Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 765 - 766: Experience (1)

At the entrance of the Ren Mansion, white banners fluttered, and the servants welcoming guests were all clad in mourning white, even from outside the door, wailing could be heard.

The carriage rolled towards the second gate, Chunliu lifted the curtain to glance outside, then turned back to Xiqiu saying, "Madam, it seems all the familiar ladies have come." She had noticed several familiar carriages as they passed by.

"Mm," Xiqiu was not surprised. The title of the Wujin Bo Mansion still stood; thus, families of merit, while not overly familiar, were obliged to come due to the internal funeral. Deliberately avoiding it would, in fact, make one stand out.

Just as she was speaking, the carriage came to a stop, and a servant outside called, "Fourth Madam, we have arrived."

Xiqiu responded, and Chunliu and Bihuai got off first. Biwu and Wenyu assisted Xiqiu out of the carriage, and the old woman from the Wujin Bo Mansion immediately bowed, "The sedan chair is ready; Madam, please proceed."

Xiqiu glanced around, observing that the servants at the gate were busy yet orderly, their eyes red but speaking and acting with composure, causing her to nod discreetly, "Much obliged!"

The old woman led the way, with Chunliu and Bihuai supporting Xiqiu as Wenyu and Biwu followed behind. They reached the inner courtyard within moments, hearing the murmur of voices and the ring of a Taoist ritual bell inside...

As she dismounted from the carriage, the Second Young Madam Ren approached. Xiqiu had met her briefly when she accompanied Madam Chen to the Wujin Bo Mansion during her pregnancy. Connected to Madam Chen by the Yuan lineage, she was a descendant of Yuan Tixing from the previous dynasty. Now, with grief etched on her face, she managed a faint smile at Xiqiu, saluting, "Fourth Madam!"

"No need for formality, Second Young Madam." Xiqiu quickly supported her, "In truth, I should call you Second Sister-in-law... may you find solace in the midst of sorrow."

The Second Young Madam Ren was adept in social cues, and as soon as Xiqiu spoke, she fervently held Xiqiu’s hand, wiping away tears as she said, "Thank you for coming, Fourth Madam, sorry for delaying you." Pausing, she continued, "The Third Sister-in-law is inside with Mother, please come in for a cup of tea, Fourth Madam."

Hearing this, Xiqiu glanced at the hand the Second Young Madam held, and compliant, nodded, "Alright." The Second Young Madam escorted Xiqiu inside, Xiqiu inquiring, "I heard recently that their health had improved, how did it suddenly..." filled with sighs.

The Second Young Madam sighed, "Indeed, they seemed to be recovering well, even managed to get up and drink tea the day the Third Brother left, had the strength to smash a cup... yet within days... no one expected it." Pausing as though complaining, she said, "I don’t mind saying, this house revolved around Father, now... it’s as though the world has crumbled."

She had witnessed the authority of Count Wujin, and believed the Second Young Madam’s words. Even someone as dispassionate as Tong Xiyang respected Count Wujin, there must have been something remarkable about him!

"Alas!" Xiqiu sighed, "How is the Countess?"

"Mother has been bedridden for days, and now with this blow..." she said, covering her face with a handkerchief, quietly weeping.

Xiqiu offered a few more words of comfort as they reached the main room’s entrance. The voices of a few ladies could be heard in the courtyard, the Second Madam paused at the courtyard entrance, "I’ll have a maid accompany the Fourth Madam inside while I go to greet at the second gate."

"Please, do not worry about me, I’ll go in myself." The Second Young Madam still had a maid accompany Xiqiu through the door, while she returned by the original path to the second gate.

"Fourth Madam." A familiar maid came to greet her. Recognizing her, Xiqiu smiled and nodded. The maid, smiling, said, "The ladies are inside, please do sit."

Xiqiu nodded and followed her inside. Immediately, she spotted Madam Chen amongst them, talking. It had been years; Xiqiu still remembered meeting her at a temple the first time, when they all felt she was lofty, prestigious with her title and aura...

What a significant change in just a few years.

"Fourth Madam is here." Madam Chen turned with a smile, welcoming her, "Fourth Madam." She saluted Xiqiu, who sidestepped and returned half a courtesy, in front of her was Madam Qian, with Marquis Huaining’s Madam Ma across, and a couple of others. There was also Madam Lou, and Madam Ruan, and someone who made her pause... Madam Zhou, seldom social. The last encounter was at Xing’s three-day ceremony, since then, they hadn’t met, yet today here they were.

Xiqiu nodded towards Madam Zhou, Madam Chen said, "Please have a seat."

Xiqiu saw Madam Qian beckoning her and sat beside her, thanking Madam Chen with a smile. Madam Chen waved, "No need for gratitude, many guests come and go today, if any hospitality lacks, please be tolerant, everyone has their respective duties, indulging me to overstep as an outsider just this once." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Xiqiu smiled at her, while Madam Qian turned to converse softly with her. Madam Chen paused, slightly awkward, when Madam Fang across intervened with a laugh, "Had you not mentioned it, we wouldn’t know!" Laughing behind her hand, she diffused Madam Chen’s awkwardness.

Madam Chen gave Xiqiu a deep look, recalling her demure demeanor following First Madam Tong... The passing of First Madam Tong last month came to mind, watching the once-bloomless girl, now the radiant Fourth Madam Xiao... she sighed inwardly, sometimes fate truly seemed inevitable.

"Has the Grand Dowager arrived?" Madam Qian leaned closer to speak softly to Xiqiu, who shook her head, replying, "Her health hasn’t been great, she doesn’t move about much."

Madam Qian nodded at this, whispered, "I heard about First Madam Tong, my condolences." Xiqiu pursed her lips, nodding in gratitude, "Thank you!"

The main hall was bustling with people, shortly, they all proceeded to offer incense and moved to a broader hall for tea. The First and Second Young Madams Ren were busy hosting, Xiqiu noted the absence of anyone from the Shen Family... pondering, she saw Madam Lou approach, greeting with a smile, "You’ve come, how is the Old Madam’s health?"

"Quite well." Madam Lou replied smilingly, "You seem to have grown healthy, how is your little one?" Xiqiu nodded, "Full of energy." Pausing, recalling the recent incident of Madam Lou’s second daughter-in-law miscarrying, she held Madam Lou’s hand, "Don’t dwell on it, they’re young, they will have more chances." Their families were close, Xiqiu spoke candidly with her.

Madam Lou sighed, "Neither son has been easy, the eldest muddles through life, the second is fair, yet his wife’s health is frail, just when they finally conceived..." Lord Lou and Ren Jun belonged to the same kind, but under the guidance of Old Madam Lou and Lord Lou, Lord Lou was manageable. The second son was impeccable yet married a lady of delicate health, after much struggle she conceived, but then...