Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Framed (Part 2)
Back in the room, Xiqiu searched for the bright red Shu brocade and drew a pattern. She set up the embroidery frame inside the room to start embroidering, while Sixing was assisting her by sorting threads. Xiqiu stayed indoors all day, and the room felt stifling. Turning to Sixing, Xiqiu asked, "Sixing, do you think Siliu is doing well?"
Sixing was startled and nodded, "Fugui treasures her like a gem, she must be very happy!" Xiqiu nodded and smiled, "Indeed, fourth sister often says, to have someone’s true heart and never part until old age... As long as the couple are of one mind, with someone to love and cherish you, seeing you as more important than themselves, hardships and poverty or wealth and glory don’t really matter!" She paused her needlework, earnestly looked at Sixing, "Laiwang’s wife mentioned she has a nephew, running a rice shop on East Street. He’s thickset but honest and is looking to marry a maid from a prominent family. I trust Laiwang’s character; if you are interested, I could have him come over, and you could meet him behind a curtain?"
Sixing was utterly shocked, quickly shaking her head without thinking, "I won’t marry, Miss. I intend to stay with you for the rest of my life, never to go anywhere!" Xiqiu sighed and nodded without saying anything further. She bent her head to resume embroidery.
That evening, Daihe arrived: "Lady said the few young ladies are excused from greetings, allowing them to take a rest."
Xiqiu stood and asked Daihe, "What did the Imperial Physician say this afternoon? This morning, she seemed much better!" Daihe nodded with a smile, replied, "The Imperial Physician said a couple more herbal treatments will suffice. I too feel Lady has recovered!"
"That’s good!" Xiqiu exhaled a sigh of relief, smiling broadly, "That truly is wonderful news!" Daihe smiled and said, "Indeed, that was a close call but uneventful... I’ll head back; it’s time for dinner, and I need to check in the kitchen."
Xiqiu nodded without keeping her further; Sixing put down the colored threads, stood up, and said to Xiqiu, "Miss, I’ll escort Daihe sister." Xiqiu nodded, and Sixing took Daihe’s hand leading her out.
As they walked, Sixing asked, "Has the concubine returned?" Daihe nodded, "I don’t know. At midday, Moju from the young master’s room invited the concubine to the outer court, and she hasn’t returned yet. Normally she’d have left the mansion by now, perhaps she’s already returned."
Sixing showed a pensive look, glanced back at the main house, frowned, then went out of the courtyard with Daihe. Xiqiu stood at the door, her expression icy as she watched Sixing’s departing figure, eyes full of disappointment!
Chunyan stood beside her and whispered, "Miss, should I go and bring her back?" Xiqiu nodded gravely, "Go on, but be sure not to disturb Lady." Chunyan nodded, lifting her skirt as she ran out!
It seems Sixing cannot stay!
Xiqiu sighed, reflecting on their six years together. Though Sixing wasn’t as clever as Chunyan nor as pure and adorable as Siliu, she was thoughtful and thorough, always considering Xiqiu’s needs... Except for this incident, she always adhered to her duties. She recalled those years at the concubine’s chambers where they often received their meals last, usually leftovers and cold scraps. Sixing would go hungry, saving her portion for Xiqiu, fearing she might be hungry at night. Such a sentiment makes it difficult for Xiqiu to harden her heart and drive her out of the mansion!
Leaning on the chair, her eyes turned red. Sending her away like this, without a family, where could she go? But keeping her around only harms her, for how could a person like the concubine allow Xu Tianqing to accept a maid from her room?!
There’s also Moju; that maid is quite scheming. Previously, when Tong Minzhi was unwell, Moju was the one who called Sixing away, giving Chunyu and Qiuyun a chance. Yet, since she’s a maid of Xu Tianqing, Xiqiu couldn’t act... The sky darkened gradually, but Chunyan hadn’t returned. Xiqiu frowned, calling Chunliu, "Go and see if Chunyan has returned." Chunliu grew puzzled over the absence of Sixing and Chunyan in the room, noting Xiqiu’s expression, her heart sank, and she ran out lifting her skirt!
Soon, Chunliu didn’t return, but Chunyan came running back, her face pale. With eyes red, she entered and kneeled by Xiqiu’s feet, "Miss..." Xiqiu frowned at her, and Chunyan cried, "I chased after her, did not see Sixing along the way, asked Daihe, who claimed Sixing returned. I thought I missed her, went back to the courtyard, only to find Sixing wasn’t there. In panic, without informing you, I ran straight to the outer courtyard. When I arrived... sure enough, I saw Sixing outside, talking to the young lord from afar. Without knowing what was said, she began crying..."
Xiqiu squinted and asked, "What happened then?!" Chunyan responded full of anger, "She cried sorrowfully, and the young lord softly consoled her..." It was hard to believe, for this was the Sixing she spent years with, like sisters. She clenched her fists, "Before I got close, the concubine emerged from the main house, questioned nothing, and slapped Sixing, ordering two servants to bind her, claiming she wanted a proper inquiry!"
There was no escape; the dreaded scenario unfolded!
Though the concubine was Lady’s sister, she remained a guest, lacking the authority to interrogate maids at the Tong Mansion: "Where is she now?"
"Still in the outer courtyard." Chunyan started weeping, "Miss, don’t go... The mansion lost the Marquis Mansion’s prospect, and although Young Master Xin is around, he’s still too young. The eldest young master hasn’t graduated, and the master is stationed abroad. Even Lady yields to the concubine nowadays; should you go, the concubine might utter unbearable words."
Xiqiu frowned, realizing the concubine aimed directly at her, detaining Sixing?! She was merely a maid, disposable in the concubine’s eyes; her motives likely ran deeper!
She stood up, and before Xiqiu could speak, Chunyan held her leg, shaking her head in tears, "Miss, Sixing wanted you to marry the young lord above all, just for her chance to become a concubine someday... In both plain and subtle ways, we’ve tried dissuading her countless times. Now she’s facing the consequences; regardless of life or death, it’s her fate. I beg you not to seek out the concubine, or Lady..." Chunyan’s voice startled Xi’er, and Chunliu rushed in, sweat covering her face from outside. Having heard of Sixing’s plight, seeing Chunyan, their faces shared alarm, and Xi’er hurried to shut the courtyard door, while they stood guard at the room door!
Chunyan’s tears fell like rain as she choked and said, "Miss, Lady has been upset with you since the Marquis Mansion’s issue. The mansion’s unrest and her poor health hinder any actions for now. But this opportunity she wouldn’t miss to escalate things, Miss... It’s Sixing’s fate; pretend you haven’t heard or seen anything, let her be!"