Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 753 - 754: Bestowal of Rewards (Part 4)

Xiqiu was taken aback, raising her eyebrows slightly. How did she get dragged into this again?

Chunliu glanced at Fourth Master Xiao sitting by the bed, showing hesitation. Fourth Master Xiao released Zhi and stood up, saying to Xiqiu, "I’ll go to the outer courtyard for a look." Without waiting for Xiqiu’s response, he turned and left the room.

Xiqiu furrowed her brows at Chunliu, who looked troubled. This was a matter of the Tong Family, and she didn’t know whether to inform the Fourth Master. After all, it concerned the Lady’s reputation. Lowering her voice, she said, "I have no choice... It’s the Lady, who wasn’t well since yesterday. When the First Young Madam returned, the Lady punished her by making her practice rules for half a day, and even threw a teacup at Fourth Miss." Although it didn’t hit the Fourth Miss but rather soaked her own blankets, the anger was clearly expressed.

Xiqiu seemed to understand, as Chunliu continued, "They say Fourth Miss is heartless; you divorced and returned home, and after you bore a son, you called her over. If that wasn’t showing off, then what? Fourth Miss, heartless as she is, even went to take care of you, causing the Lady to burst with rage and cough up blood." Xiqiu listened with furrowed brows, unable to even sigh. Chunliu went on, "Today at noon, First Master sent someone back to report the joy to the First Young Madam, saying that you were promoted to a first-rank imperial decree, and even the young master was titled a hundred households. Somehow, this news reached the Lady’s ears, and she fainted with anger on the spot."

What should she say? She didn’t know what to say about the Lady’s condition. For the past two years, they lived without interfering with each other. She didn’t exactly respect this mother-in-law, but neither had she crossed her. Now that she was doing well, the Lady fell ill out of anger caused by her achievements.

"Madam, you don’t need to take it to heart," Chunliu said. "In my opinion, if the Lady truly meets a misfortune, it’s because of her own pettiness. Otherwise, why would everyone in the Man Mansion be so happy for you? The Tong Family has a capable young lady, and in the future, they will also rely on your care. You have been very considerate of both the First Young Madam and First Master. Who wouldn’t be happy for you? Yet it seems like the Lady is wishing you’d live a bad life, which is no way for a mother-in-law to behave."

"Don’t say anymore." Xiqiu furrowed her brows. Though Chunliu’s words were blunt, they were not without reason. She just hoped her older brother, sister-in-law, and First Master wouldn’t think the same as the Lady.

As for the Lady, Xiqiu was also powerless. Mr. Hu had repeatedly advised that a broad mind is essential for recovery, but she had been ill for four years, dragging on to this state.

"Did the First Young Madam say whether she’s coming tomorrow?" Xiqiu asked.

Hearing this, Chunliu nodded and said, "For the third-day washing ceremony, as the eldest aunt, she insisted on coming no matter what." After a pause, she added, "Fourth Miss said she won’t come. She’ll send the gifts with the First Young Madam, saying that given the crowd and her status, it’s inconvenient for her to attend. She asked me to relay this to you."

Xiqiu nodded at this, leaning back against the pillow and heaving a long sigh.

At the Tong Mansion, Madam Jiang emerged from the main room, wiping her tears away, as Nanny Qiu stood angrily beside her, gritting her teeth, "Just a servant, and since the Lady can’t speak, she had the servant convey her words. But she insists on speaking word for word, deliberately. You, as the daughter-in-law, should naturally heed the Lady, but what about her? How does she dare act so presumptuously?"

Speaking of Nanny Fang, Nanny Qiu was filled with hatred. Over the years, this master-servant pair had endured much suffering at the hands of Nanny Fang, yet they could only suppress their anger for the Lady’s sake, hoping the Lady would stay well. Otherwise, she was eager to see how Nanny Fang could survive in the Tong Mansion without the Lady.

Not even the First Master would spare her.

"Enough." Madam Jiang wiped her tears and instructed Nanny Qiu, "Tomorrow morning, I’ll go to Sixth Lady’s to witness the ceremony. If Third Lady isn’t going, go to the Wujin Bo Mansion in the afternoon and ask Third Lady to come back." After all, she was a daughter; if the Lady was failing, having her children present would lend her some dignity in her passing.

Nanny Qiu agreed.

Shortly after, Tong Xiyan chased after her, comforting Madam Jiang, "Don’t take it to heart. Mother isn’t as clear-minded as she used to be. Don’t bother too much about what she means." After a pause, he added, "As for Nanny Fang, no matter how dignified she is in the Mansion, she is still just a servant. Sister-in-law, don’t lower yourself to bicker with a servant."

Madam Jiang nodded. She couldn’t very well discuss her mother-in-law’s moral standing with her sister-in-law, Tong Xiyan.

"Let me see you back, and I’ll also send over the gifts for tomorrow’s third-day washing ceremony." Tong Xiyan linked arms with Madam Jiang and looked back at the main room, recalling how, during their prime, she and her sisters used to frequently come and go here. Back then, their mother was full of vigor and wore an air of superiority...

Her eyes began to redden.

In the Lady’s room, Nanny Fang was changing the Lady’s clothes while tears streamed down her face. For the past two years, she often hid away to cry secretly, and her eyesight was already failing. Sometimes she couldn’t distinguish who was who unless they spoke.

Her own health was at a flickering candle’s end, and she’ll die sooner or later. If not for fearing the Lady wouldn’t have anyone to care for her, she might have ended it all with a rope long ago. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Since she wasn’t afraid of death, she cared for nothing. She didn’t mind making things difficult for anyone who caused trouble for the Lady, no matter who they were!

Thinking this, she finished changing the Lady’s undergarments, her eyes red as she spoke to the Lady: "Take it easy; just because she looks okay now doesn’t mean she’ll always be. If anyone knows about Fourth Master Xiao, you do. A few years ago, there wasn’t a brothel or parlor in the Capital he and Third Master Ren hadn’t visited, spending his days indulging... These past two years, she’s in her prime and lucky to have borne a son, so of course Fourth Master Xiao dotes on her. But men are all the same. Give it ten years, or even seven or eight, and the Governor Mansion won’t be ruled by just her alone."

The Lady showed no reaction, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. Nanny Fang continued, "Take good care of yourself, and we’ll wait for the day she comes crying to First Master, First Young Master, and you!"

"Ma’am," Nanny Fang wiped the tears from the Lady’s eyes, "What status does she have? If it weren’t for your compassion in giving her a bit of rice to eat back then, would she have today’s standing? Her status is as lowly as mud, and someone like her doesn’t deserve such a good life. When Fourth Master Xiao grows tired of her, she’ll be worth even less than a worn shoe. Fourth Master Xiao is ruthless and decisive, not even sparing his own brother. If his heart changes, let alone a divorce, her life would be unbearable. Living under his thumb isn’t something just anyone can manage. Sixth Lady may be crafty, but after a few years, even a man will tire of her. I’ll tell you this; she won’t have a smooth time."

Recalling the past didn’t help; it only choked the Lady again. Back then, she prided herself on her people judgment. She thought Sixth Girl was meek and obedient, wanting to "nurture her to suppress Third Girl’s arrogance and to marry her off to secure a good alliance for First Young Master."