Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 676 - 678: Entering the Palace (2)

Nanny Cen couldn’t sit still, so she excused herself to Xiqiu, saying, "The stewed lily and bird’s nest pot is still on the stove, I’ll go have a look!" As she spoke, seeing Xiqiu nod, she went out the door.

As Nanny Cen exited, she brushed past Biwu, who lifted the curtain and came in, reporting, "Nanny Wu is here!"

Did the Grand Dowager learn about the Empress Dowager’s decree?

"Please invite her in!" Xiqiu replied. Biwu complied, turned around, and called Nanny Wu in. As Nanny Wu entered, she greeted Xiqiu with a bow and smiled, "How has Fourth Madam been these past few days?" Her gaze fell on Xiqiu’s swollen belly. "It seems like the belly has grown again, but why does Fourth Madam look a bit thinner?"

"Please have a seat, Nanny Wu." Xiqiu gestured beside her on the edge of the heated brick bed, not moving herself. Nanny Wu sat down beside her, and Xiqiu smiled, "Perhaps because the belly is growing quickly."

Nanny Wu looked at Xiqiu’s belly and laughed, her face full of joy. Xiqiu then asked, "Did you come for something, Nanny?"

"It’s like this," Nanny Wu laughed and said, "The Grand Dowager got some excellent ginseng and sent me to bring some for you, along with a few bolts of Sanming Cloth. They’re perfect for making diapers."

Xiqiu nodded, smiling, "Thank you for the trouble."

Nanny Wu’s face was filled with smiles. Xiqiu casually asked, "I heard Third Brother reported to duty, I wonder if it went smoothly or not!"

Nanny Wu knew about Fourth Master Xiao and Xiao Yancheng’s matters, naturally indifferent to them. Xiqiu’s inquiry didn’t surprise her, so she thought and answered, "The paperwork will be approved these days, still as Assistant Magistrate. Though it’s a leisurely post, it’s better than none." After a pause, she continued, "However, Third Madam is very busy. On the first, she took Big Sister and Fifth Madam to the fair, buying lots of things back... but Big Sister ate something unclean and has been vomiting and having diarrhea for two days, losing a lot of weight!"

"How did this happen? Was the Imperial Physician called in?" Xiqiu frowned and asked.

Nanny Wu shook her head, "No, Third Madam said she has her own medicine, and after taking it, there’s no need... so no physician was called."

Is it distrust in the physicians from the Central Plains, or distrust in the people here?

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows, exhaled and nodded, "Indeed, I heard Miaojiang’s medicine is very good. My leg recovered thanks to the Grand Dowager’s ointment, otherwise, it wouldn’t have healed so quickly."

"Indeed!" Nanny Wu’s eyes flashed, looking at Xiqiu, she asked, "Is Madam’s leg much better now?"

"Last winter, there was still slight pain. This year, perhaps because I haven’t gone out, after the weather cooled, there hasn’t been any recurrence!" Xiqiu smiled and continued, "It seems it still needs care."

Nanny Wu nodded repeatedly, agreeing, "It indeed needs careful care. After Madam gives birth, you must sit through the confinement period well. I’ve heard from the older generation that if the confinement period is well-maintained, it can cure some of the body’s ailments."

Xiqiu had also heard this before and agreed, nodding. Nanny Wu continued, "The Grand Dowager has already sent a card to the Nursery, and after the new year, she intends to send people over for Madam to choose. A midwife also needs to be prepared early in the manor to avoid panic when the time comes."

Only four months in, the Grand Dowager was overly anxious. Thinking this, she smiled and said, "Let’s wait until the weather warms up. As for the wet nurse, I’m still considering whether to invite one. It’s not too late to choose when the time comes." She wished to nurse the child herself.

