CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74: PUNISHMENT (1)

The Countess’s face froze for a moment, and she put away the somewhat dazed expression before smiling, "You mustn’t talk about leaving. If the outer courtyard disperses, someone will come in to inform us. You can sit here at ease and keep this old lady company."

Tong Xihua laughed behind her sleeve, her crisp laughter echoing in the room. Xiqiu lowered her head and talked with Xiao Yanzheng, her gaze subtly shifting as Lady and Zijuan calmly walked out the door.

After a short while, Madam Fang became anxious and sent a maid to check on Miss Fang’s whereabouts. Just as the maid set out, Miss Fang came in with a smile on her face.

Madam Fang looked at her disapprovingly, "How could you be so rude? Go and greet the ladies immediately."

Miss Fang displayed a look of grievance but obediently stepped forward to greet the ladies. The Countess smiled and had her sit beside her, "Are the peach blossoms blooming in Taohuawu?"

"They are blooming!" Miss Fang nodded, her face showing a childlike shyness. The Countess continued, "Have you ventured into the grove to take a look?"

Miss Fang waved her hand, "No! It’s so dark in there. I dare not go in, so I flew kites outside the grove with Eighth Sister."

Her simple and candid words made the ladies laugh.

Xiqiu furrowed her brow.

At that moment, Lady returned with Zijuan’s support, her face looking even worse than before. Xiqiu glanced behind her, seeing that Tong Xiyang and Tong Xiyu hadn’t followed her inside.

Lady looked at the affectionate Miss Fang sitting next to the Count, her gaze flickering as she smiled and greeted the Countess, "I’ve disturbed you for a day, it’s time to go back!"

The Countess rose, taking her hand, "...thank you for sitting with me all day."

Lady smiled and bowed, "You’re too polite." But her face changed slightly.

Xiqiu also stood up, following Lady to salute the Countess, who smiled at her and nodded.

Not as warm as when Xiqiu first arrived.

Countless eyes fell on her, yet Xiqiu stood there with composure, secretly observing the Countess’s expression. But her face only showed a faint smile without revealing any information.

Could it be that the maid in Taohuawu who saw her and Tong Xiyang didn’t report it to the Countess?

She looked at Lady again, who was talking with Old Madam Lou, her smile growing softer. Xiqiu understood that the angrier Lady became, the softer her expression turned, suppressing her anger, waiting for the right moment to erupt.

She frowned, wondering if Tong Xiyang had already told Lady about it?

Or was there something else she didn’t know?

As these thoughts flashed by, Old Madam Lou smiled and asked Lady, "Why don’t we see the other two girls?"

Xiqiu’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly glanced at the Countess, noticing a barely perceptible pause in her tea-drinking action...

Xiqiu smiled faintly.

Lady’s gaze flickered, "Third Miss said she was unwell, and I’m worried she’d pass it to the ladies. Seeing her truly uncomfortable, I let them leave first."

Old Madam Lou nodded, "Even though she’s young, she mustn’t be careless."

"Indeed!" Lady replied with a smile, then bid farewell to the Marchioness Huaining. Tong Xihua stood up, "I’ll leave with Mother and inform Second Young Master later."

Lady turned to pat her hand, "It’s just half an hour’s journey. You stay here and keep the ladies company!"

Tong Xihua didn’t insist but insisted on seeing Lady off.

Madam Chen came over smiling, linking arms with Lady, "Second Madam Xiao, stay a while longer. I’ll see Tong Lady off."

"How could I accept that." Lady laughed, "You’ve been busy all day; you should sit and rest! Tong Xihua agreed, "Next time you have the chance, visit my place, and let me show hospitality. Today, you can be the hostess and sit comfortably!"

Madam Chen laughed behind her sleeve, just about to say something, when the Countess put down her teacup and nodded, "Second Madam is right. You’ve helped me entertain all day, so sit down and rest!"

Madam Chen’s smile stiffened, her expression turned odd as she glanced at Xiqiu before squeezing Lady’s hand and went toward the Countess, "Then I’ll stay here lazily for the day..."

Lady’s face darkened, and Tong Xihua discreetly stepped up to support Lady’s hand.

Xiqiu hung her head and timidly stood behind Lady. Xiao Yanzheng secretly pulled on her sleeve, whispering in her ear, "I’ll write to you when I return to the mansion."

Xiqiu smiled at her and nodded slightly.

Tong Xihua supported Lady, with Xiqiu following behind, three of them escorted by maids and elderly ladies, leaving the courtyard.

On the road, Tong Xihua linked arms with Lady and spoke in a hushed tone, "What happened? Didn’t you say..."

Lady’s face was clouded, interrupting her, "It’s not suitable to talk here; we’ll speak later."

Seeing Lady’s expression, Tong Xihua understood most of it, asking no further questions as they boarded a soft sedan and arrived at the second gate, where the Tong Mansion’s carriage was already waiting: "Sixth Sister, take good care of Mother."

Xiqiu bowed to Tong Xihua, "Yes!" and went to support Lady.

Lady waved without turning back, "No need." She then pointed to a black lacquer flat-head carriage behind, telling Xiqiu, "You ride at the back."

Xiqiu curtsied in agreement as Lady boarded the carriage and pulled down the curtain, even unwilling to speak much to Tong Xihua.

Xiqiu curtsied to Tong Xihua, timidly saying, "Big Sister..."

Tong Xihua furrowed her brow, looking deeply at her, with undisguisable disappointment in her eyes.

Xiqiu said no more, and Sixing helped her onto the carriage.

The wheels started to roll, leaving Tong Xihua and the Count Wujin’s mansion far behind.

"Kneel!" In the main hall of Zhui Garden, Lady’s face was as dark as water, her suppressed anger flickering in her eyes. She coldly stared at her three daughters.

Xiqiu and the others knelt tremblingly. The room was filled with a chilling atmosphere, even Nanny Fang couldn’t help but shiver, unconsciously holding her breath, gently guiding the maids and elderly ladies out, and closing the door.

Lady squinted at Tong Xiyang, pointing at her face that hadn’t fully subsided, "What’s going on with your face?!" Her voice rang in their ears like a gong, resonating loudly.

Xiqiu silently knelt there while Tong Xiyu looked bewildered.

Tong Xiyang’s face turned pale as her body swayed. Clutching the handkerchief in her hand, her eyes shimmered with tears, "I... I was talking with Sixth Sister in the peach grove and accidentally tripped, hitting my face on a tree, causing some swelling."