CHAPTER 153: CHAPTER 153: MARQUIS MANSION (PART 3)

Xiqiu examined Tong Xiyu’s attire today, a scarlet overcoat with gold floral patterns, a moon-white lined skirt, and a falling horse bun adorned with a pearl and jade hairpin hanging at her forehead, making her fair skin appear even more translucent, like a yet-to-bloom flower that was both innocent and vibrant.

She then looked at her own outfit, a hibiscus-colored plain overcoat, moon-white lined skirt, with merely two hairpins in her hair, which seemed much more modest compared to the grandeur of Tong Xiyu’s attire.

Xiqiu sincerely nodded, "It looks very nice." Yet she felt that Tong Xiyu’s outfit might be a bit too extravagant.

"Really?" Tong Xiyu smoothed her already neat skirt and adjusted her hairpin before forcing a slight smile, seemingly wanting to ask Xiqiu something, but hesitating to speak.

Seeing her like this, Xiqiu turned her head and lifted a corner of the curtain to look outside the carriage. At this moment, Tong Xiyu exaggeratedly reached out to pat Xiqiu’s hand back, "Sixth Sister, don’t, there are attendants from the Marquis Mansion outside. If they see, they would surely mock us Tong Mansion for lacking decorum."

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow, thinking that indeed Tong Xiyu was being overly cautious today. Though the Marquis Mansion had sent attendants, she observed there were only two, and both were near Lady’s carriage; those following them were all from the Tong Mansion. Besides, she had traveled this road before, knowing that it was less populated, and lifting a corner of the curtain wouldn’t be noticed. Tong Xiyu’s anxiety seemed rather peculiar.

"Alright!" Regardless, Xiqiu smiled and dropped the curtain, "Eighth Sister is indeed thoughtful."

Tong Xiyu then looked apologetically at Xiqiu’s hand back and shyly apologized, "It was my recklessness." Xiqiu smiled and shook her head, "It’s alright." She then leaned back against the cushion at the rear of the carriage, closing her eyes to feign sleep.

Tong Xiyu wanted to speak to Xiqiu several times but didn’t know what to say, hesitating for a moment until, just as she was about to speak, the coachwoman cracked the whip, and the outside attendant quietly informed the passengers, "Sixth Miss, Eighth Miss, we’ve arrived at the side gate of the Marquis Mansion." Xiqiu acknowledged through the curtain, saying, "Understood."

Soon the carriage jostled, indicating they had entered through the side gate, and after a short ride, it finally stopped.

When Xiqiu was helped down by Chunyan, Lady was already standing outside the Hanging Flower Gate with Tong Xiyan, conversing with an older woman, whom Xiqiu recognized as Nanny Wu who had visited the mansion yesterday. She greeted everyone with a smile and then said to Lady, "The Grand Dowager is waiting for you."

Lady responded with a smile, "Then let us proceed inside." Nanny Fang and Nanny Wu supported her as they passed through the Hanging Flower Gate, ascending a small oil carriage draped with a clear curtain parked at the entrance. Each took a separate seat, with Sixing and Chunyan boarding and sitting beside Xiqiu.

Chunyan appeared very tense, and with no outsiders present, Xiqiu unabashedly lifted the curtain to look outside. The attendants harnessed the horses, and the carriage slowly moved away, passing a fake mountain screen and onto a sidewalk paved with bluestone slabs lined with birch trees and other rare tree types in Great Zhou. Among the groves, vibrant flowers bloomed, their fragrance overwhelming the senses, creating an illusion of wandering through a national forest park rather than a noble estate.

She quietly marveled at how extensive the Xuanning Marquis Mansion must be, truly worthy of being the once-glorious Imperial Uncle Mansion.

"Miss, is this where the First Miss resides?" Chunyan whispered in awe. The courtyard didn’t appear particularly extravagant or unique, yet she was utterly stunned by its unpretentious design, unable to take her eyes off the scene outside the carriage.

It was said that the Old Marquis loved flowers and trees, passionately planting them during his retirement years. Though decades had passed since the Old Marquis was gone, it was evident that Mrs. still meticulously cared for them.

Before Xiqiu could respond, the carriage rolled through the woods, turning westwards, where Xiqiu noticed a row of stone walls with carvings partially eroded over years by rain, yet the lavish scene of a wealthy estate gates they depicted remained visible—from the carriages at the gate and attendants assisting nobles, to the cheerful greetings as they wit along the main door, being received into the inner courtyard, with bustling servants respectfully standing aside as the nobles entered another hanging flower gate before boarding a carriage again, and entering an inner courtyard full of richly adorned women, merrily laughing amid jewelry and silk, bustling with activity. On the courtyard stage, actors performed a lively show, speaking, learning, entertaining, adding humor to the scene. Behind the stage lay a courtyard where children played, leading further down to a rippling pond where someone rowed a boat...

This scene was so familiar!

Frowning, Xiqiu pondered and suddenly recalled the book "Great Zhou Ancient Objects Exhibition" Xu Tianqing had once given her, in which she had seen this painting. However, it was merely a painting then, reminiscent of the Qingming River Painting, presenting a thriving inner courtyard rather than expecting to see a carved rendition like this now.

This mural was made of grayish-white stone, with sharp carving edges and smooth character lines; even without expertise, she recognized its rare value.

She couldn’t help but marvel at the once-glorious splendor of the Xuanning Marquis, where even the inner estate boasted such exquisite treasures.

The carriage moved past the mural for the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, and time felt slow amidst the silence of the carriage. After what seemed an eternity, the carriage took two more turns and finally halted. An attendant announced through the curtain, "Miss has arrived." Shortly thereafter, they placed a footstool outside, helping Xiqiu step down with assistance from Sixing and Chunyan.

Nanny Fang cheerfully came over from Lady’s side, distributing rewards from her pocket to the attendants. Lady had already been assisted by Nanny Wu into a high-hanging flower gate while Tong Xiyan waited by the door for Xiqiu, who gave her a slight smile and took her hand, and together, they stepped through the gate.

Suddenly, the view opened up, with Tong Xiyan adeptly leading Xiqiu into a courtyard paved with neatly laid bluestone slabs. They followed Lady back along the winding corridor, turning south amid the chatter and laughter of Lady and Nanny Wu, encountering maids in autumn-fragrant-colored jackets who bowed to Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan, who acknowledged them with smiles as they left the corridor to find a square courtyard ahead. Seven to eight rooms with attached side houses lined the courtyard, flanked by wintergreen and lush plants, with eight maids standing on either side, bowing in salute as Lady entered. Supported by Nanny Wu, she climbed the three steps into the main room, where a woman dressed as a maid welcomed them, and Xiao Yanzheng smiled brightly at Xiqiu from her side.