CHAPTER 337: CHAPTER 338: RETURNING TO HER PARENTAL HOME (1)

Fourth Master Xiao exchanged a few more words with Xiqiu, and the two of them went one after the other out of the door to the main hall in front of the Grand Dowager’s courtyard.

At this moment, the main hall was already filled with people. A screen was set in the middle, with the male guests sitting next door.

Fourth Master Xiao gave her a blank look, then walked to the other side with hands behind his back, while Xiqiu bowed her head slightly and walked in from the other side...

Fifth Madam came out to greet her: "Fourth Sister-in-law." She smiled, taking Xiqiu’s hand affectionately and said, "The timing is perfect!"

Xiqiu nodded to her with a smile, her gaze passing from her arm, and calmly walked in together with her. The hall was large; six or seven madams were already seated on the left and right.

"Mother!" Xiqiu walked to the main seat and respectfully kowtowed to the Grand Dowager, who smiled gently and said, "Get up quickly!"

Xiqiu then presented her handmade shoes and socks, and the Grand Dowager smiled and had Nanny Wu accept them.

Fifth Madam then led Xiqiu to Old Madam Lou who was sitting next to the Grand Dowager. Xiqiu had seen her at the Wujin Bo Mansion before, so she wasn’t unfamiliar. After greeting her and presenting her needlework, Old Madam Lou looked at Xiqiu with a face full of contentment: "Graceful and composed!" she said, letting Nanny Jiang beside her present a jade pendant and a pair of gold bracelets.

Then she turned to introduce the First Madam: "This is the eldest sister-in-law!" Xiqiu greeted the First Madam and presented her needlework, receiving a set of celadon kiln tea sets in return.

"Second Sister-in-law." Fifth Madam said with a smile, then turned to pull the Second Madam: "Now, Fourth Sister-in-law is the youngest among us sisters-in-law." After saying this, she smiled at several madams sitting opposite.

The madams opposite covered their faces and laughed lightly: "Indeed, looking at the Fourth Sister-in-law, we do feel old!"

Old Madam Lou tapped the table and raised her hand to point at everyone: "How can you be so disrespectful, saying you’re old in front of the Grand Dowager and me, how do we old people still live!"

Fifth Madam laughed and responded: "You and my mother are not just old, you are longevity stars, immortals... You can’t be compared to us mere mortals anymore."

The whole room chuckled lightly, and Old Madam Lou said to the Grand Dowager: "This little Fifth one is as mischievous as a monkey." Suppressed laughter also came from behind the screen.

Xiqiu also laughed lightly along, having heard that Old Madam Lou and the Grand Dowager both came to the Capital from Yingtian with their spouses, and had been friends for decades, their friendship strong enough to transcend age, making Old Madam Lou as amiable as an elder to the madams in the mansion.

"Oh dear, oh dear!" Fifth Madam laughed and returned to Xiqiu’s side, holding her hand: "Fourth Sister-in-law, this topic arose because of you, now I’ve been scolded by the Old Madam, you must speak up for me."

Everyone’s attention then fell on Xiqiu, even the noise from behind the screen quieted down.

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows looking at Fifth Madam, who was smiling at her, so Xiqiu covered her face with a smile and replied: "If the Great Sage Equalling Heaven is scolded by the Buddha, it’s not unjustified..." complimenting both the Grand Dowager and Old Madam Lou while also praising Fifth Madam!

People were stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter, and First Young Madam Hua from Yingtian pointed at Fifth Madam with a smile: "Fifth sister-in-law, today you’ve met your match."

Fifth Madam was momentarily surprised by Xiqiu’s reaction, then started laughing as well.

The Grand Dowager’s eyes lingered on Xiqiu, with a slight glint in her eyes, while Old Madam Lou lifted her tea looking at the Grand Dowager with a slight nod, and the Grand Dowager averted her gaze with a faint sigh.

Then they heard from the male guests next door a strange voice tease, "Old Five, you’d better take this troublemaker of yours home."

Fifth Young Master Xiao Yanting laughed and said: "I’m just a mortal, we can’t meddle in the affairs of these immortals!" Laughter erupted inside and out, even the corners of the Grand Dowager’s eyes twinkled with amusement.

Fifth Madam covered the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, pulling Xiqiu to speak with the Second Madam: "You’ve been reacquainting with the Second Sister-in-law for half an hour already..." Xiqiu then composed herself, stepped forward to salute the Second Madam: "Second Sister-in-law."

The Second Madam was also full of smiles, holding Xiqiu’s hand: "We’re family from now on." She said as she gave her a meeting gift, a carved jade statue of a hundred sons celebrating, the gleaming quality clearly superior, reminding Xiqiu of the rows of curious stones in Tong Xihua’s room, wondering if they were still there.

She thanked with a smile and handed over her needlework.

Then Fifth Madam turned to introduce Xiaoyan Yanzheng, who looked at Xiqiu with a wide smile, whispering in her ear: "Mother won’t let me see you these days, I’ll visit your room to chat after your third-day home visit." Xiqiu smiled and nodded, giving her a handmade fan cover and pocket as a greeting gift.

Turning around, they went to the other side where Fifth Madam pointed to Madam Lou: "This is Count Shouning’s Madam Lou." Madam Lou appeared much older than two years ago, faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

Madam Lou looked deeply at Xiqiu and smiled: "Two years no see, Fourth Madam has grown even more graceful." As soon as she said this, someone immediately asked: "Madam Lou, when did you meet the Fourth Sister-in-law? Where was it?"

Xiqiu subtly furrowed her brow, noticing Old Madam Lou’s expression darken slightly. Madam Lou realized her mistake and quickly said with a smile: "In the capital, we often move around, so I can’t recall where exactly we met."

This topic was thus set aside.

Mentioning the Wujin Bo Mansion, two years ago, they were searching everywhere for a daughter-in-law. Though Tong Xiyang was already married in, Xiqiu’s presence could invite speculation.

Such topics are best mentioned infrequently.

Fifth Madam smiled: "Indeed, the Capital is large yet small, running into one another is common." Smoothly resolving Madam Lou’s awkwardness.

Madam Lou then laughed and sent a set of headpieces.

Madam Qian, the wife of Count Dongchang, sat next to her—a woman usually renowned for her sociability, yet today seemed uncharacteristically quiet. Xiqiu thought of Young Master Zhou—perhaps she felt awkward meeting the Tong Family.

After all, regarding the broken engagement, the Zhou Family was at fault. It was understandable that Madam Qian felt embarrassed.

"Madam Qian!" Xiqiu greeted with a smile.

Madam Qian stood up with a smile: "Fourth Madam." She turned back, taking a box from the hand of an attendant: "It’s nothing much!"

Xiqiu smiled, thanked her, and accepted the box. Regardless of the circumstances, she was from the Tong Mansion and needed to maintain her demeanor.

She then met with First Young Madam Hua from Songjiang, Third Young Madam Jun, and Fourth Young Madam Feng...

Fifth Madam accompanied her smiling throughout, and after meeting everyone, she held Xiqiu’s hand, saying: "We’re familiar now, and since we’re family, Fourth Sister-in-law, come to visit often when you’re free, Sheng still remembers the shoes you made for him." She then added with a smile: "Madam Qiu also often talks about you!"