Chapter 202: Chapter 202: Fourth Master (1)
Xiqiu was startled and asked, "Did you ask the reason?" Xiao Yanzheng shook her head and said, "I don’t know, I only heard it when Second Brother was talking with Mother, I’m afraid someone doesn’t want Second Brother to inherit the title smoothly."
What the Ministry of Rites can do is just go through the motions, but the real decision-making power still lies in the hands of the Emperor. As for why the Emperor is withholding action, she doesn’t know. If it’s to show indifference to the Xiao Family, but Xiao Yanji was given full honors in his posthumous title and funeral, all of Great Zhou knows Xiao Yanji was posthumously titled General Rongwei and given a Commandery Prince funeral. Why then was Xiao Yanyi’s petition for inheritance withheld under such honors?
Is it because they’re afraid the Xiao Mansion will become arrogant and need to be suppressed?
Xiqiu only found it laughable!
The Grand Dowager kept Fifth Madam and Tong Xihua in the mansion, leaving for two consecutive days. Xiqiu didn’t know why the Grand Dowager went out, but Fifth Madam’s face was growing increasingly unpleasant.
She pulled Xiao Yanting into the room, her face troubled, and said, "I asked you to talk to Mother, did you do it?"
Xiao Yanting shook off Fifth Madam’s hand, impatiently sat down on the chair, and shouted, "Speak about what? The situation at home is like this, anyone with any conscience shouldn’t add to Mother’s troubles now. If you want to say it, go say it yourself. I absolutely won’t."
Fifth Madam glared at him and said, "You follow behind Second Brother all day, blindly ignoring family matters, but I’ve been managing the household’s income and expenses these days... three days ago, Mother took three thousand taels from the accounts, and today, she took another two thousand taels, she also took a pair of previous dynasty Mei Bottles left by Father from the storeroom. If this continues, if we split the family later on, what will be left of our household?"
Xiao Yanting’s eyes flickered with surprise, but he refused to discuss his stepmother, "Mother does it for the mansion too, she’s been running around so much the past days that her hair is graying. I’m telling you, not only will I not say anything now, but I also won’t ever say anything in the future!"
Fifth Madam, annoyed, glared at him, hands on her hips, "For the mansion? That’s for your Second Brother! What benefit will you get? Without the backing of the Marquis Mansion, will you enjoy any grace or inherit the title? If you won’t think for yourself, think about Sheng. When he grows up, will he live meekly in the shadow of your legitimate brother just like you? With Fourth Brother not at home before, your life was easier, but now that Fourth Brother is back, will you even have a place in this household?"
Xiao Yanting was at a loss for words, filling himself with a cup of tea. Fifth Madam continued, "You won’t say anything, so I will! No matter who stops me this time, I will separate the household!" With that, she was about to leave.
Xiao Yanting grabbed her and fiercely said, "If you dare say a word, I’ll divorce you!" Fifth Madam turned back to look at him and sarcastically said, "Coward! Do you even dare?" and pushed Xiao Yanting’s hand away.
He was stung by her look, and without thinking, slapped her on the face, pointed at her, and said, "Try it if you dare!" With that, he stormed out!
Fifth Madam held onto her face, trembling with rage, and her tears fell like rain.
Just then, Teng Qiuniang heard the commotion, lifted the curtain, and entered. Seeing her sister, Fifth Madam’s heart skipped a beat, and a bold idea formed in her mind.
The Grand Dowager invited a master from the West Suburb Chao Wen Temple to the mansion to hold eighty-one Water and Land Dharma Assemblies. With many guests in the mansion, Xiqiu and Xiao Yanzheng found it unwise to move around too much. Xiqiu, worried she might feel troubled inside, kept her engaged in sewing. Xiao Yanzheng stitched absentmindedly, often stopping to look at the clay figurine Xiao Yanji gave her in her youth on the windowsill; sometimes, she silently gazed, and other times, she cried like a weeping statue.
The flow of guests in the front courtyard was slowly diminishing, but the ladies who were close to the Marquis Mansion continued to visit daily. If the Grand Dowager was present, they would chat with her, if not, they’d converse with Marchioness Xuanning. Xiqiu accompanied Xiao Yanzheng once, yet stopped outside the room without entering. She only heard that she neither ate nor slept day and night, sitting silently, staring blankly at the Jade Pendant the Marquis sent back, or kneeling by the Marquis’s body in the mourning hall, unmoving and silent.
Lady still visited daily, while Tong Xihua entertained the female guests in the front courtyard, and Lady would sit for a while in the Grand Dowager’s courtyard. Knowing Lady was there, Xiqiu entered to sit in her room briefly. Lady looked at her and said, "Is Second Miss’s health any better?"
It was nearing noon, and the guests in the room were returning to their homes. Xiqiu sat on a stool opposite Lady, lifted her head in response, "Slightly better, she only had an episode once in two days." Xiao Yanzheng’s condition couldn’t withstand any stimulation, and lately, her episodes were more frequent compared to the past. Xiqiu was cautious, ensuring she was looked after day and night.
Lady nodded slightly, sighed, "Such a pitiful life." She was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Mansion, not worried about marriage, but it was said that earlier, the Grand Dowager proposed several marriages, and the other parties would back out for various reasons after hearing rumors. Consequently, Xiao Yanzheng hadn’t been engaged to this day, and after the new year, she’ll be sixteen!
Xiqiu lowered her face in silence, and Lady said again, "Taking care of Second Miss is tiring, but you must also care about your elder sister. I’m not here, and with her health inconvenient, the past days have been hard on her; you should visit her often."
"Yes!" Xiqiu nodded, "That’s what I was thinking too. My elder sister is now with child, and she’s busy every day with the Grand Dowager. I fear she’ll overexert herself, so Fourth Sister and I check on her daily to ensure she’s well, which reassures me a little!"
Lady looked at her and slightly nodded with a smile, "I know you’re someone who understands the situation, you’ve worked hard these days. In a few days, I’ll discuss with the Grand Dowager, allowing you sisters to return home, as staying here isn’t convenient."
It was now the year’s end, and they were supposed to return home before the New Year.
Xiqiu nodded, while Lady turned to look at Tong Xiyan, who seemed lost in thought, a slight frown crossing her face as she asked, "Fourth Sister!" Tong Xiyan was startled and looked at Lady, "Mother."
"Are you accustomed to living here?" Lady asked.
Tong Xiyan nodded, then shook her head, "Staying at Elder Sister’s place, there’s nothing to get used to." After speaking, she glanced at the door of the Warm Pavilion, covered by curtains, "When will Mother let Elder Brother come to fetch us back?"
Lady laughed, looking at her and shook her head, yet was inwardly pleased, worried that Tong Xiyan wouldn’t let go. Tong Xihua mentioned she stayed quietly in her room with a stable mood, although how she suddenly got close with a maid from Baoding remained a puzzle. Usually distant even with Nanny Duan, Tong Xiyan found such rapport with a stranger?
Lady’s gaze slightly narrowed, her brows furrowing tightly again!
Tong Xiyan looked over at Xiqiu in confusion, seeking answers, but Xiqiu only slightly shook her head, equally perplexed.