Chapter 203: Chapter 203: Fourth Master (2)
Lady pondered for a moment just about to speak, when suddenly the curtain lifted and Fifth Madam walked in with a smile, curtsied to Lady, and said, "How is it that Second Sister-in-law is not here? Leaving the honored in-laws all alone, truly it’s an oversight!" As she spoke, she glanced at Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan who were rising to greet her and said, "So the two in-law misses are here as well."
Lady smiled at Fifth Madam: "She said she was a bit tired, so I am keeping watch for a while." Lady paused and continued, "I heard from Xihua that you’ve been attending to all matters inside and outside at the Marquis Mansion these past few days, managing the household affairs. It’s the most tiring task, and with major events currently going on and many guests coming and going, I was concerned that Fifth Madam is young, and thought Xihua would help you even if it exhausted her. Yet, I didn’t expect Fifth Madam to be this capable, managing everything so orderly!," she said, pressing her lips with a smile, "It seems I was worrying too much!"
"Not at all, not at all..." Fifth Madam laughed and said, "What the in-laws worry about is entirely logical. I’m young and inexperienced. Although at my mother’s house, I managed household affairs with her, my experience is shallow. I thought merely issuing a few directives would suffice, but only now do I realize there’s much to learn. Take the kitchen, for example, where you need to know how much was procured yesterday, how much is left today, how much more to buy, where these items are used, through whose hands they pass, and the management of silver coming and going. Just managing this one area keeps me busy all morning. How much more so for a large household like this; I truly regret not having the ability to be in two places at once..."
As Fifth Madam spoke, Lady smiled slightly, and she continued: "The in-laws are capable, unlike me who is foolish and afraid of bothering the Grand Dowager with questions. First Sister-in-law is that way, and Second Sister-in-law is pregnant, so I dare not burden her. I’m just afraid I’ve not taken adequate care with my limited knowledge." Covering her face with a smile, she added, "It’s fortunate that the Grand Dowager hasn’t inquired about the mansion’s affairs these past few days; otherwise, I’d be truly at a loss!"
Despite the self-effacing words, it was actually informing Lady that she also handled household affairs with her mother at her own family, and compared to Tong Xihua, was no less competent. Even if she didn’t know, she could learn and manage well; the Lady’s concern was indeed unnecessary!
As for mentioning the Grand Dowager, it was merely to hint to Lady that the Grand Dowager hadn’t asked about the mansion’s affairs because she trusted her greatly.
Lady’s eyes gleamed as she nodded with a smile: "Fifth Madam is very modest. Everyone knows the comings and goings that you are competent. Previously, you were only thought to be obedient and sensible, yet I hadn’t imagined you’d handle household affairs this well!"
It was said as a message for Fifth Madam not to overstep her bounds and assume authority, as managing a household is not something every woman is qualified to do.
Fifth Madam’s expression shifted slightly, then she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and chuckled. Xiqiu watched her, recalling the first time she met Fifth Madam, who appeared naïve and adorable, seemingly just twelve or thirteen years old, yet she hadn’t expected her to engage in such subtle verbal exchanges with Lady.
"Too busy chatting, I almost forgot to inquire, when do the two in-law misses plan to return? If you wish to go back, please inform me in advance, and I’ll have the carriage prepared. With many matters in the mansion and heavy carriage use these past days, I’m worried that if a need arises, I won’t be able to find one. If that happens, not only will the Grand Dowager reprimand me, but even Second Sister-in-law would blame me for being ineffective!"
Lady’s face grew stiff, wondering what authority she held. If not for Marchioness Xuanning being disinterested in managing now, and Xihua being pregnant, the decisions wouldn’t fall to a concubine’s daughter-in-law like her. Besides, they were the legitimate in-laws, and the decision of when the in-law misses should leave should not come from a concubine’s daughter-in-law!
Turning her thoughts, Lady smiled and said: "Fifth Madam is right, I mentioned this to the Grand Dowager yesterday. With the year’s end approaching, many household affairs arise. These two girls have troubled everyone here for a long duration, and we can’t have them stay indefinitely. I was just discussing this matter with them, and even if the Grand Dowager and Second Miss urge them to stay, we must take our leave. We’ll have to trouble Fifth Madam with the carriage arrangements."
Fifth Madam waved her hand with a smile, adopting a deceptively content look: "The in-laws just said not to speak of us as two families, and now they’re being so polite with me." After speaking, she turned and held Xiqiu’s hand: "Many thanks to Sixth Miss for making shoes for Sheng. They are truly adorable and interesting. Even Sheng loves holding them, refusing to let them go."
Lady’s expression slightly changed!
Xiqiu lowered her head, her face flushed, and said, "Fifth Madam is too kind; it was a promise fulfilled. Moreover, Sheng is really adorable, I couldn’t help but like him too." She then looked at Lady: "I wonder when Big Sister is due?"
Fifth Madam’s expression froze, and she shyly refrained from speaking. Lady laughed, pointing at Xiqiu: "Shameless! Speaking such words as a young lady."
Xiqiu covered her mouth and giggled. Fifth Madam naturally released her hand, shaking her head slightly. It seems Teng Qiuniang had mentioned to Fifth Madam about seeing her trying to speak with Xiao Yanyi. Fifth Madam probably bore a grudge!
Lady exchanged a few more polite words with Fifth Madam, then stood up conveniently: "It’s getting late; I’ll sit with Xihua before returning to the mansion. Once the Grand Dowager returns, kindly pass on the message that I won’t stay to see her!"
Fifth Madam nodded: "Of course, I’ll accompany you." Saying this, she intimately held Lady’s arm, the two chatting and laughing as they exited.
Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan followed behind, intentionally widening the distance, and Tong Xiyan quietly said to Xiqiu: "Fifth Madam is getting bolder!" Xiqiu smiled, saying nothing.
Xiqiu then accompanied Lady to sit a while at Tong Xihua’s room before returning to Xiao Yanzheng’s courtyard, who was sleeping, so Xiqiu withdrew to her own room. Sixing helped her remove the overcoat from the outer room and, while helping her untie her hair, asked, "Miss, when will we return?"
Xiqiu turned her head to look at her, smiling: "Are you eager to go back?" Sixing nodded and replied, "Of course it’s more comfortable at one’s own home than in others’."
Indeed, staying at another’s house is never as comfortable as being in one’s own.
She raised her eyebrows subtly, wondering when she started considering Tong Mansion her home?!
She leaned back against the pillow with a long sigh, Chunyan brought a warm towel to soothe her legs, and Sixing was changing her medicine. Xiqiu noticed the unfamiliar packaging and asked, "Are these new herbs? I don’t recall seeing these before!"
Sixing hesitated, her expression changing as she lowered her head with a smile: "They’re the same as before; Miss might just not remember clearly!"
Xiqiu slightly narrowed her eyes, saying nothing. Inwardly, Sixing panicked, glancing at Xiqiu, shifting her hand on Xiqiu’s leg before hesitating and finally saying, "It was... the young master sent them."
Xiqiu opened her eyes and looked at Sixing: "Cousin? Who did he send them with?"