Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 763 - 764: Mourning (Part 4)

Madam Luo let out a cold laugh, thinking back to the formidable Madam Wang who fought with Lady for over a decade, and then gazing towards Lady lying inside... Back then, the two of them practically monopolized First Master’s attention, but now, truly able to reach this point in the end, it’s only her and Madam Xia... So, there’s no true win or loss in this world, until the very end, no one can predict what the outcome will be.

There were many people coming and going to offer condolences, and amidst this, Madam Jiang took time to accompany Tong Xiyan. This moment, she still had to greet the visiting ladies, and Tong Xiyan was supported by Daiju to head back. Just as they left the mourning hall, someone proclaimed: "Lord Jiang has arrived!"

Tong Xiyan shuddered imperceptibly at these words, her gaze instinctively turning towards the entrance.

In the distance, she spotted Jiang Shilin striding forward gracefully in somber attire; compared to before, he seemed a lot more mature, albeit slightly thinner... Tong Xiyan’s eyes were full of grief, and she quickly turned her gaze away, hastily saying, "Let’s go!" Without looking back, she headed to the other side.

Jiang Shilin watched Tong Xiyan leave swiftly from afar, his arm raised, and the name "Xiyan" was stuck in his throat... They had no relationship now, and under such circumstances, what stance could he possibly take to speak with her?

Jiang Shilin let out a long sigh, lowering his gaze, his steps heavy as he entered the corridor.

For seven consecutive days, Fourth Master Xiao visited Tong Mansion daily, and after seven days Lady’s memorial tablet was placed in Puji Temple, where forty-nine sessions of religious rites were conducted... On the day Xiqiu completed her postpartum confinement, it happened to be the second day of Lady’s burial, and because it was during the mourning period, there was no celebration for Zhi’s full month; instead, the family simply had a meal together at home. The next day she returned to Tong Mansion in all-white attire, wept for a while at the mourning hall, and offered incense...

Xiqiu first went to see First Master, who was only slightly older than before, looking well in spirit; then she went to Madam Xia’s room, where they spoke at length. Madam Xia brought Tong Xihua out to show Xiqiu, who immediately adored her: "No wonder they often say she resembles me..." Saying this, her eyes brightened, smiling with pressed lips: "Indeed, she looks very much alike."

Madam Xia was overjoyed to see Xiqiu fond of Tong Xihua: "If she truly resembles you, that would be her fortune... Who in the mansion doesn’t say she is fortunate to be born at the right time now?" It was evident Madam Xia cherished Tong Xihua greatly.

Xiqiu embraced Madam Xia; after childbirth, she seemed much fuller, and her complexion improved. Watching her, Xiqiu experienced a strange illusion, as if they were sisters rather than mother and daughter.

The Imperial Decree from Wujin Bo Mansion arrived the day after Lady passed away; seemingly cautious, or perhaps the Emperor had other thoughts, in any case, the decree only mentioned the handling of Ren Jun, exiling him to Pingliang, with departure set a month later... Madam Xia pulled Xiqiu aside to ask: "Master Ren should be setting out in these days, right?"

Tong Xiyang hadn’t returned since Lady’s passing, so all they knew about the Ren Family’s affairs were hearsays.

Xiqiu nodded in reply: "It should be tomorrow." Madam Xia sighed: "The Third Lady is also unfortunate, but it’s only three years. If she can change the Third Master’s temperament, endure these three years, and support each other afterward, it’s not necessarily a bad thing."

People often say a prodigal son’s return cannot be compared with gold, but Xiqiu felt that, like Ren Jun, even a mountain of gold probably wouldn’t bring him back.

She held Tong Xihua for a while longer, and Madam Xia asked about Zhi; she was eager to see him. Xiqiu smiled and said: "After Lady’s seven-day ritual is over, I’ll bring him back for you to see."

"Good, good!" She couldn’t help but want to see her own grandson, Madam Xia nodded: "But don’t be forced, it’s quite hot outside these days, tell the servants to be cautious."

Xiqiu nodded in agreement, just as there were voices coming from outside. Soon, Xiuzhi called past the curtain: "Sixth Lady, Madam, Eighth Miss and Madam Mei have arrived."

Xiqiu raised her eyebrow slightly upon hearing this; Madam Mei had been bedridden for a long time due to illness, why was she coming now? She exchanged a glance with Madam Xia, saying: "I’ll go have a look, you shouldn’t go out, lest you pass the illness to my sister."

Madam Xia agreed, watching Xiqiu leave the room.

Seeing Madam Mei, Xiqiu was taken aback at first sight; supported by Tong Xiyu as she entered, Madam Mei’s complexion was waxy yellow, looking seemingly dried out. It seemed she was truly worried herself sick; Tong Xiyu’s expression was downcast, lacking vitality as well...

"Knowing that you’re back, I wanted to come and take a look at you. Eighth Miss kept asking about you, wanting to visit the mansion some days ago, but was afraid of being inauspicious due to mourning, so we were anxious in our hearts." Madam Mei spoke dryly, looked towards Xiqiu with full expectation.

Tong Xiyu’s gaze was direct, unblinking as she evaluated Xiqiu. After giving birth, Sixth Sister was slightly plumper than before, yet appeared even more radiant and glowing; even in simple mourning attire without any accessories, she still exuded an elegant and noble demeanor...

Tong Xiyu felt envy grow in her heart, her sense of loss deepening. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"If you need anything, just let Eighth Sister know and tell me, why do you need to come personally?" Xiqiu spoke with eyebrows slightly furrowed, voice gentle and soft.

Madam Mei smiled: "Sixth Lady remains as understanding as ever."

Actually, she didn’t have much to say, just feared that Xiqiu would forget about them as mother and daughter, so came to maintain contact.

"Sixth Sister." Tong Xiyu smiled and asked: "I heard Zhi is very cute, I’ve often heard people talking about him but haven’t seen him myself. When will you bring him around?" Speaking somewhat hesitantly.

Xiqiu smiled, nodding: "I’ll bring him around in a few days, you’re his Eighth Aunt, naturally you should see him."

Tong Xiyu smiled, pressing her lips upon hearing this: "I sewed a few little clothes for him some days ago... My needlework is never as good as Sixth Sister’s, I’m afraid you might dislike them."

"How could I." Xiqiu smiled and said: "I’ve been too busy to sew, having Eighth Aunt make clothes for him makes me happy, I’m just delighted." Tong Xiyu felt relieved and exchanged a glance with Madam Mei.

After seeing off Tong Xiyu and Madam Mei, Xiqiu went to sit with Tong Xiyan for a while. Upon seeing her, Tong Xiyan’s eyes turned red; Xiqiu gently consoled her, and Tong Xiyan whispered: "...That day, I saw him at the mansion."

No explanation was needed; Xiqiu knew who "him" referred to, she held Tong Xiyan’s hand, saying: "Everything is in the past, we need to look forward. Whether for our mother’s spirit to rest in peace or to show others, we should hold our heads high..." Pausing, she continued: "If you cry daily, ruining your health, then at home we’d truly leave Sister-in-law alone to handle everything. She has been working hard, managing inside and out by herself, at least with you there, you can lend her a hand."

Tong Xiyan wiped away her tears, sighing: "I understand everything you said, but in my heart I just can’t let go." After a pause, she continued: "There’s no need to worry about Sister-in-law, Madam Luo is assisting her, she has always been competent, allowing Sister-in-law some leisure; she’s taken over management of less critical matters."