Chapter 233: Chapter 233: The Marriage (Part 1)
Lady suddenly stood up, and everyone’s gaze in the room fell on her. She realized her action was somewhat abrupt, but she felt no embarrassment. She walked over to the nanny in two steps, took Xing into her arms, and turned to Tong Xiyan and her sisters, saying, "There’s nothing for you to do here, with so many people coming and going, you few should accompany Xing back to the room!"
Teng Qiuniang awkwardly extended her hand but then withdrew it in embarrassment!
Xiqiu naturally understood Lady’s intent. She was the first to squat down and salute, then, along with Tong Xiyan, walked to the Grand Dowager and saluted. The Grand Dowager’s scrutinizing gaze fell upon her face again, making Xiqiu feel uneasy, as if she was being evaluated. She had never seen such a look in the Grand Dowager’s eyes before. What was happening today?
What else happened last night after Teng Qiuniang was brought into the room?
The four people, along with two nannies, took Xing to the green gauze cabinet in Xing’s room. Tong Xiyang sat down with tears in her eyes, glanced at Xing from the corner of her eye, and a barely perceptible mocking smile appeared on her lips. Tong Xiyan leaned silently on Xiqiu’s shoulder, quietly shedding tears, while Tong Xiyu also had a sorrowful expression...
Xiqiu asked Chunyan to find a maid to fetch some water, and Tong Xiyan and Tong Xiyu went to wash their faces. Xiqiu sat quietly in her chair, pondering the look the Grand Dowager had given her just now!
It seemed to carry scrutiny and criticism... What exactly did Tong Xihua say to the Grand Dowager? Or did they make some decision last night, and that decision concerned her!
What could it be? What impact does Tong Xihua’s death have on her?
Would it make it even harder for her to find a suitable marriage? Clearly not, so what could it be?
In a flash, Xiqiu suddenly thought, with Tong Xihua dead, Xiao Yanyi was now widowed. In a feudal society, if one lost their wife, no matter how many concubines were in the rear courtyard, he was still considered single. Xiao Yanyi, now bearing the heavy responsibility of the Xuanning Marquis Mansion as the Marquis, could not possibly remain single and must remarry to extend the Xiao Family line and continue the lineage!
Tong Xihua surely knew these things, so what would she do given her personality? She would undoubtedly be unwilling for the Tong Mansion to let go of this big Xuanning Marquis tree, and continue the marriage alliance, so that the Tong Mansion benefits, and Xing is left with a trustworthy caregiver.
To continue the marriage alliance, there is only one possibility, choosing one among her sisters to marry Xiao Yanyi. Tong Xiyang and Tong Xiyan were already engaged, leaving only her and Tong Xiyu as the most suitable choices?!
Thoughts spun quickly, Xiqiu tightly clenched her fingers. That’s when Tong Xiyang used a kerchief to cover her slightly upturned mouth, looking at Xiqiu. Xiqiu calmly met her gaze, and Tong Xiyang raised her eyebrows, saying, "Indeed, to be truly pretty, one must be in mourning. This mourning attire, Sixth Sister, truly makes you look beautiful!"
Xiqiu raised her eyebrows, and Tong Xiyang chuckled, "Do you know who is the saddest about our eldest sister’s death?" Seeing Xiqiu remain silent, Tong Xiyang said, "It’s not Lady, but that Madam Teng who just entered the house!"
Indeed, how could Teng Qiuniang not be heartbroken? If she could endure these few days, she would have been one step closer to the position of the main wife!
Just a tiny mistake, and she missed it by a mile. From now on, she would just be Marquis Xuanning Xiao Yanyi’s concubine.
Xiqiu shook her head and looked at Tong Xiyang, "This has nothing to do with Third Sister, right?" She raised her eyebrows at Tong Xiyang, who also wore mourning clothes and, after not seeing her for many days, seemed more graceful and charming, with an increasingly captivating smile and expression!
