Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 641 - 643: Good News (3)

"You should rest early." Fourth Master Xiao laid Xiqiu down on the bed and tucked in the covers, gently saying, "I still have some things to do. You go to sleep, don’t wait for me!"

Although Xiqiu felt sleepy, she couldn’t fall asleep with so much on her mind, but she nodded and said, "Fourth Master, you should go."

Fourth Master Xiao turned and left the room. Xiqiu tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and then sat up to read a book until she was exhausted enough to fall asleep. It wasn’t until the latter half of the night, when Fourth Master Xiao returned, that she finally closed her eyes. Bihuai called from outside: "Fourth Master, Madam, it’s a quarter past the Hour of the Ox."

Xiqiu wanted to get up to see Fourth Master Xiao off, but he said, "Go back to sleep!" For some reason, she fell asleep again, and by the time she woke up in her groggy state, it was already daylight.

She sat up and called out, "Chunliu!"

Chunliu pushed the door open and came in. Xiqiu asked, "What time is it now?" Chunliu replied, "It’s three-quarters past the Hour of the Rabbit. I’ve called Madam twice, but seeing you were sleeping soundly, I didn’t call again. I let the stewards from each place go back first!"

"Might as well let them come later," Xiqiu thought for a moment and replied, "Let them come back after I return from the Grand Dowager’s courtyard, around seven-thirty."

Chunliu agreed. Xiqiu got up and freshened up, had breakfast with Min, and walked with him around the garden. Then she let Erquan, the wet nurse, and Dongling accompany him to the study hall, while she went to the Grand Dowager’s courtyard, had some breakfast with the First Madam while accompanying the Grand Dowager, and then returned to meet with the stewards. After the stewards had finished their business, she felt exhausted, almost as if completely worn out.

She drank some tea and relaxed on the rose bed, feeling a bit more comfortable and wanting to close her eyes for a while. However, in the blink of an eye, she fell asleep again.

Chunliu and Bihuai silently entered the room. Seeing Xiqiu asleep, they exchanged a look, obviously finding it strange for her to sleep at this hour. She usually had the habit of taking a nap at noon and would not normally sleep again otherwise. However, considering all that had happened in the manor over the past two days, and the fright and running around the Madam had endured, it seemed reasonable. Chunliu took a felt blanket and covered Xiqiu, closed the drapes, and left.

It was still Chunliu who woke Xiqiu. She sat up, rubbing her forehead, feeling waves of drowsiness. She asked, "What’s the matter? What time is it now?"

"It’s noon, Madam!" Chunliu paused before saying, "Over at the Grand Dowager’s, Count Shouning, Count Wujin, Marquis Wuwei, Count Zhongqin, and Marquis Jinxiang all sent people in the morning to visit the Marquis. There are many people coming and going over there." After a pause, she continued, "The outer courtyard as well; Tiancheng said many officials came to visit the Marquis!"

Xiqiu nodded, understanding that the Second Madam’s situation was now known to everyone!

It was within her expectations that people from various houses would come to visit Xiao Yanyi. After all, with something this big, houses that had close ties would certainly come to take a look.

"Got it." Xiqiu furrowed her brow and asked, "Has Min returned?"

Chunliu glanced at the time and replied, "He should be back soon." As soon as her words fell, voices of Min and Erquan talking could be heard in the courtyard. Min ran in with a smile and nestled next to Xiqiu, looking up and asking, "Mother, has Second Uncle woken up? I want to go see him, is that okay?"

"Mother has no objection." Xiqiu smiled and said, "But you need to ask for Grandmother’s permission. After all, Second Uncle is still recovering. With Grandmother’s consent, you can go. If Grandmother does not agree, then we will wait until Second Uncle recovers to visit him, and it won’t be too late. As long as Min has this intention, Second Uncle will know."

Min nodded in understanding: "Then I’ll ask Grandmother tonight!"

Xiqiu nodded with a smile. Min then talked about the study hall; Mr. Song had three children attending classes together in the morning, and in the afternoon, he taught two separate classes. Min and Sheng sat together, while Xing went to study different materials by himself, which had been at the Grand Dowager’s behest, given that Xing’s status was different from theirs.

Initially, Min was somewhat puzzled, but Xiqiu explained subtly about the differences in status. After only a few words, Min sensitively understood. Watching him, Xiqiu felt a pang of heartache. Such a young child, who should have been living a carefree childhood, enjoying the most untroubled and leisurely time of his life, was already made aware of inequality, taught the disparity of status and importance, and remembered the differences between himself and Xing.

Since then, when Min spoke to Xing, something changed—not alienation, but there was more courtesy and respect.

It seems that certain things have already planted seeds in his heart.

The two chatted for a while, and Chunliu came in to ask where to set the meal. Now that Chunliu mentioned it, Xiqiu suddenly felt very hungry. She asked Chunliu to set the meal in the adjacent room, ate with Min by the rose bed, and then sent the wet nurse with Min for his afternoon nap. Afterward, Xiqiu felt very sleepy again. She walked about ten steps to aid digestion and returned to the bedroom. Initially, she wanted to make a couple of small garments for Madam Xia, but after picking up the needle and leaning against the bed, she fell asleep again.

She had no idea when Fourth Master Xiao returned or when he went to sleep; she slept straight through until dawn. Fourth Master Xiao called Chunliu and asked, "Has Madam not been feeling well these past two days?"

"Not at all!" Chunliu thought for a moment; the Madam only seemed to be sleeping more than usual, with nothing else amiss: "Should I invite Nurse Zhang to come for a check-up?"

Fourth Master Xiao frowned, thought it over, and still nodded, instructing, "Don’t mention it to the Madam, just let Nurse Zhang come by the manor to take a look."

Chunliu complied, and saw Fourth Master Xiao out the door.

After Xiqiu got up, she followed the same routine as the previous day and went to the Grand Dowager’s room to pay her respects. The Grand Dowager said, "Today, Old Madam Lou, Madam Qian, and Madam Ruan are coming!"

"Understood!" Then she went to arrange the noon meal. The Grand Dowager watched Xiqiu leave, took a long time before retracting her gaze. Nanny Wu smiled broadly, went over to serve a dish of crystal date paste cake on the table: "This is made by the kitchen under Fourth Madam’s morning instructions. She said it isn’t sweet, so you should try it."

"Really." The Grand Dowager picked up a piece with a smile and tasted it, raising her eyebrows in delight: "Indeed, it’s quite good!"

Nanny Wu smiled meaningfully and said, "Fourth Madam is thoughtful." The Grand Dowager understood her implication, playfully scolded Nanny Wu with a glance, and replied, "You’re always siding with her."

Nanny Wu covered her face with a smile, responding, "You’ve wronged this servant, Madam. My heart is always for you. I just observe and feel pleased to see who is filial to you and who has a kind, thoughtful nature."

The Grand Dowager smiled helplessly, yet the smile on her face lingered for a long time.

Xiqiu gave instructions for the kitchen, and by then, Old Madam Lou had already arrived. Soon after, Madam Qian and her sister-in-law also entered. Xiqiu accompanied them, while Madam Qian laughed and said, "Let the Grand Dowager and Old Madam Lou chat." She looked at Madam Ruan and said, "Let’s go sit with Fourth Madam, it’s been so long and we haven’t visited yet."