Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 715 - 716: Parting (1)

Early the next morning, Tong Shen Zhi personally escorted Xu Tianqing to the mansion.

Fourth Master Xiao, Xiqiu, and Ruan Jingliu were waiting at the mansion for them. As soon as Xu Tianqing arrived, his gaze fell on Xiqiu, and like a child, a smile emerged on his face, a smile that was pure and clear. However, he had lost a lot of weight compared to a few days ago. His long coat hung loosely on him. Accompanying Tong Shen Zhi were Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan. Once the four of them entered, they greeted each other and then proceeded to the Warm Pavilion to have a conversation.

Xu Tianqing closely followed behind Xiqiu, staring at her face, frowning, and said, "Sixth Sister, why have you lost weight? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No," Xiqiu replied with a smile, "I just haven’t had much of an appetite." Last evening, true to her word, Madam Huang sent two jars with a maid to the mansion. When the lids were lifted, a sour aroma wafted out. Xiqiu found the smell pleasing. Nanny Cen, not fully reassured, tasted a few bites herself before nodding approval for the kitchen to prepare them. There were dumplings with pickled cabbage and others steamed with oil. Xiqiu’s appetite improved significantly after eating them. Early this morning, she had someone prepare a return gift for the Huang Mansion.

Walking side by side with Xiqiu, Xu Tianqing still looked puzzled and tilted his head to ask, "No appetite? What should we do then?" He appeared quite troubled.

As they reached the steps at the door, Fourth Master Xiao naturally paused to wait for Xiqiu, while Xu Tianqing lifted his arm to support Xiqiu’s arm: "Be careful!" He looked relaxed and natural, completely unaware that Fourth Master Xiao was standing in front watching him.

Xiqiu’s face turned awkward, she moved her arm, but Xu Tianqing, being lost in his own world, didn’t notice.

Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan, seeing this, one went to support Xiqiu, the other went to pull Xu Tianqing. Tong Xiyan, pulling Xu Tianqing, laughed and said, "Cousin, have you been here before? Do you remember?" Casually bringing him to a stop, Tong Xiyan pointed at Chunliu in the courtyard, "Have you seen her? Do you remember her?"

Xu Tianqing immediately waved his hand, eager to turn back to find Xiqiu, but Xiqiu, by then, had already been helped by Madam Jiang up the steps into the Warm Pavilion.

"I wanted to come yesterday, but your elder brother said there must be many affairs at the mansion, and I would be causing trouble if I came, so I held off until today." Making a pause, he continued, "We kept it from our aunt, only saying that you felt bored at the mansion and asked the Third and Seventh Brother to stay for a few days. Nothing else was mentioned, so you need not worry."

"That’s good." Xiqiu turned back to glance at Xu Tianqing, seeing him talk about something with Tong Xiyan, then turned to Madam Jiang and said, "Don’t tell my aunt, or she’ll worry along with me!"

"I was afraid you’d worry, so I instructed everyone not to say a word, rest assured." Madam Jiang said with a smile as she entered with Fourth Master Xiao, Tong Shen Zhi, and Xiqiu. The two sat down together, with Ruan Jingliu sitting on Xiqiu’s right side. Tong Shen Zhi frowned and said, "The war in Miaojiang cannot be delayed. It is almost spring and time for sowing. The fields there are scarce, with only one harvest per year for the people. After this season, by winter, who knows how many will starve or freeze to death." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The perspectives of civil servants and military officers differ after all. Someone like Tong Quanzhi would think it better to seize this opportunity, deploy troops, and annex all Miaojiang’s surroundings directly, eliminating future troubles.

Fourth Master Xiao nodded in agreement with Tong Shen Zhi’s concerns and nodded, saying, "The war has already started and might not end soon. Other arrangements might be necessary." Pausing, he said, "Perhaps Wenxian can submit a memorial to the Emperor, and I can personally discuss this matter with the Emperor."

Tong Shen Zhi was momentarily dazed but nodded, "I’ll draft it tonight and let you review." But Fourth Master Xiao waved his hand, "I trust in your handling of it."

Madam Jiang’s eyes brightened. Tong Shen Zhi had been in his current position for over a year. Fourth Master Xiao offering such an opportunity to him at the Emperor’s court made her happy, so she turned to ask Xiqiu, "Is your nausea better? My mother pickled some plums last year. I’ll have Nanny Qiu bring some over. If you like them, I’ll send you more." Pausing, she added, "I meant to give them to you before the year, but you were in good health then, and I didn’t think they were anything special, so I didn’t mention it!"

"No need, really!" Xiqiu said with a smile, then recounted the story of Madam Huang to Madam Jiang: "The taste was indeed good. Nanny Cen saw that I liked it and even thought about going to the Huang Mansion to learn the recipe."

Madam Jiang laughed, "In Liaodong, there are no fresh vegetables once winter arrives. Even if you had silver, you couldn’t buy it. So, every household would dig cellars and start pickling various salted and sour vegetables before winter. By winter, they would take them out. Madam Huang is from Liaodong, so she’s naturally skilled in this, unlike us, who find it all very novel."

Xiqiu listened and quickly nodded, "Exactly. I find it very refreshing; I even had seven or eight dumplings this morning. Even Min had five or six." She laughed as she spoke.

As they were speaking, Tong Xiyan brought Xu Tianqing into the Warm Pavilion. Upon seeing that Xiqiu’s left and right were occupied, Xu Tianqing had no choice but to sit across from her, looking at her. Tong Xiyan shook his head and looked towards Fourth Master Xiao: "It’s almost noon, when should we go to the water dungeon at the Capital City Government?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, replying in a somber voice, "We can go anytime." He looked at Ruan Jingliu, indicating that the specific time would depend on her.

"Go at noon. That’s the best time for reactions." Pausing, she glanced at Xu Tianqing, "But you’ll have to endure more suffering."

Xu Tianqing showed no reaction, but Tong Xiyan and Tong Shen Zhi looked at him with pity. Tong Xiyan sighed deeply, thinking of Xu Tianqing’s bouts.

Tong Shen Zhi turned his gaze away, continuing the court discussion: "Regarding Lord Feng, how should it be handled? Has the Emperor issued any decree?" Lord Feng was a Wuying Palace Scholar, one of the two cabinet ministers the Emperor heavily promoted upon ascending the throne. When the Princess Rong had her incident, he had done many things. At the time, not much attention was paid, but when Prince Rong’s scandal broke, everyone realized. Yesterday morning, a memorial was submitted accusing him of collusion with traitors, aiming to rebel!

Lord Feng had feigned illness to avoid attending court. The Emperor hadn’t spoken a word about it in the hall. Now that Tong Shen Zhi brought it up, the meaning was clear: he disapproved of Lord Feng’s actions.

Fourth Master Xiao frowned, his voice emotionlessly tepid, "Currently in the Cabinet, Feng Yang has retreated synchronously. Lord Yang has been in the Cabinet since the late Emperor’s reign, with countless disciples under him. Even if the Emperor has intentions, he may have to wait a few more days."

Tong Shen Zhi understood, nodding, "Lord Yang once recommended Qiu Shan to the Fujian Governor, and during the Eighth Prince’s turmoil, it was a scandal throughout the city..." meaning he did not think much of Lord Yang.

Fourth Master Xiao said nothing, and Tong Shen Zhi did not continue on the topic. Some matters were best left unsaid. As he was not a close courtier, he could not openly speak about certain things in memorials, only subtly probe Fourth Master Xiao’s stance or discuss the pros and cons from different perspectives.