CHAPTER 281: CHAPTER 281: SITUATION (PART 2)

"Monkeys can reason too?!" Chunyan also laughed, "How interesting." Then, she eagerly looked at Tong Minzhi, asking him to tell more interesting stories.

Xiqiu listened quietly, her gaze gradually becoming distant...

When Tong Minzhi finished speaking, Chunyan brewed tea for him again. Madam Xia entered the room, and Xiqiu noticed changes in her; her face no longer showed weakness and timidity but was filled with resilience, optimism, confidence, and cheerfulness... Xiqiu was both distressed and happy about Madam Xia’s transformation. Distressed because she knew Madam Xia valued love above all, and without love, the marriage felt hollow. Now, for the sake of them, Madam Xia was compromising, forcing herself to bow to the First Master, and managing a marriage that had become loveless for her.

"Why are you staring at the concubine?" Madam Xia slowly blew on the bird’s nest in her hand, and lifted her eyes to look at Xiqiu with a full-face smile, "Is there dirt on the concubine’s face?"

This is very nice, since the day she came to the Tong Mansion, the three of them hadn’t been so at ease chatting together like this for a long time. Xiqiu smiled and shook her head, "No, I just think the concubine has become more beautiful." Madam Xia’s cheeks blushed as she retorted, "You’re teasing the concubine."

Chunyan smiled and reached to take the bowl from the concubine’s hand, but Madam Xia waved her hand, indicating she wanted to feed Xiqiu herself. Tong Minzhi jumped up from the stool, laughing, "The concubine is too partial. I’m hungry too!" Madam Xia laughed cheerfully, her eyes filled with happiness, "I saved some for you, it’s outside... hurry and eat."

Tong Minzhi was just joking, but when he heard Madam Xia really saved some for him, he looked a bit embarrassed, pouted, "I’m going to find Third Brother." With that, he chuckled and prepared to exit, but Madam Xia called him, "Your father didn’t have breakfast this morning, later go to the kitchen and bring him the bowl of congee I made." Tong Minzhi nodded thoughtfully, lifted the curtain, and went out.

Madam Xia handed a bowl to Xiqiu, but she accepted it herself, "I’m fine now, I can eat myself!" Yet Madam Xia insisted on feeding her, "Let me feed you!" She was quite determined.

Xiqiu nodded, took a mouthful of bird’s nest and asked, "Did the First Master go out?" The First Master left in the morning, although he said nothing, Xiqiu knew he must be investigating the assassin’s matter. The First Master had years of experience in solving cases and tracking. She believed if the concubine did it, there must be traces left behind...

The Tong Family was wealthy back then but had little influence. After the First Master became a scholar, First Master Zhang immediately took a liking to him. Despite strong opposition from Old Madam Zhang, First Master Zhang insisted on marrying Lady to the First Master. Facts proved that First Master Zhang had a keen eye. Although Lady never received titles and riches, she lived smoothly all these years, wielding great power within the Tong Mansion. First Master Zhang knew his daughter well — contentious and strong-willed, thus he chose the calm and steady First Master. Facts showed he chose wisely.

However, the First Master has limits, and that limit is being emotionally detached despite being sentimental. He is a man of firm resolve, so to him, love means loving deeply and being willing to sacrifice all for it. When he despises, he walks away decisively without looking back, never softening!

As for Lady, I’m sure the First Master feels the latter sentiment now. In the past two days, Lady hasn’t been idle. If not for the First Master’s suppression, she’s likely to tear the mother and sons apart.

After Xiqiu and Madam Xia finished talking, they lay down together for an afternoon nap when the First Master finally returned, face darkened, from outside. Xiqiu understood; it was time to conclude this matter.

She neither expected nor wished for the First Master to divorce Lady. Family ethics and marital propriety wouldn’t let him do such a thing even if justified, not to mention Lady bore the eldest son for him. Regardless of anything, Tong Shen Zhi’s reputation couldn’t be dismissed.

Indeed, the First Master went straight to Zhui Garden, dismissed all servants and maids, and closed the door to talk with Lady inside.

Tong Xiyan leaned against Tong Shen Zhi’s chest, sobbing quietly. Tong Shen Zhi stared expressionlessly at the tightly closed doors of Zhui Garden. The two stood silently, the occasional raised voice from inside clearly reaching their ears.

The entire Man Mansion was dead silent; everyone stayed in their places, even their breathing was subconsciously subdued.

"Yes, losing the Marquis Mansion’s marriage made me angry with Sixth Girl. So when she requested to go to the temple, I agreed right away. But that’s all there is to it. Even if Young Master Hong did those dealings between clans as discovered by the First Master, if it was Feilu doing, then it’s Sixth Girl who ensnared Tianqing. She bears grudges, and what does it have to do with me? The First Master should not make baseless accusations!" Money came from concubine Feilu, and she hired the people; she was never involved throughout. She refused to budge, assured there’d be nothing he could say!

The First Master pointed at the Kang table, accounts from Jiangnan Cao Bang in and out, smirked coldly, "Baseless accusations? Don’t say matters of Sixth Girl and Tianqing are hard to prove, even if concubine bears grudge against Xiqiu. Without your consent and assistance, how would she dare act against my Tong Mansion’s daughter? Without your connivance, how could she dare such vicious hand? Not only did she hire an assassin but even poisoned the blade, truly ruthless methods!"

Lady was so enraged her face flushed, and felt her temples roaring noisily. Steadying herself, she pointed angrily at the First Master, "The First Master is truly charging me indiscriminately! Even though Feilu lives in the mansion, she can’t report everything to me. I see now the First Master is enamored with Xia Peirong and is purposely targeting me. Fine, in such case, just divorce me; then, I shall pack up and return to Yingtian to make space for the First Master!"

This was a threat. The First Master sat coldly on the chair, watching Lady’s aggressive defiance. Thinking about their journey over the years, Liu’er’s death, Cuiping’s death, Fangzhi’s miscarriage... and the Shandong Hong Mansion affair — only now does he realize that not only was Young Master Hong disabled but... secretly glad Third Girl didn’t marry him, and even relieved the other died, freeing Sixth Girl from danger; otherwise, what would Tong Zheng’an be now? Thinking this, he pointed at Lady, "You still dare threaten me? If you wish to go back, I’ll have someone send you right away. Upon arrival in Yingtian, let your brother and sister-in-law hear about your deeds. You traded daughters from the mansion to make ties with the Xu Family. Yet, you shamelessly claim you’re the main wife, do you remember you’re their legitimate mother?! What kind of family is the Hong Mansion that you’d listen to the concubine, wanting to marry Xiqiu to such person, and now claim ignorance about the concubine hiring assassins?!" How did he believe her then, Young Master Hong was merely mischievous, albeit disease there still wasn’t an entirely curable option...

"The First Master blames me now? Back when it was about Third Girl, it was you who agreed. Why fault me at Sixth Girl... back when the Marquis Mansion’s marriage happened urgently, I settled on Eighth Girl; Sixth’s marriage had to be hastily fixed, where was there any suitable person amidst rush? The First Master not knowing household management wouldn’t understand this hardship." She dodged Yingtian’s topic, shifted instead, clutching her handkerchief and sobbing softly.