CHAPTER 159: CHAPTER 159: POSSIBILITIES (4)

Xiao Yanzheng pursed her lips and gently smiled, her attitude much more distant compared to speaking with Xiqiu.

Xiqiu also noticed this; Xiao Yanzheng was very passive and guarded towards people. If she accepted them, she was enthusiastic and lively, but if she was not very familiar, she appeared distant and aloof.

Tong Xiyan was absent-minded today, seemingly accustomed to Xiao Yanzheng’s attitude.

They all entered the main hall in turn, and the room layout was similar to the Grand Dowager’s side, but the decorations were neither jade antiques nor curious stones, rather brightly colored porcelain, dazzling in their vivid hues. The screen was adorned with a butterfly playing among peonies design, and they passed through into the smaller room where the bed was covered with a parrot green Gurong Blanket. On the bed stand were colorful tea trays and utensils, and on the windowsill near the bed was a cleverly made bamboo cricket cage resembling a little pig. It contained no crickets but was placed alongside five clay figurines and a lake green rain flower stone, with the inscription "A Land of Enchantment" carved in elegant script, showing fine knife work.

Xiqiu felt the script was somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall where she had seen it.

Tong Xiyu also noticed the cricket cage and pointed at it asking, "Second Miss, what does this hold? Made so interestingly."

Xiao Yanzheng’s eyes suddenly brightened, then dimmed: "It holds crickets." Tong Xiyu was focused on the cricket cage, not noticing Xiao Yanzheng’s change of expression and asked, "Whose handiwork is this... truly beautiful." No matter how much she pretended to be mature today, or how few words she usually spoke, Tong Xiyu, at just eight years old, showed the childlike curiosity at seeing such intriguing objects.

Xiao Yanzheng invited Tong Xiyan and Xiqiu to sit on the rosewood armchairs with black lacquer, while she took the main seat on the bed. She remained quiet for a moment, and Tong Xiyan noticed... as if Xiao Yanzheng was not pleased with Tong Xiyu mentioning this matter, recalling Xiao Yanzheng’s indifferent and distant demeanor, he spoke: "The things in Second Miss’s room are fun, if you like, we can have someone look for one in the market tomorrow and buy it for you."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yanzheng spoke up, "This cage cannot be bought." After she spoke, the three sisters were all stunned, as Xiao Yanzheng lowered her eyes and continued, "This was a gift from my fourth brother." Standing up, she picked up two small clay figurines and, pointing at each, introduced them: "This is my eldest brother’s, this is my second brother’s, this is my third brother’s... this is my fifth brother’s, and this is mine." It’s as if she was reminiscing about the good old times of childhood.

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow, realizing those clay figures with indistinct faces held such significance?!

Even more surprising, it turned out there was a Third Master in Xiao Mansion? And among these little figures, there wasn’t one for Fourth Master Xiao...

Tong Xiyu was particularly interested, took Xiao Yanyi’s clay figure in her hand and played with it, looked closely and muttered, "Doesn’t really resemble my older brother-in-law."

Xiao Yanzheng glanced at the little figurine and replied, "Just casually crafted for fun, naturally it doesn’t resemble." Tong Xiyu responded with an "oh" and continued to examine the figurine.

Xiqiu felt this topic seemed to make Xiao Yanzheng not very happy, the atmosphere in the room also changed, so she smiled and sipped tea, changing the subject: "Second Miss, this tea has a light taste with a hint of jasmine aroma, did you make it yourself?"

Xiao Yanzheng’s complexion noticeably improved, and she smiled: "How could I make such things, it was sent by my cousin in Jinling, she sends some every year, I can’t finish it all. If you like it, I’ll wrap some for you to take back?!"

Xiqiu shook her head and said, "That won’t be necessary, I’m accustomed to lighter flavors, sampling occasionally like this is fine."

Xiao Yanzheng nodded without insisting further, Tong Xiyu finally returned to her seat from the window, tasted the tea and smiled, "It’s indeed fragrant." She then turned to Xiqiu and said, "Sixth Sister, shall we smuggle some tea flowers when we return? I remember there’s an osmanthus tree in the backyard of your courtyard. I heard tea brewed with osmanthus is more fragrant than jasmine."

Tong Xiyu spoke unusually a lot today, Xiqiu smiled and replied, "Sure, I can’t do it well either, probably need to try several times to get it right." Tong Xiyu was pleased and nodded her head.

Tong Xiyan was quiet for quite some time with downcast eyes, suddenly lifted her gaze to Xiao Yanzheng and asked, "I heard the Marquis has returned from Guangdong to Fujian again, has there been a family letter from him? Did he mention how the war is?"

Xiao Yanzheng nodded, "Just returned a letter a few days ago, said they’ve trapped the pirates on an island, possibly attacking the island these days, didn’t mention much else." She raised an eyebrow and looked at Tong Xiyan asking, "Fourth Miss is concerned about the war?"

Tong Xiyan’s eyes sparkled, smilingly responded, "Nowadays, everyone talks about matters in Fujian, especially since the Marquis is personally leading the troops, one can’t help but pay attention!"

Xiao Yanzheng replied, "Certainly not too late! Elder brother promised to return by the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Xiqiu was secretly puzzled, wondering why he had to hurry back before the Mid-Autumn Festival, when Xiao Yanzheng said, "Mid-Autumn... I come of age."

"Ah!" Xiqiu smiled and said, "So that’s it, congratulations to the Second Miss." Xiao Yanzheng lightly smiled back and said, "It’s an inevitable day, nothing to be particularly happy about." She looked at Xiqiu and the others: "You must come then."

The three sisters all nodded and said, "For sure!"

As they were speaking, Tong Xiyu suddenly exclaimed and stood up, "My handkerchief dropped." She searched around frantically.

A woman’s intimate possessions cannot be casually discarded even if old; especially if lost at another mansion, if picked up by a maid it’s fine, but if by a man, explanations become difficult.

Tong Xiyan looked displeased, "You were so careless today, have the maids look for it." She turned and instructed Xinzhu waiting outside the door, "Take Cuiyu and Sixing and search for it." She then asked Tong Xiyu, "What color is your handkerchief? Any marks?"

Tong Xiyu replied, "White, with pink and white magnolias embroidered on it."

Xinzhu nodded in acknowledgment and left with Sixing and a few others to retrace their path in search.

Xiao Yanzheng also instructed her maid, "You also bring people to look for it, but don’t disturb others."

The maid was someone Xiqiu had seen before at the Wujin Bo Mansion, she kneeled slightly in response and left with others.

Tong Xiyu blushed and apologized, "It’s... it’s my oversight." She appeared restless.

Xiqiu smiled to console her, "It’s not like we’re in some other place, Eighth Sister, no need to worry." Tong Xiyu sighed in relief, nodded, "Understood!"

After a while, Xiao Yanzheng’s maid and Xinzhu both returned and reported, "Checked everywhere along the way, even searched the flower bushes, but didn’t find Eighth Miss’s handkerchief." Tong Xiyu immediately stood up, "Could it be dropped in Elder Sister’s room?"