CHAPTER 415: CHAPTER 417: GETTING STARTED (2)

She thought Fourth Master Xiao would mock her, but unexpectedly, he nodded seriously and said, "Alright, I’ll accompany you to have a look later."

Xiqiu looked at him and smiled slightly, the negative pessimism brought by Madam Wang’s death was significantly diminished.

At this moment, Min strode in on his little legs, clasped his fists towards Xiqiu and said, "Father, Mother!" Fourth Master Xiao glanced at him and nodded, while Xiqiu smiled and asked, "Min, have you had breakfast?"

Min quickly scanned the table and saw there were only a few plates of snacks and porridge with vegetables, but not the eggs and vegetarian buns that Xiqiu enforced him to eat every day. He dropped his eyelids, showing a hint of disappointment, and shook his head saying, "Min has eaten."

Seeing his expression, Xiqiu turned to look at the nanny behind her with questioning eyes. The nanny almost imperceptibly shook her head at Xiqiu, who frowned and looked displeased at Min, noticing the disappointment on his face.

She suddenly remembered that every morning when he came for breakfast, she would prepare eggs and vegetarian buns for him. This morning, because of Tianyi’s matters and with Fourth Master Xiao being present, she forgot.

Sighing slightly, she smiled and rose, walking over to Min with an apologetic expression, "There are no eggs or buns today, how about having some steamed dumplings, Min?"

Min bit his lip, showing a stubborn expression, and replied, "Mother, Min has eaten!"

Xiqiu paid no mind, but Fourth Master Xiao’s face darkened, and he said expressionlessly, "Is this how you speak with your mother? So disrespectful."

Min’s eyes reddened, and he turned his face away. Xiqiu did not contradict Fourth Master Xiao, but whispered to Min, "Since you’ve eaten, come with me to greet Grandmother."

Min nodded, stood aside with his hands at his sides, and Xiqiu crouched down beside him, speaking softly.

Fourth Master Xiao wiped his hands, stood up, looked at the whispering mother and son, his gaze flickered, his face still cold, but his tone was a bit softer: "Let’s go!" With that, he led the way out.

Xiqiu held Min’s hand, taking small steps to follow.

When they arrived at the Grand Dowager’s room, the Grand Dowager saw Fourth Master Xiao’s stern face, and then noticed Min being held by Xiqiu with red eyes as if wronged. She frowned slightly and beckoned Min, asking, "Min, go wake up Xing and Sheng."

Min, as if granted amnesty, bolted into the green gauze cabinet.

The Grand Dowager turned her head to ask Fourth Master Xiao, "Why didn’t you go to the government office today?"

Fourth Master Xiao took a sip of tea and replied, "Most of the year’s end matters are done. I requested leave from the Emperor for the next few days and will go back after the New Year."

"That’s good!" The Grand Dowager nodded, "You indeed worked hard these days. Resting at home is good."

Fourth Master Xiao lowered his head and drank tea, not speaking immediately.

The Grand Dowager turned to ask Xiqiu, "...Is there any news about Madam Wang?"

Xiqiu glanced at Fourth Master Xiao and replied, "Fourth Master’s men found her last night at Jiwei Mountain, but she was already frozen to death... They say she twisted her ankle and was trapped for a day and night." The Grand Dowager sighed, murmuring "Amitabha Buddha", and lamented, "Whatever her life’s ordeals, death is significant, and may she find a good place to be reborn."

Xiqiu’s gaze flickered, then the Grand Dowager said, "You might visit your second sister-in-law tomorrow. She may be busy, but she isn’t alone. Today’s ideal since old Fourth is here, have him help you out in case there’s anything in your room."

"I was planning to tell her too, to visit her in the afternoon." Xiqiu explained with some embarrassment, "I intended to go early today, but... I wonder if she might be mad at me."

The Grand Dowager seemed unworried, waving her hand, "Take care of your things. I will explain to your second sister-in-law."

Xiqiu said nothing more and, after bidding goodbye to the Grand Dowager with Fourth Master Xiao, sent Chunliu to greet the Second Madam while returning to their own courtyard.

Upon reaching the backyard, Xiqiu pointed to a corner where a flower trellis was perched and said, "I checked around; other places are inconvenient. Taking this vine trellis down would be the easiest."

Fourth Master Xiao looked at the vine trellis, his brows slightly furrowing imperceptibly, his fist clenching beneath his sleeve. Xiqiu waited a moment for his response but didn’t hear him, so she turned back in puzzlement, asking, "Fourth Master, is it that this trellis can’t be dismantled?"

Could it be this trellis held some significance, hence not to be removed?

With questioning eyes, Xiqiu turned back. Her large eyes were dark, resembling a deep pool, differing from her usual bright, clear look; at that moment, they seemed deep and obscure, making him momentarily unable to see clearly.

Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze slightly focused, and after a moment’s contemplation, he replied, "Have Housekeeper Hu bring the attendants over this afternoon; it will be done in half a day."

So, he consented.

"Alright." Xiqiu smiled and walked to the trellis, pointing at the wall: "I want to plant some Panax notoginseng here." Then pointing at the other end: "Here, I want to plant some corn!"

Seeing her enthusiastic demeanor, Fourth Master Xiao’s eyes gradually revealed a smile, saying, "It’s only about half an acre; can you plant so many things?"

"Let’s try it." Xiqiu appeared uncertain, tilting her head at Fourth Master Xiao: "If not, we could just plant some Panax notoginseng?"

He hadn’t expected her to want to grow medicinal herbs, recalling her proper care during Xiao Yanzheng’s illness, she might know some medical knowledge, he nods, "Start with some Panax notoginseng, corn should wait until next year."

Xiqiu sighed, showing her lack of knowledge regarding agriculture.

As they conversed, Chunliu approached from afar: "The Eldest Young Madam is here."

It was likely related to Madam Wang’s matter, Xiqiu replied, "Lead her to the room first, I’ll be right there."

"You go ahead, I’ll check the outer courtyard and notify Housekeeper Hu," Fourth Master Xiao said indifferently, his hands behind his back as he walked out. Xiqiu escorted him to the door and then headed to the main room.

Madam Jiang was seated on the kang, holding the flower Xiqiu had just started embroidering, upon Xiqiu’s entry, she placed the embroidery frame down with a smile: "Everyone says the Sixth Lady is handy, I finally get to see it today." Her face full of admiration.

Xiqiu smiled and approached, asking, "Is there something on your mind, sister-in-law?"

Madam Jiang restrained her smile and replied, "Just to prevent your worry, I came to inform you that Madam Wang’s body has been placed at the manor, and she will be buried in two days. Thanks to Sixth Son-in-law, we found her quickly..." Pausing for a moment, she continued, "They found many newborn’s clothes and a pair of silver bracelets on her."

It seems Madam Wang truly knew about the matters at Marquis Mansion, so uneasily escaped into the night, attempting to visit Tong Xiyang, unaware of the perilous snow-covered road ahead. Amidst slipping on the mountain path, she broke her leg, followed by an entire day of snowfall led to a tragic end...