CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69: ACCIDENT (PART 2)

Madam Chen’s face was full of smiles, showing a hint of pride: "Yes, the first two are sons, and this third one we hope for a daughter." She then whispered in Lady’s ear with a smile: "I reckon this child is still a boy."

Lady’s eyes flashed as she asked, "Oh? What makes you say that?"

Madam Chen sighed and said, "Every daughter married out from our Yuan Family has had boys one after another. Some of them wanted girls so much that they lost their appetite and prayed, yet no daughter came."

Tong Xihua, sitting beside Lady, forced a smile, and Lady’s expression subtly changed before she quickly smiled again: "Sons are still better. Daughters are for others, and one has to worry about them all their lives."

Madam Chen covered her sleeve and laughed, while Tong Xihua blushed and playfully said, "Mother!"

After saying a few more words, Madam Chen bid farewell to Lady and went to sit beside the Countess. The Countess watched the stage, speaking in a voice drowned by the sound of drums and gongs, heard only by the nearby Madam Chen: "That Sixth Miss, I heard her concubine went to Puji Temple to pray?"

Madam Chen’s gaze flickered as she smiled and said, "She left a few days ago. It seems the Seventh Young Master of the mansion fell ill, and she asked Madam Tong to allow her to stay at Puji Temple for some days..."

The Countess remarked with a sigh, "Truly a courteous and kind-hearted girl." She then added, "The Sixth Miss... is just a bit young." Madam Chen leaned in and replied with a smile, "Being young has its benefits; being able to wholeheartedly serve the Third Master isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Third Master being able to settle down is better than anything else."

"That’s exactly right!" The Countess showed a helpless expression, while Madam Chen subtly observed her face, smiling: "The young misses of the Tong Family all seem excellent; truly, they are from a cultured family." Madam Chen glanced at Lady: "They are all concubine-born daughters, yet they follow our choice."

The Countess glanced approvingly at Madam Chen and said, "Among those young misses... the Third Miss seems aloof, the Eighth Miss is too young, only the Sixth Miss has a serene gaze as calm as a lake, either exceptionally intelligent or one who doesn’t compete." Her tone carried some hesitant uncertainty.

Madam Chen’s eyebrows twitched; she had run her legs off for this marriage proposal, seeing Madam of Deputy Director of the Grand Secretariat with her daughter today, and walking closely with the First Young Madam, she knew their intentions. After some thought, she said, "The Tong Family may have a weak foundation, but that is only for now. The Second Young Master of the Tong Family holds office at the Ministry of Personnel and is now favored by the Third Prince. I heard from my husband that when Lord Duan retires, the Third Prince might recommend him. And the young master of the Tong Family is a famous young advanced scholar and scholar; who can predict his official career? Though this marriage may seem like their attempt to rise, isn’t there still Marquis Xuanning amidst it all?"

The Countess’s eyes flashed, and she patted Madam Chen’s hand: "No wonder I favor you above other daughters-in-law." Though they may be concubine-born daughters, Madam Tong has wonderfully raised her daughters, unlike those timid and inexperienced from small households.

She thought for a while and instructed the attendant beside her: "Fetch the First Young Madam." The maidservant responded and left.

The First Young Madam smiled as she approached, and the Countess asked her, "Did they head to the back garden at Taohuawu?"

The First Young Madam sat sideways on a stool by the Countess’s foot and nodded in response: "I had the maidservants and mothers accompany them. Does Mother have any instructions?"

The Countess whispered a few words to the First Young Madam, whose expression changed to one of fear...

The Countess’s round and amicable face revealed a fierce intensity that permitted no doubt, and the First Young Madam’s expression turned solemn as she discreetly exited the small garden.

Madam Chen’s lips curved into a smile.

Xiqiu walked along the cobblestone path, flanked by lush flowers and trees. Large blooms of peonies in various colors, vermilion roses, and elegant orchids in white and celadon vases filled the air with delightful fragrances.

Tong Xiyang and Miss Fang walked side by side, while the maid Bihuai sent by the First Young Madam occasionally pointed out various garden sights and their origins. Tong Xiyang, her eyes full of admiration, pointed to an orchid and asked, "What is this one called? We don’t have it in our garden; it’s quite special."

Bihuai smiled and said, "This is white peony, the one our old madam cherishes most. The Third Miss truly has an eye for beauty."

Clearly, this Bihuai is a skillful and perceptive person.

Being praised, Tong Xiyang cast a glance at Xiqiu, almost lost among the crowd behind, and felt even more pleased. She then pointed to a courtyard beyond the floral woods and asked, "Who lives there?"

Bihuai answered one by one: "That’s where the Second Young Madam resides. She’s feeling unwell today and is resting inside. Would the young ladies like to take a look?"

Tong Xiyang shook her head and said, "Since the Second Young Madam is unwell, we won’t disturb her." She then continued along the path, "Is Taohuawu to the west?"

Bihuai occasionally glanced at the quiet Sixth Miss trailing behind and the Eighth Miss clinging to the Third Miss, while Miss Fang chatted with the mothers, inwardly comparing and assessing them. Yet she outwardly introduced: "Taohuawu is at the northwest of the mansion. The side houses the Third Master, and beyond is Jingchun Pavilion."

Tong Xiyang showed an envious look: "Jingchun Pavilion... what a lovely name!"

Bihuai smiled with her lips pursed and continued to intricately introduce various areas. The group walked for nearly half a cup of tea’s time when the air finally mingled with the fragrant scent of peach blossoms. Bihuai stopped and pointed to an octagonal pavilion not far away and said, "The young ladies may rest here. The pavilion not only offers good views but also allows access to pick peach blossoms or casually enjoy the area. I’ll stand by here, and if there’s anything needed, you can call on me at any time."

Xiqiu held her skirt up as she tread the mossy cobblestone path to the pavilion. The interior was already set up with tea, snacks, and some chess pieces and kites. Tong Xiyang, pulling Bihuai by her side as the group entered, said, "Sister, you’ve worked hard walking with us. Why not sit and rest along with us? We’re not in a rush to explore."

Miss Fang also chimed in: "Yes, do sit with us." Xiqiu also urged a couple of times, and Bihuai hesitated before saying, "Then I shall be forward." She turned back to quietly instruct one of the mothers: "Go to see if the Third Master has returned and inform me once he’s back."

The mother responded and left.

The group sat in the pavilion, with Siliu and Sixing standing behind Xiqiu. Outside the pavilion were about ten maids and mothers, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Miss Fang, being more spirited than the Tong Mansion young ladies, had visited here before. When she saw the kites, she seemed eager to try and originally intended to invite Tong Xiyang along. However, seeing her engaged in conversation with Bihuai, she turned to ask Xiqiu: "Sixth Miss, it’s quite spacious here. Shall we go fly the kites?!"

Xiqiu looked at the lush peach forest, thought it over, and apologetically shook her head: "Having walked just now, I’m feeling tired and wish to rest..." Then, she turned to Tong Xiyu: "Would you like to go play, Eighth Sister?"