CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: WHAT SHE SEEKS (1)

Madam Xia looked at her in horror, tightly grasping Xiqiu’s hand, her face pale: "Is it something to do with you, or is it something to do with Seventh Young Master? You mustn’t hide it from auntie!"

Xiqiu reassured her, smoothing her already tidy sideburns, speaking with utmost gentleness: "Auntie, don’t overthink. Seventh Brother is well, and so am I. I’m just worried about your health and want you to retreat to the temple for a few days of peace."

Madam Xia gazed at her, seeing a faint smile on her face, her eyes clear and bright. The unease in her heart dissipated a little, she sighed in relief and nodded: "Very well! I also wish to go and seek a peace charm for Seventh Young Master, and recite the Longevity Spell for a few days to bless you both with safety and good health."

Xiqiu’s eyes welled up, as she laid her head on Madam Xia’s knee, speaking in a muffled voice: "It’s all because I’m useless, unable to grant auntie and Seventh Brother peaceful days."

Madam Xia’s tears fell, lovingly caressing her daughter’s face. Her life was already at its end; all her hopes were pinned on her children having a good life. However, these precious children suffered humiliation and injustice due to her status, leaving her full of guilt: "It’s all because I’m useless, it’s all my fault, dragging you down..."

Xiqiu didn’t want Madam Xia too agitated and quickly wiped her tears, forcing a smile: "Seventh Brother has grown sensible, and I’ve grown up too. As long as auntie stays well, good days will come!" She stood up, poured a cup of tea for Madam Xia, placed it in her hand, and sat back down: "Go to Puji Temple with Xiuzhi and Xiulan accompanying you, no need for others; fewer people make it more peaceful."

Madam Xia nodded, concern showing on her face: "While I’m away, make sure to take care of yourself!" Just as she was speaking, Xiuzhi’s voice came from outside the door: "Madam Luo is here, please come inside and sit!"

"Is Sister Xia asleep? I’m just here to have a look." Madam Luo’s voice was loud, seemingly intentionally raising it.

Xiuzhi appeared troubled, hesitating about how to respond. Suddenly, the curtain lifted, revealing Xiqiu’s smiling face: "Madam Luo!"

Madam Luo, upon seeing Xiqiu, showed a hint of surprise. She only had brief encounters with Sixth Miss and remembered her as a slender child. But today, unexpectedly, that awkward young girl seemed completely transformed; she wore a peach-red overcoat with vibrant elegance, her hair styled in a falling horse bun with two simple pearl flowers inserted, beautiful yet refined.

Even more charming than Madam Xia by a bit!

She paused for a moment and then smiled, offering a respectful bow: "Sixth Miss!" Her eyes darted around the curtain: "I didn’t expect Sixth Miss to be here; my visit is untimely!" Yet she showed no intention of leaving.

Madam Luo was clever, living in the courtyard next to Madam Xia; she would naturally know if Xiuzhi was around. Since she came knowing this, it’s likely she had something to say to her. Xiqiu inwardly smiled, sitting down on the official hat chair made of beech wood: "Auntie just took some medicine and went to sleep!" She looked at Madam Luo: "Madam Luo, please take a seat; standing there makes me feel uncomfortable."

Madam Luo didn’t stand on ceremony and sat diagonally opposite Xiqiu: "Her body is truly frail..." she sighed deeply, seemingly in earnest contemplation.

Xiqiu maintained her smile, glancing at Xiuzhi, who stood awkwardly at one side, and said: "Sister, please make some tea for me and auntie."

Xiuzhi shivered a bit, looking deeply at Xiqiu, unsure why she had a conversation with Madam Luo. However, Sixth Miss always had her ideas, there must be a reason behind her actions, so without asking further, she politely said: "I’ll go right away!" She closed the door and left.

Madam Luo wore a plum red overcoat embroidered with Hangju chrysanthemums, paired with a pink and white gauze skirt. Her hair was styled in a peony bun adorned with gold begonia hairpin with a jade tip, ears decked with hollow red gemstone earrings, her figure tall and slender, full of curves, looking nothing like a woman who had given birth to two children. If not for a hint of melancholy between her brows, she would be dazzling and full of charm.

Xiqiu recalled the rumors in the mansion saying Madam Luo had been from an official family, later implicated and reduced to slavery due to her family’s crimes. Later, she was noticed by First Master Tong’s superior and transferred to Tong Mansion. When she first arrived, Madam Luo was humble, but after Fifth Miss passed away, she became withdrawn, not socializing with others. This situation lasted until her unborn son died, then she seemed to let go completely, no longer visiting Lady for greetings, and often causing trouble for the other concubines, causing chaos in the mansion.

Had it not been for First Master Tong’s intervention, Lady might have disposed of her long ago.

Xiqiu understood her well; a concubine without the husband’s favor and no offspring to rely on, what hope was there in life?!

With no hope left, there wasn’t much that could restrain her.

The thought thrilled through her mind, and she warmly asked: "What brings you here, auntie?" With a smart person, there’s no need for beating around the bush.

Sure enough, after a brief moment of surprise, Madam Luo smiled: "Sixth Miss is indeed straightforward!" She smoothed out the neat sleeve and said with a smile: "Does Sixth Miss know where I was before coming to Tong Mansion?"

Xiqiu hesitated; did she need to know this?!

Madam Luo was pleased with the surprise in her eyes, and she laughed: "My ancestors were the military advisors of Yuezhou Prefecture. Later, the Magistrate of Yuezhou was implicated in the Eighth Prince’s rebellion case in the third year of Emperor Dezong, and our family was ransacked. The men were exiled, and the womenfolk were enslaved, leaving us scattered and killed..."

Xiqiu furrowed her brows slightly, understanding that Madam Luo certainly had a reason for saying these seemingly irrelevant things, so she put on a smile, pretending to listen attentively.

A flash of rage crossed Madam Luo’s face, but she quickly regained her composure: "Sixth Miss must be wondering why I’m telling you things so unrelated, but it’s not entirely without reason. After being enslaved, I was bought by the Ma Family of the former Hu-Guang Governor’s family to become a maid. Less than two years later, I was sent to First Master." She seemed to recall the happiest times of her life, even her smile was sweet: "After arriving at Tong Mansion, it was three years later that I ran into a former colleague from the Ma Family, do you know where she is now?" She mused to herself and shook her head: "You probably don’t know; she is a concubine at the Wujin Bo Mansion, Count’s concubine."

So that’s it, Xiqiu suddenly realized.

"Recently I heard you visited Madam Chen at Puji Temple. Madam Chen has always had close ties with the Wujin Bo Mansion and is known for her high standards. Her sudden interactions with the Fifth-rank Tong Mansion must have a purpose, so I sent a message to ask my sister, only to find out that it’s because Third Young Master Ren is seeking a new wife. Due to his notoriety, families of some repute in the Capital are unwilling to marry their daughters into them. The Countess had no choice but to ask Madam Chen to find a girl from a small household, regardless of her legitimacy, as long as she was presentable and dignified."

Xiqiu suddenly thought, the fifth-rank official might seem like a high position in the eyes of common folks, but to the nobility and meritorious families in the Capital, it’s merely a minor family.

Feeling a pang in her heart, Xiqiu stayed silent, maintaining her smile as she looked at Madam Luo.

Madam Luo was also observing her, noting her current calm demeanor with a very appropriate smile, not a bit more, not a bit less. She secretly wondered if Xiqiu knew everything and didn’t care, being so poised and composed, or if she was utterly unaware of Third Young Master Ren’s notorious actions, blissfully ignorant?!