CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: MISSING (1)

It seems Tong Xiyang also thinks there’s something wrong with Madam Chen!

Xiqiu slightly furrowed her brows: "You said last time that Madam Chen has been getting very close to the Wujin Bo Mansion recently?"

Chunyan thought for a moment, then nodded: "Yes!"

Xiqiu frowned, her expression a bit somber, and after a while, she spoke: "Tomorrow, go and inquire whether the Wujin Bo family has any unmarried young masters."

Chunyan seemed to have anticipated Xiqiu’s question and had prepared her words in advance: "The last time I returned from Lamp Grass Alley, I’ve been keeping a close watch. The Wujin Bo family doesn’t have any eligible young masters, but..." She carefully glanced at Xiqiu’s expression: "But the third young mistress of the Wujin Bo Mansion passed away three years ago."

Xiqiu was taken aback and blurted out: "Are you saying the third son of Count Wujin is widowed?"

Chunyan nodded: "On the ninth of this month, it will be exactly three years."

Such an exalted family... widowed for three years and yet to remarry... Madam Chen’s attitude...

Xiqiu didn’t speak, recalling how Madam Chen looked at them today. Suddenly, her heart sank. If the differences between her and Tong Xiyang, Tong Xiyan were so obvious, then why could Madam Chen, without asking, tell that she is Sixth Miss when she and Tong Xiyu together are indistinguishable? Was it Lady who had told her beforehand, or had she been observing her for some time?

What is Lady’s true intention?

Fourth Sister is of legitimate birth and should rightfully be the wife, but why did Lady bypass Tong Xiyang to choose her? Could it be that Count Wujin is not as they thought? Is Lady hoping to use her to climb up the tree of Count Wujin?

If she believes Lady wouldn’t send them to be concubines, it is out of the consideration for the face of the Tong Mansion. But if she marries into a marquis family as a second wife, it wouldn’t be a disgrace.

She is merely a minor concubine’s daughter from a fifth-rank official family, so she would be marrying above her station.

Xiqiu quietly pondered, and for a moment, the room was silent.

Chunyan had been with Xiqiu for over two years now and understood that when Xiqiu was considering things, she liked to stay alone in the room, sometimes for days on end, sometimes just for a moment.

She quietly left the room and turned into her own quarters, taking out a purse she’d prepared in advance from the bedside. Inside were five taels of silver and a silver hairpin she cherished, which was a gift from Lady when she first entered the household.

She tucked the purse into her bosom and went straight to Third Miss’s courtyard.

As soon as Tong Xiyang entered, Madam Wang pulled her into the room and closed the door, a look of excitement appeared on her face: "Did you see Madam Chen today?"

Tong Xiyang suddenly lifted her head, looking at her aunt in surprise: "Aunt, did you guess something?" She thought of the information Nanny Qiu gathered, that Madam Chen and the second young mistress of the Wujin Bo Mansion are from the same clan, hence their close relationship, and the two families frequent interactions.

The third son of Count Wujin is holding a mourning clothes removal ceremony for his deceased wife this month... Madam Chen is very busy, shuttling between the two households.

Why is Madam Chen so busy with the removal ceremony of the third young mistress’s mourning clothes?

Madam Wang saw her daughter’s confusion and suddenly laughed: "Silly child, what kind of person is Lady? She’s always been proud and won’t kowtow to curry favor with others, yet this time she’s getting so close to Madam Chen, isn’t there something fishy?" Madam Wang spoke as if she had insight into everything: "I brought several rolls of Snow Fine Gauze from Yongzhou, later I’ll have someone make a gauze skirt for Lady, and at that time you can say it was made by you personally."

Tong Xiyang stood up suddenly, looking like she was struggling greatly: "Aunt! Count Wujin’s family may be of high standing, but we don’t even know who the third son is, he lost his wife so young, he..." The image of Xu Tianqing’s handsome face flashed in her mind, torn with indecision!

Madam Wang’s face turned stern, she pressed her down onto her seat: "Which noble young man doesn’t have a bit of mischief? The important thing is how you capture his heart." She glared at Tong Xiyang with frustration: "Even though it’s a second marriage, if the previous wife left no heirs, who can surpass you if you bear a son? I’ve lived a life of bending and scraping, but my daughter mustn’t, she must rise above others and show them that Wang Fangzhi’s daughter is a lady of the Marquis Mansion!"

Tong Xiyang looked dejected, her eyes blank: "Aunt... cousin..."

Madam Wang waved her hand to cut her off, smiling slightly: "Have you considered that if Lady sets her eyes on Sixth Girl, clever as she is, she’ll definitely seize this opportunity. Will you be content to bow to her in the future?! And Madam Mei, as soon as Lady returned today, she went to wait on her."

Her words struck Tong Xiyang’s weak spot, her delicate fingers instantly clenched into a fist: "Impossible!" She spoke through gritted teeth: "Why should they!"

Madam Wang laughed and embraced Tong Xiyang: "This is a perfect opportunity, you mustn’t miss it!"

There was one thing she didn’t say, if Sixth Girl was chosen first, then surely Third and Fourth Girls would be arranged soon as well. With Fourth Girl being of legitimate birth, Lady must have long since prepared for her. But what of Third Girl? Given Lady’s means, she would certainly find some small family’s boy for her, or perhaps even a distant family, from which she wouldn’t return to the Capital for decades after being married off.

Her daughter could not be married off just anywhere!

Tong Xiyang closed her eyes, then suddenly opened them: "But Lady..."

Madam Wang knew her daughter’s heart was moved, and she once again wore a knowing smile, confident and composed. Tong Xiyang immediately looked excited: "Does Aunt have a plan?"

Madam Wang took out a vermillion lacquered box from the treasure cabinet, clasping it with both hands, the pair of gold and copper clasps dexterously unfastening. Madam Wang took out the items inside, causing the room to brighten somewhat.

Tong Xiyang was stunned, gazing at the pair of moon-white Dongzhu in front of her, unable to tear her eyes away: "Such precious things, not even Lady might have them, Mother, where did you get them?" She suddenly looked at Madam Wang: "Are you going to give them to Lady?"

Madam Wang covered her mouth and laughed: "Would it do any good to give them to her?!" Avoiding the question, she spoke mysteriously: "Isn’t Nanny Qian going to the Chen Mansion tomorrow to return a gift? I’ve already arranged for someone; Nanny Qiu will accompany her, and then she will deliver this to Madam Chen..."

Madam Chen is merely the matchmaker. Third Miss is no less than Sixth Girl; who to marry is ultimately her decision.

Tong Xiyang threw herself into Madam Wang’s arms, and Madam Wang, embracing her, laughed: "We must contain what’s outside to sort out what’s within. Are we afraid Lady, that ancient clam, won’t loosen her grip!" Once Sixth Girl is eliminated, and Lady is set on forging this alliance, who else could it be but Third Miss?

"Miss, look!" Siliu came rushing in, placing a lunchbox on the kang table, noisily setting out a plate of pickled cucumbers and several small dishes, along with a plate of Osmanthus Cake and a plate of Jujube Cake. There were four types of porridge, and she frowned as if dazed by silver upon stepping outside: "I don’t know what wind blew today, but as soon as I went to the kitchen, those old women swarmed around me. Their enthusiasm seeing me was akin to viewing silver itself."