CHAPTER 422: CHAPTER 424: CANNON FODDER (1)

The Grand Dowager asked, "What’s going on? Why do I hear something that sounds like Treasure Bead’s voice? Did something happen over there with the Fourth?"

Nanny Wu briefly recounted Treasure Bead’s words: "...It seems the Fourth Master is angry!"

The Grand Dowager furrowed her brows, "Go and check on Xiqiu, see if she’s hurt."

"I will go right away," Nanny Wu responded, turning to leave. At that moment, Ziwei lifted the curtain and poked her head in to say, "Maid Chunliu from the Fourth Madam’s room is here."

"Let her in," the Grand Dowager’s eyebrows slightly raised as she glanced at Nanny Wu. A smile appeared on Nanny Wu’s face, and she nodded inwardly. Treasure Bead cried and came back, then the Fourth Madam sent her maid, no matter the reason for this matter, the Fourth Madam undoubtedly considered the Grand Dowager’s reputation.

Chunliu entered and respectfully greeted the Grand Dowager, "Grand Dowager, I apologize for disturbing your rest at this late hour."

"It’s alright," the Grand Dowager’s expression softened slightly. "How is Xiqiu? Is she burned?"

Chunliu raised her head and shook it towards the Grand Dowager, "The madam is not hurt, only startled..." Seeing the relieved look on the Grand Dowager’s face, her own heart settled, and she added, "The madam said it’s no big deal, the Fourth Master only spoke a bit harshly. Treasure Bead, being a girl with thinner skin, may do something foolish, so she sent me to check."

Implying to the Grand Dowager that it was originally a trivial matter, with the Fourth Master as the master scolding, it shouldn’t be taken to heart. Treasure Bead became upset and returned because her skin is too thin.

Chunliu paused and continued, "The Fourth Madam instructed me to see if everything is alright so that I can take Treasure Bead back. It wouldn’t be right to disturb your peace over such matters so late."

The Grand Dowager nodded slightly, saying to Chunliu, "It’s late already, let’s discuss this tomorrow. If Treasure Bead were to return now, arrangements would have to be made, delaying their rest. Since she’s already here, let’s have Nanny Wu arrange for her to rest tonight, and talk tomorrow."

Chunliu’s eyes glimmered; she had worried if the Grand Dowager would insist that Treasure Bead went back with her, fearing her efforts tonight would be in vain. Her heart was full of hesitations, but now she felt relieved.

The Grand Dowager didn’t send Treasure Bead directly back, perhaps indicating she had other considerations about her returning.

"Yes!" Chunliu replied with lowered eyes, and the Grand Dowager nodded, turning to Ziwei, "Escort Maid Chunliu out." Ziwei acknowledged.

Ziwei smiled and lifted the curtain, saying to Chunliu, "I’ll see you out." Chunliu bowed to the Grand Dowager and exited with Ziwei.

Once Chunliu left, Nanny Wu looked at the Grand Dowager, asking, "Should we call Treasure Bead in to inquire?"

The Grand Dowager waved her hand, "No need." She sighed, "Since she’s back, there’s no need to send her back. Where did she originally work?" Nanny Wu recalled and said, "She used to work under Ziyang, sweeping the courtyard."

The Grand Dowager’s eyes flickered slightly, asking, "Is Ziyang still in the room? What work is she doing?"

Nanny Wu replied, "Last time, when I went to deliver fur, I seemed to see Ziyang in the kitchen. A few days ago, the Second Madam assigned two cooks to the Fourth Madam’s courtyard, and Ziyang seemed to be managing the small kitchen."

"She’s rather smart," the Grand Dowager mused, her expression shifting to a gentle smile, and she told Nanny Wu, "In the rear courtyard, there are two flower gardens managed by two women, let Treasure Bead help there."

Thus avoiding wandering in the front courtyard; the Fourth has never cared much about the maids and women, as long as it doesn’t affect his daily life, he pretends not to see. Ziyang and Treasure Bead were sent by her, seeing the courtyard lacked servants. They’ve been serving there for over two years, and the work was trained by Nanny Wu herself, so serving tea shouldn’t go wrong.

Initially considering Xiqiu was incompatible with anyone in the room, but now it seems Treasure Bead is restless, possibly unable to stay, yet she can’t overtly send someone back, thus orchestrating this situation? Otherwise, why did she keep Ziyang? Her maids are also not bad-looking, maybe she’s overthinking.

"I understand, I’ll arrange it tomorrow," Nanny Wu thought, realizing the Fourth Madam faced difficulties, newly arrived in the house, even if something occurs in her room, she can’t openly handle it, cautiously managing everything, just like the previous matter with Chunyan, she bore it, and Chunyan still can’t leave the room...

"Treasure Bead is in the room, keep an eye on her. If it doesn’t work, send her to the manor, so those maids learn they’re not superior just by coming from me, instead causing trouble and disputes in the house," the Grand Dowager set down her teacup, stood up, "Help me take off the hairpins and rings, let’s rest now!"

Nanny Wu then assisted the Grand Dowager into the bedroom.

The next morning, Xiqiu led Min to greet her, arriving while the Grand Dowager was returning from her stroll in the courtyard with Nanny Wu. Seeing Xiqiu, she cheerfully asked, "Why so early today?"

Min tilted his little face and replied to the Grand Dowager, "Mother said Min should go early, so we came early to grandmother."

The Grand Dowager smiled and nodded, supporting herself on Nanny Wu’s hand up the steps, then asked Xiqiu, "And the Fourth? Wasn’t he supposed to be resting at home these days, why isn’t he here this morning?"

"The Marquis went early this morning, probably discussing something in the outer courtyard. He might come later," Xiqiu held Min’s small hand, followed by the maids staying outside, the two of them entered the Warm Pavilion with the Grand Dowager, Ziwei serving tea as she arrived, Xiqiu thanked her with a smile, saying, "Mother, did you go for a walk this morning? It’s quite cold, and your health isn’t well, if you walk too fast and sweat, it’s easy to catch a chill."

"Hmm," The Grand Dowager sat comfortably on the couch, sighed contently, and took a sip of the slightly cooled tea, then said, "Rest assured, at my age, even if I wanted to walk fast, I lack the strength; I can only stroll a few rounds in the courtyard with Nanny Wu, where’s the sweat!"

Xiqiu sat beside her, watching the Grand Dowager with a faint smile.

"The silver tree yesterday looked lovely, maybe we should put one in front of my courtyard once it’s all set up. It doesn’t necessarily have to be during the holiday season, it can be used as a lantern on a regular basis, how beautiful!" As the Grand Dowager finished speaking, Xing and Sheng happened to come out from the green gauze cabinet, both dashing towards the Grand Dowager’s side, laughing gleefully, "Grandmother, today we’ll help the Fourth Aunt decorate the tree!"

The Grand Dowager chuckled and pointed at Xiqiu, "Didn’t you see your Fourth Aunt, such impoliteness!"