Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Calming the Anger (Part 3)
Xiqiu quickened her pace to catch up with Tong Xihua, but after only a few steps, she noticed fine beads of sweat on Tong Xihua’s forehead, and there was a faint smell of blood emanating from her. No wonder Lady was so worried, who would have thought that even after so long, Tong Xihua hadn’t fully recovered after childbirth!
As they exited the courtyard, Tong Xihua stopped to catch her breath, and Xiqiu halted behind her. Tong Xihua suddenly turned her head to look at Xiqiu and, smiling, said, "Nanny Lin is tired, Sixth Sister, come and support me." Xiqiu raised her eyebrows slightly, then nodded and stepped forward to support Tong Xihua.
"Am I heavy? Are you tired, Sixth Sister?" After a few steps, Tong Xihua spoke with a smile, though her voice was indistinct as if she was using all her strength. Xiqiu replied with a smile, "I’m strong; sister need not worry."
Tong Xihua nodded thoughtfully as they walked and chatted, "When I married your brother-in-law, I was slightly older than you and just as thin, but I wasn’t as strong as you." She paused, and Xiqiu knew what she wanted to say wasn’t just this, so she tilted her head to look at her. Sure enough, Tong Xihua continued, "The wedding day was the first time I met him. I’d only heard that the Second Young Master of the Xiao Family was as handsome as Pan An, elegant and graceful. I often wondered what he looked like. I imagined countless appearances of him, but when I saw him that night, I was still so astonished I couldn’t speak..." She said and then stopped, watching Xiqiu’s reaction. Xiqiu, smiling, echoed, "And then?"
Tong Xihua’s gaze shifted slightly as she continued, "He wore a bright red wedding robe, and his eyes were gentle as he looked at me and smiled. That smile seemed to encompass all the emotions in the world, so serene it could enter one’s heart. I stupidly stared at him, not knowing what to do, only seeing that flawless face and smiling eyes." She seemed to be lost in her memories, her voice becoming somewhat ethereal, "I often heard some close ladies talk about the memorable and thrilling wedding night, but I don’t remember a thing..." She laughed as she spoke, not mockingly but full of sweetness.
Was it that night she fell in love with Xiao Yanyi? Xiqiu didn’t speak, listening quietly as Tong Xihua continued, "I’ve never seen your brother-in-law lose his temper. He’s always like that, even if displeased, only giving a cold reproach. In the mansion, not only young maids and wives but even elderly servants and boys are willing to go to him with their problems..."
"So, I often argued with him about this. I’d say, as the Second Young Master of the Marquis Mansion, why be so amicable with everyone. No matter who it is, you always appear warm and approachable. And because of this, how much trouble have you stirred up? Can you guess what your brother-in-law said?!"
Xiqiu cooperatively shook her head, responding, "I don’t know!"
"He said, it’s just a shell, and if love or hate stems from this, then it’s not worth having!"
Through sharing this, Tong Xihua was telling her that Xiao Yanyi is the same with everyone; even with servants, he’s amiable. His actions are merely out of habit, with no ulterior motives. Issues arise only from others’ unwarranted fantasies, and Xiao Yanyi doesn’t care for nor despises these external infatuations and admirations!
Xiqiu smiled faintly, not joining the discussion, when Tong Xihua took a breath and suddenly changed the topic, "Do you know who you ran into in the garden today?"
"I don’t know. At the time, I was so scared I didn’t dare look up, I just kept my head down and said a few words." Xiqiu answered truthfully, she didn’t even look at what the other person was wearing. Sometimes, the less you know, the better!
Tong Xihua sighed and shook her head, "That was the current Third Prince, who now has the highest support for the Crown Prince position." She finished, patting Xiqiu’s hand, "Are you thinking that your sister deliberately had Nanny Lin take you to the garden to let the Third Prince see?"
Xiqiu continued to shake her head, "No!" She paused and then innocently added, "Even if sister did so, she must have her reasons."
Tong Xihua laughed out loud, the sound of her chest vibrating was even louder than her laughter. After laughing, she started coughing, and when Nanny Lin advised her to rest, she waved her off, then said to Xiqiu, "Mother always said you are steady and obedient, the most sensible among us sisters. I never believed it, but now I do." She stopped at the door of Chang Garden, casting a sideways glance at Xiqiu, "I hope Sixth Sister always remains this way, only then can you have a safe and long life!"
Xiqiu obediently nodded, "Thank you, sister, for your advice, I will remember it."
Tong Xihua nodded, then turned her face and her gaze pierced through the long corridor in front of Chang Garden, suddenly turning cold. She said to Nanny Lin, "Let’s go!" and the three of them entered side by side through the doors.
In the courtyard, it was quiet with no sign of anyone around. Tong Xihua calmly released Nanny Lin’s hand, turned back, and instructed Nanny Lin, "Stay here," then turned to speak with Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu, "Sixth Sister and Eighth Sister, accompany me inside."
Nanny Lin remained alone at the entrance of the corridor, while Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu supported Tong Xihua on either side. The three of them crossed the courtyard, climbed the stairs, and stood at the main room’s door. The door was open, and inside came the faint sound of a woman weeping. Xiqiu didn’t hear Xiao Yanyi’s voice; could it be he’d already left?
Tong Xihua’s eyes flickered, and she stepped inside. To her left, unlike most rooms in the Marquis Mansion, there was no screen, but a wall with curtains hung. On the right was the Warm Pavilion, where Xiqiu had just rested. Tong Xihua stood at the door of the Warm Pavilion, listening to the conversation inside through the curtains.
"Second Young Master, I’m truly sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose. I just wanted to make you tea. I’m leaving tomorrow, and I wanted to see you one last time, I had no other intentions!" Xiao Yanyi didn’t speak, and Teng Qiuniang continued, "Second Young Master, I know you don’t like me acting this way. Since childhood, I’ve been well-read in poetry and know shame. I know what I’m doing is wrong, but I can’t help it... the thought of this being goodbye forever makes me want to see you one last time." As she spoke, she sobbed into her handkerchief, her voice incoherent.
Tong Xihua listened, her face turning deep red. She suddenly raised her hand and, with a swish, flicked aside the curtain. Even Xiqiu, who had been mentally prepared, could not help but be startled.
The curtain parted, and the scene inside became clear. A broken teacup lay on the ground, and Teng Qiuniang sobbed quietly, using her handkerchief to wipe Xiao Yanyi’s hem. Xiao Yanyi stood with a side to them, head bowed, brows furrowed tightly. Hearing the sound outside, Teng Qiuniang stopped crying, staring over in terror. Seeing who it was, she was so frightened she fell back sitting on the floor, while Xiao Yanyi, his brows knitted, his gaze first landing on Tong Xihua’s face, then shifting to notice Xiqiu, his eyes flickering.
No one knew where Tong Xihua found the strength, but she pushed Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu aside and stepped inside first, hoarsely shouting, "Xiao Yanyi, how dare you do this to me?"