Tong Xiyan laughed and said to Xiqiu, "I know a place, it’s between the East Cross Courtyard and Father’s study, there’s an alleyway. It was originally for Father to conveniently go to the concubine’s side, but after Father was no longer in the mansion, the alleyway was unused. Mother had someone lock the door, and it became a dead end long ago. I secretly meet him there, say a few words, and come out, no one will discover it."
Xiqiu knew of that alley. When she was enlightening Tong Minzhi, because she didn’t want others to know, she would secretly meet Tong Minzhi there every three days. There was even a brick that she pried open, where she hid ’Childhood Learning’ and ’Three Character Classic’, along with a spare gate key from Madam Xia’s side.
It’s quite safe, but they cannot afford to take even the slightest risk with such matters: "Though it’s safe, if someone knows, they could easily corner you... it’s too risky." Especially since Madam Wang was behaving so unusually today!
"But I want to see him! Sixth Sister, you are still young, you haven’t felt this, but when you are thinking about someone, no matter whether you are eating or sleeping, even holding a book, he fills your mind. I just want to see him, to hear his voice, I won’t do anything improper... Sixth Sister, I just don’t want to be like all the women in the world, casually marrying someone, having children, managing affairs for that person, taking care of his concubines, sharing the same man with other women!" Tong Xiyan showed a resolute expression, "Even if the end for Young Master Jiang and I is just as you said, even if we can’t escape these chains of propriety, I still want to try once!"
Xiqiu had nothing to say. She could understand and accept Tong Xiyan’s thoughts because she had received a modern education where everyone is equal and marriage is free. But this is not modern times; it is the age where parental orders and matchmaker arrangements rule, and women have no say in their life’s decisions. What she is doing is undoubtedly dancing on a cliff’s edge, one misstep, and it’s eternal damnation!
She really wanted to withdraw, even consider informing Lady, First Master, or Tong Shen Zhi, to prevent the potential consequences Tong Xiyan’s reckless actions might bring upon the ladies of the mansion. Back when Tong Xiyang was at Wujin Bo Mansion, she stopped her partly to show Bihuai, but also to genuinely prevent her. The Tong Mansion ladies’ reputations were bound together, and there was no concept of one sister being frivolous while the other is dignified. This was the family discipline of the Tong Mansion; if one is unvirtuous, everyone’s reputation is tarnished.
The reverse is true as well!
This is the flaw of ancient family systems, but it’s also precisely this flaw that makes the Tong Mansion unite externally, with everyone in harmony, concerning their own reputation and interests. No one is foolish enough to sabotage it.
Seeing Xiqiu not speak, Tong Xiyan looked at her uneasily. She was aware that her behavior was too unconventional, but emotion outweighed reason. She pulled Xiqiu and said, "Sixth Sister, don’t be troubled. Just pretend you don’t know about this. Help me stay here on guard. If anyone comes to see me later, say I’m asleep, and if it’s my sister or mother, you must help me block them no matter what!"
It seemed impossible to refuse Tong Xiyan now... Perhaps she also felt what Tong Xiyan was doing was great, at least she tried!
Xiqiu nodded and said, "Go quickly and return quickly, go through the courtyard’s end house, and enter through the corner gate of the East Cross Courtyard. There’s fewer people there, and the concubines are all out today, so it’s safer!" That’s all she could say.
"Thank you!" Tong Xiyan looked gratefully at her, stood up, quickly changed into a hibiscus-colored overcoat, checked herself in the mirror, and went out with Xinzhu and Xinmei.
Xiqiu sat restlessly on a chair. Siliu walked in and saw Xiqiu looking unwell, so she asked, "Miss, where did Fourth Miss go alone? Should we go back?"
Xiqiu shook her head and said, "We’ll leave after Fourth Sister comes back." She suddenly looked up to ask Siliu, "What’s Madam Wang doing?"
"She’s in Third Miss’s courtyard, doors closed, with Moxiang and Shuixiang guarding outside. It’s secretive, not sure what they’re doing," Siliu paused and added, "I had Siliu keep an eye on them."
Still no movement, what exactly did Madam Wang plan?
Just then, Siliu hurriedly ran in, closed the door, and said to Xiqiu, "Miss, Third Miss left, heading in the direction of the East Cross Courtyard, and then Madam Wang returned alone to the theater house."
"What?" Xiqiu stood up, her heart pounding, "Did you see clearly, did Third Sister go to the East Cross Courtyard?"
Siliu nodded seriously, "Yes, I saw clearly, and Third Miss had also changed clothes, with fresh make-up!"
Xiqiu frowned, sat quietly, contemplating why Tong Xiyang would go to the outer courtyard. Could there have been other people besides a few elders in the outer courtyard today?
No matter who came, Tong Xiyang’s purpose in the outer courtyard wasn’t simple. Plus, Madam Wang suddenly returned to the theater house. If she guessed correctly, later Madam Wang would surely bring several ladies and Lady to visit Tong Xiyan.
"Siliu!" Xiqiu suddenly stood up and said, "You and Nanny Duan take a chair and sit outside the door." She also instructed Siliu, "You change into Fourth Miss’s clothes and lie on the bed. No matter who comes, don’t speak!"
Siliu’s face turned white, "I should pretend to be Fourth Miss?"
Xiqiu picked a garment from the mess Tong Xiyan had made, handed it to Siliu, "Hurry and change." Siliu woodenly changed into the clothes, and Xiqiu pushed her onto the bed, covered her with a quilt, and drew the curtains down!
"Remember, don’t speak no matter who comes!" Any delay is a gain.
Siliu looked anxiously at Xiqiu, "Miss, where are you going?"
Xiqiu said, "I’m going to take a look. You must wait for me and Fourth Miss to return." If she stayed here, Madam Wang would undoubtedly try to expose Tong Xiyan’s absence, so having Siliu pose as Tong Xiyan could buy some time. Compared to Siliu, Siliu was most familiar with the East Cross Courtyard, only by going over could she lead Tong Xiyan away before Madam Wang arrived there!
Finishing her sentence without waiting for the two’s reactions, she opened the door and hurriedly walked out!
She walked swiftly along the path, bypassing the garden, passed through the servants’ quarters at the end of the houses, then crossed a covered corridor, finally seeing the small gate of the East Cross Courtyard.
Madam Luo was ahead, assisting Lady in greeting guests; Madam Mei was busy in the kitchen; Madam Wang went to the theater again. The courtyard’s servants seemed to have slacked off, or someone intentionally arranged it. In any case, Xiqiu went smoothly without even seeing a single maid or old servant.
Entering the East Cross Courtyard, she didn’t see Tong Xiyan, nor even Tong Xiyang. Only Xinzhu and Xinmei were each guarding a side. Upon seeing her, their eyes lit up, and they quietly pointed in the direction of the small door.
Xiqiu said to them, "This place is not peaceful, you should quickly go back and check. Siliu and Siliu aren’t familiar, it’ll be clearer if you are there in case Lady asks."