Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 645 - 647: Moving Out (2)

"Which day is set for the move?" Xiao Yanyi sat up, feeling no pain from the fiery pull of the wound on his back. "Did the Grand Dowager agree?"

The servant replied with his head lowered, "The Grand Dowager agreed. I heard it’s set to move after the Double Ninth Festival."

Xiao Yanyi fell silent, leaning thoughtfully against the bed.

Fourth Brother considered it correctly. Xiqiu is now pregnant, and although her mother takes care of her while she’s in the Marquis Mansion, the household has been restless lately... and the Empress Dowager’s side has been so quiet these days. While he cares little about what the Empress Dowager does, Xiqiu cannot risk any slight danger. Weighing these matters, it seems more comfortable to move out.

But...

Xiao Yanyi sighed almost inaudibly, dismissed the servant, then silently closed his eyes. His hand hung quietly by his side, then slowly clenched into a fist. He supported himself and sat up, slowly moving to the bookshelf, reaching for a book. Then he saw a creaking indentation on the wall, which revealed a portrait.

He stood silently before the portrait, his gaze resting on her face...

Should this painting be returned to Fourth Brother?

They now have offspring, and Fourth Brother cherishes her so. What reason does he have to think of her!

This incident must have caused her much distress. Even if she doesn’t say it, he can feel it. Her eyes avoid his, seemingly with an apology underneath, yet deliberately evasive.

He did not mean to cause her distress. As long as she lives well, he has no other desires.

For this lifetime, he is as he is, and so he only hopes she will be happy.

The woman in the painting smiled sweetly, her big eyes gleaming like dew, so beautiful...

He reached out to touch it, but it felt hard and cold. He suddenly awakened, his eyes filled with suppressed pain.

He stood there for a long time without moving, feeling something flow from his eyes, falling onto his collar, seeping into his heart.

Chunliu and Nanny Cen returned, excitedly telling Xiqiu, "...The house is very big, and I think it’s not inferior to the Marquis Mansion. Within, there are peculiar stones standing, and the brook trickles beautifully." She paused before continuing, "Especially in the backyard, many camellias have been transplanted, large spreads of red and pink blending, dazzling the servant’s eyes... Seeing the new mansion, other houses seem less appealing."

"Is it really so good as you say?" Xiqiu, piqued by her description, eagerly wanted to see it. Chunliu nodded repeatedly, "The lady will surely like it, wishing to live there every day."

Nanny Cen, amused, said, "This girl, what nonsense! The lady is to stay there permanently in the future, after all." She turned to Xiqiu to add detail Chunliu hadn’t reported: "A maid named Nanny Rong manages the young maids and servants. There are thirteen craftswomen, twenty general servants, and twenty-four younger maids yet unassigned in total. I’ve observed that their training is quite good. Though the house is large, there aren’t too many people. When we move, I don’t think the lady needs to hire more for the time being."

Xiqiu hadn’t expected this, that Fourth Master Xiao had maintained so many people within, with special management and training. She looked at Nanny Cen and asked, "How long did it take to get to the new mansion from here?"

"It took just the time of one cup of tea, very close!" Nanny Cen replied with a smile, "It’s also quite near to your relatives’ compound, not taking even half an hour to go back and forth."

She nodded, an outline of the new mansion forming in her mind, her hand resting on her abdomen.

That night, Young Master Min returned from the study. Upon entering, he rushed into Xiqiu’s room, tilting his little face up to urgently ask, "Mother, Nurse said you and Father are moving?" His eyes showed a hint of fear.

Xiqiu was taken aback. Young Master Min used the term "you," not "us." She crouched down, looking at him, and asked, "That’s right. What’s wrong?"

Young Master Min lowered his head, his small hands interlocked tightly. After a long pause, he shook his head and replied, "Nothing!" After saying that, he ran out without turning back.

Xiqiu looked at the nurse standing behind Young Master Min. The nurse was startled and kneeled, saying, "Milady, this servant mentioned to the Young Master that you and Fourth Master are moving out, but before I could finish my words, the Young Master left his lessons and ran back."

Xiqiu sighed, pointing to Chunliu and Dongling, "Go check on him; don’t let him run about!"

Chunliu and Dongling answered affirmatively and left.

Xiqiu sat in the room, waiting for Young Master Min to return. His first reaction upon hearing they were moving was to think it was she and Fourth Master Xiao leaving, naturally and straightforwardly excluding himself.

Was he thinking they wouldn’t take him with them, and thus felt sad!

Young Master Min returned after a while, head hanging, standing before Xiqiu. Xiqiu saw his eyes were red, evidence of having cried secretly somewhere. She patted his head and asked, "What’s the matter, Young Master Min? Don’t you like moving, or will you miss Grandmother and Xing?"

"No!" He shook his head instinctively, suddenly realizing Xiqiu’s meaning. He looked up at her in surprise, "Mother will take me too?"

"Of course!" Xiqiu replied, "We’re a family. If your father and mother move, then Young Master Min moves with us." After a thought, she continued, "But if Young Master Min can’t bear to leave Grandmother, we can talk to your father and continue staying here."

"No, no!" Young Master Min shook his head repeatedly, his face gradually showing a joyful expression, "That’s not what I meant!" He said excitedly, "I... I just thought... thought..." that you would leave me here.

"How could that be!" She said, holding Young Master Min’s hand, the two sitting side by side. She continued, "You mustn’t think like that in the future. If your father knew, he’d surely be upset. Even hearing it now, Mother feels sad."

Young Master Min nodded vigorously, replacing his earlier sadness with a broad smile, "I thought because of the new little brother, Mother wouldn’t want me and would leave me here with Grandmother." He paused before adding, "I won’t think that way anymore!"

"Young Master Min." Xiqiu became serious, looking at him earnestly, "No one will abandon you. When Mother has a little brother or sister, it’s just that you’ll have an additional brother or sister, not that you’ll be given up. Understand?"

She couldn’t guarantee treating Young Master Min exactly like her own child, but she would act with a sincere heart, at least trying her best to care for him, ensuring he grows safely and healthily, fulfilling her responsibility as a mother.

Young Master Min nodded affirmatively. Xiqiu smiled and continued, "The two houses are very close. If Young Master Min ever misses Grandmother or Xing, or Sheng, you can visit them anytime. Is that all right?" Seeing him nod, she thought a moment before adding, "However, once we move, if Young Master Min continues attending classes here, it will be tiring traveling back and forth each day. Mother wants to discuss with your father about finding you a new tutor. What do you think?"