Xiqiu replied, "I’m not exactly sure; I just happened to read about it in a book by chance."
Madam Wang sighed, touching her own face again, "The First Master is coming back soon... And I look ..."
Lady’s hand, holding the tea cup, stiffened at her words.
Nobody engaged with her, and the room’s atmosphere became considerably colder. However, Madam Wang, ever talkative, quickly said with a smile, "I look so unpresentable; even if the First Master returns, he might dislike me. They all say the Heavenly Fire Grass is beneficial. I’ll ask someone to find some for me tomorrow to improve this visage, lest I scare the First Master."
Nanny Fang secretly curled her lips, thinking Madam Wang just wanted some Heavenly Fire Grass from Lady and could have asked directly without beating around the bush. But Lady seemed oblivious, drinking her tea leisurely without any reaction.
Since Lady did not speak, it was not Xiqiu’s place to interject.
At this moment, three more young ladies arrived together; everyone exchanged greetings and sat down.
Tong Xiyang, holding her own concubine’s arm, said with a smile, "What were you talking about with Mother just now, to be so happy?" She then looked at Lady and added with a smile, "Concubine mentions Mother to me every day, and today we’ve finally met!"
Lady laughed, looked at Nanny Fang, and said, "What a sharp tongue she has! Saying only nice things to me all day." Nanny Fang chimed in, "Isn’t that true? Among all who are eloquent in the residence, Madam Wang ranks first."
Everyone laughed accordingly, and Madam Wang continued from what Tong Xiyang had said earlier, "We were talking about the Heavenly Fire Grass, sending people to check the market to see if there’s an identical one."
"Oh, is that what it was." Tong Xiyang released Madam Wang, stood up, and walked over to Lady, taking her arm, and said coquettishly, "Such a thing isn’t available in the Capital. Why not ask Lady to give you some, to save you the trouble of searching? By the time you find it, my brother might be born."
As soon as she spoke, Lady’s expression changed; she sneered inwardly, thinking, the child hasn’t been born yet, and they’re already so sure it’s a son!?
Tong Xiyang also realized she misspoke, and, to make amends, she shook Lady’s arm, "Mother, look at Concubine’s face, complaining about the pain every day. Why not grant her some?"
The mother and daughter sang in unison, leaving everyone in the room dumbfounded.
"Oh dear, oh dear..." Lady sighed, "You’re making me dizzy with all this shaking." She put down her tea cup, pinched Tong Xiyang’s face, and laughed, "So, this was your thought all along, planning to take my things."
"It’s only because Mother’s items are so good that your daughter dares to think about them." Tong Xiyang pouted, nestling closer to Lady in a display of affection.
Xiqiu noticed a flash of resentment in Madam Wang’s eyes.
"Go on, go on!" She then looked at Zijuan, "You follow, find a servant, don’t let Concubine do it herself, serve her carefully." Zijuan quickly complied, curtsying and said to Madam Wang, "Concubine, please wait while I fetch a basket."
Madam Wang’s eyes brightened, she rose and curtsied, "Thank you, Lady," and followed her maid out the door.
"Mother." Once everyone had left, Tong Xiyan, dissatisfied, sat next to Lady and pouted, "Why give her that thing, wasting good stuff." It seemed they really took everyone for fools.
Lady sneered, "It’s just a grass. If she wants it, let her take it. So on such trifles, she can’t tell the First Master and make up some nonsense." Whatever schemes are involved, outwardly, one mustn’t give her any reason to speak ill of us!
Tong Xiyan understood this reasoning as well, but she couldn’t bring herself to fake affection when she disliked someone.
"You shouldn’t be partial; not mentioning other concubines, give some to Madam Xia too."
Lady’s face darkened; she was about to speak when Zijuan walked in, gave Tong Xiyan a glance, and swallowed her words. Lady waved her hand without avoiding, "Speak."
Zijuan’s previous calm demeanor disappeared, replaced with an expression of indignation, "Lady, Madam Wang took four leaves. My heart aches to see it." Even Lady only consumed half a leaf yesterday, and she snatched four leaves at once, truly greedy.
Lady said nothing, a half-smile on her face while she drank tea.
Tong Xiyan looked displeased, frowning, "I hope she gets sick from it!"
Lady patted her hand, "Don’t talk nonsense!" but there was no sign of blame on her face.
"Is there any correspondence from Concubine?" Xiqiu, sitting on a chair, stitched swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, a cute brown curly-haired little dog took shape. Siliu propped her chin on her hands, lying on the table, engrossed, and was startled by Xiqiu’s voice, clutching her chest, "You scared me to death!" then pouted in displeasure, "I reported to Miss an hour ago, Concubine has already reached Puji Temple, and the maids who delivered the carriage and Nanny Qian have returned."
Originally, the plan was for her to stay half a month, but unexpectedly, she intended to stay longer. Puji Temple, though peaceful, is a temple with plain meals, and she’s truly worried that Madam Xia’s body may not endure it. But even if she can’t, they can’t bring her back just yet; fortunately, the First Master will return in a few days, and Lady will surely send someone to fetch her then.
As this thought passed, Xiqiu had to put her concerns aside.
"Miss, this little dog is beautifully embroidered; is it for the Seventh Young Master?" Siliu picked up a corner of the bright red Shu brocade, examining it from both sides, and felt the size wasn’t right: "So small, it resembles a cape..." She tilted her head, pondering over which children besides the Seventh Young Master were in the house, "Surely it’s not for Madam Wang’s child, is it."
Xiqiu glared at her; even if she had the grace to gift it, would Madam Wang dare to let her child wear it? She certainly wouldn’t waste her effort, so she smiled and said, "Don’t ask so much; you’ll know when the time comes."
Siliu stood silently beside her, watching Xiqiu embroider earnestly; after a while, she drifted off to sleep, and when Chunyan entered carrying snacks, she grumbled, "Miss pampers this girl too much; how can a maid sleep while the mistress sits by to watch?"
She intended to wake Siliu, but Xiqiu shook her head and stopped her, "This weather is stifling, exhausting everyone, let her nap."
Chunyan paused, seeing Xiqiu and wanting to say something but held back. These days, she felt uneasy, worrying about Sixth Miss’s marriage and fretting over her own future. She had been pent-up for days, but also realized her concerns were unnecessary since whatever decision Lady made, it was not her place as a maid to intervene.
Her mind wandered until suddenly the door curtain was lifted, and a shadow slipped in stealthily. Xiqiu looked up in surprise at the newcomer, then showed joy and rushed to meet them, "How did you come? Did anyone see you?"