Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 734 - 735: Labor Pains (Part 1)

Xiqiu calculated the time: upon reaching Tongzhou, if they travel without stopping, they might arrive at midnight. The Grand Dowager, being older, would likely spend the night in Tongzhou.

"Send someone early tomorrow morning to meet them outside the city and at the Marquis Mansion’s gate. Once the Grand Dowager returns, inform me immediately."

Tiancheng responded affirmatively.

Indeed, that day neither the Grand Dowager nor Xiao Yanyi returned. It was only at noon the next day when Tiancheng sent someone to report that both had returned to the Marquis Mansion.

Xiqiu changed clothes. Chunliu and Nanny Cen watched her uneasily, "Madam, if you truly intend to go there, let us prepare first." Nanny Cen hurriedly left after speaking.

As Xiqiu stepped out, she discovered that Nanny Cen had arranged for a sedan chair with four servant women carrying it, accompanied by a midwife and seven or eight other women. Xiqiu secretly marveled at Nanny Cen’s cautiousness but said nothing, letting her handle it. Before boarding, she instructed, "You stay at the mansion; accompany Xing and Min for lunch when they return at noon. There’s no need to go out for a walk afterward; let them nap after eating."

Nanny Cen nodded repeatedly, "I understand, madam!"

Xiqiu then boarded the sedan chair and traveled to the Marquis Mansion, entering through the West Corner Gate. The servant women guarding the entrance greeted her with smiles, and after nodding to everyone, the sedan chair was carried all the way to the Grand Dowager’s courtyard. Chunliu and Bihuai helped her down, and the young maid at the door saw Xiqiu and immediately ran inside, "The Fourth Madam is here, the Fourth Madam is here!"

As Xiqiu entered the courtyard, she saw the First Madam and Xiao Yanzheng with reddened eyes coming out to greet her. Xiao Yanzheng swiftly approached to support her, "I was just talking about you. Mother said not to let you come here; I said you must already be on your way. Looks like I was right." He helped her up the steps, "It’s only been a few days, Fourth Sister-in-law. Please take care of your health."

Xiqiu smiled and greeted the First Madam, who held her arm, frowned slightly, and looked at Xiqiu, nodding, "Quickly go inside; Mother is waiting."

"Yes," Xiqiu answered, then turned to Xiao Yanzheng, "Did you return early to wait?"

Xiao Yanzheng nodded, "I returned yesterday!" As he spoke, Ziwei lifted the curtain to welcome everyone inside.

Xiqiu followed the First Madam into the Warm Pavilion and immediately saw the Grand Dowager sitting by the stove, her head full of gray hair. Her skin, usually well-maintained, now appeared dry, with prominent wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. Her eyes lacked their usual brightness, appearing cloudy and weak, and she wore a Qiuxiang-colored headband, resembling a true elderly woman...

She had grown much thinner; her once plump form like Fugui now seemed as if a gust of wind could blow her away. How much hardship had she endured this past month to turn the once spirited Grand Dowager into the person she is now.

"Mother!" Xiqiu’s eyes reddened, "Your hair..."

The Grand Dowager, slightly trembling, stood and extended her hand to grasp Xiqiu’s, "I’ve grown old, and naturally, my hair is turning white." Her voice was hoarse and colorless. She touched Xiqiu’s hand, looked her up and down, and her gaze fell on her rounded belly, "I didn’t want you to know about all this trouble, fearing it would upset you." She patted the seat beside her, "Come, sit and talk!"

"I’m fine." Xiqiu nodded, her eyes scanning the room, failing to see Xiao Yanyi. The Grand Dowager seemed aware of Xiqiu’s intent, explaining, "He’s been absent from the mansion for a while, dealing with accumulating matters inside and out. Don’t worry; your second brother is fine!"

Relieved, Xiqiu sat beside Xiao Yanzheng on the Grand Dowager’s left. She looked at the Grand Dowager’s hand’s wrinkles, feeling pained and choking up, "Mother, you’ve suffered so much."

Xiao Yanzheng also began to cry, pressing a handkerchief against the Grand Dowager’s shoulder, while the First Madam’s eyes reddened, turning away with a sorrow-filled gaze.

"It’s alright, it’s alright!" The Grand Dowager appeared relaxed and optimistic, seemingly having let go of something within, saying, "The journey was indeed troublesome, but it’s nothing. Think of it as a long trip; the scenery along the Jiangnan leg was truly beautiful, even better than when I was young."

She had visited Yingtian as a child and only went on long journeys occasionally, not expecting to revisit old places in her later years.

Though she spoke optimistically, Xiqiu and the others could imagine the Grand Dowager’s poor health enduring the carriage’s bumpy ride. Fortunately, Xiao Yanyi took meticulous care and slowed the pace to bearable levels; they dared not imagine how hurried the journey had been initially.

"Mother, I’ll invite Sister Jingliu to check your health in the afternoon." Xiqiu spoke softly.

The Grand Dowager glanced at Xiqiu, then at the First Madam and Xiao Yanzheng, sighed, and nodded, "Alright, as you wish, for your peace of mind." She noticed Xiqiu lacked tea and called out, "Nanny Wu, bring red date ginseng tea for Xiqiu."

As soon as she finished speaking, silence fell inside and outside the room.

Ziwei’s face emerged, her expression rigid for a long time, her eyes reddened as she nodded, "I’ll get it right away."

Xiqiu was puzzled by their reactions but searched for Nanny Wu. Since the Grand Dowager’s disappearance, Nanny Wu had vanished too. The Grand Dowager’s mention reminded her that she hadn’t seen Nanny Wu today, wondering if she was ill.

She looked at the Grand Dowager with growing suspicion.

The Grand Dowager noticed Ziwei’s response and froze momentarily; her expression reflected distant memories. After a while, her mouth broke into a dry smile, shallow yet deeply etched, helplessly piercing Xiqiu’s heart...

Xiqiu hesitated, watching Xiao Yanzheng begin to sob again, comforting the Grand Dowager, "Mother, Nanny Wu guarded you all her life; even before her death, she protected you. She fulfilled her lifelong devotion. Please, don’t be too saddened; take care of yourself."

"Oh?" The Grand Dowager seemed to react slowly, turning to Xiao Yanzheng with some delay, "Nanny Wu died?" Then, recalling something, nodded, "Yes, she died!" Before her eyes, the food that had disgusted her all her life was consumed, leaving only its skin!

The Grand Dowager sighed deeply, nodded, and looked at the First Madam, "Her body is gone, but I kept the clothes she wore before she died in my bundle, along with her skin; let Housekeeper Hu handle it. I recall her ancestral home is in Hu-Guang; she hasn’t had the chance to return for many years. Send her back there for burial." She paused, her tone lacking energy, "Also, ask Master Puning to conduct memorial services."

The tone was mild, but Xiqiu could sense the Grand Dowager’s reluctance and sorrow.