CHAPTER 423: CHAPTER 425: CANNON FODDER (PART 2)

Xing and Sheng turned their heads with smiles, each calling out, "Hello Fourth Aunt."

Xiqiu nodded to them with a smile.

Sheng saw Min standing beside Xiqiu and slid down from the Grand Dowager, whispering something into Min’s ear.

Min showed no reaction, but Sheng grabbed his hand with one hand and Xing’s with the other, saying to the Grand Dowager, "Grandmother, we’re going out to play." The three of them ran out of the room with fast steps.

The Grand Dowager chuckled, pointing at the three boys’ nannies and maids, "Quick, follow them closely. Be careful and make sure they don’t fall."

The nannies and maids nodded in agreement and hurriedly followed them out.

Once the children left, the room quieted down. The Grand Dowager turned her attention to Xiqiu’s hand and asked, "Did you get burned? Should I call the Imperial Physician to have a look?"

"It’s nothing." Xiqiu waved her hand apologetically, "The teacup just tipped over next to me, it didn’t burn." She hesitated before adding, "Is Treasure Bead okay? She’s rather sensitive, and since Fourth Master is..."

The Grand Dowager gave her a deep look, smiling, and shook her head, "Young girls are like that, careless and hasty, who knows what they’re thinking all day..." She paused and continued, "If you’re not short on hands over there, why don’t you leave her here? Let Nanny Wu teach her a bit. It’s a good thing you have a good temper, spoiling her so much that she doesn’t know how to behave. If left unchecked, she’ll surely cause more trouble someday."

"How could I impose?" Xiqiu blushed, looking at the Grand Dowager sincerely, "It was just an accident on her part. If I leave her here and others hear about it, they’ll think... they’ll think a wife can’t tolerate her husband’s people."

The slight discomfort the Grand Dowager felt dissipated completely with those words. She was pleased that Xiqiu could speak so frankly with her. She had no particular dislike for Xiqiu; her main concern was about Xiao Yanyi’s feelings. Now that things had been peaceful for over a month, and considering her good relationship with Fourth Master Xiao, she was quite happy as an elder to see it.

"I was just worried about Treasure Bead getting tangled in her thoughts, and here you are worrying for no reason. If a girl makes a mistake, she should be punished. Even if others see it, they can’t say anything." The Grand Dowager spoke plainly and instructed Nanny Wu, "Go bring the silver ear and goat milk custard from this morning for the Fourth Madam."

And thus, the matter of Treasure Bead was brushed aside.

With a broad smile, Nanny Wu obliged, fetching the custard. The Grand Dowager explained, "This silver ear is nourishing, and the goat milk is gentle, though it has a bit of a gamey taste, it’s the best for women."

Xiqiu tasted the custard; its mild goat flavor filled her nostrils. Despite a slight frown, she drank it, smiled, and returned the bowl to Nanny Wu, saying, "Mother sure has a lot of good things!"

The Grand Dowager’s face was full of smiles.

At that moment, the Second Madam entered with a smile, seeing the Grand Dowager and Xiqiu enjoying a laugh. She glanced around and asked, "What’s making everyone so happy?" Stepping inside, she noticed the bowl in Nanny Wu’s hand and joked, "Mother must have given something good to my younger sister-in-law, and I just happened to catch it. Now that I’ve seen it, I must have a share." Looking to Xiqiu, she added, "Mother’s treasures can’t all be hoarded by you!"

The Grand Dowager chuckled heartily, and Xiqiu smiled behind her handkerchief.

"You’re really picky!" The Grand Dowager seemed delighted, "Go, bring a big bowl for the Second Madam."

Nanny Wu obliged and soon returned with a large blue-and-white bowl. When the Second Madam saw the silver ear goat milk custard inside, she looked alarmed and refused, "Why is it this? I won’t eat it, I won’t!" She waved her hand repeatedly, "I really can’t stand the taste of goat milk."

The Grand Dowager wasn’t offended and remarked, "This big bowl was already served, you have to eat it... Feed her with a spoon." The Second Madam snuggled into the Grand Dowager’s arms, shaking her head like a child.

Xiqiu maintained her smile but let her gaze wander elsewhere.

The First Madam and Xiao Yanzheng arrived and, seeing the Second Madam’s reaction and the custard in Nanny Wu’s hands, Xiao Yanzheng clutched her stomach and laughed, "Second Sister-in-law really can’t stand the taste of goat milk."

"Indeed!" The Second Madam forced a smile, "I’ve been sensitive to that smell since childhood."

The Grand Dowager waved for Nanny Wu to take it away, feigning anger, "You said Xiqiu couldn’t enjoy it all alone, but now you don’t want it." The Second Madam clung to the Grand Dowager’s arm, pleadingly saying, "I know Mother loves us, but I can’t handle such a blessing."

The atmosphere in the room remained light and cheerful.

The First Madam sat opposite Xiqiu, looking at her sipping tea with a faint smile, and asked, "I prepared some plum blossoms, would you like to try some?"

The First Madam referred to dried plum blossom petals that could be added to tea leaves, infusing the tea with a hint of plum fragrance.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law," Xiqiu replied, smiling, "I’ve often heard of flower teas and tried various kinds, but never plum blossom tea. Thanks to you, I get to taste it today."

The First Madam nodded slightly, "I’ll send some to you when you return." With that, she lowered her head to sip her tea without further comment.

Xiqiu returned her smile, saying nothing more.

The Second Madam snuggled next to the Grand Dowager, her gaze shifting between Xiqiu and the First Madam, and she asked Xiqiu with a smile, "I hear the silver tree was tried last night?"

Before Xiqiu could respond, Xiao Yanzheng nodded, "It’s beautiful, placed in the yard with red, yellow, blue, and green; it’s even prettier than fireworks." The Second Madam covered her sleeve, laughing, "Exactly. I saw it at the Prince Manor last year and admired it all year long. Now we can see it here too."

Xiao Yanzheng nodded eagerly, "I want to have some in my yard too."

When Xiqiu left the Grand Dowager’s room, Chunliu came forward to support her as they walked to the courtyard, speaking softly, "Treasure Bead has been sent to the back yard to tend the flowerbed." This wasn’t an easy task. Usually, the flowerbeds were tended by dedicated maids. Having Treasure Bead tend to them was effectively a punishment.

Xiqiu nodded, "Now that it’s over, let’s not mention it again. Ziyang is in the kitchen, so have Nanny Cen keep an eye out."

Chunliu paused in surprise, asking, "Do you suspect something with Ziyang?"

Xiqiu shook her head, "Not exactly. It’s always good to be a little cautious." Why had Ziyang tried to sneak away that day? Was it related to Treasure Bead being in Fourth Master’s room?

Chunliu frowned slightly and nodded, "I understand."

Xiqiu then asked, "Has the rack in the backyard been taken down? Is Fourth Master back yet?"

"The rack’s been dismantled; Nanny Cen and two maids turned the soil early in the morning. Would you like to have a look? Oh, Fourth Master sent word that he went out for a while and will be back by noon."