Chapter 229: Chapter 229: Parting by Death (2)
Tong Xihua caught her breath, then held Lady’s hand, revealing a frail smile: "Mother, do not be saddened. Your daughter anticipated this day long ago. My death is of no consequence, but pity my child!" Lady grasped Tong Xihua’s hand tightly, weeping, "My child, do not speak nonsense!"
"Mother!" Tong Xihua also shed tears. The mother and daughter cried face to face for a while. Lady, fearing it would harm Tong Xihua’s spirit, forced herself to hold back her tears and pressed the corner of the quilt, "Close your eyes and rest a while. I will handle the matters in the mansion!"
Tong Xihua shook her head, with an expression of determination: "Mother, I am not dead yet. Mother-in-law changed her decision twice in an afternoon. I originally intended to send Teng back, but Grand Dowager completely ignored my opinion and had Second Young Master take Teng; only a few hours have passed, and Grand Dowager has decided to formally bring her in today! Why is Grand Dowager so indecisive? Isn’t it because she hopes I die sooner, to make room for another woman, to... let his son have another legitimate child!"
As she spoke, she paused, thinking about Xing’s health, and ultimately couldn’t bear to say the last sentence.
"What did the young master say?" In this matter, the young master’s opinion is the most important. If he disagrees, even Grand Dowager would need to hesitate significantly!
Tong Xihua revealed a disappointed expression, sarcastically saying, "What is there for him to agree or disagree? Alone with Teng in a room, naturally eager to bring her into the chamber!" Lady frowned upon hearing this, thinking about what Tong Xihua said. The person involved is often clouded, and Lady couldn’t bear to say anything seeing her daughter’s current state.
The young master’s disposition, others might not know, but she was clear. If he truly wanted a concubine, over the years, there would be so many outside eyeing, and if he were like that, the mansion would have been filled already. Why wait until now? Besides, she had seen Teng Qiuniang herself, and although she is pretty, not stunningly beautiful. In her view, this is nothing more than Teng Qiuniang and Fifth Madam’s wishful thinking, and only the fuming Tong Xihua had fallen into their trap!
Yet, the Teng Family ultimately sacrificed a daughter to enter Marquis Mansion as a concubine, which counted as a harsh slap to their faces!
As for Fifth Madam... Lady grabbed her daughter’s hand, "Has anything been found out about your premature delivery?" Tong Xihua shook her head, "No, everything is cleaned so thoroughly without leaving a trace. But even if I don’t investigate, it’s clear who in this mansion would do such a thing. I used to merely suspect, but now with the matter of Teng Qiuniang, I truly see clearly. She obviously wants me dead soon, so that Teng Qiuniang could come in and be sisters-in-law with her, thus making Marquis Mansion theirs!"
Lady squinted her eyes slightly, holding Tong Xihua’s hand, "You must not do anything foolish. Grand Dowager is very shrewd!"
Tong Xihua displayed a twisted smile with a hint of cruelty.
As they were talking, Qiuping returned. Tong Xihua frowned watching her. Qiuping looked hesitant and uncertain, prompting Tong Xihua to angrily shout, "Speak if you’ve been told to, why stammer!" Qiuping hesitated and replied, "Fourth Master went to meet Grand Dowager in the afternoon, arguing with her. He talked so loudly that the maids in her courtyard all heard him. He said... said Second Madam went to great lengths to ensure Second Young Master inherits, even using her sister to bribe Third Prince..." What was circulating in the mansion was even more unpleasant, and Qiuping didn’t dare continue: "After Fourth Master left, Grand Dowager... decided to bring Miss Teng to the Mansion tonight."
Upon hearing this, Tong Xihua’s face changed dramatically, her hand placed on the bedside trembling fiercely, while Lady nervously soothed her, pointing to the window, "Mother..." Lady was startled, holding Tong Xihua tight, "Mother is here, Mother is here..."
"What is he... what qualifications... does he have... to talk about me." Tong Xihua trembled with anger, thinking how this news spread throughout the mansion she felt suffocated, unable to say another word. Lady was also gnashing her teeth. Though she never agreed with Tong Xihua’s deeds, she birthed her, how could a mother blame her child?
Nanny Lin wiped her tears, also trying to comfort, "Missy, calm down, don’t hurt yourself with anger!"
"What does he know besides frequenting the brothels and sneaking around doing shady things, arguing with Grand Dowager when at the mansion? With his head in the clouds after staying peacefully for a few days, reprimanding me, who is he!" Tong Xihua tightly clenched her fists, grinding her teeth in hatred, while Lady also frowned tightly. If even Fourth Master knew, then the young master must also know, and she hasn’t seen him come over half the day, presumably also harboring resentment towards Tong Xihua!
She sighed, turning to ask Nanny Lin, "Is the young master in the mansion now?"
Nanny Lin shook her head, "He left yesterday afternoon and hasn’t returned. I checked both the outer residence and the study; he didn’t rest there last night!" Young Master left abruptly yesterday afternoon and hasn’t returned yet; it seems this time he is truly furious!
Indeed, Lady sighed!
Tong Xihua coldly sneered dismissively, "Why bother about him? With his wedding night tonight, how could he bear not returning!" She clenched her fists tightly, and just thinking of Xiao Yanyi flirting with another woman made her heart twist like a blade, causing her organs to wrench and ache unbearably.
Thinking of this, she grabbed Lady’s hand, "Mother, I will return with you to the mansion, along with Xing!" This time, Lady did not agree, frowning, "What would it mean if you return now, making that Teng think you fear her? Just stay in your room, wait for her to greet you, kneel for your blessings, and serve you tea as her mistress!"
Tong Xihua didn’t say a word. Lady pressed her hand, "You may not be willing, but the decision is made, personally by Grand Dowager. You cannot possibly disrespect her. Everyone sees Marchioness managing the household affairs, but whenever there’s a major matter, which does not have Grand Dowager’s final say... she is not simple!" Lady knew this well: "Forgive me for speaking bluntly, Grand Dowager is likely reprimanding you, showing dissatisfaction with what you did yesterday!"
Tong Xihua clenched her teeth: "Unsatisfied? Wasn’t I acting for the Mansion’s sake? If they had a solution, why would I play the villain? But now the plan failed, if successful, wouldn’t they all have had to thank me."
Lady was left speechless!
Tong Xihua frowned, it wasn’t her fault for the current situation, nor Grand Dowager’s, even less Xiao Yanyi’s, but was all caused by Teng Sisters, scheming to push her out. They should ponder if they have what it takes, she thought, turning to look at Nanny Lin. Nanny Lin intuitively moved closer, and Tong Xihua whispered to her, not softly so Lady heard it clearly. After Tong Xihua finished speaking, Nanny Lin solemnly nodded, "Second Madam, rest assured, this servant knows what to do and will ensure it is done!" She then turned and left the room.