Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Frail Child (Part 1)
Lady’s eyes flashed slightly, glanced at the Fifth Madam, and nodded to her with a smile. The Grand Dowager also smiled, patted the Fifth Madam’s hand, and went to talk to the Second Lady: "It’s the end of the year again, there must be many things in the mansion, sorry for taking up your time!"
The Second Lady smiled all over her face: "The Grand Dowager is too polite. I have always regarded Xihua as my daughter, and Xing is just like my grandson. I wouldn’t mind coming every day if I could!" The Lady smiled slightly, and the Grand Dowager also nodded with a smile. At this moment, Madam Qian came in from outside with two unfamiliar ladies.
The Grand Dowager then introduced them to the Lady and the Second Lady: "This is the Second Madam of the Dongchang Bo Mansion." She added, "This is Madam Zhou!"
The Second Madam of the Dongchang Bo Mansion, isn’t she Madam Qian’s sister-in-law?! As for Madam Zhou, Xiqiu raised her eyebrows. She must be Young Master Zhou’s mother, Madam Qian’s family sister-in-law!
Tong Xiyan instinctively shrank behind Xiqiu. Xiqiu turned to look at her, helplessly held her hand, and gently shook her head. Tong Xiyan lowered her face and didn’t move again.
The Lady’s eyes brightened, and she greeted the Second Madam Qian with a smile, then warmly held Madam Zhou’s hand: "I didn’t expect you could come!"
Madam Zhou was very tall, with a slender figure. When she smiled, there were slight wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, and the skin on her hands wasn’t as delicate as the Lady’s. She responded with a smile, her voice very mellow: "I heard the good news early on and thought of coming over to celebrate Xing’s birth!" She then looked at the Grand Dowager and said, "I haven’t seen the child yet."
The Grand Dowager smiled and turned to Nanny Wu beside her, instructing: "Go quickly and bring Xing over!" Nanny Wu responded and left.
At this time, the midwife also came over with a smile, paying respects to the Grand Dowager, the Lady, and Xiao Yanyi, and said with a smile: "Grand Dowager, esteemed lady, Second Young Master, the auspicious time has arrived... shall we begin?"
As the midwife finished speaking, an elderly lady in her sixties came slowly, supported by maidservants on either side, into the courtyard. The Grand Dowager personally welcomed her, reaching out from a distance to support the lady, saying: "Esteemed family, why did you come personally!"
Madam Zhou did not recognize her, so she looked to Madam Qian, who introduced quietly: "This is Old Madam Tang from the Count Chengyi’s family!" Madam Zhou displayed an expression of realization and glanced at the Lady from the corner of her eye. The Lady was also standing at the door with a warm smile, welcoming Old Madam Tang!
Xiqiu also raised an eyebrow; so it turned out to be Old Madam Tang, which makes it Marchioness Xuanning’s family. Coming at this time must be to state a position and stance on the matter of title inheritance with the Grand Dowager?! After all, if Marchioness Xuanning was willing, she could adopt a son under her name, and the title wouldn’t necessarily be inherited by Xiao Yanyi. But whether it was Marchioness Xuanning, the Tang Family, or the Xiao Family, none mentioned this plan, knowing that for the Xuanning Marquis Mansion, it is currently a turbulent time. Only Xiao Yanyi or Fourth Master Xiao has the capability to lead the marquis family through this crisis.
However, while it is expected for the Xiao Family to think this way, the Tang Family’s similar thinking is quite impressive!
Nevertheless, both Count Chengyi and Count Wujin are known as Weebles in the streets, though Count Chengyi’s nickname is complimentary, whereas Count Wujin’s has negative connotations.
