Chapter 260: Chapter 260: Escape Route (1)
Tong Xiyan held Lady’s hand, forcing out a smile, "Mother, I haven’t had breakfast yet. Can you let me have breakfast before I go back?" Lady retorted angrily, "You’re an adult but don’t know how to take care of yourself," then turned to Nanny Fang, saying, "Go, send Fourth Miss’s breakfast to her room." She insisted on sending Tong Xiyan back.
Tong Xiyan glanced at Xiqiu, pouting and refusing to leave. Lady’s face turned stern, and Tong Xiyan had no choice but to stand up. "Don’t be angry; I’ll go back, all right?" she said, saluting with Tong Xiyu before the two of them left the room.
Xiqiu stood in front of Lady as the room returned to silence. After pondering for a long time, Lady harshly said to Daihe, "Invite the concubine!"
Daihe glanced at Xiqiu, then lifted the curtain and went out. After about half a cup of tea’s time, the concubine walked in, dressed in a peach-colored overcoat with gold-edged embroidery, holding a handkerchief with a sullen face. Seeing Xiqiu inside as soon as she entered, she snorted coldly and sat down on the side near Lady, ignoring others.
Xiqiu didn’t mind, went up to salute the concubine. Lady caught the concubine in her peripheral vision and frowned.
The concubine’s gaze flickered, a half-smile on her face as she glanced at Xiqiu, then ordered through the curtain outside, "Go! Bring that girl here!"
Xiqiu lowered her face, her gaze falling on the door. Immediately, Sixing was pushed in by an old woman. Xiqiu watched, her eyes narrowing. Sixing was disheveled, her face swollen on both sides, wearing a crumpled outfit, looking utterly miserable!
"Miss!" As soon as Sixing saw Xiqiu there, her eyes turned red and she ran over, kneeling at Xiqiu’s feet and crying into her hands. Xiqiu narrowed her eyes watching her, then asked the concubine, "Aunt, what’s happening here?"
"What happened? Ask your good maid!" The concubine snorted coldly, full of mockery!
Xiqiu glanced at Lady sitting high up, her face peaceful as she watched the scene before her. Xiqiu inwardly sneered, then looked down at Sixing, "Sixing, tell me, what exactly happened?" If Sixing insisted nothing happened between her and Xu Tianqing, and with Xu Tianqing’s testimony, even Lady couldn’t do much to her, at most send her away from the mansion or to the countryside, preserving Sixing’s life!
Sixing lowered her head, recalling what the concubine told her last night, "You’ve been in the mansion since you were nine, staying for six years. You must have witnessed many of Lady’s methods. Now your Miss can be considered a thorn in Lady’s side. How do you think he will deal with you if you commit such an incident?!"
Sixing resolutely replied with furrowed brows, "I haven’t done anything, please let the concubine see clearly!" The concubine raised an eyebrow, "See clearly? Plead with me?" She chuckled, "Silly girl. No wonder you’re still a second-class maid at such a time; you’re too naive. If I could see clearly, how could you be here? I’ll be frank today and tell you that if you listen to me about this matter, I can keep you by Tianqing’s side. As for your future, it depends on your own abilities. If you’re stubborn and refuse, whether you live or die, stay or go... there’s nothing I can do. Most importantly... you will never see Tianqing again for the rest of your life; you’d better think carefully!"
Sixing’s expression froze, showing disbelief. The concubine leaned closer, smiling, "Though you’re not as beautiful as your Miss, your appearance is quite good. If you enter together with your Miss, you won’t be master and servant, but sisters." She paused, "You’re more agile than your Miss, and your future life will depend on you! Besides, Tianqing’s prospects are limitless; you following him with your master isn’t a grievance."
Sixing’s heart raced, contemplating being a concubine alongside her Miss? Her Miss would definitely refuse, her complexion turned pale with hands trembling uncontrollably... But she could stay by the cousin’s side, year after year, day by day, watching him, sharing a bed, having children; being a concubine without a title, she was willing!
"Think it over! If it weren’t for Tianqing, I wouldn’t waste my breath talking to you!" The concubine finished and waved her sleeve as she left.
Sixing lowered her head, suddenly raising it to look at Xiqiu, saying, "Miss, I failed in my duties; please don’t blame me!" She tightly clenched her fists, fearing she might regret if she loosened them!
Everyone’s gaze fell deeply on Xiqiu, filled with disdain, contempt, sympathy, and pride... Yet Xiqiu didn’t care, she was just shocked, looking at Sixing, her face pained. Her eyes turned red with tears welling up silently...
Lady also jumped in shock, not expecting the concubine to buy off Sixth Girl’s personal maid. She secretly sneered, knowing she couldn’t be blamed...
"Ha... Sixth Girl, how will you explain this?" The concubine looked at Xiqiu with a half-smile, her eyes showing coldness, "If this matter spreads, it won’t just tarnish your reputation; the Tong Mansion’s name will fall with you. Such a crime, you can’t bear it!"
Xiqiu squinted, suddenly smiling slightly. She cared nothing for what the concubine said, simply asking Sixing, "Have you really decided to do this? You won’t regret it?" Sixing’s face showed pain, her eyes struggling deeply, then nodded, "I don’t understand what Miss is saying! Is Miss blaming me for failing my duties? I truly tried my best!"
Xiqiu nodded, no longer looking at her, then glanced at the concubine with a full expression of coldness and smiled at her, suddenly turning and kneeling before Lady...
Everyone was stunned, all watching Xiqiu, waiting for her to speak.
Xiqiu raised her face, calm and serene, ignoring the concubine’s words, her expression turning anguished, saying softly, "Mother, since Elder Sister passed away, there has been much dispute in the mansion. First, you were gravely ill, then I had recurring nightmares disrupting my marriage... Last night, I dreamt of Xing crying before me; I’ve been uneasy ever since." Her face showed determination, "I can’t take care of you or Xing for Elder Sister, so I want to serve Buddha in the temple for Elder Sister, praying for Buddha’s protection over you and Xing, keeping you safe and sound, everything going well!" Lady listened, raising her eyebrows slightly. Xiqiu paused before continuing, "This way, I can calmly mourn Sister, copying Buddhist scriptures for her before the Buddha, praying for her rebirth to lead a prosperous, peaceful life... My mind is made up, imploring Mother to permit this."
Her words were like a stone thrown into the lake, causing everyone — aunt, Sixing, Moju, including Nanny Fang, and Daihe, to gasp, not expecting Sixth Miss to make such a decision!