Chapter 180: Chapter 180: Life and Death (1)
Lady’s gaze sharpened, her complexion finally improved somewhat. She didn’t look at Xiqiu but addressed Tong Shen Zhi: "You must go quickly. The longer you delay, the greater the danger for your Fourth Sister."
Tong Shen Zhi nodded and left the courtyard without looking back.
Nanny Fang looked at Xiqiu in surprise, nodding secretly. It was said that Fourth Miss and Sixth Miss were close, and she had been angry with Sixth Miss upon hearing that Fourth Miss had encountered trouble. Lady questioned her, but she feigned ignorance. There was clearly more to the story concerning Fourth Miss’s unauthorized departure, and Sixth Miss could not be entirely uninvolved, at least not without being aware. As for her true intentions, it really needed some careful measuring to discern.
But now, looking at her expression, it seemed she was genuinely more worried about Sixth Miss than herself...
Could it be that she truly didn’t know?
With this thought, Nanny Fang glanced at Lady, indeed noticing her face was slightly better than before.
Xiqiu stood silently, each moment passing felt like a day to her. She truly worried about Tong Xiyan, even feeling a bit guilty. If she could have noticed earlier, she wouldn’t have let her make such a foolish decision!
At 7 p.m., the courtyard remained silent, Lady’s eyes were closed as she leaned against the chair and stayed still for a long time, the servants barely dared to breathe, Xiqiu hung her head low, almost able to hear her own heartbeat. It was so cold outside, if Tong Xiyan found Jiang Shilin’s house, then fine, but if she was lost outside...
She dared not think of the outcome!
Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the courtyard. Xiqiu immediately turned her head towards the door to look. Under the eaves, seven or eight bright lanterns lit up the courtyard as bright as day, and soon after the commotion, she saw Tong Shen Zhi stride in carrying Tong Xiyan.
Lady jumped up from her chair and hurried over, her eyes reddening as she saw Tong Xiyan in Tong Shen Zhi’s arms: "My child..." Nanny Fang also exclaimed in surprise, as Tong Shen Zhi frowned deeply. Holding Tong Xiyan, he said to Lady: "Let’s talk inside."
"Alright!" Lady sidestepped quickly to let Tong Shen Zhi in and then turned back to instruct Daihe and Nanny Fang: "Quickly, heat up the kang in the room and fetch some hot water!" Daihe and Nanny Fang responded and hurriedly went away.
Xiqiu watched quietly, her heart suddenly relieved. No matter what, as long as the worst hadn’t happened yet, her return was the best outcome.
Sixing tugged at Xiqiu and whispered: "Fourth Miss has returned, Miss should also go and change clothes, right? It’s cold and your clothes are all wet, you’ll get sick!" Fourth Miss returned safely, so Sixth Miss’s guilt would consequently be nullified, right? No matter how angry Lady was, it would only have to wait until Fourth Miss wakes up!
Xiqiu also knitted her brows, her knees faintly like needle pricks. She glanced towards the bedroom and replied to Sixing: "You and Chunyan go prepare clothes for me, then have Xi’er deliver them here. You don’t need to come."
Sixing hesitated, wanting to persuade Xiqiu: "Miss!" Xiqiu raised a hand to interrupt her, slightly frowning: "Don’t say more, just go!"
Sixing then left the courtyard with Chunyan, while Xiqiu remained standing in the main hall, as Nanny Fang, Daihe, Daijuan, and several maidservants went in and out, occasionally, Lady’s voice could be heard. Before long, Tong Shen Zhi came back out, with a dark face looking very displeased. Seeing Xiqiu still there, he asked: "Sixth Sister, why aren’t you resting yet?" His gaze fell on her damp jiaao.
"Big Brother!" Xiqiu bent her knees in a courtesy, asking: "Where did you find Fourth Sister?"
Tong Shen Zhi narrowed his eyes slightly, replying in a low voice: "East of the city." After leaving the residence, he had gone to seek Lord Zhong, the Deputy Commander at the Five Cities Military Department, bringing dozens of people to search throughout the Capital, even alerting the Capital City Government. Finally, their patrolmen saw Tong Xiyan east of the city, and assigned people to follow her and then notified him. When he arrived, he saw Tong Xiyan exhausted at the entrance of an alley, and she fainted as soon as she saw him.
East of the city? He didn’t understand why Tong Xiyan ended up east of the city. This would all have to be explained once she woke up. Thinking this, he looked towards Xiqiu, his gaze carrying confusion...
East of the city, could it be Jiang Shilin’s home is there? Xiqiu looked back at Tong Shen Zhi, shaking her head, saying: "Big Brother, the answer you seek can only be given by Fourth Sister."
Tong Shen Zhi nodded slightly, adding: "I have to go out for a bit since tonight we disturbed the Five Cities Military Department and the Capital City Government. I booked a place at Hongyan Building and must hurry over." As he turned to leave, he also said: "If Mother inquires, just tell the truth."
"Yes! Big Brother, take care." Xiqiu nodded and stood at the door, watching Tong Shen Zhi’s figure disappear into the darkness.
At this moment, Xi’er hurried into the courtyard carrying Xiqiu’s clothes. Xiqiu took the clothes into a side room, changed out of the wet garments, and then sent Xi’er to take them back. She herself returned to the main hall, sitting silently on a chair.
Nanny Fang brought in hot water, surprised to see Xiqiu: "Sixth Miss still hasn’t left?" Xiqiu looked back at her, nodding: "Fourth Sister hasn’t woken up yet, I’m also worried!"
"Then Sixth Miss, please sit for a while," Nanny Fang carried the water into the bedroom.
After a while, low scolding and crying were heard from the bedroom, followed by the curtain being lifted again. Daihe walked over smiling, bowed to Xiqiu, and said: "Sixth Miss, Fourth Miss is awake, she asked you to come in!" Xiqiu nodded slightly and followed Daihe into the bedroom.
In the room, Tong Xiyan lay on the bed leaning against the pillow, while Lady sat beside the bed with an unpleasant expression. Nanny Fang stood behind Lady, Xiqiu bent her knees in salutation to Lady: "Big Brother said he went to the Five Cities Military Department and has arranged a banquet at Hongyan Building to thank them." Lady nodded without speaking.
Seeing Xiqiu come in, Tong Xiyan revealed a weak smile: "Sixth Sister, I implicated you." Her voice was hoarse, her body seemed drained, and there was no sparkle in her eyes.
Xiqiu stepped forward with a smile and shook her head: "I also bear responsibility, if I had known sooner, I wouldn’t have let you suffer like this."
Tong Xiyan shook her head: "This has nothing to do with you. Even if given another chance, I would still make the same choice." Her gaze was firm and unwavering, but Lady suddenly stood up, shouting: "Stop!" She was trembling slightly with anger, pointing at Tong Xiyan saying: "These years, I have spoiled you and pampered you like a priceless treasure, teaching you etiquette, nurturing you in Women’s Virtue and Women’s Training, yet to think you would..." and omitted the middle part: "Completely forget the most basic principles of propriety, justice, integrity, and shame. Despite all the books you’ve read, you committed such acts."
It seemed that Tong Xiyan had already told Lady everything upon waking!
Lady’s words were heavy, Tong Xiyan cried quietly, Lady looked at her with narrowed eyes and said: "From now on, you shall stay obediently in your room. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for a matchmaker to propose marriage to the Zhou Residence. This marriage must proceed regardless of your willingness!"