Chapter 187: Chapter 187: Temporary Stay (3)
Now the courtyard where Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan moved in was later expanded by Tong Xihua, and it is only separated from Li Jing Pavilion by a wall and a narrow path.
Tong Xihua’s eyes flickered, and she smiled, saying, "How can I be so shameless, it’s the daughter-in-law who invited them, how can I just leave them in the gallery... Let them stay at my place, the maids and grannies serve them regularly, nothing will happen! Besides, with the New Year approaching, they are going back before the end of the year, so they won’t stay long, there’s no need to be particular about anything!"
"Who would rush guests away!" The Grand Dowager smiled and glanced at Tong Xihua: "Even if it’s your younger sisters, you shouldn’t speak like that." She then looked at Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan, "Please don’t take it to heart, you two ladies, her mouth is the best at offending people."
Openly reprimanding but secretly defending, Tong Xiyan was pleased that the Grand Dowager and Tong Xihua were so close; this indicated that Tong Xihua was doing well in the Marquis Mansion. She smiled slightly, but Xiqiu covered her face and said to the Grand Dowager, "With you here, even if Sister drives us away, we won’t leave!"
The whole room laughed, and the Grand Dowager looked at Xiqiu with more affection: "I thought the lady was introverted, but she turned out to be interesting."
Tong Xihua looked at Xiqiu in surprise, carefully examining her, and saw Xiqiu smiling, with big, bright, and clear eyes. At just twelve years old, her gestures were delicate, and her appearance was initially elegant and refined. She then glanced at the not-so-spirited Tong Xiyan beside her, dressed in a lake-green jiaao and a smoke-colored overcoat with double-gold scattered flowers. By comparison with Xiqiu, her usual radiance dimmed... She smiled and stood up, saying to the Grand Dowager, "Mother, I’ll take them to settle in first, then they’ll come to pay respects to you once they’re ready."
Xiqiu stood up with Tong Xiyan, and the Grand Dowager nodded with a smile: "Come over for dinner tonight!" Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan both curtseyed: "Yes!" They then turned to bid farewell to the Marchioness Xuanning and the Fifth Madam, the Fifth Madam said: "Come and sit at my place tomorrow, my Qiuniang can also have some company." The Marchioness Xuanning remained as indifferent as ever, merely nodding slightly, and Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan responded and followed Tong Xihua out.
Tong Xihua was supported by Qiuping and Qiuluo, with maids and grannies surrounding them, while Xiqiu was accompanied by Sixing, Chunyan, and Nanny Song. On Tong Xiyan’s side, there were Daijuan, Daiju, and Nanny Qian, who were from Lady’s side. The group left the courtyard, which was no longer as lush as when they first arrived; scattered dry yellow leaves lay on the ground, on either side of the bluestone path, evoking an ancient elegance, although the scene conveyed its charm, Xiqiu felt a trace of desolation.
Upon entering the courtyard, Tong Xihua accompanied them through the front court. After passing the hallway, they saw a siheyuan with about seven or eight rooms. On the left was a three-room side room, on the right were two wing rooms. There was a flower bed in the middle of the courtyard, but now it had only a few lonely flower stems, similar in layout to Xiao Yanzheng’s courtyard. Tong Xihua pointed to the main room’s door and said, "Go in and see if you like it first."
Xiqiu followed beside Tong Xiyan into the main room; a painting hung on the opposite wall, with a long huanghuali offering table below it, displaying fruits and Mei Bottle flower vessels. There was an Eight Immortals table painted red, with four red lacquer snow-tread plum blossom chairs on either side.
Tong Xihua sat in the main seat and smiled at Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan: "The rooms on both sides were specially tidied up for you, go check which one you like, then have your luggage sorted and settle in, we can chat more tonight."
Tong Xiyan nodded and looked at Xiqiu: "Sixth Sister, you choose." Xiqiu smiled back: "Fourth Sister, you go first."
The two of them made some polite refusals, yet neither of them went to pick a room. Tong Xihua stood up with a laugh and pointed to the left, "Sixth Sister, you stay on the left. This side is against the wall and warmer!"
Xiqiu nodded, but Sixing frowned. The east side had several large trees, which would be cool in the summer but chilly in winter. She secretly complained in her heart but turned to Xiqiu, who was already facing her, "Bring Chunyan to move the luggage inside!"
Sixing and Chunyan, with the help of the mansion’s servants, moved the luggage; Nanny Song remained by Xiqiu’s side.
After walking a distance, Tong Xihua felt tired; she propped herself up and was supported by Nanny Lin to rise: "You all tidy up first. If anything is lacking, tell Nanny Lin. Come to my place for lunch later. I’ll go rest for a while!"
"Take care, Sister." Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan watched Tong Xihua leave, and then Tong Xiyan supported Xiqiu into her room on the right. Perhaps due to the new environment, Tong Xiyan looked less worried. She said, "Did you notice how the Fifth Madam seems to target Big Sister everywhere?"
About Tong Xihua, Xiqiu didn’t comment much, only asked, "What do you mean?"
Tong Xiyan tilted her head and thought for a moment, then responded, "I can’t quite say, just that the Fifth Madam feels odd, right... When we came for the Grand Dowager’s birthday last time, the Fifth Madam was different. She showed less respect when talking to Mother."
Xiqiu also recalled the hidden barbs during the birthday celebration, and later, the matters with Madam Qian and Young Master Zhou. She finally realized why the Fifth Madam might have behaved that way. It seemed that the Fifth Madam had her eyes on a member of the Zhou family, not just Lady, but the Fifth Madam wanted to keep her sister from her parents’ house in the mansion!
Was Qiuniang, whom she mentioned, this sister?
However, Tong Xiyan seemed much relieved and said to Xiqiu: "I’ll accompany you for a walk later; there’s a warm room in the Marquis Mansion’s back garden. It should still be in full bloom at this time; seeing the flowers will lighten your mood." She paused, remembering Xiqiu’s leg: "I forgot your leg was injured." Her face darkened again.
Xiqiu laughed and said, "Even if my leg was fine, would you dare enter the flower room?" They both laughed, dissipating several days of gloom in their hearts. Tong Xiyan sighed and said: "I wonder how Young Master Jiang is doing!"
Xiqiu was about to speak when Sixing and others returned from moving the luggage outside. Xiqiu stood up and said to Tong Xiyan, "I’ll go have a look." Then she lifted the curtain and walked out, seeing Sixing and Chunyan directing a few young servants to carry the luggage inside. Xiqiu paused for a moment.
Seeing Xiqiu, Sixing walked over with a smile and said, "The two of us went, not knowing to ask the madam to send a few grannies with us. We were worried about how to move the items when the eldest young master came, and he instructed a few young servants to help move them in."
Xiqiu nodded and, seeing the items arranged, instructed Nanny Song behind her: "Please see them out." Nanny Song smiled and went to thank the young servants. They humbly said they dared not, bowing their heads as Nanny Song saw them out of the courtyard.
Xiqiu then took Sixing and Chunyan to organize the luggage.
By noon, Qiuluo from Tong Xihua’s side came to invite Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan: "Second Madam invites the two ladies to lunch!"