Chapter 212: Chapter 212: Turmoil (Part 3)
Xiqiu glanced at Tong Xiyan, then, along with Tong Xiyu, headed back to the East Cross Courtyard to change clothes and went straight to the second gate. By the time they arrived, Lady and Tong Xiyan had also walked over. She noticed that Tong Xiyan’s expression was even worse than before, with her eyes red and swollen.
Was she crying because of her marriage, or was it because Lady told her about Tong Xihua’s illness?
"Wait for your aunt." Since the Marquis Mansion was still in mourning, Lady was dressed in a honey-colored plain overcoat, with a phoenix hairpin set with blue rubies in her hair, a coral bead flower on the right, a ruby pendant hanging underneath, and pearl earrings the size of nails. It was much simpler than usual!
Xiqiu looked at Tong Xiyan again. She wore a lotus-colored jiaao, with an ochre yellow overcoat draped outside. Her hair was merely pinned with two symbolic hairpins, and though she had powdered her face, she still appeared very haggard. She looked at herself, wearing a jade ripple-colored jiaao and an ivory white overcoat, with a few pearl flowers in her hair, appearing even simpler compared to Lady and Tong Xiyan.
She raised her eyebrows, shifted her gaze, and Second Madam also arrived with Tong Xijia. Xiqiu and the others greeted Second Madam, returning Tong Xijia’s greeting. Second Madam immediately took Lady’s hand, and Lady slightly nodded to her. Second Madam then said with a smile, "Big sister-in-law, don’t worry. Xihua has always been blessed since childhood, and this time won’t be an exception. Besides, today is a joyous occasion, marking Xing’s first event in life."
Lady nodded with a smile, holding Second Madam’s hand as she laughed, "Second aunt is right!" and added, "Let’s get on the carriage."
Second Madam nodded, and Lady turned with Nanny Fang and Daihe supporting her onto the carriage. Tong Xiyan looked back and followed onto the carriage as well. Xiqiu then got on the carriage behind with Tong Xiyu, while Second Madam rode in the carriage in the middle together with Tong Xiyu. Soon the wheels began to squeak and move.
In the blink of an eye, the carriage jolted, having already entered the side gate of Marquis Mansion. They transferred to soft sedans at the second gate to enter the inner courtyard, which was still filled with white as far as the eye could see, with the passing servants dressed in mourning clothes. This time, they did not visit the Grand Dowager’s room but went directly to Tong Xihua’s courtyard. Upon entering the gate, they saw Xiao Yanyi standing at the door, his expression grave. He greeted Lady as his mother-in-law upon seeing her, and then greeted Second Madam: "Second Madam!" Meanwhile, Lady couldn’t wait to ask, "How is it? Has she awakened?"
Xiao Yanyi furrowed his brow even tighter and responded, "She woke while you were here, held Xing for a moment, and then fell asleep again." Lady sighed with relief and asked, "Has she taken her noon medicine?"
Xiao Yanyi nodded, "Fed her half a bowl!"
Xiqiu also felt relieved. Since she was awake and able to take medicine, the problem probably wasn’t very serious.
Lady’s expression relaxed, and she asked Xiao Yanyi, "Are the things prepared?" Xiao Yanyi replied, "Everything is ready."
Xiqiu followed Lady and Second Madam into the main hall, where indeed an incense table was laid out, offering small statues of the Childbirth Goddess, the Lady of Pox, and others. Red cloth strips were hung on the door along with items like wormwood and green onions. Lady didn’t linger at the door but walked straight through the main hall into the bedroom. The bloody smell in the room hadn’t dissipated, mixed with the scent of herbal medicine, making the air unpleasant. The child wasn’t in the room, and only Tong Xihua lay on the bed. Her complexion was paper-white and devoid of blood, her shallow breathing almost imperceptible unless listened to carefully, resembling a lifeless wooden doll...
Even having been by Tong Xihua’s side for the past few days, Lady’s eyes reddened again upon seeing her. She sat by the bed, holding Tong Xihua’s hand, tears silently falling. Second Madam consoled Lady, though her own eyes reddened at the rim too.
Tong Xiyan knelt by the bed, crying, and Xiqiu quietly sobbed. Not long ago when she saw Tong Xihua, her face was blooming with smiles as she scolded Teng Qiuniang with hands on her hips. Yet now, she had suddenly become like this. Xiqiu sighed quietly, took out her handkerchief, and stood by the bed wiping her tears.
Lady cried for a while and then turned to ask Xiao Yanyi, "Has the Grand Dowager arrived? Which hour was set?"
Xiao Yanyi stood at the door and didn’t enter. Upon hearing Lady speak, Qiuping, who was guarding the door, lifted the curtain, allowing Xiao Yanyi to step inside. His eyes glanced over Tong Xihua’s face before he furrowed his brow and replied to Lady, "7:45 AM is set. Someone just came from my mother’s side to inquire, and she’ll be over shortly!"
It was currently 7 a.m., with three quarters of an hour remaining.
Lady’s eyes flickered without speaking. After a moment, she raised her head and looked at the three daughters: "Go see your nephew!" She evidently had something to say to Xiao Yanyi and wanted to send them away. Second Madam’s eyes also flashed as she suggested with a smile, "I should go see Xing as well!" But Lady pulled her back, saying, "Second aunt, stay here for a while and visit Xing later." Second Madam then nodded and didn’t press further.
Xiqiu, along with Tong Xiyan, stepped outside the door. On the left side of the bedroom, there was a green gauze cabinet now temporarily converted into a children’s room, with two robust women sitting by the baby cot, chatting. They were likely nannies hired by Xiao Yanyi from the Nursery. Upon seeing the young ladies dressed as maidens enter, they immediately stood up and bowed, with Qiuping beside them introducing, "These are the noble young ladies."
The two women bent over, greeting, "Noble young ladies." Xiqiu and the others entered, observing a small crimson, wrinkled baby lying inside the crib, eyes closed, sleeping soundly.
Tong Xiyan, gazing tenderly at the baby, immediately reached out to touch; Xiqiu noticed a nanny beside them furrowing her brow but dared not speak. She seized Tong Xiyan’s hand and said, "The baby is still young, don’t startle him."
Tong Xiyan withdrew her hand, glanced at the nanny, who smiled and said, "He cried all morning but has finally fallen asleep."
Tong Xiyan furrowed her brow without speaking.
Soon, the Grand Dowager’s voice was heard outside the room. Xiqiu and the others stepped out to greet her. The Grand Dowager, supported by Fifth Madam and Xiao Yanzheng, walked in. Since the Marquis was in mourning and unable to attend due to being widowed, only sent Xiao Yanyi’s maid Jiang Li along.
"Grand Dowager!" Xiqiu and the others approached and greeted her. The Grand Dowager nodded slightly, showing little joy, which startled Xiqiu internally, fearing that Tong Xihua’s condition was more severe than she had anticipated!
Upon hearing the voice, Lady also emerged from inside. The Grand Dowager saw her, took Lady’s hand, and said, "Lady-in-law!" glancing toward the bedroom, "Has she awakened?"
"No!" Lady shook her head, her face full of worries. The Grand Dowager sighed. Fifth Madam spoke cheerfully, "Second sister-in-law has survived a great ordeal, surely destined for great fortune afterward. The Imperial Physician also mentioned that this condition of hemorrhage needs rest, for half a year at short, or three to five years at long. We should all see the positive side of things. Their mother and child being safe is our great blessing!" She paused and added, "So, I say, Mother and Lady-in-law shouldn’t be too worried, second sister-in-law’s blessings will surely turn her fortunes, she won’t face further hindrance."