CHAPTER 327: CHAPTER 327: WEDDING IN PROGRESS (PART 1)

Xiqiu’s face also turned slightly red. Although she knew about those matters, hearing them directly from the Second Lady still embarrassed her. So, she shyly saw the Second Lady out the door early.

"You should get some sleep. The Old Madam Shi will arrive in another two hours, and you’ll have to sit upright all day tomorrow, which will be tiring. It’s good to rest and gather some energy for now." Once again, Xiqiu invited Old Madam Shi to be the Quan Furen.

Xiqiu also knew that tomorrow would be a busy day. So, following the suggestion, she lay down. But as soon as she closed her eyes, images kept flashing through her mind. Before she could fall asleep, there was already a knock on the door from outside. Chunyan called out, "Miss, Old Madam Shi has arrived."

Xiqiu abruptly opened her eyes and her gaze fell on the dazzling bright red bridal attire hanging on the screen.

Old Madam Shi came accompanied by Madam Jiang. As soon as they entered, Chunyan presented two large red envelopes to them.

"The young ladies of the Tong Mansion are all remarkably radiant and beautiful," Old Madam Shi praised with a beaming smile. "One young lady is married into the Marquis Mansion, another to the third place holder, and the Grand Commander Xiao is truly unmatched in talent and appearance. The Tong Mansion is truly blessed!"

"Thank you for your kind words!" Madam Jiang chuckled, supporting Old Madam Shi into the bedroom. Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan, who were already dressed, stood shoulder to shoulder at the door and slightly bowed. Old Madam Shi quickly supported them, saying, "Please, no need for such formalities!"

Madam Jiang observed Xiqiu’s tense face and couldn’t help but smile even more.

Chunyan and Biwu helped Xiqiu into the clean room for a bath, immersing her body in the fragrant dew and assorted flower petal scented hot water. Outside, Madam Jiang and the Quan Furen chatted about various wedding customs from different regions and amusing anecdotes from recent weddings in the Capital. Before she knew it, Chunyan had already dried her and put her into clean undergarments, then assisted her out of the clean room.

Once dressed in the bridal attire, Tong Xiyan helped her sit at the dressing table. Old Madam Shi draped a thin red handkerchief over her shoulders and began styling her hair. She meticulously used a thread for facial grooming, but before Xiqiu could feel any discomfort, Old Madam Shi put away the thread. She applied fragrant balm on her face, followed by a thick layer of powder, then defined her eyebrows and touched up her lips...

Xiqiu looked up to see her reflection in the mirror: pale white face, dark eyes, red lips — it resembled the makeup Tong Xiyan had before, hard to distinguish, but it was indeed festive.

Tong Xiyan leaned in with a smile and whispered, "Today, I finally see this makeup clearly..." She hadn’t had the chance to see it properly before washing it off in a foggy state that night.

Xiqiu smiled with pursed lips.

Once the makeup was done and everything was in place, Madam Jiang sat with Old Madam Shi, sipping tea. Tong Xiyan kept Xiqiu company, chatting with her. Then the Second Lady, Tong Xiyu, and Tong Xijia arrived...

"Sixth Sister..." Tong Xiyu spoke softly. Xiqiu looked up and smiled at her. Tong Xiyu continued, "Third Sister sent a message saying she’s unwell... so she won’t be coming back."

Xiqiu wasn’t surprised that Tong Xiyang wouldn’t return: "I understand. Eighth Sister, Eleventh Sister, please have a seat." Tong Xiyu let out a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Sixth Sister, you look truly beautiful today!"

Tong Xijia nodded in agreement, saying, "So beautiful!"

Xiqiu smiled and thanked them, instructing Chunyan to pour tea for the two of them. The Second Lady greeted Old Madam Shi with a smile and then walked over smiling. Xiqiu and the others stood to greet her. Xiqiu said, "Thank you for your hard work, Second Aunt." All three recent family weddings in the main house were organized by the Second Lady.

