CHAPTER 340: CHAPTER 341: RETURNING TO THE PARENTAL HOME (PART 4)

"That’s good, that’s good!" First Master was relieved without any suspicion, but Xiqiu secretly raised her eyebrows!

Lady hummed twice, and Nanny Fang, standing by her bedside, smiled and said, "Lady says Sixth Miss is young, so if there’s anything inappropriate, we hope the Great Governor can be forgiving."

Fourth Master Xiao frowned upon hearing this!

If it were a legitimate mother, she wouldn’t say such things upon her daughter’s return after the wedding. He turned to glance at Xiqiu and gently pulled her hand through their intertwined sleeves.

Xiqiu was startled; was he afraid she would be upset? She had actually anticipated that the Lady wouldn’t say anything pleasant. For instance, the current situation was rather satisfactory since at least she wasn’t being publicly lectured on Women’s Training by Nanny Fang!

First Master glanced at Nanny Fang, who shrank back and dared not speak again. First Master then smiled and invited Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu to sit. Meanwhile, Jiang Shilin approached, greeted Fourth Master Xiao, and Ren Jun also came over, patting Fourth Master Xiao’s shoulder: "Now we’re really brothers-in-law."

Fourth Master Xiao sidestepped, distancing himself, and called out, "Brother-in-law!" Ren Jun stood awkwardly aside and didn’t speak further. Jiang Shilin, fearing Ren Jun’s embarrassment, quickly changed the subject with a laugh: "These past days, Liaodong reported again that due to heavy snow, the official roads leading there have been sealed for seven or eight days."

When it came to discussing state matters, it was men’s conversation, so Xiqiu went over to sit beside Tong Xiyan and talked to Second Lady: "Why haven’t I seen Third Brother?"

Second Lady glanced at Fourth Master Xiao and smilingly said, "He took on a new mentor yesterday and went out to practice martial arts before dawn today, so he hasn’t returned yet." Xiqiu looked surprised and asked, "Who did he take as a mentor? It’s hard for Third Brother to find martial arts teachers now, isn’t it? Tong Quanzi’s current skills surpass those of ordinary teachers."

Second Lady’s eyes were full of satisfaction as she held Xiqiu’s hand, saying, "We really owe this to Sixth Son-in-law. Without him, we wouldn’t have found such a great mentor... You don’t know how happy Quanzhi is."

Xiqiu glanced at Fourth Master Xiao. Just what else had he done that she didn’t know about?!

Tong Xiyang, overhearing this, felt a pang of jealousy and sneered, "Second Aunt is right. If there’s anything in our family these days, isn’t it Sixth Sister we should turn to?"

Xiqiu smiled silently, while Tong Xiyan let out a cold snort, "Third Sister shouldn’t say such things. Sixth Brother-in-law is now the Great Governor, very busy with state affairs every day, so where would he have the time for trivial matters concerning unrelated people!" Having said this, he turned away to speak with Second Lady, "Second Aunt, I heard the Emperor brought up the martial exams again. Maybe in a few years, Third Brother will get you a martial arts degree."

All of the second household’s hopes now lay on Tong Quanzi. Since Tong Quanzi never liked studying, Second Lady was overjoyed to hear this news!

Tong Xiyang’s face turned cold!

After the men talked, Jiang Shilin suggested going to First Master’s study. First Master, Fourth Master Xiao, Tong Shen Zhi, Jiang Shilin, and Ren Jun all headed to the study, leaving only Xiqiu and a few others in the room to talk.

Soon, Madam Jiang came in with a smile and said, "Dinner is served."

Second Lady said, "Let the men talk outside. We’ll eat in here." She then turned to Xiqiu and asked, "Perfect opportunity to keep your mother company for a chat."

Xiqiu naturally had no objections, so Madam Jiang instructed someone to bring the table into the Warm Pavilion. She personally brought medicine to Lady’s bedside to feed her, but Lady wouldn’t open her mouth and instead looked keenly at Xiqiu. Madam Jiang stood up with a smile, smoothly blocking Lady’s gaze: "Mother, let me feed you!"

Lady was furious, her twisted mouth trembling, and suddenly raised her hand, knocking the bowl from Madam Jiang’s hand onto the ground.

Nanny Fang, startled, rushed over to wipe Lady’s hand, "Lady, did it scald you..." She then instructed Jiang without turning her head: "Quickly get some burn ointment to prevent blisters."

Madam Jiang stood by the bedside, hands hanging, her face beet-red!

Second Lady frowned as she approached and grabbed Madam Jiang’s hand, instructing Daihe, "What are you standing there for? Quickly get the ointment!" Daihe hurried out.

"Mother, are you alright!" Tong Xiyan anxiously checked Lady’s hand, seeing only a few red and swollen spots on her fingers, and was relieved.

Madam Jiang, held by Second Lady, lowered her head with tears in her eyes. Tong Xiyang watched with a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth, while Tong Xiyu withdrew a little, sitting frozen in her chair.

"Sister-in-law!" Xiqiu approached, holding Madam Jiang’s hand: "Are you scalded?" She looked at Madam Jiang’s hand and furrowed her brow, saying: "I’ll help you back to apply some ointment. Mother still has Fourth Sister and Second Aunt here."

Second Lady’s eyes flickered, then she nodded: "Xiqiu is right, quickly go back and apply some ointment to prevent swelling later!"

Xiqiu bid goodbye to Tong Xiyan and supported Madam Jiang as they left the room.

"Sixth Lady." Outside the courtyard, Madam Jiang finally let her tears fall, quickly wiped them away, then forced a smile at Xiqiu: "Thank you! My hand is fine."

Xiqiu, holding her arm, shook her head and replied: "Sister-in-law, no need to be formal. Though I said I’m accompanying you to apply ointment, I’m actually planning to secretly visit my concubine mother."

Everyone has their secrets and difficulties! Madam Jiang, looking at her, found the awkwardness from earlier eased quite a bit and smiled slightly!

"Sixth Lady, having married into the Marquis Mansion, there are no fewer people than at the Tong Mansion. I’m afraid your visits back will not be often. I will keep an eye on things regarding your concubine mother and Seventh Brother..." Madam Jiang held Xiqiu’s hand, and they stopped in the garden: "There are many matters at the Marquis Mansion, Sixth Lady should also take care of yourself."

If anyone wondered why Xiqiu liked Madam Jiang, this would be the reason.

She always knew how to say and do things that reached a person’s heart!

Xiqiu also smiled, holding her hand back with gratitude: "Thank you, Sister-in-law." Sometimes, such a relationship is beneficial; everyone is close yet maintains their distance, sincere yet with their own objectives!

After exchanging a few more words, Madam Jiang smiled and saw Xiqiu off: "Go see your concubine mother; my hand is alright. After changing clothes, I still need to attend to matters up front. Sixth Lady, don’t be late in returning either."

On the day of returning to see her family, usually, a daughter doesn’t stay long and must return to her husband’s house before sunset.

Xiqiu didn’t stand on ceremony, turned around, and with Chunyan and Chunliu, went to the East Cross Courtyard.

Tong Minzhi was not home today; it was said that his academy’s annual year-end exams were taking place. Madam Xia was sitting on the bed head, making a jiaao for Tong Minzhi. Seeing Xiqiu enter, she quickly slipped on her shoes to greet her: "Weren’t you eating in the front? Why have you come here? Did you speak with First Master?" She said all this while scanning Xiqiu, as if a year had passed in just two days.

Xiqiu smiled as she held Madam Xia’s arm: "I was escorting Sister-in-law home, so I took the opportunity to visit you."