CHAPTER 308: CHAPTER 308: ELDEST SISTER-IN-LAW (3)

As for Tong Xiyan, it was even simpler, he directly bought a ready-made product and let her add a phoenix tail herself, then added some buttons, and it was done!

Madam Xia also followed this method and bought a ready-made product for Xiqiu. Xiqiu looked at the clothing and did not say anything but had the idea to work on the buttons.

On Mid-Autumn Festival day, the family ate in Lady’s room. Xiqiu invited Madam Xia and Madam Mei together. Tong Shen Zhi, along with Tong Minzhi and Tong Xiyan, Xiqiu, Tong Xiyan, and the Second House’s Eleventh Miss Tong Xijia sat at one table, while Madam Xia, Madam Mei, and the biological mother of Tong Xijia from the Second House, Madam Shuang, sat at another table.

Lady lay in the bedroom, served by Nanny Fang, only after she moved her chopsticks did everyone begin to eat. After the meal came the Suzhou mooncakes sent back by First Master. Xiqiu turned to look at Madam Xia and indeed saw a hint of a warm smile on her face. She was from Suzhou and had grown up eating such mooncakes. In the past, the Capital also had Suzhou-style ones, but most were not as authentic as Suzhou’s. This year, First Master was intentional, sending back two big boxes.

After eating, tea was served, and everyone gathered to eat mooncakes while waiting for the moon to rise. Tong Minzhi smiled and said, "It would be nice if father were here. We haven’t spent the Mid-Autumn Festival together as a family for a long time." As he finished speaking, there was a banging sound from the bedroom.

It was Lady!

Tong Xiyan stood up, smiling, "I’ll go in and see mother." Tong Xiyu also stood up, "Fourth Sister, I’ll go with you." As she finished speaking, she glanced back at Xiqiu, who was tilting her head and talking with Nanny Qian. Among the maids bought in June, one had caught a cold a few days ago. Nanny Qian had called a doctor, but seeing no improvement, came to ask her opinion.

Xiqiu shook her head, "It’s hard to find a doctor in the village, and the conditions aren’t as good as in the mansion. A small illness might become serious if sent there, so just keep her here for now." After speaking, she raised her eyebrows and asked, "Which one is sick?"

Nanny Qian whispered, "Qiuhua!" The girl was too determined, learning the rules and not sleeping at night, practicing walking with a tea tray in the courtyard, and caught a cold by enduring the wind, leading to this.

Xiqiu, thoughtful, nodded, "Once she recovers, let her help in the kitchen first!" Such a personality, too sharp-edged. If she were only in the Tong Mansion, it wouldn’t matter, but going into the Marquis Mansion, she didn’t even know what the future would hold. How could she keep a strong-headed maid by her side?

Nanny Qian nodded in agreement, greeted Tong Shen Zhi and Tong Minzhi, and withdrew. Xiqiu turned to look at Tong Xiyu, who quickly showed a smile upon meeting Xiqiu’s gaze, bowed to Xiqiu, and followed Tong Xiyan into the bedroom.

Xiqiu looked at Tong Shen Zhi and said, "Big Brother, Nanny Hong from the Jiang Family came today, saying they want to send the furniture over before the year ends. Do you think it should be placed in the room or in the outer courtyard first?" If Lady were well, Xiqiu wouldn’t need to worry about her Big Brother’s marriage. But with Lady ill, Xiqiu had to handle many matters, though significant decisions were made by Nanny Fang asking Lady.

"Move it in and let it air out." Xiqiu nodded and said no more. Tong Shen Zhi then turned to Tong Minzhi, "I heard your teacher will go to Qianshan Academy after the Mid-Autumn Festival? What are your plans?"

Upon mentioning Tong Minzhi’s studies, Madam Xia’s eyes brightened, Madam Mei’s eyes flashed, and while talking with the thin Madam Shuang, she discreetly pricked up her ears.

"I... I also want to go to Qianshan Academy," Tong Minzhi said, glancing at Xiqiu and lowering his head.

Tong Shen Zhi seemed surprised and asked, "Qianshan Academy has tough living conditions, and students can only take one person to serve them. They can return to the mansion once mid-monthly; you’re too young to endure it."

"It doesn’t matter to me," Tong Minzhi said earnestly, looking at Tong Shen Zhi, "These hardships are nothing. When Big Brother studied day and night, he suffered much more than this. I also want to learn from Big Brother, study hard, and earn a title!"

Tong Shen Zhi said nothing, slowly sipped his tea, and suddenly looked up at Xiqiu, asking, "What does Sixth Sister think?" Tong Minzhi’s eyes lit up with hope, looking at her.

Xiqiu was surprised, not expecting Tong Shen Zhi to ask for her opinion. With Father absent, the eldest brother acted like the father, and as for matters like Tong Minzhi’s education, Xiqiu had no right to intervene as long as Tong Shen Zhi nodded or shook his head.

Xiqiu glanced at Tong Minzhi and softly said, "I don’t know much about educational matters; Big Brother can decide." Tong Minzhi pouted childishly, and Madam Xia felt secretly anxious. Everyone knew Tong Minzhi had long wanted to go to Qianshan Academy. Previously, it was hard to bring it up due to Tong Xiyan’s presence. Now that Third-Ranked Scholar Jiang and Tong Xiyan were engaged, he was practically half a son-in-law to the Tong Mansion, making it logical to bring it up again.

Listening to this, Madam Mei spoke, "Lord Jiang is now our son-in-law. Although the academy is no longer under the Fourth Son-in-law, he is still the founder. If Seventh Young Master wants to go, just have someone pass on a message." She paused and continued, "I’ve heard there’s a Songjiang Academy in Jiangnan Songjiang. Last year’s top scorer came from there. I think it’d be better for Seventh Young Master to go to Songjiang Academy. Our Sixth Son-in-law’s hometown is Songjiang; why not have the Sixth Son-in-law put in a word? It’ll also be closer to First Master." After speaking, she warmly pulled Madam Xia over, "Sister, don’t you agree?"

Madam Xia smiled but said nothing!

Tong Shen Zhi frowned at her words. Even though Songjiang was good, it was nearly a thousand miles from the Capital! How could they not choose the closer option? Besides, in his view, studying depended on one’s efforts and understanding; the environment was only a facilitating factor!

As soon as Madam Mei finished speaking, there was a crash as porcelain shattered in the room...

Xiqiu knew this was Lady expressing her discontent. Lady disliked Jiang Shilin and Fourth Master Xiao. Madam Mei, trying to please Madam Xia, forgot Lady was still in the room!

Sure enough, upon hearing the sound, Madam Mei’s face changed, and she lowered her head without daring to continue.

Tong Shen Zhi pondered for a moment and suddenly nodded, "I’ll write a letter tomorrow. You can go to Qianshan Academy with your teacher and give it to Mr. Qian..." Tong Minzhi, full of joy, hastily nodded, "Thank you, Big Brother!"

As soon as Tong Shen Zhi’s words ended, there was silence in the bedroom. Lady was so angry she was panting on the bed. Tong Xiyan watched, tears streaming down, as she knelt in front of Lady, "Mother, the engagement is set. No matter how bad he might be, he’s still my future husband, your son-in-law, whom I will spend my life with. Mother... if he did something wrong, please forgive him for his sincerity towards me!"

With sincerity as the foundation, saying those words made Lady tremble with rage. Nanny Fang hurried to persuade Tong Xiyan, "Fourth Miss, please say no more; the matter of the son-in-law can be discussed later!"