Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Cooling Down (2)
What does Sixth Miss mean by this?!
Xiqiu didn’t let her have a chance for certainty and smilingly went over to see Tong Xiyu who was waiting at the door. Tong Xiyu’s face turned white, and she quickly turned aside to enter the room with Nanny Lin. Xiqiu withdrew her gaze, smiled, and walked in as well, but she did not directly enter Tong Xihua’s bedroom; instead, she went to the Warm Pavilion where they had rested earlier.
Soon she saw Tong Xihua leaning against the bed, with two thick pillows behind her. Her complexion appeared yellow and her hair, even though neat with Osmanthus Oil combed in, was still dry without shine. She wore a formal red robe with dark patterned entwining roses, trimmed with a finger-width velvet gold border. On her left hand was a jade green bracelet, and on her right, a pair of dragon and phoenix head gold bangles, matching the bright red gemstone and coral lock hairpin on her head, all the jewels sitting in grandeur...
Not lying down in bed but sitting up in such a formal dress, was she trying to show them that no matter how sick she was, she was still the esteemed Second Madam of the Xuanning Marquis Mansion? Xiqiu was slightly surprised!
Seeing Tong Xiyu and Xiqiu entering one after the other, Tong Xihua forced herself straight, her gaze falling directly on Xiqiu, squinting slightly but with a smile on her face: "Sixth Sister’s leg is not well, have a seat to talk."
Tong Xiyu was taken aback as if puzzled by Tong Xihua’s attitude. She looked carefully at Tong Xihua, trembling a bit inside, keeping her head down without daring to further scrutinize. Xiqiu, however, calmly smiled and greeted Tong Xihua: "Big Sister!" Saying so, she sat down on the stool Qiuping brought, and Tong Xiyu bowed to Tong Xihua following Xiqiu, half sitting next to her.
Tong Xihua waited for Xiqiu to inquire about Qingsui in the courtyard, but after a long wait with Xiqiu just quietly drinking tea, she frowned and looked at Nanny Lin. Nanny Lin stepped forward and said, "Second Madam, Qingsui’s parents have entered the mansion, saying they wish to pay their respects."
Tong Xihua nonchalantly waved her hand: "No need to kowtow. A girl without rules like that, I suppose her family isn’t much for etiquette either. Let them leave early!"
Nanny Lin curtsied in acknowledgment and lifted the curtain to leave.
Tong Xihua looked at Xiqiu again and asked, "I heard your leg ailment flared up? Why didn’t you tell me? You actually went with Nanny Lin, strolling through half the garden..." Then she shook her head and sighed, "You, ah, can’t be so careless in the future."
As if everything was merely caused by Xiqiu’s mischief.
Tong Xiyu could hardly sit still. The expected wrath from Tong Xihua didn’t appear but instead, she was amiable to Xiqiu, who also showed no confrontation, displaying sisterly harmony. She couldn’t help but suspect that what happened in the garden was merely her own illusion.
"I didn’t feel it before we left, perhaps from walking and catching the breeze that made it flare up, it’s my fault for causing you to worry, really sorry!" Tong Xihua said with an air of grand benevolence: "We’re sisters, no need to be so distant." Then changing the topic: "I heard your brother-in-law invited an Imperial Physician for you, are you better now?"
Xiqiu lowered her face and slowly replied, "The Imperial Physician was called, and after his acupuncture, it has improved a lot." She looked at Tong Xihua with a smile: "It’s really thanks to Brother-in-law, causing you all trouble while I’m here."
Tong Xihua raised an eyebrow: "It’s no trouble, as your brother-in-law, it’s his duty to care for you." She paused, then continued: "But he’s busy with work, you should come to me with any issues in the future, rather than bothering him..." She laughed: "Although your brother-in-law has a good temper, if he ever loses it, even I would fear him a bit. Lucky for me, he has never been angry with me, I can’t imagine the alternative."
Xiqiu beamed, admiring Tong Xihua: "Sister is virtuous, and you and Brother-in-law show mutual respect. Not only does Brother-in-law admire and love you, but everyone in the Man Mansion respects you too. How could Brother-in-law ever get cross with you?" Tong Xihua was momentarily surprised, with a peculiar look in her eyes. Xiqiu giggled, covering her sleeve as she said: "When I came back from Chang Garden, Brother-in-law stayed behind intentionally to ask the Imperial Physician about Sister’s illness in detail. Not just him, even the Fifth Madam had sent someone to listen in on the side."
What nonsense!
Tong Xihua’s face abruptly reddened, an abnormal flush, her gaze carried a chilling intensity as she asked Xiqiu: "Someone from Fifth Madam’s room?" Xiqiu naively nodded: "I’m not very certain, just looked familiar, seemed like from Fifth Madam’s place."
Tong Xihua secretly exhaled, her gaze casually moving to Qiuping guarding at the door, then turned back to smile at Xiqiu: "These days, Sheng has caught a cold too, perhaps the Imperial Physician was called over to check on him, not necessarily for me."
Xiqiu meaningfully nodded.
Qiuping discreetly lifted the curtain and left.
Tong Xihua lost interest in conversing, supporting herself and waiting for Qiuping to return. Soon, gasping for breath, Qiuping returned, went to Tong Xihua’s side and whispered in her ear: "It’s Teng Qiuniang."
Tong Xihua abruptly stood up, then, realizing Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu were still there, she smiled at them: "Your brother-in-law is still there, I don’t know what for but I must go once." Xiqiu pretended not to know and nodded: "Since Brother-in-law is looking for you, there might be something urgent, Sister go about your business, I’ll wait here with Eighth Sister!"
Tong Xihua squinted, scrutinizing Xiqiu briefly: "Then let the two of you sisters wait a moment." She gestured for Nanny Lin to help her, Nanny Lin hesitated with concern evident in her eyes, looking at Tong Xihua’s condition. Tong Xihua nodded at her, and Nanny Lin went up to support her.
Halfway there, Tong Xihua suddenly stopped at the door. She turned to look at Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu, smiling: "It’s not far, if Sixth Sister’s leg doesn’t hurt, why not come along with Eighth Sister. Not sure what your brother-in-law wants, can’t have you waiting here all this time."
Is it because Teng Qiuniang is over there, does she want them to see?
Xiqiu smiled and nodded, looking at Tong Xiyu, who hesitantly seemed to perceive this was not a good situation. As she hesitated, Xiqiu didn’t give her time to ponder, smilingly grabbed Tong Xiyu’s hand: "Let’s go, Eighth Sister!"
Tong Xiyu shivered, and remained speechless. Tong Xihua tilted her head thoughtfully and observed Tong Xiyu.
"Let’s go!" Tong Xihua said, being assisted by Nanny Lin as she left the room, with Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu following, heading towards Fifth Madam’s courtyard. At the door, Xiqiu quietly instructed Chunyan: "Take Xi’er and the maids beside Eighth Miss to wait at the second gate, if we do not come out in half an hour, you must go back by yourself and fetch Lady!"
Chunyan, not suspecting, nodded and guided a fearful Xi’er to head in another direction.