Chapter 220: Chapter 220: Injured (3)
Sweat was starting to appear on her forehead.
Nanny Song furrowed her brows and said, "Miss, if your leg hurts badly, let me carry you on my back." Xiqiu waved her hand dismissively and replied, "We’re not in the mansion, what kind of decorum is that!" Nanny Song murmured without saying more, while Xiqiu sat down on a Taihu Stone piled beside the road, and Chunyan, feeling pity, crouched beside Xiqiu to massage her leg, saying, "Miss, shall I help you ask Second Madam for a warm bag to apply on your leg?"
"No need for such trouble. Go to the pavilion ahead and get me a cup of tea," said Xiqiu, her gaze flickering as she sighed, "You aren’t familiar with the mansion; what if you get lost?" She then looked up at Nanny Song, "Nanny, please make a trip, the pavilion ahead must have tea prepared. Make haste and bring me a cup of hot tea."
"Well..." Nanny Song hesitated, speaking reluctantly, and Chunyan snorted coldly, "Miss can no longer command her nowadays!" Saying this, she stood up with a cold face.
"Look at what the girl is saying," Nanny Song laughed awkwardly, "I didn’t say I wouldn’t go, just that Miss should sit and rest here for a while. I’ll be quick." With that, she lifted her skirt and hurried to catch up with Nanny Lin and Tong Xiyu.
Once Nanny Song walked far off, Xiqiu’s expression changed. She spoke towards the waist-high flower bushes on both sides, "Come out!" Immediately, Xi’er’s freckled, smiling face emerged from the bushes, and Xiqiu beckoned her over, frowning, "How did it go?"
Xi’er, disregarding the mud clinging to her from crawling through the bushes, whispered, "When I returned to the courtyard, the head maid Qiuping from Grand Dowager’s side was just leaving. She saw me and asked what was going on. I said I was looking for the restroom. Qiuping personally took me to one and waited outside, saying she’d take me to Miss later. I deliberately left my handkerchief in the restroom. When Qiuping took me out, I returned saying I was retrieving my handkerchief, then I spoke with the young maid from this morning..."
Such tight precautions! Xiqiu nodded for her to continue, and Xi’er proceeded, "The young maid said Second Young Master took Young Master Xin to the front courtyard early in the morning, and even Grand Dowager personally went to the front courtyard..." Xiqiu asked, "Did she mention which visitor?"
Xi’er nodded, her face showing a startled expression, "It’s..." Just as she was about to speak, Nanny Song approached with a green glazed porcelain teapot in one hand and a teacup in the other, followed by the mansion’s young maid, "Miss..." Xi’er’s words were abruptly interrupted.
Xiqiu furrowed her brows tightly.
Xi’er’s message remained unfinished, and there was no convenient moment to inquire further, but Xiqiu’s heart sank. As expected, the visitor’s status was as high as she anticipated, otherwise why would even Grand Dowager personally go to meet him in the outer courtyard!
Thoughts flashed by, as Nanny Song’s voice sounded in her ear, "Miss, the tea is still hot, please drink some while it’s warm!" She enthusiastically poured the tea for Xiqiu, who accepted it with a subtle smile, "Thank you, Nanny."
Nanny Song laughed softly, but upon seeing Xi’er’s muddy appearance, her face soured and she scolded, "Going to the restroom and coming back like you’ve been rolling in mud—this is the Marquis Mansion, not Miss’s courtyard where you can just do as you please." She then reached to pinch Xi’er’s ear, "See how I deal with you when we return."
Xiqiu watched Nanny Song, her gaze flickering slightly, and then she tiredly waved her hand, "She’s just young and ignorant, don’t blame her." Her gaze fell on Xi’er’s clothes, then she stood up, removed her cloak, and said, "The weather isn’t cold, wear this cloak to avoid appearing improper!"
Nanny Song stopped Xi’er, exclaiming, "How could this be appropriate? Miss’s garments aren’t suitable for her to wear." Xi’er also shrank back; she was acting on Xiqiu’s orders, but wearing Miss’s clothes did indeed scare her!
Xiqiu beckoned Xi’er over and signaled Chunyan to help Xi’er put on the cloak. Chunyan, frowning, took Xi’er’s hand and pulled her forward, "Miss’s words are final; where do you get so much to say?"
Chunyan’s words were a veiled rebuke aimed at Nanny Song, whose face changed as Chunyan ignored her and helped Xi’er fasten the cloak, advising, "Be careful, don’t soil Miss’s clothes."
Xi’er gave a look to Xiqiu and nervously tugged at the edge of the cloak, nodding somewhat anxiously, "I understand!"
After drinking her tea, Xiqiu was supported by Chunyan as they walked towards the pavilion, and Xi’er followed timidly behind, carefully holding the cloak. After stops and starts, they finally reached the pavilion by the birch forest, where Nanny Lin was waiting far off outside, greeting her with a smile once Xiqiu arrived, "Ahead is where you can rest, Sixth Miss, take a break!"
Xiqiu smiled and replied, "Thank you, Nanny." She was supported by Nanny Lin as she entered the pavilion. The cotton curtains around the pavilion had already been removed, letting the breeze with the moisture of lake water bring a slight chill upon contact. Both sides were lined with tall, erect birch trees whose leaves rustled, while Tong Xiyu sat on a cushion laid with scarlet red felt, her gaze fell upon Lingbo Hall in the distance, full of wonder.
Xiqiu smiled as she walked over, sitting next to Tong Xiyu. Chunyan and Nanny Song stood behind her, and Xiqiu gestured gleefully at Lingbo Hall in the middle of the lake, "Nanny, is that Lingbo Hall?" Nanny Lin nodded, "Yes, it’s the study of the Old Marquis and the late Marquis. Ordinary people can’t go there; it’s said that even the Marchioness has never been inside."
Xiqiu nodded, her peripheral vision landing on Tong Xiyu, who seemed lost in thought while looking at Lingbo Hall. Xiqiu asked with a smile, "Do you want to go see the Plum Garden, younger sister?"
Before Tong Xiyu could respond, Nanny Lin interjected, "This forest is windy; both young ladies should sit here instead!" This time, Nanny Lin’s attitude surprised even Tong Xiyu.
Xiqiu lowered her head, took a sip of tea, sat for a brief moment with a bored expression, then suddenly stood and took Tong Xiyu’s hand, "Younger sister, I’m tired too. It’s windy here; shall we go back? Our elder sister should be awake now!" Tong Xiyu’s eyes lit up, she looked towards Nanny Lin, saw her frowning in displeasure, then she let go of Xiqiu’s hand and stepped back, whispering, "I don’t want to go back yet!"
To Tong Xiyu, Sixth Sister was certainly not as good as the elder sister, perhaps, she already knew everything and was merely pretending to be obedient, waiting here for Xiao Yanyi?
Xiqiu said nothing, but showed a rare stubbornness, "Since that’s the case, I’ll head back first. Walking here has hurt my leg badly, and the wind is only making it worse..." She wasn’t lying; Nanny Song noticed that Xiqiu’s face seemed paler than before and worriedly looked at Nanny Lin. Nanny Lin, however, stopped Xiqiu, "It’s rare to come here; Sixth Miss should sit a while longer!"