CHAPTER 410: CHAPTER 412: MISSING (PART 2)

Nanny Qiu looked troubled, sighed, and said, "People were sent to notify her, and the Third Lady mocked and criticized Madam Wang in front of Nanny Qian, saying the stewards of the mansion were ineffective and if anything were to happen to Madam Wang, she would not forgive those people even if it cost her life." Clearly implying it was the Eldest Young Madam’s fault.

"So, the Third Sister didn’t know about Madam Wang’s situation beforehand?"

Nanny Qiu nodded, "She claimed she didn’t know, and Nanny Qian dared not press further." How could she dare? The Third Lady is no longer just a miss in the mansion, now she’s a daughter-in-law in someone else’s family, they must speak more cautiously.

Xiqiu nodded thoughtfully. The estate in the suburb of the capital wasn’t far from the city, but it was still a 20 li journey. She dared not take a carriage, had no identification document, and couldn’t even enter the city gate. She might still be hiding somewhere outside the city now, and perhaps Tong Xiyang really didn’t know anything.

She stood up and said to Nanny Qiu, "You go back first and tell my sister-in-law that I need to see the Grand Dowager first."

Nanny Qiu was taken aback, she originally thought the Sixth Lady wouldn’t be back until the afternoon. After all, being part of the Xiao Family now, coming and going wouldn’t be easy. However, hearing her speak now, it seemed she could make her own decisions. Apparently, the Sixth Miss was indeed as the maids in the mansion said, not only did the Fourth Son-in-law treat the Sixth Lady well, but even the Grand Dowager was kind to her.

Thinking of this, Nanny Qiu looked at Xiqiu with a newfound seriousness and said, "I will go and report back first."

"Go ahead, mama." Xiqiu had Bihuai accompany Nanny Qiu, while she went into the inner room to change her clothes.

Chunliu followed her in and mumbled while helping Xiqiu change, "Miss, you’ve been busy with matters of your maiden family these days, won’t the Grand Dowager..."

"There’s no helping it." Xiqiu waved her hand and said, "If I ignored family matters after marrying into the Marquis Mansion, the Grand Dowager would certainly look down on me even more. We might as well follow our own hearts, as for what others think, we have no control over it."

Chunliu paused her actions and added, "I didn’t mean anything, it’s just that the matter of the Third Miss sits uneasy with me. We just went to the Marquis Mansion the other day for her, and she didn’t even say a word of thanks, and instead spoke to you in that manner, clearly not appreciating it. And now we’re running around over Madam Wang’s matter, in this cold weather, with your leg not well, it’s worrying.

Xiqiu also paused her actions, looked at her, and said, "Going to the Marquis Mansion wasn’t for her sake, but because we’re Tong Family sisters, to outsiders, we are one family. If I didn’t go, what would others think? Besides, I wasn’t doing it for her, but because my sister-in-law is in charge. I don’t want to make it difficult for her, that’s why I went." She paused, and added, "And with Madam Wang escaping from the estate, if she went to the Marquis Mansion or returned home, it would be fine. But what if something happened outside? It would be the Tong family’s reputation on the line, and we can’t just stand aside."

Chunliu found Xiqiu’s reasoning sound, but still felt begrudged. Reflecting on the hardships they endured in the mansion before, and how now they always come to the Young Madam for help, the contrast was hard to reconcile!

Xiqiu, seeing her sulking face, could only smile helplessly and said to her, "You should stay in the mansion with Chunyan. She can’t go out, so help her tidy up the house, see if there’s anything with the Second Madam that might need assistance, and move around a bit. I’ll take Bihuai and Biwu, that should be fine."

"Don’t!" Chunliu said with a change of expression to a smiling face, "Let me accompany you back, I feel at ease by your side." With Bihuai and Biwu being so skinny, they wouldn’t be of much help: "Let Biwu and Chunyan stay at home. If Fourth Master returns, they can attend to him."

Xiqiu nodded, not opposing the suggestion. Suddenly, she asked, "What has Treasure Bead been up to lately?" Chunliu replied with disdain, "She’s been hanging around the Grand Dowager’s room daily. If Fourth Master returns, she doesn’t dare enter his quarters, but if he’s in the study, she’ll find ways to get close." Then, she sneered disdainfully.

Xiqiu nodded and said nothing further, leading Bihuai and Chunliu to the Grand Dowager’s quarters.

Upon entering, they heard the Second Madam’s laughter, "Then I’ll invite Fourth Sister-in-law later, with her help, I can focus on other things." In previous years, with many matters to handle during the year-end, the Fifth Madam would assist the Second Madam. Now that the Fifth Madam wasn’t in the mansion, the only person to ask for help was Xiqiu.

The Grand Dowager nodded, "She’s young; if she doesn’t understand, you should guide her."

The Second Madam replied with a laugh, "Mother, you’re being a little biased." Then, she covered her face with laughter, "Fourth Sister-in-law used to oversee the household duties at her maiden home, and it was said she managed very well, so you should rest assured."

The Grand Dowager nodded thoughtfully and responded, "Alright, as long as you sisters-in-law come to an agreement, this old lady has no objections." The Second Madam chuckled softly beside her.

Just then, the curtain lifted and Xiqiu stepped in. The Second Madam was sitting closely with the Grand Dowager, speaking with smiles evident between them, and the room exuded a harmonious atmosphere. Xiqiu’s gaze flickered, smiling as she said, "Looks like I’m late..."

The Second Madam laughed and replied, "You’re not late, you arrived just at the right time, very timely." Her words caught Xiqiu off guard. The Second Madam continued, "Mother and I were just talking about you."

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows and glanced at the Grand Dowager. Though her expression was mild, her eyes held warmth as she asked, "To have you and Second Sister-in-law speak about me is my blessing." She sat down on the stool brought by Nanny Wu.

"Mother, look," the Second Madam laughed, "Isn’t Fourth Sister-in-law amusing? She’s not as dull as she appears." She paused and added, "That’s why I said there’s no reason to worry."

Xiqiu sipped tea while casually glancing at the Second Madam. The Grand Dowager then tapped the Second Madam’s forehead and said with a smile, "You really know everything."

The Second Madam coyly laughed.

Xiqiu wasn’t impatient, waiting for the Second Madam to reveal the mystery.

Soon enough, the Second Madam with a smile turned serious and said to Xiqiu, "I was just discussing with Mother about asking Fourth Sister-in-law to lend a hand."

"Lend a hand?" Xiqiu laughed and said, "Second Sister-in-law, feel free to instruct me on anything. There’s no need for such formality." The Second Madam wouldn’t ask her for anything beyond helping with the mansion’s New Year preparations.

As expected, the Second Madam with a smile said, "I’ve been busy with the New Year preparations these past few days, wanting to do many things, yet feeling short-handed and unable to divide my attention. Seeing how the New Year is approaching, I thought to ask Fourth Sister-in-law for some help, though I’m unsure of your availability."