Chapter 217: Chapter 217: Frail Child (5)
Xiqiu silently watched Nanny Song leave, but after a moment she returned, speaking to Xiqiu through the curtain, "Miss, the sedan chair has arrived. I will be waiting outside the door. Call for me if you need to go out."
"What’s gotten into her today, being so proactive!" Sixing fixed a hairpin for Xiqiu and picked up the rouge box, but Xiqiu stopped her hand, shaking her head, "No need for those!" She then stood up from the dressing table. Sixing, seeing her bare face, wanted to say something but ultimately held back.
Xiqiu suddenly turned and asked her, "What has Nanny Song been busy with these days?"
Sixing shook her head and replied, "As usual, she’s been around Nanny Fang daily, only returning home at dawn, noon, and dusk to make an appearance. As for what she does, that I do not know!" Xiqiu nodded thoughtfully, "Today, you don’t need to go. Go call Chunyan and Xi’er to accompany me."
Sixing was taken aback and exclaimed, "Miss..." Xiqiu turned to her, comforting, "Don’t overthink it. You’ve been running around with me for so many days; today, just rest at home!" Sixing bowed her head without a word, and Xiqiu, seeing this, said nothing more.
Not long after, Xi’er and Chunyan came in, with Xi’er looking quite delighted. It was her first time leaving the Tong Mansion, and she was excitedly bustling around Xiqiu, chattering non-stop.
Xiqiu watched her with a slight smile, then exited the door. Nanny Song, as expected, was waiting with the sedan chair outside, and Xiqiu took the sedan to Zhui Garden, where Tong Xiyu was already waiting. Today, she wore a lake green overcoat embroidered with scattered flowers and double gold borders, which accentuated her fair skin and tall stature. Standing together with Xiqiu, she appeared more like the elder sister, while Xiqiu seemed like the younger.
Lady advised the two, "Don’t wander off when you go, just chat with your big sister and then come back."
Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu both nodded in agreement, and Lady waved her hand, "Go on then!"
Once they left, Lady told Nanny Fang, "You’re going too, see what Hua’er is up to, be cautious!" Nanny Fang was startled, showing a surprised expression, and Lady shook her head, "Maybe I’m overthinking, hopefully Hua’er won’t do anything foolish!"
After all, she was her daughter. Even though Lady suspected some things in her heart, she was still unwilling to tarnish Tong Xihua’s reputation.
Compared to last year when she was pale, Tong Xihua now looked sallow, like a withered flower, day by day her petals withering and shrinking...
Tong Xihua asked Nanny Lin to accompany Nanny Fang and Nanny Song downstairs for tea while she smiled and went to talk with Xiqiu. Her gaze shifted from Xiqiu to Tong Xiyu, smiling, "Don’t just stand, sit down to talk." After Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu each sat on the stools by the bedside, she continued, "After the new year, Sixth Sister is turning thirteen and Eighth Sister is almost ten, right?"
Xiqiu blushed slightly, replying, "Thirteen." Tong Xiyu also nodded, "Yes, Big Sister, after the new year, I am nine."
Tong Xihua smiled, "Looks like you’re as tall as Sixth Sister now. Among our family, Eighth Sister is the tallest."
Tong Xiyu blushed, lowering her gaze shyly, "Auntie says I was born in January, so my real age is a year older, so I’m only two years younger than Sixth Sister!" Tong Xihua raised her eyebrows, giving Tong Xiyu a meaningful look, then turned her gaze to Xiqiu, noticing Xiqiu was still sitting quietly, eyes downcast. Her collar, fastened tightly, revealed a neck as fair as snow, her face radiant and glossy, her figure slim and elegant, pleasing to the eye, making it hard for anyone to look away.
Her lips curled into a slight smile, as she extended her hand from under the quilt, holding Xiqiu’s hand, "When I got married, you were all very young. It’s only in these last two years we’ve become closer as sisters. This is my fault as your elder sister for not spending enough time with you. Now that I’m unwell and the door is often deserted, only my blood sisters remember me and are willing to come visit and talk with me."
Xiqiu was startled and, a little nervously, replied, "Sister, you are blessed, and now with Xing at your knees, once you get better, your days will surely be even better than before." She was alluding to Xiao Yanyi’s title; if Xiao Yanyi successfully inherited the title, she would become Marchioness Xuanning, a status far surpassing before.
"Sixth Sister, there’s no need to comfort me. I know my own body best; it’s only a matter of enduring another half year or so. I no longer have other expectations, just hoping Xing can grow up safely, so that even when I close my eyes one day, I can rest easy in the ground."
Before Xiqiu could speak, Tong Xiyu had already teared up, throwing herself onto Tong Xihua, sobbing. Tong Xihua furrowed her brow but then quickly relaxed, patting Tong Xiyu, "Silly sister, everyone faces death, it’s only a matter of time."
Xiqiu secretly wondered why Tong Xihua suddenly shared these sentiments. But then Tong Xiyu was crying so hard she couldn’t catch her breath, saying, "Big Sister will surely live a long life, nothing will happen."
Tong Xihua smiled gently, sighing tiredly.
Just then, Qiuping lifted the curtain and entered, saluting to Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu. Tong Xiyu stood up, wiping her tears, and Qiuping whispered something in Tong Xihua’s ear, causing her eyes to light up and rare brightness to appear on her face.
"You go ahead." Tong Xihua told Qiuping, "Go see what Xing is doing, and whether he’s had his milk this morning." Qiuping nodded and went out.
Tong Xihua smiled to Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu, "Xing has quite a temper; whenever he’s a little hungry, he cries and fusses. Even three or four maids and two wet nurses can barely keep up!" Finished speaking, she tiredly shifted her position, and Tong Xiyu hurried to help. Tong Xihua looked at her, smiling, "Sisters, stay longer today. After an afternoon nap, I’ll have Nanny Lin send you back. I’m feeling a bit tired and want to sleep for a bit. There are flowers blooming in the garden, let Nanny Lin take you for a walk."
Xiqiu quietly watched her, listening to her speak, while Tong Xiyu raised her head to say something, but Tong Xihua had already closed her eyes, her breathing shallow. She muttered to herself, not speaking, and then looked up at Xiqiu.
Xiqiu smiled slightly at her, and Tong Xiyu stood up, "Sixth Sister, why are you smiling?" She didn’t have her usual meekness, as if she wanted to say something decidedly. Xiqiu didn’t give her the chance and turned to leave. At that moment, Nanny Lin came in, saluting the two young ladies, and said, "Young ladies, let me accompany you for a walk in the garden on such a fine day!"
"Thank you, Nanny." Xiqiu nodded slightly, and Tong Xiyu, clutching her handkerchief, went up to Nanny Lin with a smile, taking her arm, "I haven’t had a chance to look around the Marquis Mansion’s garden carefully, thank you, Nanny, for today."
This heartless creature, a moment ago crying her heart out beside the eldest miss, now turned around, full of joy, ready to tour the garden. The eldest miss praised the Eighth Miss, although somewhat slow, for having genuine love for her. But now, from what she could see, even that bit of sincerity was hard to conceal. The thought flashed past as Nanny Lin smiled and said, "Then today, Eighth Miss, you should enjoy a thorough stroll!"