CHAPTER 157: CHAPTER 157: POSSIBILITIES (2)

She felt that compared to the last time, Fifth Madam’s behavior today was very strange, as if she was targeting the Lady everywhere. As this thought flashed in her mind, she heard Xiao Yanzheng sigh, "Your house has many daughters, it must be lively. Unlike me, who has nowhere to go on regular days."

Xiqiu’s eyes flickered as she thought of the tension between her and Tong Xiyang, and then of Tong Xiyu’s odd behavior today. It was indeed lively, so she smiled and said, "Not necessarily, we usually stay in our own courtyards and don’t move around much when there’s nothing to do."

Xiao Yanzheng nodded thoughtfully, "True, I and Second Sister-in-law, Fifth Sister-in-law... although we live in the same courtyard, unless it’s to pay respects to mother, we never really move around." After speaking, she remembered that Tong Xihua was Xiqiu’s sister, so she laughed and added, "However, because Second Sister-in-law often visits mother, she does talk quite a bit."

Xiqiu smiled with pursed lips and glanced at the path they walked along. A few magnolias were blooming along the sides, while large and lush banana plants flourished. They passed a rocky hill overgrown with green vines, its base submerged in water, where red and white goldfish swam. The scenery was elegant and refined yet dignified and grand.

As if reaching the end of this path, ahead, the Lady took a turn, and the trees on the roadside shifted to pear and apricot trees. There appeared a tall, wide red-lacquered Ruyi Gate, with two old women guarding it. Upon seeing the Lady, they immediately curtsied in salute, to which she nodded and entered.

Xiqiu followed everyone in, as a young maid quickly hurried through a wide passageway into the main courtyard.

Beyond the passageway, furnished with a Baxian table and a line of seven or eight chairs, was a five-room courtyard planted with Dongqing and mint. The red walls and gray tiles, with the windows appearing clean, were being observed when the curtain at the entrance to the main room was lifted, revealing the slightly anxious figure of Tong Xihua.

"Mother." Tong Xihua quickly descended the steps towards the Lady, "I thought you would be a while longer and was just thinking of sending someone to check on mother-in-law."

The Lady frowned, supporting her arm, "Why be so careless? You are not what you used to be; you must be cautious." Then feeling that she might have embarrassed Tong Xihua in front of Nanny Wu and Xiao Yanzheng, she softened her expression, "Walk lightly too, so as not to worry the Grand Dowager."

Tong Xihua nodded with a smile, and Nanny Wu added with a smile, "You needn’t worry, in-law Lady. Second Madam is well aware."

Nanny Wu, who served the Grand Dowager, explained for Tong Xihua, which naturally pleased the Lady, so she held Nanny Wu’s hand, "Why don’t you come inside with me for a rest; you’ve been busy all morning." Tong Xihua nodded, "Mother’s rheumatism hasn’t improved in recent days, making the back and forth quite uncomfortable. Why not let Qiuluo serve mother, and you stay here for a rest?"

"Rheumatism?" The Lady frowned, "That does indeed call for rest." She continued, "I still have some ointment the master sent from Yongzhou a few years ago, said to be a secret prescription from a traveling doctor. Using it over winter, I hardly had any relapses. I’ll have someone send some over for you to try. If it’s effective, I’ll contact the master to fetch more."

"Thank you, in-law Lady." Nanny Wu bowed in thanks, still speaking tactfully, "I cannot be absent from the Grand Dowager for long, but I shall return soon to borrow it."

"Then I’ll have someone see you off." Tong Xihua did not insist, summoning a maid beside her, "Please escort Nanny Wu."

The maid obliged, assisting Nanny Wu down the steps and out of the courtyard.

On this side, Tong Xiyan and the other young ladies said to Nanny Wu, "Take care, nanny." After she left, they stepped forward to greet Tong Xihua with a curtsey, and Xiao Yanji slightly bowed, calling her Second Sister-in-law.

"All the sisters are here." Tong Xihua seemed genuinely happy, her eyes sparkling more than usual, and her complexion looking much better, "Just now, Second Young Master sent some grapes. Why don’t you have a taste?"

"Grapes in this season?" The Lady looked at Tong Xihua and asked.

Tong Xihua replied with a smile in her eyes, "They were sent from the south, and the leaves are still green." She thought to herself that ever since she became pregnant, even though Xiao Yanyi hadn’t said much, he had been more considerate towards her than before.

The Lady was also pleased, holding Tong Xihua’s hand as they ascended the steps. A young maid was already lifting the curtain, and Xiqiu and Xiao Yanzheng entered the room side by side. When seeing the room’s decor, Xiqiu couldn’t help arching her brows slightly. On the main hall walls hung the "Fuchun Mountain Residence," and beneath it stretched a long huanghuali offering table with a colorful Mei Bottle atop it, along with foxtail, pineapple, mandarin oranges, and other offerings.

To the left stood a tall treasure cabinet, filled not with the valuable ceramics found at the Grand Dowager’s place, but with various oddly shaped stones, such as smooth pebbles, brightly colored rain flower stones, and ancient-looking Taihu stones, resembling a stone art museum. A simple Sancai porcelain incense burner below gently emitted a light aroma...

Above, the bright colors of the ceiling were uplifting, and each corner of the walls had two diamond-shaped palace lanterns hanging, adding a touch of lightness. To the right was a purple organza curtain, behind which was an octagonal rosewood screen with a pastoral water-play motif, giving the impression of stepping into the countryside, bringing one closer to nature.

She hadn’t expected that Tong Xihua would have such a unique taste in interior decoration.

Almost as if hearing her thoughts, Xiao Yanzheng leaned close to her ear after they entered and said, "Second Brother loves these stones, and he personally oversaw the design of this room, selecting everything himself from the blueprints." Xiqiu raised her brows in understanding and nodded, "Indeed, it’s quite unique." After all, he was her brother-in-law, and she found it inappropriate to comment too much.

The Lady and Tong Xihua had already gone behind the screen, while Xiao Yanzheng and Xiqiu lingered slightly behind. Tong Xihua had already ordered the maids to serve tea and snacks, and indeed, plump grapes still glistening with droplets were laid out on the short square table.

"Sixth Sister, have a taste, if you like them, I’ll pack some for you to take home."

Xiqiu smiled at Tong Xihua, cleverly picked a grape, placed it in her mouth, and nodded, "It’s sweet and juicy... no need to take them back, I’ll just have more here at Big Sister’s place."

"As long as you like them." Tong Xihua laughed, then turned to Tong Xiyan and Xiao Yanzheng, "I must trouble Second Sister today for entertaining them."

Xiao Yanzheng shook her head with a smile, "It’s my duty, no need for thanks, Second Sister-in-law."

The Lady, with Tong Xihua’s pregnancy on her mind, found it unsuitable to discuss further in front of so many unmarried ladies. Xiqiu noticed the Lady’s slight impatience, so she winked at Tong Xiyan, who promptly stood up and said to the Lady, "Mother and Big Sister should talk; we’ll sit in the courtyard. I thought I saw honeysuckle climbing the pergola when I came in. I’d like to have a look."