CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 167: HEALING MEDICINE (PART 3)

Xiqiu recounted in detail to Tong Xihua the event that had occurred in the room: "It’s not deep, just a few days’ rest and it will heal." In a household like this, it is impossible to hide anything, so why bother trying to conceal it and arouse Tong Xihua’s suspicion.

"But you can’t be careless. You’re still young, and if it leaves a scar, it would be unsightly." She then turned to Qiuluo and said, "Bring the bottle of condensed dew from my room for Sixth Miss."

Xiqiu smiled and declined, "No need to trouble you, sister. Nanny Wu just gave me a bottle, I’ll apply it when I get back." Tong Xihua raised her eyebrows slightly, "What the Grand Dowager gave is from the Grand Dowager; what sister gives is a token of sister’s regard. Moreover, this scar could take several days to heal, one bottle might not be enough." Insisting Qiuluo go fetch it.

Xiqiu thanked her with a smile.

Tong Xihua then pulled Xiqiu to sit on the kang, and said with a smile looking at her, "You’re being polite with me, I should be the one thanking you, sister! If it is as you said, and I have a nephew, it’s all thanks to you." Xiqiu lowered her head, her face reddening, "This is truly sister’s blessing, I merely added to it."

Tong Xihua laughed, placing a hand on her flat stomach, "We sisters needn’t be so formal. Your goodness... sister remembers it all." She affectionately held Xiqiu’s hand, "When you marry and have your own family someday, we sisters may not have time to visit each other."

Xiqiu nodded repeatedly, Tong Xihua signaled her to drink tea, then asked casually, "You usually are close with Fourth Sister, do you know what’s been on her mind these days? I noticed she seems burdened with thoughts."

The burden in Xiqiu’s heart was finally lifted; no wonder Tong Xihua suddenly seemed so close, she wanted to ask about Tong Xiyan. Xiqiu showed a surprised expression, "Thoughts? I didn’t notice. If she really had any, she hasn’t even told Big Sister, so how would I know!"

Tong Xihua’s eyes flashed and she sighed, "If she had told me, I could have helped her if there was anything, but she is like a closed gourd, not saying a word even when asked. It’s truly making me helpless." As she spoke, she looked at Xiqiu, "You check on her for me when you’re home. If anything happens, write a letter and send it to me, so I don’t have to guess and be restless."

"Alright!" Xiqiu nodded in agreement, Tong Xihua continued, "Are you tired? Would you like to rest in the guest room? I was planning on taking a nap myself; Mother might not return until the afternoon."

"I’m fine sitting here, not to trouble you, you go rest. Now, the matter of your child is the most important." Xiqiu smiled.

Tong Xihua’s eyes brightened; as a mother, mentioning her child always brought joy: "I’ll let a maid wait in the main room, and she will tell us when Mother returns. Don’t worry, go rest." Saying this, she pointed to Qiuluo, "Escort Sixth Miss to the west wing room to rest."

Qiuluo had just come out with the ointment and agreed. Xiqiu stood up to bid Tong Xihua farewell: "Sister, have a good rest." Then she left with Qiuluo.

Just as she stepped out of the room and onto the cloister, Xiao Yanyi emerged from the corridor. From a distance, he had seen Xiqiu standing under the corridor, her plain hibiscus-colored overcoat accentuating her slenderness, her face bare of any makeup, soft and delicate like a budding apricot blossom just emerging from the wall, with a gentle fragrance subtly drifting among the flowers, softly swaying or lightly dancing with the wind, yet always subtly resting on the branch, neither startled nor angered, neither happy nor sad...

Xiao Yanyi’s gaze dimmed slightly, and he abruptly retracted his gaze, walking up to Xiqiu, smiling as he asked, "Sixth Sister, are you feeling better?"

Qiuluo first curtsied, "Second Young Master!" Only then did Xiqiu realize Xiao Yanyi had arrived, turning back, she curtsied along with Sixing and Chunyan, "Brother-in-law!" She then answered, "Much better. Both Grand Dowager and Big Sister just gave me medicine, I’ll apply some later!" She lowered her gaze, not looking up at Xiao Yanyi.

Xiao Yanyi nodded slightly, "Second Sister’s illness... she has had it since childhood. Many doctors and lots of medicines have done nothing to improve it. Last year, Mother was heartbroken for her and stopped the medicines, surprisingly the relapses have reduced, but I didn’t expect it to get Sixth Sister hurt today."

Xiqiu shook her head, "It was merely an accident!"

Xiao Yanyi smiled slightly, "I’m glad you don’t blame Second Sister." Saying this, he took a bottle of medicine from his servant and handed it over, "Take this and use it; it’s very effective for external injuries." Xiqiu paused for a moment, about to refuse, but Xiao Yanyi had already handed her the medicine, making her show an exasperated expression seeing the third bottle of medicine she’d received today.

"Thank you, Brother-in-law!"

Qiuluo gave Xiao Yanyi a surprised look, tilting her head slightly to glance at Xiqiu with her periphery.

Xiao Yanyi wasn’t aware of Xiqiu’s subtle change, suddenly recalling something, asked, "Did you have lunch, Sixth Sister?" Xiqiu didn’t reply immediately, causing Xiao Yanyi’s brows to furrow deeply, he glanced back at the main room angrily, then coldly instructed Qiuluo, "Have the kitchen prepare fresh meals for Sixth Miss."

Qiuluo was startled, quickly curtsied, handed the ointment to Sixing, and instructed a small maid to lead Xiqiu to the guest room, before she hurriedly left.

"I had pastries in Second Miss’s room, so I’m not really hungry." She said while glancing at the main room, then she slightly bent and bowed, "I’ll head to the guest room first, then."

Xiao Yanyi nodded, "Sixth Sister, rest well." He turned to the little maid and instructed, "No need to hurry back, stay with Sixth Miss in her room to attend her." The maid obliged.

Xiqiu turned around, took the corner, and entered another wing room.

Xiao Yanyi, however, frowned, turned around, and descended the steps again, leaving the courtyard without looking back.

Tong Xihua waited a while in the room, then instructed Qiuping to check: "Why is it taking so long, go have a look." Qiuping quickly went out, circled the courtyard twice without seeing Xiao Yanyi, and pulled a little maid to ask, "Didn’t the Second Young Master return? Where is he?"

The little maid replied, "After speaking with the young lady, he left with his people."

Qiuping’s expression changed instantly, freezing, "Left? Did he not leave any instructions?"

The little maid shook her head in confusion, "I don’t know... maybe Sister Qiuping should ask the young lady." Qiuping glowered at her angrily, spitting, "Brainless thing, go do your duties."

She returned to the main room in a huff.

Hearing what Qiuping said, Tong Xihua’s face changed immediately, clutching her stomach as she leaned against the bed, her eyes filled with disappointment. Just this morning, she thought Xiao Yanyi had become much kinder, yet in a blink of an eye, he returned to his old ways, despite being back he hadn’t even entered the room before leaving again...

Since last night, they hadn’t seen each other yet.