Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 716 - 717: Parting (2)

Just as Wei Hui began to rise, everyone involved appeared to be a group of disaster-stricken peasants. Once the matter was settled, the fate of these rebellious peasants—whether to kill or let them go—depended on the Emperor’s judgment and decree. Yesterday’s topic was about Lord Feng and the executions in Wei Hui Prefecture, and what actions to take now can only rely on the Emperor’s decision.

Xiqiu remained silent, but she noticed Tong Shen Zhi’s words... She wondered if this court turmoil would prompt the Emperor to conduct a thorough investigation. Would the First Master have a chance to stand out in this event? With these thoughts in mind, she glanced at Fourth Master Xiao, only to see him with lowered eyes, slowly drinking tea, seemingly deep in thought.

For a moment, everyone was silent, each lost in their thoughts. Xu Tianqing seemed restless and left his chair to walk over to Xiqiu, looking expectantly at her: "Sixth Sister, my fan cover is gone, could you embroider another one for me? I loved the pair of royal blue ones you embroidered last time; they matched my fan so well, they were truly beautiful!"

Xiqiu was momentarily stunned, while Fourth Master Xiao lifted his eyes to look at Xu Tianqing. His expression gave nothing away, but his brows furrowed slightly. Tong Xiyan quickly interjected: "Cousin, how about I accompany you to my embroidery shop to choose one later? There are many designs to choose from; Sixth Sister is pregnant now and shouldn’t tire herself out."

Xiqiu nodded, looking at Xu Tianqing: "Fourth Sister’s embroidery shop has many embroideresses; you can pick some you like." As she said this, she noticed Xu Tianqing’s expression changed, then laughed again: "While you’re at it, pick a few for me as well. It’s rare to visit Fourth Sister, so we should seek some advantages."

"You want some too?" Xu Tianqing’s attention shifted, and he immediately nodded, turning to Tong Xiyan: "Then... when do we go to your embroidery shop?"

Tong Xiyan promptly replied: "Tomorrow, we’ll go tomorrow." She managed to shift the topic, secretly glancing at Fourth Master Xiao with relief.

Approaching noon, Ruan Jingliu, Tong Shen Zhi, and Fourth Master Xiao took Xu Tianqing together to the Capital City Government, while Xiqiu, Madam Jiang, and Tong Xiyan remained in the mansion. Xing retold the story Xiqiu had previously told him to Tong Xiyan and Madam Jiang, filling the room with continuous laughter. In the afternoon, Ruan Jingliu and the others returned, while Fourth Master Xiao and Tong Shen Zhi went to a government office.

As soon as they entered, Xiqiu asked nervously: "Have you found the maid?"

"We found her." Ruan Jingliu nodded and replied: "Tonight at midnight, I’ll start preparing the medical procedure for him. I’m just informing you in advance, as I need to return to the clinic to prepare!" Saying this, she nodded to Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan.

Xu Tianqing followed silently, his gaze vacant without any reaction.

"Thank you for your efforts." Madam Jiang approached Ruan Jingliu and bowed: "We’ve troubled you for some time now."

Ruan Jingliu smiled faintly, while Tong Xiyan went over to speak to Xu Tianqing: "Cousin, you must obediently accompany Nurse Zhang and get well soon!"

Xu Tianqing lowered his head without speaking, causing everyone to sigh quietly.

Ruan Jingliu took Xu Tianqing out and went to the clinic.

Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan also stood up and took their leave, and Xiqiu accompanied the two children to see them out. Just as they reached the door, First Madam arrived. Xiqiu had been concerned about her these past few days and couldn’t help but ask: "Sister-in-law, are you alright? Is everything fine at the mansion?"

First Madam’s expression was indifferent, and she looked deeply at Xiqiu, observing that she was unharmed. She lightly nodded and said: "Everything is fine at the mansion." Xiqiu accompanied First Madam into the Warm Pavilion, where she asked: "What exactly happened between mother and Second Brother, even Fourth Master is unclear about the details. When did Third Brother take them away?"

First Madam furrowed her brows and said: "I don’t know the exact time, only that in the morning, when I went to pay respects to Mother, I couldn’t find her or Nanny Wu anywhere in the mansion. Mother usually doesn’t go out, and if she does, she informs me. The gatekeepers didn’t even prepare a carriage, which made me think it was strange. In hindsight, Mother and the others likely weren’t in the mansion that night."

Xiqiu furrowed her brows tightly: "You mean Third Brother took Mother and Second Brother out of the mansion the night before?" First Madam nodded at her words and said: "Mother, Second Brother, and Lyuzhu are all nowhere to be found."

In just one day’s difference, where could Xiao Yancheng have hidden the Grand Dowager and Xiao Yanyi? It’s possible they aren’t in the Capital anymore?

Her heart grew cold; surely, both First Madam and Fourth Master Xiao had thoroughly searched the Marquis Mansion, and there had been constant patrols inside and outside the Capital those days. Sending people out in such circumstances is exceedingly difficult!

First Madam also furrowed her brows, her complexion poor, and the two sisters-in-law sat side by side in silence. After a moment, First Madam looked at Xiqiu and asked: "I heard about what happened that night, it was extremely dangerous. Are you alright?"

"I’m fine." Xiqiu briefly recounted the events of that evening to First Madam. Upon hearing it, First Madam sighed: "... Fortunately, Fourth Brother returned."

Otherwise, the situation would be unimaginable.

Bihuai came in from outside, poking her head in: "Madam, someone from the Han Family has come to report the funeral."

Xiqiu nodded: "Have Nanny Cen go meet them and ask if there’s anything we can assist with." She had heard of the Han Family’s situation; Lord Han wasn’t at the mansion, so Madam Han, a widow residing with her sister, was presiding over affairs. The concubines in the mansion were said to be causing unrest, and now with Madam Han’s passing, even her corpse was missing, leaving nothing but an unrecognizable piece of skin, deemed unlucky by the mansion, preventing her sister from conducting the funeral.

It was becoming chaotic.

First Madam’s expression also darkened as she listened, hesitating to speak, but she eventually rose and said: "I just came to see you; there are matters at the mansion, so I’ll be heading back." Pausing, she added: "Is Xing doing well?"

Xiqiu didn’t mention Xing’s scare, to prevent First Madam from worrying, and chose to focus on the positive: "He’s doing well, having just fallen asleep with Min." First Madam nodded and left with Nanny Tang and several maids who were waiting outside.

Xiqiu called Chunliu over and instructed: "Go and see what has transpired in the mansion these past two days." She had a feeling First Madam was hiding something from her.

"I’ll go right away." Chunliu complied, and promptly headed out the East Corner Gate, riding swiftly to the Marquis Mansion to inquire with the gatekeeper’s maids before First Madam returned, and then discreetly returned to the mansion.

Upon meeting Xiqiu, she reported: "The maids said that starting last night, Fifth Madam had been causing a commotion, demanding to see the Grand Dowager and the Marquis, claiming the original family division was unfair and requesting the Grand Dowager to redistribute."

Xiqiu listened, furrowing her brows tightly, unable to help but ask: "And Fifth Young Master, why didn’t he stop this?"

"It’s said that Fifth Young Master went to a colleague’s home, which seems quite far, and has been away for several days." Chunliu slowly replied: "First Madam refused, so Fifth Madam pressured her to present the Grand Dowager, saying many unpleasant things... The servants in the mansion overheard and sympathized with First Madam."