CHAPTER 416: CHAPTER 418: GETTING STARTED (3)

Madam Jiang sighed, thankful for the discovery. If it had been delayed any longer and with wild animals in the mountains, who knows what might have happened.

Xiqiu also sighed and asked, "What did Third Sister say about it? Has she written a letter to Father?" It was indeed as she expected, a simple burial with a thin coffin.

"Father has already been informed via letter, and someone has been sent to notify Third Aunt as well. Third Aunt hurried to the estate by carriage early this morning, with Manager Lai handling matters over there... It’s said to be quite a scene," Madam Jiang said, looking troubled. "According to Third Aunt’s wishes, she wants a full forty-nine-day Dharma Assembly and wants to bring the arrangements to the manor. But regardless of whether Lady agrees or not, as just a concubine, Madam Wang can’t have such an elaborate ceremony. If this gets out, who knows how many people will gossip behind our backs." She sighed after speaking.

"How about this," Xiqiu suggested without much thought, "Third Sister wants a Water and Land Dharma Assembly, so let’s invite the monks to hold it at the estate. If forty-nine days are not possible, then seven days will suffice. This way, it prevents her from causing a fuss, and there’s no breach of propriety. What do you think, Sister-in-law?"

Madam Jiang’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she nodded after some thought, "This method is feasible. I will discuss it with your older brother when I return." This way, we don’t need to alarm Lady, and we also do a favor for Third Aunt.

Xiqiu nodded, and Madam Jiang stood up, "There are still matters to attend to at home, so I’ll head back first." Xiqiu also stood up, "Let me see you off."

Xiqiu accompanied Madam Jiang to the Grand Dowager’s place and then escorted her to Yimen to catch a carriage.

On the way back, Chunliu muttered softly, "Third Miss is really clueless. She’s just a concubine; does she expect the Eldest Young Madam to support her?"

She could understand Tong Xiyang’s feelings. Previously, when First Master was around, she often hinted to him, openly and secretly, to bring Madam Wang back. Now that Madam Wang passed away under such unclear circumstances, how could she be content?

"In the afternoon, have Nanny Cen go to Hongyan Building to buy some sweet rice cakes with osmanthus wine and send them back. Also, check to see if Madam Xia is doing well." She was worried Madam Xia might become restless because of this.

Chunliu agreed, and along with Bihuai, they supported Xiqiu back to the courtyard.

Before they reached the courtyard, they happened to run into Ziyang rushing out. Chunliu grabbed her and immediately asked, "Why are you so flustered?"

Ziyang had been staying in the kitchen all this time, more disciplined than before, rarely seen like this.

Upon seeing Xiqiu come in, Ziyang turned pale, glanced back at the courtyard, and stammered, "The... the room is out of charcoal, and the servant was going... going to the storeroom to get some."

Xiqiu frowned upon hearing this and gave Chunliu a look. Chunliu then squinted her eyes and released Ziyang, who immediately bowed to Xiqiu and hurried out the door.

Suspicion flashed in Xiqiu’s eyes as she stepped cautiously into the courtyard. In the passageway, she saw Treasure Bead coming out of the study with a teacup. Before Xiqiu could react, Chunliu’s expression changed, and she took a few steps forward to question Treasure Bead.

Xiqiu, however, stopped her, saying, "First, see if Fourth Master is inside."

Chunliu paused, looked at Treasure Bead’s retreating back, and gritted her teeth. Then she quickly stepped onto the veranda, went into the study, and came out with a sullen face, nodding at Xiqiu from afar.

This meant Fourth Master Xiao was back.

Treasure Bead had just served tea to Fourth Master Xiao, so why did Ziyang run?

"What’s Fourth Master doing?" Xiqiu felt a slight unease.

Chunliu softly replied, "Fourth Master is holding a memorial, seems to be handling official business... There’s tea on the table."

Xiqiu squinted her eyes, standing in the passageway, her gaze landing on the door to Treasure Bead’s room. She said to Chunliu, "Go find out where she’s been besides the Grand Dowager’s room these past few days."

Chunliu’s face was cold as she softly replied, "Understood."

Just then, Fourth Master Xiao came out of the study. Seeing Xiqiu standing at the door, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why not come in?" Xiqiu smiled and walked over, asking, "I was talking to Chunliu. When did Fourth Master return?"

Fourth Master Xiao glanced at the table and replied, "Just got back, was thinking of going over the memorials accumulated from the past few days."

"Then, Fourth Master, continue. I won’t disturb you," Xiqiu said with a smile, her eyes sweeping across the room. She heard Fourth Master Xiao reply, "It’s nothing major. Later, Housekeeper Hu will bring people in, and you can have Chunliu follow and instruct them on what to do."

"Alright!" Xiqiu nodded with a smile, paused, and then added, "I’ll go back first. The clothes I was making for you and Min the past couple of days aren’t finished yet."

However, Fourth Master Xiao placed his hands behind his back and followed her, making Xiqiu look back at him in surprise. Fourth Master Xiao then turned to Chunliu and said, "Move my memorials from the table to the desk in the room." and then he looked down at Xiqiu, quietly laughing, "It’s rare to be at home, I ought to accompany my wife."

Xiqiu chuckled.

Back in the room, Xiqiu helped him change his clothes and had someone serve him tea. Fourth Master Xiao leaned against the desk that had been moved in a few days ago, reading memorials. Xiqiu sat cross-legged on the couch, doing embroidery. Chunliu carefully closed the door and advised Bihuai, "Stay by the door today and don’t go anywhere else." Her gaze then lingered on Treasure Bead’s room, "Let’s see what tricks she pulls."

Bihuai softly responded, "Sister Chunliu, don’t act rashly. Madam keeps her around because she was sent by the Grand Dowager. Madam asked you to investigate her whereabouts these days, so just do that. Madam knows what to do about other matters."

"I know." Chunliu nodded, "I’m just upset. She doesn’t know her place!"

Bihuai sneered, "People like that are like ungrateful wolves, never to be trusted."

Inside the room, Fourth Master Xiao looked up from the pile of memorials to see Xiqiu leaning against a large pillow embroidered with a pair of lotus flowers, her hair adorned with only two plain pearl flowers. Her figure was slender, her neck bent and revealing a section of skin as smooth as jade, her delicate fingers holding a needle... The movements were graceful, almost like a painting.

His eyes darkened, and when he looked back at the memorials in his hand, he couldn’t make out a single word. He simply set them aside and sat on the couch, watching Xiqiu.

Xiqiu was startled and looked up at him in confusion, asking, "What’s the matter?" She glanced around, thinking nothing was amiss, and then asked, "Does Fourth Master have something on his mind?"

Fourth Master Xiao shook his head with a smile, "No." He reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and softly asked, "During my days off, is there anywhere you’d like to go? I’ll accompany you."

"I can’t." Xiqiu sighed and shook her head. "I promised Sister-in-law to check in early this morning, but I’ve postponed it to the afternoon. I must go no matter what." She paused, then continued with a smile, "Besides, I’m not familiar with the Capital. Even if Fourth Master asks, I wouldn’t know."