Mother-in-law said some women type don’t conceive for one or two years, while others do within three months or so. It’s different for everyone. She was late in having my husband, almost at thirty."

Xiqiu laughed, looking at Xiao Yanzheng and said surprisingly, "You’ve discussed such topics with your mother-in-law?"

"Whenever I don’t understand something, I ask her. She speaks openly, unlike others who keep things to themselves, leaving you guessing." then paused and said, "Since I moved in, except for the first dawn serving tea to mother-in-law, there haven’t been any set rules. But I’ve heard other mothers-in-law often set rules for daughters-in-law."

Xiqiu couldn’t help but think of Grand Dowager, who had never imposed or set rules for her services.

"It’s my father-in-law I find hard to deal with. He’s stern-faced all day and scolds my mother-in-law for any little thing. I often see her secretly wiping tears, tell my husband, and he’s just equally helpless, saying that father-in-law attempted county exams a few times but never passed, later abandoned it for commerce, though still harbors regret, thus becoming more reclusive. Meanwhile, mother-in-law’s family is generations of merchants. Perhaps father-in-law innately looks down on mother-in-law."

Xiqiu suddenly felt a sense of familiarity, unintentionally thinking of Old Madam Jiang, also from a merchant family. Compared to Old Madam Pang who’s poised and measured, Old Madam Jiang is...