"Isn’t it true, Eighth sister is most afraid of the cold." Tong Xiyang said with a half-smile, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
Xiqiu felt Tong Xiyu’s hand tighten slightly, cold as ice in hers.
"The weather looked nice today, so I thought I’d take a walk. I happened to pass by Sixth Sister’s place, so I came in to sit for a while." Tong Xiyu leaned against the edge of the kang, letting her maid take off her shoes and help her onto the kang, sitting on the left side.
Tong Xiyang was about to say something when Xiqiu laughed first, "Eighth sister should indeed come out more often; everywhere is scenic in spring."
Tong Xiyang pouted, shrugged off Xiqiu’s hand, sat on the right side, and took a sip from the pastel peony tea cup: "Sixth sister is still the same, liking this mild Longjing tea. I still find Laojun Mei better, much more rich after two brews, with a lingering aftertaste."
Chunliu, who was serving tea, bowed and said: "Third Miss speaks rightly. I also advised Miss to try a different flavor, but she’s stubborn, says she doesn’t understand tea, and switching would be a waste of good tea, like cows chewing peonies. That’s why we only have Longjing and Maojian in our room. If Third Miss isn’t used to it, please bear with it."
Xiqiu took a sip of tea and smiled faintly.
Tong Xiyu glanced in surprise at Xiqiu, never having seen a maid speak to her mistress like that, yet Sixth Sister was not angry but smiled instead.
Xiqiu’s face was thin and her eyes were large, like black crystals, clear yet unfathomable. Tong Xiyu felt a bit dazed, looking at the maids in the room; the smiles on Third Sister’s Moxiang and Shuixiang seemed restless, while her own maid kept her head down, looking unsure of where to place her hands and feet, but the people in Sixth Sister’s room were poised, respectful, and amiably warm to everyone.
She couldn’t help but feel a trace of envy.
Tong Xiyang’s face turned cold, mocking, "Hehe... haven’t seen Siliu, still not healed?"
Chunliu’s smile stiffened, Sixing signaled her to leave, and she herself brought the freshly steamed yam cake to the small table on the kang, smiling: "Thanks for Third Miss’s concern, Siliu took the maids and Nanny Qian to fetch some teacups and utensils from the storeroom." After arranging everything, she bowed again and instructed Xi’er and Lyuzhi at the door to serve well. She then said to the older maids around Tong Xiyang and Tong Xiyu: "The ladies will be talking here for a while, and there are maids outside for any assistance. Why don’t the older sisters come with me to the next room? We can have some tea and chat."
The maids looked happy but turned to their masters for permission.
Tong Xiyang’s face was unpleasant as she nodded, "Go, so you won’t be in the way here."
Tong Xiyu naturally had no objections.
Xiqiu laughed, "Bring out the rose pastries baked a few days ago, let them try some too."
The maids expressed gratitude repeatedly before leaving.
The room quieted down, the three people spoke around the small table on the kang: "Sixth sister, your place is really simply decorated. Where do you keep the porcelains and jades that mother usually rewards?"
No wonder people say a single word can make someone jump up or make someone laugh. Tong Xiyang was the former.
"Those porcelain and jade pieces are precious and a gift from mother, so they’re kept in proper places." Xiqiu didn’t want to dwell on this topic, so she smiled, "Sister, try this yam cake, it’s made with some jasmine flowers. If you like it, I’ll have more made for Fourth Sister’s birthday, how about that?"
Just discussed the birthday in the morning, and here she was in the afternoon. Besides this matter, Xiqiu couldn’t think of anything else to talk about between them.
Tong Xiyang’s eyes flashed with indifference, her tone sour: "Mother always says you handle things well, if you think it’s good, it’s undeniable. I shouldn’t overstep." Then she looked at the bowed Tong Xiyu opposite and said: "What do you think, Eighth sister?"
Tong Xiyu wasn’t expecting to be asked to speak, "I... I don’t know."
A little maid came in, Xiqiu was talking to her about something, and the scene turned awkwardly silent.
Tong Xiyang cleared her throat and spoke only after the maid left, "Since mother asked you to arrange the birthday party, did you ask Fourth sister about the guest list? Prepare early so you won’t be flustered then."
Just moments ago, she said she wouldn’t overstep, yet now she was asking, and so meticulously too.
Xiqiu looked troubled, "I haven’t discussed it with Fourth Sister, I imagine it will just be a few sisters from the family. Sister, with more experience than me, why don’t you teach me!"
Tong Xiyang gave Xiqiu a look of ’as expected,’ sneering, "Even without asking, it’s obvious; the sisters in the family would definitely be invited, and you’ll need to send word over to Eleventh sister from Second Aunt’s side, Third Young Master, Big Brother, and Seventh Brother. We can’t afford to ignore them, especially with guests staying at our house."
Trying to use her to tell Tong Xiyan that Xu Tianqing must be invited, right!?
Tong Xiyu frowned; even she could tell Sixth Sister was just being polite despite their usual squabbles...
Third Sister was really impatient.
Xiqiu seemed indifferent, smiling, "Third Sister is indeed thorough, I’ll discuss it with Fourth Sister later." Then she turned to Tong Xiyu, "And you, Eighth sister?"
She placed Tong Xiyang and Tong Xiyu on equal footing, amiably warm.
Tong Xiyu was startled, a faint, undetectable blush creeping onto her young face, not obvious due to the room heated by a stove and the warmth from sitting on the kang.
Tong Xiyang looked resentful, sneering, "You ask her, how would she know, she’s no better than you."
Xiqiu thought Tong Xiyu had nothing to say when she suddenly spoke, "Is Big Sister coming back?"
Xiqiu was taken aback. Although it was Big Sister’s idea to organize a small birthday celebration, she might not have time to return—at most, she would send an adept nanny to convey greetings and gifts.
Tong Xiyang slapped the small table on the kang, causing the teacups to clink: "Really no brains, Big Sister’s married—how could she return for such small matters?" Her expression turning dark as she got down from the kang to put on her shoes, "Sixth sister is a bright one, think things through carefully, lest you cause trouble for yourself. Hmph!" Her manner indicating she wished to say no more.
Outside, Xi’er heard the commotion, hurriedly ran to call in Moxiang and Shuixiang to help her put on her shoes, then the three left with the wind, without looking back.
Tong Xiyu looked like she was about to cry, "Sixth sister, am I... am I very stupid?"
Xiqiu sighed inwardly, she really wanted to say, it’s not you who’s stupid!
"Don’t overthink it, Eighth sister."
Tong Xiyu’s complexion didn’t improve, she got off the kang and bid farewell to Xiqiu absent-mindedly, "Don’t see me off, sister."
Once everyone left, Xiqiu asked Xi’er and Lyuzhi to come in to tidy up, and she also went out with Sixing and Chunyan.
Tong Xiyan seemed to know she would return; the tea and snacks were ready, and the two sat down as she smiled: "Third Sister and Eighth sister really gave you a hard time, didn’t they."