One hundred and forty-two charges, including the crimes of framing loyal subjects and secretly harming good generals, Xiao Yanji’s death finally revealed the truth to the world and also cleared the grievances for the Emperor’s Shen Family of the Yue Family!
In the end, it was decided that the Third Prince would be executed after the autumn, with Fourth Master Xiao as the Executioner!
The sky gradually lightened, with the clear moonlight replaced by the scorching sunlight. Xiqiu sat up, and Chunyan, hearing the sound from outside, pushed the door open: "Miss is awake! I’ve brought back breakfast, Nanny Lai is here with the human trafficker, and they’re waiting for you to examine the people."
A few days ago, Nanny Lai was notified to find a human trafficker to bring in some old women and maidservants. With both Tong Xiyan and her about to get married, they naturally couldn’t lack dowry maids, and Tong Xiyu was also missing a couple around her, as was Madam Xia. This time, they decided to fill all the gaps!
"Go and invite Fourth Miss and Eighth Miss to come and take a look together!" Xiqiu was dressed in a scarf pinned to her chest by Chunyan, brushed her teeth with a tooth powder after cleaning up, dressed simply, and sat in the main hall to eat breakfast. Just as she picked up a bowl, Tong Xiyan came running in like the wind: "Sixth Sister!"
Xiqiu looked up at her. Today, she was wearing a plain white Hangzhou silk overcoat, embroidered with silver-threaded twined branches and vines at the cuffs and collar. Her head was adorned with a few pearl flowers, looking both adorable and lively. During this period of national mourning, everyone dressed in white. Initially, it was novel, but over time, some found it monotonous and began to adorn their attire with bright accessories, or like Tong Xiyan, embroidered flowers with light-colored threads, making it neither bland nor too flashy to invite criticism.
"Sixth Sister, I heard you asked me to choose some maids?" Xiqiu nodded with a smile. Ever since Tong Xiyan’s marriage was reset, she seemed to have come alive again; the once lively and clever Tong Xiyan had returned, her bright eyes full of vigor, making Xiqiu quite pleased.
"They say they are already in the yard. Let’s wait for Eighth Sister to come, and we’ll go over together." Tong Xiyan nodded: "I’m running short of maids myself." With that, she seated herself opposite Xiqiu, instructing Chunyan: "Bring me a set of bowls and chopsticks too; I haven’t eaten either!"
Xiqiu shook her head with a smile and quietly ate breakfast with Tong Xiyan. After cleaning up, Tong Xiyu arrived slowly, greeting Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan at the door with lowered eyes: "I went to pay respects to Mother, so... I’m late!"
No one blamed her. Xiqiu raised an eyebrow while Tong Xiyan replied: "You often do this. I’m used to it!" She said, pulling Xiqiu along: "Let’s go quickly!" seeming very cheerful, yet deliberately isolating Tong Xiyu. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel⟡fire.net
Xiqiu looked helplessly at the situation. Tong Xiyan turned back briefly to glance at the awkwardly standing Tong Xiyu at the door, lowering her voice: "She thinks we’re fools, making all those little moves in secret with Madam Mei. Does she think I don’t know? I didn’t feel like dealing with it before, but now I can’t stand it!"
Xiqiu laughed behind her sleeve: "Why do you have concerns now?" Hearing this, Tong Xiyan’s face flushed red, she pinched Xiqiu’s arm, hitting her: "Now that you are managing the household, growing more influential, you dare to tease your sister. Fine... I’m not afraid of your mockery. Ever since the Zhou Family withdrew the engagement, and knowing that Young Master Jiang came to propose, the empty hole in my heart seemed filled all at once. That he would overlook past grievances and still marry me, ignoring mother’s harsh words, and be willing to step into Tong Mansion, I am genuinely happy and grateful to him. I am determined to treat him well and make it up to him!"
Xiqiu clung to Tong Xiyan’s shoulder, laughing: "How will you make it up to him?" Tong Xiyan, initially full of spirit, turned red at Xiqiu’s question but forced herself to say: "How can you ask me this? You should have insights too!"
Xiqiu raised her eyebrows and asked: "I haven’t had an experience as dramatic as yours, so naturally, I have no insights." She laughed: "Why don’t you explain in detail and let me gain some knowledge?"
"Nonsense." Tong Xiyan gave a mischievous smile: "I heard yesterday that someone didn’t forget to send you fans before leaving and even feared that Tong Mansion had no ice, sending two carts of ice over. You... with Liaodong so far away, didn’t even make him a piece of clothing or a pair of shoes as a return gift?"
During the May court celebrations, the only one missing was the Liaodong General. The Emperor issued three decrees, but there was no response. It wasn’t until June that the capital received an urgent military order from Liaodong General Huang Da, saying that since May, continuous heavy rains had affected several garrisons at the Liaodong border, flooding many towns, and water outside reaching the city walls. Last year was harsh with snow, and the early rainstorms this year had starved many Mongolian herders outside the border. Before the rain stopped, a contingent of a thousand Mongolian soldiers struck unexpectedly in two groups, quickly capturing three cities, which were looted completely!
The Emperor was furious, immediately appointing Fourth Master Xiao as the Liaodong Commander, giving him the Jizhou Tiger Talisman to go to Liaodong to aid in defense. They set out three days ago with troops.
When they left, the entire city turned out to see them off, with people lined up beyond Jiwei Mountain at the city limits.
Xiqiu had been contemplating this matter, and if it were before, she might have written to Xiao Yanzheng to inquire, but with their engagement now set, it’s inconvenient. As for Fourth Master Xiao, who had only sent ice, several fans, and some fabrics days before, he told her nothing else.
Seeing Xiqiu with a frown, Tong Xiyan ceased her teasing, holding her hand: "I don’t know about Fourth Master’s military strategies, but I’ve heard about his martial arts from my third brother. He’s said he’s unparalleled not only in the capital but possibly even among the entire army. Although he might not return victorious, at least he will return safely."
Xiqiu was speechless. Her impression of Fourth Master Xiao remained highly unfavorable!
"Enough about this. I heard you found Xinzhu?" Tong Xiyan’s expression darkened, nodding: "Found her near the estate in Dezhou. Mother and Father said she lost her way and expelled her. She couldn’t face the shame of begging, so she washed clothes for others to earn a hot meal. Her hands were full of cracks, and her legs couldn’t walk..." As she spoke, her eyes reddened: "When I brought her back, she refused to come back. So, I asked Manager Lai to buy her a house near her family, bought two little maids to serve her, but I don’t know what else to do... Just... just feel sad inside."
Xiqiu sighed, Tong Xiyan said: "It’s all because I acted impulsively back then!"
"Don’t say anymore, it’s all in the past. Since you’ve bought her a house and hired people, it’s not a long-term solution just to support someone. Xinzhu has always been strong-willed, why not hire a sewing master to teach her embroidery? She could become self-sufficient." Tong Xiyan’s eyes lit up, nodding: "That’s a good idea. I’ll ask Manager Lai to find a sewing master. I was also considering sending Nanny Duan over, so they’d have company."
Xiqiu nodded. In the past, she was too self-involved to care about Xinzhu and Nanny Duan’s affairs. Now that she sees her future, she regrets her prior neglect. Looking at Tong Xiyan’s profile, Xiqiu suddenly felt she had matured a lot overnight!