Chapter 190: Chapter 190: On the Surface (3)
Xiqiu didn’t understand children’s matters, so she could only blush and smile lightly. At this moment, the thick door curtain was lifted and a young woman walked in gracefully. She was fifteen or sixteen years old, quite tall, somewhat resembling the Fifth Madam with a round face and big eyes, and very fair-skinned. She walked in and smiled gently at Xiqiu, her demeanor graceful and dignified, truly that of a noble lady.
Is this Qiu, the Fifth Madam’s sister? She is indeed very beautiful.
Xiqiu got up and returned a half-courtesy to Qiuniang, and the Fifth Madam asked, "Where is Sheng?"
Qiuniang replied, "He made quite a fuss just now, perhaps he’s hungry, the nurse is feeding him now... Since the dear young lady is like family, I took the liberty of asking the nurse to bring him over later." Then she smiled at Xiqiu and said, "I hope Sixth Miss does not mind!"
Xiqiu glanced at her in surprise and also smiled back, "No, the emperor’s meal is big, the young lad is eating now!"
The Fifth Madam laughed, took Xiqiu by the hand, and sat down again. Then she pointed at Qiuniang and introduced, "This is my fifth sister, her maiden name is Qiuniang." She turned to Qiuniang and said, "Sixth Miss is a few years younger than you, but she is much steadier."
Qiuniang covered her smile, "Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I am aware of it myself." She then smiled at Xiqiu and said, "I’ve heard of Sixth Miss for a long time, but we’ve never had the chance to meet. Now that you’re visiting, I have quite a few sewing questions I’d like to ask you."
Xiqiu smiled and shook her head, "I don’t dare to boast, it’s just simple stitching." After this, holding her tea, she was puzzled, wondering what the Fifth Madam wanted with her. Was it really just to chat? But if it was just a chat, why the urgency?
As they spoke, a white-plump woman came in holding a small baby. She entered and saluted the Fifth Madam and Qiuniang, as well as Xiqiu, "Sheng greets the dear young lady."
Xiqiu stood up with a smile to receive the courtesy and took a pocket from her bosom, "I came in a hurry and didn’t bring much, here’s something for the young lad to play with. If the Fifth Madam doesn’t mind, I’ll make him a pair of shoes another day."
The nurse accepted the gift on Sheng’s behalf and saluted Xiqiu again, while the Fifth Madam’s gaze fell on the pocket—a lake-blue pouch embroidered on both sides with a blessing pattern, adorned with five adorable goldfish. The colors were different, and none overlapped. The Fifth Madam smiled as she took Sheng from the nurse and said, "Sheng, quickly thank your Sixth Aunt."
Qiuniang also touched the decoration and smiled, "Sixth Miss’s hands are truly skillful!"
Xiqiu was beyond astonished by the Fifth Madam’s enthusiasm. She blushed and waved her hand, "I don’t dare!" Then she playfully teased the chubby Sheng for a while, and the Fifth Madam asked the nurse to take him away to rest.
Xiqiu looked at the hour and wanted to take her leave, but the Fifth Madam held her back and said, "Your second sister-in-law is just taking a nap, there’s no point in going back now. How about staying here for a bit and we can chat?"
"How could that be?" Xiqiu laughed and waved her hand, "I just arrived, and haven’t sorted my things yet!" The Fifth Madam pressed her and said, "No need to hurry, I have something else to discuss with you."
Xiqiu raised her eyebrows slightly and looked at the Fifth Madam, who smiled and said to Qiuniang, "Go check on Sheng, he just ate, don’t let it be like yesterday where he threw up again." Qiuniang stood up, nodded, and obliged, then greeted Xiqiu, "Sixth Miss, please excuse me!"
Xiqiu stood up to see her off, and the Fifth Madam turned back to Xiqiu and said, "Sixth Miss, have some tea." Xiqiu smiled and picked up her cup, and the Fifth Madam seemed to inadvertently ask, "I see Sixth Miss has lost a lot of weight this time. I heard you had a serious illness; have you recovered?"
Xiqiu placed her tea cup on the table and smiled, "It wasn’t a serious illness, just caught a cold a while back and had a bit of trouble, but I’m much better now!"
The Fifth Madam’s eyes dimmed slightly, she sipped her tea and said, "No matter who it is, one’s health is of utmost importance, take care of yourself!" Then she changed the subject, "Fourth Miss is turning fourteen after the New Year, right? I heard your mother was arranging a marriage for her recently. I’m not sure if it has been settled, but if it is, I must prepare the dowry gifts early."
Xiqiu lowered her eyes and finally relaxed, blushing, she smiled at the Fifth Madam, "How could I know such things, it’s all up to my mother!"
The Fifth Madam showed slight disappointment, then pushed the sweet preserves on the table towards Xiqiu, "Sixth Miss, have some fruit." Xiqiu politely declined and stood up, "It’s getting late, I should go back, so as not to worry my eldest sister."
This time the Fifth Madam didn’t stop her, just smiled and said, "I’ll see you off." She walked with Xiqiu to the door, "Sixth Miss, do come often!"
Xiqiu smiled and nodded, "Certainly!" She saluted the Fifth Madam, "Madam, please stay!" The Fifth Madam stopped at the door, where Chunyan and Sixing were waiting, and watched as Xiqiu left the courtyard.
Behind her, Qiuniang stepped out from behind the curtain, showing a look of apology and said to the Fifth Madam, "It must trouble you for my sake!" Her eyes reddened as she spoke.
The Fifth Madam narrowed her eyes slightly, turned around, and said to Qiuniang with a smile, "You are my sister, it’s only right to worry for you." As she spoke, she took Qiuniang’s hand and walked inside, "We are sisters, and mother has repeatedly instructed me to find you a good family. That Young Master Zhou is a talented person, with an uncle like Marquis Jinxiang and a cousin like Count Dongchang, he will undoubtedly be among the elite. Such a marriage is rare even in the Capital, and aside from these merits, their family status matches ours. This marriage is most suitable... Since the Tong Mansion and Zhou Family have not settled it yet, we still have a chance."
As she spoke, she showed a confident smile.
However, Qiuniang lowered her head, her gaze distant as if not hearing the Fifth Madam’s words at all.
Xiqiu walked ahead, with Sixing and Chunyan beside her, accompanied by a servant sent by Tong Xihua. They silently headed back. Just as they reached the courtyard door, they saw Xiao Yanyi approaching from afar. Xiqiu stopped and curtsied to Xiao Yanyi, "Brother-in-law."
"Where might Sixth Sister be going?" He smiled slightly, his gaze gentle like the autumn lake...
Xiqiu lowered her head and replied, "The Fifth Madam invited me over for a visit." Xiao Yanyi’s brows slightly furrowed as he looked at Xiqiu, "Your eldest sister said your leg caught a chill? If your leg hurts, you should rest more. I’ll speak with mother later, and you needn’t visit her for greeting every morning and evening like you do at the mansion; just focus on recovering!"
"No need." Xiqiu quickly waved her hands, "My leg doesn’t hurt all the time, and besides, I’m the younger generation, the etiquette can’t be abandoned!"
Xiao Yanyi slightly retracted his smile, nodded, "If that’s the case, let’s prepare a soft sedan for you, so coming and going is more comfortable." After saying that, he didn’t give Xiqiu time to refuse, and continued, "You should rest now, the wind is strong here." After he spoke, he brushed past Xiqiu and entered the courtyard first.