Chapter 234: Chapter 234: The Marriage (Part 2)
Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu both nodded, and Nanny Fang accompanied Tong Xiyang and Tong Xiyan out the door. In the afternoon, Xiao Yanzheng also came to sit for a while. The Grand Dowager, fearing that she wouldn’t be able to endure too many people due to her frailty, asked her to rest in her room.
The Grand Dowager sat in the room and looked up at Xiao Yanyi. Seeing his somber face devoid of the usual smile, she sighed and said, "The deceased have passed away. What’s the use of being like this? There are so many matters inside and outside the mansion; you must gather your spirits."
Xiao Yanyi lowered his eyelids without responding. The Grand Dowager paused for a moment and said, "She suggested that you marry the two concubine-born daughters of the Tong Family as your new wives. What do you think?"
"Mother!" Xiao Yanyi raised his head, "I am in no mood to think about these things right now."
The Grand Dowager frowned at him, placing the teacup in her hand on the kang table, and earnestly said, "It’s not about whether you’re in the mood or not. Currently, we are being led by the nose by the Tong Mansion. I didn’t expect that she even made so many arrangements before her death..." She could understand why Tong Xihua did this, but she wasn’t comfortable with it. Since when did the Xiao Family’s marriage decisions and timings get dictated by others?
Xiao Yanyi furrowed his brows, looked at the Grand Dowager, and said, "Since you agreed to her, why speak like this?" After he said that, he felt his words were impolite, coughed, and picked up a teacup, lowering his head to drink tea.
The Grand Dowager understood her son and also empathized with his current feelings. Being married to Xihua for nine years, although not exactly in deep love, there were feelings. Even if an unrelated person passed away, he would grieve, let alone his first wife, who died before his eyes, leaving a baby behind. It’s natural for the second young master to feel guilt.
The Grand Dowager sighed and said, "I mean nothing else. Since I agreed, there will be no backing out. A confirmation must be given to our in-laws. I called you here to find out which of the Sixth Miss or the Eighth Miss you favor?"
Xiao Yanyi’s eyes flashed slightly, remaining silent. The Grand Dowager thought he was not familiar with them, so she explained, "I think the Sixth Miss is quite good, smart, generous, and tactful in dealing with people. As for the Eighth Miss... she’s a bit too young." As she said this, she looked questioningly at Xiao Yanyi...
Suddenly, Xiao Yanyi stood up, indicating a lack of interest in discussing further: "Mother, you can decide on this matter." After saying this, he swept his sleeves and walked out, "There are matters in the outer courtyard; I’ll go attend to them first!" and walked out.
The Grand Dowager watched his departing figure and exchanged a smile with Nanny Wu.
As Nanny Wu tidied up the teacups, the corners of her mouth lifted. It seemed that both the second young master and the Grand Dowager had the same intention of favoring the Sixth Miss. She recalled the rumors among the servants in the mansion, saying that the second young master had a special fondness for the Sixth Miss. On the day the Third Prince came, the Sixth Miss had a leg ailment, and the second young master had ignored the Third Prince to care for the Sixth Miss.
The Grand Dowager also showed a gratified expression. Initially, Yanyi was unwilling to marry, but she took it upon herself to bring Xihua into the family, hoping that feelings would develop after marriage. Yet, after so many years, Yanyi still remained indifferent towards Xihua. If this time he marries someone he favors, perhaps there would be love between the couple, and the Marquis Mansion would flourish with heirs?!
The next day, Tong Xihua’s grand funeral took place. Lady, accompanied by several children, brought sacrificial offerings over. Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu stayed in the room. Compared to the Marquis’s funeral, Tong Xihua’s was equally lavish, clearly showing the Xiao Family’s regard for her.
Xiqiu and Tong Xiyu stayed in the green gauze cabinet with Xing. Tong Xiyang and Tong Xiyan sat outside, conversing with their future mothers-in-law, while also helping the Lady and the Grand Dowager entertain guests. What puzzled Xiqiu was the absence of the Fifth Madam and Teng Qiuniang on the second day. While she was secretly wondering, Chunyan relayed the news she had gathered: "I went to the Fifth Madam’s courtyard in the back, and the door was closed, claiming she was unwell. However, it was quite lively at Teng Qiuniang’s side. Her personal maid ran to the outer courtyard several times to call the Marquis, but he claimed he couldn’t free himself and didn’t return."
Xiqiu frowned. Given the Fifth Madam sisters’ ways, they wouldn’t miss such an occasion. If it was as Chunyan said, could she really be ill?
"I also saw the Fifth Madam’s maid, Qingshuang, bringing an old woman into Madam Teng’s room. The old woman’s attire seemed deliberately changed, and she had many things stuffed in her arms... looked like..." She thought for a long time before exclaiming, "Like yellow paper!"
Could it be a witch doctor? In the countryside, there are many Daoists who use ghosts and gods to ward off evil and cure illnesses. Could the Fifth Madam and Teng Qiuniang be possessed?
Xiqiu didn’t believe it. She always thought Tong Xihua wouldn’t easily let Teng Qiuniang marry in. If she didn’t do something, how could she rest in peace?
But what did she do? Xiqiu couldn’t help but be secretly curious!
Chunyan looked at Xiqiu, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Miss, I found out something else." She looked seriously at Xiqiu, who frowned slightly and waved to interrupt, "Tell me later when we return."
Chunyan was about to speak when suddenly a commotion came from outside. Xiqiu said to Chunyan, "Go see what’s happening." Chunyan responded and quickly came back, saying, "It’s offerings from the palace, said to be sent by the Empress."
The Empress? The one who gave birth to the Crown Prince, who died young, and the Fifth Prince, who developed polio at three, becoming disabled? She had heard Lady and the Second Lady mention the strong Empress, who had the Three Palaces and Six Institutes firmly under control. Now, with the Emperor’s health declining, the concubines’ desire for favor has diminished a lot. In the past, when the Emperor was healthy, the palace saw daily dramas of concubines competing for favor, with each plot as brilliant as blooming flowers. Stories of these intrigues were still secretly passed among commoners even now, relished by many.
Offerings sent by the Empress, no wonder it caused such a stir.
The former Empress Dowager’s family was close to the Empress, making it a significant impact on everyone!
Xiqiu smiled without saying a word, gesturing to Chunyan, "Stay with me here!" Chunyan nodded and stood behind Xiqiu, who lowered her head to look at Xing in the cradle, smiling and teasingly talking to him.
In the evening, after sending off the guests, Lady returned to the mansion with several daughters. Just as Xiqiu left Tong Xihua’s courtyard, someone emerged from a corner. She looked closely and saw it was Nanny Song!
In just a few days, she seemed to have lost a lot of weight, her face showing signs of exhaustion. Standing alongside Nanny Lin, she smiled broadly at them.
"Lady!" Nanny Song stepped forward to greet Lady, then turned and greeted the young ladies before approaching Xiqiu with a smile and saying, "Sixth Miss!"
Xiqiu raised her eyebrows, quickly glancing at Lady, who showed a delighted smile on her face and stepped forward to hold Nanny Song’s hand, her eyes brimming with tears, saying, "Nanny Song, have you been well these days? I sent Chunyan to look for you, but she always missed you!" She then looked Nanny Song up and down, "You’ve lost weight, come with me back!" showing a face brimming with joy at the reunion.