Chapter 235: Chapter 235: The Marriage (Part 3)
Lady raised her eyebrows slightly, glancing at Nanny Song. Nanny Song was secretly puzzled, but in front of so many people, the Sixth Miss extending an olive branch, if she didn’t take the chance, who knows when she could return to the mansion: "This servant is fine, just missing the Miss. These days, I’ve been busy with Nanny Lin over the Grand Aunt’s affairs, not having time to come and pay respects to you."
Xiqiu nodded, raising her voice slightly: "Big sister’s matters are the most urgent, what you do well is also a credit to me, isn’t it?" Nanny Song nodded repeatedly, yet she began to feel uneasy inside.
The Sixth Miss’s actions made her feel a bit strange, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on why!
Over here, Tong Xiyang was getting a bit impatient and urged Xiqiu: "Hurry up and speak, don’t keep Mother waiting too long!"
Xiqiu nodded and pulled Nanny Song along, saying: "You’ve been tired for a few days, come ride in the same carriage with me." Then she looked at Tong Xiyu: "Eighth sister wouldn’t mind, right?"
Tong Xiyu was about to speak, but Lady paused, glanced back at Nanny Song, then looked at Xiqiu, and suddenly spoke: "No need to rush back, there’s nothing much at your place anyway. Nanny Lin here is too busy, it’s better to stay at the Marquis Mansion to help Nanny Lin, also as a gesture of filial piety."
Xiqiu looked up in surprise at Lady, quickly lowered her head, reluctantly let go of Nanny Song’s hand, and reminded her: "Then take care of your health, if anything is missing, let Chunyan tell me, and I’ll bring it for you when I come!"
Nanny Song was stunned, although Nanny Lin was busy, she had many maidservants and helpers like Qiuping and Qiuluo assisting her capably. Staying here at the Marquis Mansion, she wasn’t familiar with the place and couldn’t really help, which Lady knew well, so why did she want her to stay?!
She didn’t know, but Xiqiu did. With Nanny Song staying at the Marquis Mansion these days, following Nanny Lin daily, she must have learned many things she shouldn’t know. If it were Nanny Fang, it wouldn’t be a problem, but Nanny Song was from her room, and earlier, she had shown such closeness to Nanny Song. With Lady’s suspicious nature, she would surely suspect whether Nanny Song would tell her about Tong Xihua’s matters.
Nanny Song had to stay, but she couldn’t be dealt with directly, so she borrowed Lady’s hand to handle it!
"Let’s go!" Lady didn’t look back and, with the assistance of Nanny Fang, turned and left the courtyard. Xiqiu looked longingly at Nanny Song, then followed Lady with Chunyan supporting her.
Nanny Song was left standing in a daze, while Nanny Lin curtsied to Lady, then stood up, sneeringly pushed Nanny Song: "Come on, there’s still work to do!" She then turned and walked back into the courtyard, leaving Nanny Song to follow Nanny Lin back reluctantly, wringing her hands.
Back at the mansion, Madam Mei was already waiting by the second gate. Seeing Lady return, she eagerly approached, personally supporting Lady all the way to the main courtyard: "Knowing you’re busy, surely you haven’t had a chance to eat, how can this be right..." She chatted while personally lifting the curtain for Lady: "This servant personally cooked a few dishes, at least have a bite. There are still many things to deal with before and after the funeral; if you wear yourself out, what will become of us, this whole big family!"
Lady sighed, rubbing her forehead: "Xihua had little fortune, and I’m worried about Xing. How can I eat!" Madam Mei helped Lady change out of her overcoat and into a casual front-buttoned overcoat, guided her to the washroom, wrapped a cloth around her chest, took off her bracelet and hairpin, helped her wash her hands with soap, and changed the water. After cleansing Lady’s face, she assisted her to sit at the dressing table, applied fragrant lotion on her face and hands, massaging lightly for a full half a tea’s time. Then moving behind Lady, she started massaging her shoulders and arms, about to squat down to take off her shoes and massage her feet, but Lady stopped her: "You’ve also been busy all day at home, take a rest!"
Xiqiu watched Madam Mei’s performance in disbelief. Usually, Madam Mei would come to Lady’s place every day to serve her meals, but she’d never seen her act like this, as if she needed to treat Lady with utmost care to feel at ease.
"I’m not tired!" Madam Mei still changed Lady’s shoes, supported her to sit at the table, and placed a bowl of chicken soup, angelica, and fungus millet porridge in front of Lady: "I’ve simmered it for three hours, have a taste. It’s said to replenish energy and calm the mind." After saying this, she seemed to remember the room was still occupied by Tong Shen Zhi and his siblings, so she blushed and told Tong Shen Zhi: "Young Masters and Miss, please have some too, I made plenty!"
Tong Shen Zhi shook his head expressionlessly, Tong Xiyang was disdainful to eat, Tong Xiyan had no appetite, Xiqiu lowered her presence, and Tong Xiyu dared not eat... As for Tong Minzhi, he had already eaten his fill in the outer courtyard.
No one welcomed it, so Madam Mei awkwardly smiled, while Lady raised her head, asking Tong Shen Zhi: "Have you written a letter to inform your father?" Tong Shen Zhi nodded and replied: "The letter was sent yesterday, it should reach tomorrow."
Lady nodded and asked again: "What about your aunt, have you sent a letter?" Tong Shen Zhi nodded: "The letter was sent together, being close to Shandong and on the Ministry of War’s route, it should arrive today." After hearing this, Lady waved her hand: "You’ve all been busy all day, go rest!"
Tong Shen Zhi took the lead, bowed to Lady, and left with his siblings; then they dispersed outside the courtyard. Xiqiu went back to the West Courtyard with Tong Xiyang, Tong Xiyan, and Tong Xiyu, and then separated at the side gate to return to her courtyard.
As soon as she entered, Xiqiu saw red-dyed eggs on the table. Smiling, she went over and picked them up to ask Chunliu: "Are these from Siliu?" Chunliu nodded: "After you left this morning, they were delivered. Laiwang’s wife... no, Nanny Lai said, given the current situation at the mansion, it wouldn’t be ostentatious, just sending to a few close maids, and also some to Sixth Miss, Madam Xia, and Seventh Young Master."
Xiqiu nodded, knowing Lady was in a bad mood, keeping a low profile was a good idea!
Chunyan organized the items on the table but stood quietly, head down, not leaving the room. Xiqiu looked at her with a smile, then turned to call Sixing and Chunliu: "Don’t busy yourselves, sit down." Sixing and Chunliu hesitated, then each took a stool and sat down.
Xiqiu then looked at Chunyan and said: "Go on, what’s the matter?!" Chunyan raised her head, surprised that Xiqiu already knew, and said: "Miss knows?" Hearing this, Sixing and Chunliu were more confused, while Xiqiu waved her hand: "Never mind whether I know or not, just say it, and we can discuss it together."
Sixing and Chunliu grew curious, then asked Chunyan: "Hurry and tell, what is it? Don’t leave us puzzled like riddles!" Chunyan glanced solemnly at Sixing and Chunliu, lowering her head, and said: "Today in the Marquis Mansion, while inquiring about Fifth Madam and Madam Teng’s matters, I overheard the maids gossiping..." Sixing was taken aback and asked: "Gossiping about what?"