"Oh, you silly girl, there’s no need for such courtesy with me!" The Second Lady smiled behind her sleeve, "You’re the daughter of my sister-in-law, which indeed makes you my daughter too. Even if I’m busy, I’m truly delighted!"

Tong Xijia quickly glanced at the Second Lady, and Xiqiu smiled in response, "Yes!"

The Second Lady had many matters to attend to. After making a brief round, she shared a few words with everyone and then, smiling, greeted Old Madam Shi and Madam Jiang before leaving. Shortly afterward, Nanny Fang came in. She sat for a bit without saying much and then left. Siliu, along with two children, had gone to the Xiao Family last night to warm the bridal bed and hadn’t returned by morning...

Shortly after, a maid by the Second Lady’s side entered with a smile to announce that the banquet started outside. Madam Jiang accompanied Old Madam Shi out, while Tong Xiyan stayed to chat with Xiqiu. She fetched some pastries from the outer table, pushing one into Xiqiu’s mouth, stating, "No water for you, and you can’t go to the washroom in between."

Xiqiu accepted the jujube paste cake from Tong Xiyan’s hand, feeling much better with something in her empty stomach.

With no outsiders left in the room, Tong Xiyan whispered close to her ear, "Do you know why Third Sister didn’t come?" Xiqiu arched her eyebrow, waiting for her to spill the gossip.

Tong Xiyan pursed her lips and said, "They say she’s pregnant."

Xiqiu raised her eyebrow. She hadn’t mentioned it when she came back the other day, so it must have been discovered these past few days. Tong Xiyang had been married for two years without any news, and it was said that the Countess wasn’t very pleased. Now if she truly is pregnant, it’s good news!

"They say she’s been staying in her room with the excuse of needing to nourish the fetus, and they didn’t even send someone back to inform us at home." Tong Xiyan remarked with a face full of disdain.

Xiqiu chuckled, losing interest in dwelling on it. Upon seeing Chunyan, she said, "Did you pack my regular overcoats and that handwarmer we couldn’t find yesterday?" Chunyan nodded, "Miss, I already mentioned it to you before, and soon we’ll have Chunliu bring them directly."

Feeling reassured, Xiqiu nodded and then asked, "Go check if the Seventh Young Master is outside. Ask him to come and chat with me." Before she finished speaking, Tong Minzhi came in alone, red-eyed, looking directly at Xiqiu. Xiqiu reached out her hand to pull him over, "Why did you come alone? Where did Auntie go?"

She was quite anxious, wanting to talk to Madam Xia and Tong Minzhi.

Tong Minzhi held onto Xiqiu’s hand, eyes full of reluctance, "Auntie said she’s feeling unwell, so she didn’t come over." Xiqiu was startled and asked nervously, "When did this happen? Has a doctor been called!?"

Tong Minzhi wiped away his tears and shook his head, "Auntie... Auntie is fine!"

Xiqiu suddenly understood; Madam Xia deliberately avoided coming to prevent Fourth Master Xiao, who would be arriving to escort the bride, from seeing her. If the customary bowing ceremony was held, there would be complications as she’s just a concubine, with Lady above her. If omitted, she was Xiqiu’s birth mother, and customs demanded a certain passage.

Madam Xia didn’t want to put Fourth Master Xiao in a difficult position.

Xiqiu’s eyes reddened, and tears rolled down her cheeks as Tong Xiyan hurriedly dabbed them with a handkerchief, "You mustn’t cry, your makeup will be ruined!" Then, turning to Tong Minzhi, added, "Why say such things to her? Just keep it in your heart if you’re reluctant."

Tong Minzhi wiped his eyes, forcing a smile and nodded, "Fourth Sister is right, I won’t cry anymore." After saying that, he held Xiqiu’s hand and said, "Third Brother and I have agreed to bolt the door tightly later. We won’t open it without a hefty red envelope from the Great Governor."

Xiqiu broke into a smile through her tears while Tong Minzhi continued, "But..." Xiqiu asked, "But what?"