CHAPTER 339: CHAPTER 340: RETURNING TO THE PARENTAL HOME (PART 3)

"I might have to go to Tongzhou tomorrow. If you... find it uncomfortable being alone, you can stay at your parents’ home for a couple of days. I’ll come to pick you up when I return." After saying this, he reached out to embrace Xiqiu, a hint of apology in his eyes.

Xiqiu slightly arched her brow, "Fourth Master Xiao going to Tongzhou? Is it convenient for you to tell me what it’s about?" Since they were already husband and wife, nothing was a matter only for one person... timely communication was necessary.

At the very least, she needed to know where he was and what he was doing!

Fourth Master Xiao’s eyes froze slightly, as if unused to Xiqiu asking such questions, just as he deliberately avoided yesterday when Xiqiu inquired about Min’s matters.

Xiqiu didn’t urge him, just looked at him with a smile.

After pondering for a while, Fourth Master Xiao said, "You heard in the palace yesterday, the Empress Dowager asked about the Caoxing Company’s matter. That day, Shen Ji only mentioned it casually, and the Empress Dowager already knew. Now with the involvement of Prince Rong, this matter... it would be better for me to go personally."

Xiqiu knitted her eyebrows, immediately grasping the core issue: "Fourth Master Xiao is the Great Governor, and The Princely Heir Shen also holds an important position. The Emperor will probably not approve this matter, right? Since you’re going now... does it mean the Emperor knew about this long ago?"

Fourth Master Xiao showed a hint of surprise on his face, paused, and changed his casual demeanor, replying, "You’re right, this was the Emperor’s intention all along."

What he said was simple. Does it mean that the Caoxing Company in Tongzhou is now in the hands of the Teng Family? So, the Emperor now wants Shen Ji and Fourth Master Xiao to establish a Caoxing Company in Tongzhou to counter the Teng Family? However, the Empress Dowager somehow mentioned this matter, Fourth Master Xiao originally disagreed with the Emperor’s proposal, so he went along with the Empress Dowager’s words, mentioning Prince Rong. Once it’s known that Prince Rong is involved, the Emperor would be more cautious in proceeding.

At the very least, he wouldn’t let Shen Ji and Fourth Master Xiao take charge anymore.

The Emperor may be filial to the Empress Dowager, but Prince Rong is the legitimate son of the former Crown Prince; how could he not have reservations!

"Then be careful on the road, Fourth Master. Since it involves the Teng Family, what about Fifth Madam?" Fourth Master Xiao waved his hand indifferently and said, "There won’t be any trouble for now; the Emperor still needs the Teng Family!"

Xiqiu felt relieved, and Fourth Master Xiao playfully pinched her nose, placing her on his lap, kissed her cheek, and said, "You’re quite clever, aren’t you, thinking so much."

"How is it my thinking?" Xiqiu blushed but dared not move, "You explained it quite clearly, Fourth Master."

Fourth Master Xiao then laughed heartily, "I didn’t expect I’d found a treasure." Xiqiu also laughed, suddenly remembering what the Empress mentioned about him being injured, and asked, pressing his arm, "Is it true you got injured?" She hadn’t seen any wounds on him!

However, the night before last, the lighting was dim, so perhaps she hadn’t noticed.

"No injuries!" Fourth Master Xiao casually replied and then changed the topic, "Let’s go to mother’s place!"

Xiqiu gave him a deep look and sighed inwardly. No matter how he didn’t care for rigid etiquette, he still held the scholar’s notion that women should not concern themselves with external matters.

After paying respects to the Grand Dowager, Tong Shen Zhi arrived, and after greeting her, Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao took a carriage to the second gate and returned to the Tong Mansion with Tong Shen Zhi.

Upon reaching the entrance of the Tong Mansion, Xiqiu watched the servants move baskets and boxes of items inside. She discreetly tugged at Fourth Master Xiao’s sleeve and asked, "Are these things prepared by you or instructed by the Second Madam?" The internal matters of the mansion were managed by the Second Madam, so Xiqiu’s return gift was naturally her responsibility.

Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyebrow, pointed to a carriage in front, and said, "The ones in front were instructed by me; the ones in the latter carriage must be handled by Second Sister-in-law!"

Xiqiu clicked her tongue as the items were moved into the storeroom. Nanny Qian took the list to Madam Jiang, who also looked surprised: "Are these furs and venison from the Marquis Mansion?"

Nanny Qian nodded, "Two full carriages in total."

No wonder it’s the Marquis Mansion! Madam Jiang inwardly sighed and instructed Nanny Qian to prepare a banquet while she hurried to the front courtyard.

At the entrance, Xiqiu was held by Tong Xiyan, who scrutinized her from top to bottom before finally patting her chest in relief, "Thank goodness, thank goodness!"

"What’s going on?" Xiqiu, slightly surprised, glanced up and down herself, thinking something was amiss, but Tong Xiyan whispered into her ear with a smile, "I thought you were eaten by the fourth brother-in-law." After speaking, she gave a mischievous grin.

Xiqiu slapped her hand, scolding, "He’s not a wolf." Tong Xiyan laughed even louder, "Look at that, just two days and you’re speaking up for him already."

Second Lady also approached with a smile, "Why are you standing here talking, quickly go inside, First Master is waiting for you."

Tong Xiyan pulled Xiqiu’s hand and stole a glance at the cold-looking Fourth Master Xiao ahead, "Still has that frosty demeanor." Xiqiu covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed, asking, "Third Sister didn’t come back?"

Tong Xiyan nonchalantly replied, "She’s in the room!" Then she paused and continued, "Earlier she was demure and said she was with child, but insisted on taking a sedan chair back today... claimed she couldn’t come back for the wedding, but insists on seeing you today no matter what."

Xiqiu listened, slightly surprised, and followed Tong Xiyan into the room of the Lady, where First Master was seated on a chair by the kang. The Lady leaned against the head of the kang, her complexion slightly better than a few days ago. Seeing Xiqiu, her eyes squinted, a hint of coldness in them, as if displeased. Xiqiu lowered her head to avoid the Lady’s gaze and stepped delicately to the kang.

Tong Xiyang sat on a small stool by the kang, wearing a smoky red overcoat adorned with an intricate dark pattern of intertwining branches and double gold threads, a Phoenix Huang jade hairpin on her head, her hands adorned with red nail polish and several red gold bracelets, exuding the aura of a rightful wife! She was engaged in conversation with Nanny Fang, her face beaming, but when Xiqiu entered, she raised her eyebrows to look, and her smile froze instantly. Today, Xiqiu wore a rich red brocade coat with gold and silver patterns of auspicious clouds, a turquoise gauze skirt embroidered with precious flowers, and though her hair wasn’t adorned with red hairpins, she exuded more confidence than she did at home... perhaps there was something more that Xiyang could not discern. In any case, without moving or speaking, Xiqiu stood like a radiant treasure bead, drawing eyes instantly.

Her heart pondered, her gaze moved to Ren Jun seated not far away, sure enough, Ren Jun was looking at Xiqiu with an amazed expression.

She bit her lip discreetly, her hand involuntarily touching her abdomen...

Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao knelt on the kang, kowtowing to the First Master and Lady, with the First Master laughing, "Xiqiu hasn’t caused you any trouble!"

Fourth Master Xiao respectfully replied, "Xiqiu is wise and courteous, not only is she loved by the family, but even the Empress Dowager and Empress praised her greatly!"