CHAPTER 364: CHAPTER 366: BESTOWAL OF A LADY’S TITLE (2)

Xiqiu lowered her eyes and accepted the incense, kneeling side by side with Fourth Master Xiao on the prayer mat. Paying their respects, Xiqiu glanced at the relatively new tablets in the front row. One bore the inscription "Memorial to the Late Master Xiao Ningzhen," presumably that of the Old Marquis. Quickly, she scanned the adjacent ones...

The two newly placed tablets beside it belonged to Xiao Yanji and Tong Xihua. The Grand Dowager’s eyes welled up with tears, and Xiao Yanzheng assisted her as she wiped her eyes.

There was no tablet for Third Master Xiao.

While Xiqiu was internally puzzled, Xiao Yanyi had already composedly added "Mrs. Xiao Tong" next to Fourth Master Xiao’s name in the family register with a goat hair brush. Below, a new name was added, Xiao Huaimin... It seems that in the Xiao Family, Min’s generation is named with the character "Hua."

After completing the family register, Xiao Yanyi placed Xiqiu’s decree document on the desk, aligning it with the First Madam’s decree.

Everyone paid their respects and then all retreated, following the Grand Dowager back to her courtyard. Nanny Wu brought in Ziwei with the tea, and then brought out a red-lacquered square box with a single copper clasp from Phoebe, placing it on the kang table by the Grand Dowager’s left hand. The Grand Dowager glanced at the box and handed it to Xiqiu: "These are the jewelry pieces from before. I’ve given them to your sisters-in-law as well, this is yours, take it!" Her voice remained faint, yet compared to the previous indifference, there seemed to be a subtle change.

Was this a sign that the Grand Dowager had finally accepted her as a daughter-in-law?

Xiqiu received the box, paid her respects to the Grand Dowager, and handed it to Chunliu before sitting back in her place.

The Second Madam glanced at the First Madam, whose expression remained indifferent. Seeing no reaction, she stood up, taking a small, peony-carved, silk-patterned jewelry box from the maid behind her. "Last year, the Empress Dowager bestowed this. Now, I pass it on to my sister-in-law. Congratulations!"

Xiqiu smiled and stood up: "How can I accept this?" The Second Madam placed the box in Xiqiu’s hand, smiling: "There’s no need to be so polite, we’re family. Sister-in-law’s decree is a joyous event for the mansion, and it warrants congratulations and celebration."

Xiqiu no longer declined, paying her respects to the Second Madam: "Thank you, Second Sister-in-law!"

The Fifth Young Master cast a glance towards the Fifth Madam, who reluctantly stood up with a forced smile and approached Xiqiu, smiling, "Fourth Sister-in-law, I don’t have anything special, but this is a gift from my brother. It’s Jun Porcelain from the Longquan Official Kiln. I hope Fourth Sister-in-law won’t mind!" With that, she opened the redwood inlaid box she held...

Xiqiu saw inside a thumb-sized Jun Porcelain snuff bottle, brilliantly colored with a mix of purple, hidden blue, and white with a red hue. It was exquisite and beautiful. She did not take it but smiled, saying, "I can’t possibly accept something from Fifth Sister-in-law..."

The Fifth Madam pursed her lips, glanced again at the Fifth Young Master, and smiled as she pushed the box into Xiqiu’s hand: "Fourth Sister-in-law, please don’t be so formal!" With that, she turned around and returned to the Fifth Young Master’s side.

Xiqiu thanked her with a smile!

The Grand Dowager squinted at the Fifth Madam, then smilingly said to Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu: "It’s getting late, you should head to the palace early!"

Xiqiu bid farewell to everyone, returning to her room with Fourth Master Xiao. She changed into the pearl crown and brocade with the Second-Grade Imperial Decree formal attire. They took a carriage to the outer courtyard, boarded a carriage at the Yimen, and traveled to outside the palace gates. After disembarking, they followed a eunuch through an empty hall where they waited briefly. When the eunuch returned, they proceeded as before to the Empress Dowager’s palace, sat for a short while, and then moved on to the Empress’s palace. Xiqiu thanked the Empress for the fragrant incense, and they chatted for a bit when the Heir’s Lady of Count Dongchang entered with a child.