She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly again that the marriages of the Marquis, Second Young Master, and Fifth Young Master in the marquis mansion were all chosen personally by the Grand Dowager. The Tang Family is a distinguished and profound family with deep roots, and although the title is not as high as the marquis’s, their current standing in the court is much better. Back in the day, the two heads of the Tong Family were known as a reputable scholarly and noble family in the capital, highly respected by scholars and literati. As for the Teng Family, she initially thought they were just a declining literary noble family, but later inadvertently heard Tong Xihua mention that although the Teng Family had not been successful in officialdom in recent years, they had been secretly engaging in the transportation trade in Tongzhou and had long been earning a fortune.
Three in-laws, all lower in status than the marquis mansion, each with their own field and advantages, clearly having been carefully chosen. Now the Tang Family’s deep-natured and understanding traits are becoming evident... She couldn’t help admiring the Grand Dowager’s profound foresight!
Thinking back, the Grand Dowager and Old Madam Tang entered the room, and Lady introduced Madam Zhou and the Second Lady. The Lady then introduced Tong Xiyan, Xiqiu, Tong Xiyu, and Tong Xijia to the ladies. After the greetings, everyone moved to Tong Xihua’s room.
Tong Xihua lay on the bed, having already awakened at some point. When she saw the Grand Dowager and the Lady coming in, she struggled to sit up. The Lady, seeing her attempt to get up, frowned and pressed her down, saying, "There is no one else here, and you are still weak and in confinement. Even if you neglect the ladies’ etiquette, they won’t blame you. Just lie down and rest well!"
Tong Xihua was held down by the Lady and had no strength to move. She held the Lady’s hand and asked, "Mother, where is Xing?"
The Lady replied, "Xing hasn’t been brought over yet. Go back to sleep. With me and the Grand Dowager here, what do you have to worry about?" Tong Xihua lowered her eyes and then raised them to look at the Grand Dowager. The Grand Dowager nodded to her, saying, "Listen to your mother. Resting well is most important!"
Old Madam Tang also added, "You can’t be careless during confinement; it’s best to be meticulous!" Tong Xihua silently nodded but insisted on having Nanny Lin place a pillow behind her. The Lady, unable to win over her, shook her head helplessly.
Tong Xihua greeted the ladies, and Madam Qian coaxed with a smile: "Even though the delivery was earlier than expected, everything went smoothly. It’s a great fortune that both you and the child are safe!" Tong Xihua weakly smiled and nodded: "I was really scared, fearing for my life. After looking forward to the child for so long, I couldn’t bear the thought of not holding him even once... I would be unwilling."
"What nonsense!" the Lady interrupted her: "Isn’t everything fine?" Tong Xihua smiled faintly at the Lady and didn’t respond further, her gaze falling on Madam Zhou. She said apologetically with a smile: "I’m sorry I couldn’t get up to receive you the first time you’re here."
Madam Zhou smiled slightly, her gaze naturally shifting from Tong Xiyan, with a look of satisfaction in her eyes. She replied to Tong Xihua with a smile, "There will be plenty of time in the future, and as one family, there’s no need to mind such formalities." Tong Xihua smiled and looked at Tong Xiyan, who stood behind Xiqiu with a slightly flushed face, showing little joy.
She slightly frowned, and the Fifth Madam interrupted her conversation with Madam Zhou, saying: "We’ve spoken for so long, but our main character hasn’t appeared yet!" She then asked the Grand Dowager, "Mother, is the auspicious time here? I’m eager to see our Xing."
Tong Xihua’s eyes narrowed slightly, and the Lady quietly squeezed her hand, nodding to her. Tong Xihua’s expression relaxed a bit.
The Grand Dowager looked at the midwife, who nodded in indication. Outside the door, a maid and maidservant brought in a large Phoebe wood basin with golden edges carved with the symbols of fortune, prosperity, and longevity, placing it in the center of the room. The midwife recited auspicious words, and the ladies, including Xiqiu, began tossing gold and silver ingots into the basin. The ladies tossed larger gold ingots, while the young ladies tossed smaller silver ingots. Seeing this, the midwife’s face was full of smiles, reciting auspicious words non-stop, and then had Xing brought in.