Nanny Wu paused, her eyes flickering, assuming Xiqiu was cautious due to Third Master’s matters, developing a distrust toward the Marquis Mansion’s people, leading to her refusal of the Grand Dowager’s idea of inviting someone from the Nursery. She took a moment then cheerfully agreed, leaving it at that. Seeing the change in her expression, Xiqiu inwardly sighed and smiled, saying, "To be honest, I wish to nurse the child myself. It allows us to be closer."

So that’s the reason. Nanny Wu felt a slight awkwardness for her earlier misunderstanding, immediately smiling and saying, "It’s fine for you to nurse, but managing everything alone is too much, so you’ll need to hire a wet nurse. Once they’re here, they can lend a hand."

Xiqiu didn’t refuse again and nodded.

Does the Grand Dowager not yet know about the Empress Dowager summoning her to the palace?

As expected, Nanny Wu stood up and smiled, "There’s nothing else, I need to return to the Brocade Pavilion to fetch some things. I won’t disturb Fourth Madam’s rest any longer."

Xiqiu raised her eyebrows, indicating Nanny Wu came out early, which explained her lack of knowledge about the Empress Dowager’s decree.

"Take care, Nanny!" Xiqiu then looked to Chunliu, "See Nanny out."

Nanny Wu smiled and left. As she stepped out, the First Madam arrived personally. Xiqiu was startled, got off the bed, and the First Madam was already at the door. Xiqiu greeted her with a smile, "Sister-in-law." The First Madam took off her cloak in the outer room, dusted off the fallen snow, and nodded toward Xiqiu, "It’s snowing outside, don’t come out!" She said as she moved past Biwu, drawing the curtain to enter the Warm Pavilion.

"Why did Sister-in-law come personally?" Xiqiu handed her hand warmer, which the First Madam accepted without formality, and they sat together on the bed. Straightforwardly, the First Madam asked, "Did the Empress Dowager summon you to the palace?"

"Yes!" Xiqiu nodded, "Chief Lei personally conveyed the decree. Tomorrow at 7 a.m., I’ll enter the palace."

The First Madam frowned, returning the hand warmer to Xiqiu, "Does Fourth Master know about this?" Seeing Xiqiu shake her head, she said, "Mother and I discussed it. The Shen Mansion’s eldest son caught a cold when he turned one year old and hasn’t recovered. I brought some medicinal herbs for you to send to Madam Shen."

"Does Sister-in-law suggest notifying the Empress through the Shen family so she can protect me?"

The First Madam nodded, "Matters involving the Empress Dowager are difficult for others to intervene, only the Empress can balance against her. Mother believes the Empress Dowager won’t act out of bounds, but we must be cautious."

It seems the First Madam had discussed this with the Grand Dowager before coming, but Xiqiu was somewhat reluctant to seek help from the Shen family, especially not wanting to clarify Fourth Master Xiao’s position and involve him in factionalism because of her personal matters!

Noticing Xiqiu’s silence, the First Madam’s gaze paused, frowning as she looked at her, about to speak, when Xiqiu said, "I’ll discuss it with Fourth Master when he returns, I’m sorry to worry Mother and Sister-in-law." After a pause, she added, "In a couple of days, it’s time for Eldest Brother’s mourning ceremony. Is there anything you need my help with, Sister-in-law?"

"Focus on your pregnancy, I’ve arranged everything!" The First Madam frowned more deeply, nodding, "Don’t be careless about entering the palace. Let Fourth Master think it over thoroughly." With that, she stood up, "I need to return; there are matters at the manor."

"I’ll see you out." Xiqiu escorted the First Madam to the door. Outside, the First Madam wrapped her cloak around her, put on wooden clogs, looked back at Xiqiu, nodded, and was about to leave. At the doorway, she turned back, her gaze deep as she looked at Xiqiu, saying, "Tell Fourth Master that two days ago, an old gatekeeper woman died suddenly in her room by the East Corner Gate." With that, not waiting to see if Xiqiu understood or not, she turned and left, supported by a maid. She walked with an umbrella through the swirling snow in the courtyard, until she reached the covered blue-topped sedan chair by the gates.