The Heir’s Lady, seemingly just out of confinement, appeared very plump, fair-skinned with large eyes that gave her a spirited look. After greeting the Empress, she turned to look at Xiqiu. The Empress, smiling, said: "This is Fourth Madam Xiao!" and then to Xiqiu: "This is Madam Shen of Count Dongchang."

Xiqiu stepped forward and greeted Madam Shen: "Madam Shen!" With the child in arms, Madam Shen returned the greeting: "Fourth Madam!"

Xiqiu’s gaze fell on the swaddled infant, smiling as she congratulated Madam Shen: "Congratulations to Madam Shen on the birth of a noble son." Madam Shen returned the courtesy: "Fourth Madam is newlywed; I was in confinement and couldn’t attend to have a celebratory drink. I should congratulate Fourth Madam instead!"

"Celebrations all around!" laughed the Empress, "Quickly, bring the Little Lord over for me to see."

Little Lord? It seems, as Xiao Yanyi mentioned, the Emperor has conferred a title to the legitimate son of The Princely Heir Shen?

The Shen Family is indeed thriving, basking in wealth and imperial favor!

Madam Shen carefully handed the child over to the female official who approached. The official gingerly carried the child over to show the Empress. The Empress leaned forward, delighted, saying: "Such a beautiful child, very much like the Heir!"

Madam Shen hid her mouth as she laughed.

Xiqiu quietly smiled from the side, watching as the Empress continued to tease the child.

After the female official took the child out to the waiting wet nurse, the Empress reluctantly turned her head, smiling: "Having a child is wonderful, they’re so soft and delightful!" She turned to Xiqiu: "Fourth Madam Xiao, when you have a child, be sure to bring them for me to see, I truly adore children."

Xiqiu, watching the joyfully childlike Empress, glanced at her belly, and quickly blushed, lowering her head.

Madam Shen smiled and replied: "Your Majesty, Fourth Madam is shy!" The Empress hid her laughter.

The three continued to talk a great deal about children, as a female official came to serve the Empress her medicine, Xiqiu took the opportunity to leave.

Led by a female official at the front, Xiqiu walked side by side with Madam Shen. Madam Shen, smiling, said to Xiqiu: "At home, I have heard my mother-in-law mention Fourth Madam, saying you are virtuous and talented, gentle and respectful. Today, I’m honored to meet you... You are even better than what my mother-in-law described. Fourth Madam, when you have free time in the future, you must visit our estate often."

"Certainly!" Xiqiu smiled, "The Grand Dowager presided over my coming-of-age ceremony, and I’ve yet to have the opportunity to visit and pay my respects to her. If I find the time, I will definitely visit." She continued, "Madam Shen, if you have the chance, do come to the Marquis Mansion too. The estates are nearby, and when you come, send word, and I will greet you!"

"I dare not presume." Madam Shen smiled, "I will certainly come often."

The women spoke as they reached the palace gates. In the distance, they saw Fourth Master Xiao standing at the gates. Madam Shen halted: "The Heir has not come out yet, I will wait here a moment."

"Then I will accompany you." Xiqiu smiled, but Madam Shen quickly waved her hands, "No need, it’s windy here, and the Great Governor is waiting for you. I will just sit in the side hall, you go ahead, don’t keep the Great Governor waiting!"

Xiqiu glanced at Fourth Master Xiao, who stood with his hands behind his back by the carriage. Smiling, she turned to Madam Shen and paid her respects: "Then I will take my leave, excuse me!"

"Safe travels." Madam Shen watched Xiqiu depart, observing her silhouette. Turning to the wet nurse holding the child, Madam Shen said, "They say Fourth Master Xiao married a concubine’s daughter, not caring for the family’s status. But now it seems, Fourth Master’s affection for Fourth Madam is even greater than rumored." There was a subtle hint of envy in her voice.