Grand Dowager was startled and asked, "What do you mean? Is it about the Fujian war?" Xiao Yanyi nodded: "Someone found a curved knife by the roadside where my elder brother traveled. The knife is no ordinary one; it was crafted in a forge belonging to the Yue Family of the Second Prince in Fujian... The Second Prince has gone to the palace regarding this matter."
The Yue Family of the Second Prince? Grand Dowager’s expression suddenly turned extremely unpleasant. She half-turned to ask Nanny Wu, "I heard the Second Prince Consort is about to give birth. Has she delivered yet?" Nanny Wu shook her head and replied to the Grand Dowager, "She hasn’t; otherwise, a message of joy would have been sent."
Grand Dowager nodded thoughtfully: "It seems, whether this matter is true or not, the Third Prince will certainly hold onto it!" It appears the Xuanning Marquis Mansion will be swept into turmoil again: "Has there been any move from the Empress in the palace?"
Xiao Yanyi frowned slightly and replied calmly, "The Empress called for the Imperial Physician last night, saying she felt suffocated in the chest, and wants to bathe and fast for forty-nine days to pray for the common people!" Grand Dowager then showed a faintly sarcastic smile: "It’s merely an excuse. In all these years never have I heard of her being a believer of Buddhism!"
Xiao Yanyi did not speak. The current situation was delicate, like a tightened string, which could incite a great wave with just a slight touch. He understood that the situation was bound to change eventually, whether sooner or later.
Grand Dowager took a sip of tea and looked at Xiao Yanyi as she asked, "I trust your handling of matters, but there is still something I must discuss with you." Xiao Yanyi nodded earnestly, and Grand Dowager continued, "The Marquis Mansion is in a time of recuperation, and it is now swept into the vortex again. You must endure at the court for a while, and under no circumstances should you make any rash decisions. Are you aware?"
"Mother!" Xiao Yanyi replied, "I have been contemplating this matter. Although the Fujian war involves my elder brother, we must investigate it thoroughly, but for now, stabilizing the family is of utmost importance. I understand, Mother!" Grand Dowager nodded with relief.
At this moment, Xiao Yanyi’s servant said through the curtain, "Marquis, Lord Qian is here!" Xiao Yanyi listened, stood up, and said to Grand Dowager, "The Emperor has kept him at the palace; he probably comes with urgent matters. I must go!" Grand Dowager nodded, "Go ahead!" Xiao Yanyi then left, with Nanny Wu lifting the curtain for him.
Count Dongchang, Qian Zhong was plump, appeared slightly older than Xiao Yanyi. Upon seeing Xiao Yanyi enter, he smiled and stood up, saying to Fourth Master Xiao beside him, "Your second brother’s smile has enchanted countless women over the years; now, his charm is only growing stronger, making me quite envious."
Xiao Yanyi merely shook his head silently, while Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyebrow and replied teasingly, "I just heard you’ve brought another one into the mansion last night; that’s the third within six months, we should be the ones envying you..." Qian Zhong, with a playful smile, was about to feign modesty when Fourth Master Xiao retorted, "We envy you having a wife as magnanimous and virtuous as your spouse!"
Qian Zhong was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter, pointing at Fourth Master Xiao and Xiao Yanyi as he spoke, "Old Fourth remains unchanged through the years, always having something to say that hits your sore spot, leaving you with no strength to fight back!"
Xiao Yanyi smiled slightly, looking at Qian Zhong and asking, "Did you come directly from the palace?" Qian Zhong shed his playful demeanor and said seriously, "The Emperor threw the case files investigated by Dong Kunda at the Second Prince, letting him go back and see for himself!" Xiao Yanyi and Fourth Master Xiao both frowned, so the Emperor had believed Dong Kunda, starting to suspect the Second Prince?
Fourth Master Xiao slowly stroked the teacup without speaking, while Xiao Yanyi and Qian Zhong exchanged a few more words before Qian Zhong stood up, "I have matters at the mansion, I shall take my leave!" Xiao Yanyi did not keep him, sending him to the door and ordering the servant to escort him out.
He turned back, and with Fourth Master Xiao, sat face to face on high-backed yellow rosewood armchairs, the two fell into silence for a while. Then Fourth Master Xiao suddenly asked, "How is your marriage going?" Xiao Yanyi was taken aback, not expecting his fourth brother to ask about it; he has never shown interest in such matters. Xiao Yanyi displayed a perplexed expression, looking at Fourth Master Xiao, who slightly raised his eyebrows and said, "Heard from the mansion’s servants."
So that’s how it is, Xiao Yanyi responded, "First Madam Tong and Mother have divergent views, afraid it will take some maneuvering!" Fourth Master Xiao frowned slightly, then abruptly stood up, and without looking back, walked outside saying, "I have matters to attend to, I’m going out."
Lady was talking to the concubine, "You write a letter today to the Hong Family, asking them to find a matchmaker to propose marriage, hurry and settle the wedding." The concubine was surprised, looking at Lady, "Sister, what’s wrong? Did your talk with Grand Dowager at the Marquis Mansion fall through?" The source of thɪs content is 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝓷𝓮𝓽
Lady coldly laughed, "She was impressed by Sixth Girl, finding Eighth Girl too young!" The concubine sighed, indeed as she expected. She advised Lady, "What is your plan?" The marriage with the Marquis Mansion is crucial, if Grand Dowager insists on marrying Sixth Girl, it is not impossible, both are born of concubines, there’s practically no difference between Sixth Girl and Eighth Girl."
Lady’s eyes flashed with determination, grasping the teacup, she said, "This was Xihua’s dying wish; since she was so adamant, there must be a reason. Moreover, I also see Eight Girl as more suitable than Six Girl."
"Sister!" The concubine frowned, "Have you considered what if Grand Dowager does not relent? The death of the former Marquis may have shaken the Marquis Mansion a bit, yet the Emperor still conferred him the title of First-class Brave and Loyal Marquis, General Rongwei. Though only titles without real power, it indicates that no matter the current circumstances, the roots of the Marquis Mansion remain strong. You cannot for this matter offend the Grand Dowager, turning allies into foes, not only failing the marriage but becoming enemies, wouldn’t it be a wasted effort!" On ordinary days the concubine wouldn’t speak such words to Lady; she’s clear in her mind that whoever marries into the Tong Mansion is unrelated to her, as long as the hard-earned marriage with the Marquis Mansion isn’t lost!
Lady didn’t say anything, leaving the concubine unsure of her intentions. After a while Lady finally spoke, "I’ve got a grasp on this matter, you need not speak further." Still obstinate!
The concubine inwardly shook her head!
The concubine wrote a letter that day, which Tong Shen Zhi dispatched via the Ministry of War’s postal route to Shandong. Five days later, a reply was received; Lord Hong was indeed delighted, immediately inviting Madam Yang as a matchmaker to propose at the Tong Mansion.
Chunyan ran to the Zhiqu Courtyard, her face pale and bloodless. She panted heavily and said to Xiqiu, "Miss... Madam Yang is visiting again!" Xiqiu frowned slightly, Madam Yang? Chunyan couldn’t wait for her to ponder who Madam Yang was, and quickly explained, "It’s the Madam Yang who came last time when the mansion hosted a play."
Xiqiu was slightly taken aback, remembering that after Tong Xiyang was betrothed to the Ren Mansion, she vaguely overheard Nanny Fang and Lady discussing how a concubine angered Lady by offending Lord Xu’s superior, the Shandong Governor Lord Hong... And when Madam Yang came, it was indeed for the marriage between Young Master Hong and Tong Xiyang.