Chapter 209: Chapter 209: Rejected (Part 3)
Tong Shen Zhi did not speak, Lady looked at Tong Minzhi, raised her eyebrows and said, "Why aren’t you going to the academy today?"
Xiqiu frowned slightly, as she heard Tong Minzhi respond with a smile, "The teacher went back to his hometown for the New Year, so we started our holiday early."
Lady displayed displeasure on her face, frowning as she said, "There’s still over ten days until the holiday!" With nothing else to say, she just waved her hand and said, "Go on, I’m tired too!"
Nanny Fang escorted Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan, Tong Minzhi, Tong Shen Zhi out the door, and they each went their separate ways back to their rooms.
Sixing, Chunyan, and Chunliu were packing the boxes, while Nanny Song was recording the clothes, supplements, and other items gifted by the Grand Dowager in the account book: "The Grand Dowager is really good to our Sixth Miss. I went to see the Fourth Miss’s side, and even though it seems the same, look at this bird’s nest, it’s of a different quality. And I think not just the bird’s nest, even the fabric is different."
Chunyan frowned and hung the clothes she was holding in the wardrobe without turning her head, replying, "This is not something you should say recklessly. If it reaches the ears of others, they might think our Miss has received something exceptionally good. While it might not matter to her, others could think the Grand Dowager is unfair and biased. If the Grand Dowager finds out, she might think we are ungrateful!"
Nanny Song’s eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled awkwardly replying, "You take it too seriously. I was just casually speaking in the room. How would I talk about this outside?" Chunyan, with a half-smile, turned back to look at Nanny Song: "Even in our room, these words can’t be said. Someone might carelessly let it slip out, and should trouble arise, could you take responsibility, or will it be Miss bearing the consequences for us!"
Chunyan’s words had an implied meaning, and Nanny Song’s face immediately fell, placing the account book on the table with a cold snort said, "Nanny Fang is looking for me, I should go." With that, she lifted the curtain and left.
Sixing advised Chunyan, "Is this necessary? We see each other daily." Chunyan frowned and said, "I understand this, I was respectful to her when she first came. When Siliu spoke of her, I even defended her, but now it turns out Siliu was right; in just a few months, she showed her true colors."
Sixing shook her head, "Watch the things in the room closely in the future, don’t let her frequently approach Miss. Just be cautious, she’s after all one of Lady’s people. If you offend her, I’m afraid Miss will have to bear the brunt again." Chunyan placed the things in her hand back into the box and sat on the stool exasperated without speaking, Xiqiu saw this scene as she walked in and asked with a smile, "What’s the matter, everyone with a somber face."
Sixing recounted what had just happened to her, Xiqiu’s brows furrowed slightly, but she didn’t speak.
If Nanny Song was really just speaking in her room it might be fine, but if she was speaking like this outside as well, she cannot be kept.
But she is Lady’s person, wanting to send her back requires a long-term plan.
At noon, after having lunch in Lady’s room, Xiqiu went to see Madam Xia. She had just returned to her room when Xi’er came back and told her, "A young gentleman has come to the front courtyard. Lady, for some reason, shut the door and is in a bad mood!"
Xiqiu was taken aback, turned around and asked her, "Gentleman? Do you know who?" Xi’er shook her head, and said, "I don’t know, but it seems Fourth Miss knows him. After that gentleman arrived, Fourth Miss hurried over, and I heard Lady scolding Fourth Miss outside."
Jiang Shilin? Could he be here to propose?
Xiqiu guessed correctly; Jiang Shilin was indeed there to propose, but Lady simply did not listen to him. Jiang Shilin was kneeling in front of Lady, with her face furious and purple, pointing at Jiang Shilin said, "Young Master Jiang, our Tong Mansion is too small to accommodate a great figure like you. No matter what you say today, it’s useless. My daughter will never marry you!"
Tong Xiyan was locked outside the door, she didn’t dare to go in nor could she, she could only anxiously cry outside.
"Madam Tong!" Jiang Shilin looked up at Lady, even though he was kneeling his back was straightened: "I, Jiang, will marry no one but your daughter in this life. Please tell me what it will take for you to accept my proposal." He came personally today, not sending a matchmaker, knowing full well Lady would never easily agree. Although such humiliation was expected, his words were resolute and unwavering.
Lady was choked with anger at his words, pointing at Jiang Shilin and coldly laughing said, "Agreed? Fine! Come back to ask when you get appointed as prime minister!"
Jiang Shilin’s face changed, his body stiffened, looking at Lady he was momentarily speechless, Lady squinted her eyes and laughed: "Can’t do it, or uncertain? Whatever your wish, I am just telling you, if you can’t, then give up this idea, and from today on you’re not allowed to contact her anymore. If I find out, don’t blame me for being harsh, everyone would look bad!" After finishing, she waved her hand, "Nanny Fang, see the guest out!"
Jiang Shilin walked out of Lady’s room blankly, knowing her words were said knowing well enough that he parted ways with the Third Prince due to differing political views, and claimed never to return to officialdom. Now to ask him to return was as much a betrayal as making him break his vow, not to mention the Third Prince’s power in rise, how could he possibly become a prime minister under his eyes.
Even if everything went smoothly, who knows what year he would be appointed as prime minister!
Lady just wanted him to know how hopeless it was!
Tong Xiyan stood outside the door, dazedly looking at him, she heard every word Lady said, knowing well Jiang Shilin’s dilemma, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief as tears streamed down, Jiang Shilin stood on the steps watching her. The two gazed at each other from afar, Jiang Shilin’s brows furrowed slightly, with a determined look he flicked his sleeve and walked out without turning back.
Tong Xiyan collapsed onto the ground with a thud, Nanny Fang, distressingly supporting her, comforted: "My dear Miss, see clearly now, he’s not a suitable match at all!"
"No, he’s not like that!" Tong Xiyan cried, collapsing into Nanny Fang’s arms, fainting!
Xiqiu upon hearing this frowned deeply, subconsciously believing Jiang Shilin wasn’t such a person, but the reality was clear before her eyes. Indeed due to Lady’s difficulties, he retreated, leaving her to pity for Tong Xiyan!
On the second day, Madam Qian came to visit, and Tong Xiyan’s marriage was finally verbally agreed upon. The next day, the matchmaker sent by the Zhou Family came to propose, and both sides chose a date after the New Year to exchange their birthdate characters!
Tong Xiyan was locked in her room, no one was allowed to visit, this time Lady was determined to discipline her stubbornness!
In the blink of an eye, it was the Little New Year, Sixing led the maids to clean and worship the Stove God, Madam Xia personally cooked stove candy and sent it over, sitting in front of Xiqiu, feeding her candy with a smile she said, "After the New Year, the Sixth Miss will be thirteen."