CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 123: GETTING STARTED (3)

Siliu burst into laughter, "We’re so lucky she’s genuinely devoted to our Miss; otherwise, we’d all be dead!" Sixing reached over to pull her, urging her to calm down, but Siliu swung her arm and said, "I wasn’t talking nonsense; she claims to serve here, yet spends more time in the main house than here!"

"Let her be." Xiqiu also furrowed her brows. This Nanny Song conducts herself openly, unlike Nanny Fang who keeps everything in sight but always remains suspicious.

With Nanny Song around, she saved herself the trouble of reporting back to Lady quite a bit.

"All of you, sit down! There’s something I need to discuss with you." Once Chunyan and the others sat down, Xiqiu spoke in a low voice, "Once night falls, I’ll take Chunyan to visit Madam. You two should pay extra attention to things in the courtyard."

The three maids looked puzzled, and Siliu asked with a frown, "Why does Miss suddenly want to visit Madam? Is there something amiss? Let me go instead; it’s much better than you going." Xiqiu shook her head in refusal, "I have matters to discuss with Madam; you stay here in the courtyard. If anyone comes, tell them I’m unwell and went to bed early... I’ll be back soon."

The maids nodded sequentially, saying nothing further, and Sixing said, "Miss, go without worry; Siliu and I will guard this place." Actually, outsiders wouldn’t come here; the one they needed to guard against was Nanny Song, fearing she’d notice something!

Once night had fallen and the maids tidied up, Sixing deliberately left the door unlocked. Once everyone had extinguished their lights and retired, Xiqiu quietly led Chunyan out of the courtyard, traversing through the small garden. On the edge of the West Courtyard, seven or eight maids huddled in the back room of the courtyard playing cards and drinking wine. Xiqiu proceeded quietly and arrived safely at the East Cross Courtyard.

The gatekeeping maid looked startled upon seeing Xiqiu. Chunyan stepped forward, smilingly holding the hands of two maids, "It’s chilly at night. Why don’t you two have some wine? Our Miss heard that Lady might let Maid Xiuzhi go and got worried. So she decided to come over for a look but finding it too late to disturb Lady, she’ll discuss it with her tomorrow. We’d kindly ask the two of you to leave the door open."

The two maids brightened up, weighing the silver ingot in their hands, and displayed an ingratiating smile, "Miss speaks too humbly. There’s no trouble at all. Sixth Miss is the master, whatever she asks of us, we’ll do. It’s a privilege for Sixth Miss to give us face; we wouldn’t dare be foolish and break the rules." They curtsied to Xiqiu, "Miss, you may go freely; anytime you need us, just give us a word."

Xiqiu smiled at them, "Thank you for your hard work, Nannies." Then, guided by Chunyan, she entered the courtyard.

Xiuzhi was instructing the maids to lock up when she suddenly saw Xiqiu appear outside the door, genuinely startled, but quickly wore a vigilant expression, opening the door and letting Xiqiu in, she instructed the maid, "Stand guard here and be alert!" The maid kept her head lowered, not raising her head, repeatedly agreeing.

Xiqiu couldn’t help but sigh, truly, everyone in the manor is a skilled individual.

"Sixth Miss." Xiuzhi took Chunyan’s hand, supporting Xiqiu as they walked inside, "You’re here so late, has something happened?" Saying this, she already lifted the curtain, guiding Xiqiu into the main house.

Xiqiu glanced around the room and gave Xiuzhi a slight smile, "It’s nothing major, just heard from the manor that Lady plans to let a few of you go in some days. I got worried, so I came to check on you." It was better if she hadn’t said it; once she did, Xiuzhi’s eyes reddened, suddenly kneeling before Xiqiu, chokingly saying, "Miss, please plead with Lady to let the servant remain in the manor. The servant can’t bear to leave Madam..." Before finishing, she covered her face with a handkerchief, kneeling and sobbing.

Xiqiu personally went to help Xiuzhi up, "Stand up and speak." Then took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, "This is the manor’s longstanding rule. Lady wouldn’t easily break it for anyone; as you’ve reached the age, it’s not right to delay your life. Even if you leave, you can still ask for the privilege to enter the manor to visit Madam."

Xiuzhi cried even harder, "Sixth Miss might not know, but my mother passed away last month. At home, there’s only my brother, sister-in-law, and four or five nephews and nieces. The house is so small, going back I won’t have a place to stay. It’s better to keep Madam company in the manor. Moreover, with Madam’s temperament, having someone else serve her makes me uneasy." Seeing she was about to kneel again, Xiqiu quickly signaled to Chunyan, letting her go to Xiuzhi’s aid, while she said, "Don’t cry. Things aren’t beyond hope, wipe your tears; or Madam will see and be upset."

"Xiuzhi, who are you talking to?" Xiuzhi quickly wiped her eyes upon hearing Madam Xia approach from inside, "Sixth Miss?"

Xiqiu released Xiuzhi and went up to support Madam Xia, her brows and eyes smiling, "Madam." Madam Xia held her hand, showing a tense look, "Such a late visit, has something happened? Is it about Seventh Young Master?"

"Madam..." Xiqiu interrupted Madam Xia, "I just suddenly missed you, so I came over to see you, that’s all. Nothing has been mentioned yet, you’re thinking too much." Madam Xia’s expression softened, showing full joy, "Good, good." Then she looked Xiqiu up and down, frowning, "I’ve not seen you for days, and you’ve lost some weight."

"Enough, enough!" Xiqiu held her still evaluating gesture, "I walked all the way here, it wasn’t easy; did you plan to keep me standing here?" Seeing Xiqiu rarely showing a coquettish expression, Madam Xia felt absolute delight, she turned and instructed Xiuzhi, "Go brew a cup of Longjing for Sixth Miss and bring out the plate of crisp sugar from the afternoon."

Xiuzhi curtsied before leaving; Chunyan stood outside the room, guarding the door.

"How have you been lately, Madam?" Xiqiu asked warmly, sitting next to Madam Xia with her arm around her.

Madam Xia tenderly held her hand, nodded, "I’ve been well. But since coming back from the temple, I’m still not quite used to it. Stayed here a few days, feel it’s better at the temple, it’s peaceful." She really would spend her life serving the Buddha, with the company of a green lamp, if it weren’t for Sixth Miss and Seventh Young Master’s concern.

"If you wish to worship Buddha, someone could set up a Buddhist Hall at home for you, or at least a shrine. With faith, one finds a spiritual pillar, perhaps avoiding losing oneself in idle thoughts."

Madam Xia waved her hand, "There’s no hurry, why bother with such trouble." With every matter in the manor requiring Lady’s nod to proceed, she’d rather avoid unnecessary complications. Xiqiu understood her meaning, so she didn’t pursue the topic. At this moment, Xiuzhi returned with tea, hesitantly glancing at Xiqiu and Madam Xia, before exiting again.

Once outside, Xiqiu asked, "What are you planning regarding Xiuzhi?" Xiuzhi is sincere and honest, having served Madam Xia devotedly since coming to the manor, earnest and loyal. As Xiuzhi herself said, replacing her would indeed be worrisome.