Tong Xiyang didn’t care, looking at Xiqiu mockingly, leaning closer, "Guess who Lady will choose to marry to replace our eldest sister?!"
Xiqiu sipped tea from her cup without lifting her head, "Third Sister might as well be at peace embroidering your wedding dress."
As Xiqiu spoke, her heart gradually sank.
Remarrying, becoming Marchioness Xuanning?
It seems the arrow is already on the string, whether to marry or not, whether to compete or not!
If Lady had decided on Tong Xiyu, then she, as the elder sister, should naturally be engaged and married off first based on age. The time is short, and it seems the families Lady can find will be very limited! So what if she competes? The Xiao Family has a simple structure, and she’s familiar with Xiao Yanyi... At least he possesses an appealing appearance and a personality everyone praises, along with a high and noble status!
Xiqiu displayed a bitter smile, turning to look at Tong Xiyu, who was being helped by a maid to adjust her attire. At the same time, Tong Xiyu also turned her face, and as their eyes met, Tong Xiyu was startled, quickly looking away to avoid eye contact, making Xiqiu shake her head sarcastically.
"Sixth Sister." Tong Xiyang raised her brows at her, "I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ll do this time?!"
The title inheritance lasts nearly a hundred years, but it doesn’t compare current prosperity or loss but rather the future generations. As long as the title and connections remain, with capable and aspiring descendants, such a family will not decline long-term. For instance, like the Wujin Bo Mansion, which seems splendid now, but if Count Wujin passes, who knows what future awaits the Ren Family...
Xiqiu also looked at Tong Xiyang, smiling faintly, "Sister, did you regret it?" Between her and Tong Xiyang, there’s no need to conceal or feign, only by speaking plainly can it be effective for Tong Xiyang.
Sure enough, Tong Xiyang’s face turned cold, she snorted through her nose, turned her head and covered her eyes with a kerchief, continuing to sob lightly, no longer paying attention to Xiqiu.
The four people stayed in the room, with people coming and going outside. Tong Xiyan’s eyes were red as she approached, sat beside Xiqiu, held her hand, and continued to shed tears. Xiqiu didn’t know if she was crying for Tong Xihua or for herself, so she softly comforted her, "You must also take care of your health. If Eldest Sister were here, she wouldn’t want to see you like this either."
This made Tong Xiyan cry even more fiercely. After a good cry, she finally calmed down a bit, leaning beside Xiqiu, sobbing, and Xiqiu added, "Don’t cry anymore; you might scare Xing." Indeed, Tong Xiyang stopped her tears, with tear-filled eyes, looking at the sleeping child in the nanny’s arms, and sighed, "What will happen to Xing in the future."
The Grand Dowager will likely raise him herself!
Xiqiu didn’t speak, and Tong Xiyan tugged at Xiqiu, whispering, "Have you seen Madam Zhou?" Xiqiu shook her head, "No, what’s wrong?"
Tong Xiyan sighed with relief, "Nothing...just very afraid to see her." Was it the nervousness of a daughter-in-law seeing her mother-in-law? Then who knows how Tong Xiyang will react when she sees Madam Zhou of the Wujin Bo Mansion later.
Speak of the devil, the door to the green gauze cabinet opened, and Nanny Fang peeked her head inside, smiling at Tong Xiyan and Tong Xiyang, "Lady requests the presence of Third Miss and Fourth Miss." Xiqiu looked at Tong Xiyan, who hesitated, involuntarily shrinking back.
Tong Xiyang, however, stood up with a kerchief in hand and nodded at Nanny Fang, "On my way!" She then looked at Tong Xiyan, "Let’s go, Third Sister."
Tong Xiyan followed Tong Xiyang out, and Nanny Fang looked at Tong Xiyu and Xiqiu again, "Lady says today Sixth Miss and Eighth Miss should take some trouble to accompany Young Master Xin here!"