Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 736 - 737: Labor Pains (Part 3)

"Mm!" Xiao Yanzheng nodded, "He said they will be sent back within the next month. He also mentioned that mother is not in good health and advised me to stay home longer, so I’m not going back; I want to stay here with mother."

If this is true, Xiqiu would indeed see Pang Guibin in a new light, but it’s still too early to say. Let’s wait until they have truly sent them away.

Though not being filial to in-laws is against filial duty, inevitable conflicts arise when a whole family lives together. If there is a way out and a choice, why not compromise? It’s better than becoming enemies.

As soon as Xiao Yanzheng finished speaking, Bilian, who was by the Grand Dowager’s side, lifted the curtain and came in, looking at Xiao Yanzheng and saying, "Lady, your mother-in-law is here."

"Ah? Mother-in-law is here?" Xiao Yanzheng stood up abruptly and looked toward Xiqiu, who smiled and raised an eyebrow at Yanzheng, sighing, "It seems she’s here to take you back. I think you should go with her. This would save your mother-in-law from any difficulty."

After all, she is the mother-in-law; regardless of what she’s done wrong, she’s still an elder, and Xiao Yanzheng needs to give her this basic respect.

Moreover, she didn’t want the mother-in-law to see the Grand Dowager now, who, unlike her regal self of the past, appeared like an ordinary peasant woman. With this in mind to protect her, it might as well be that she doesn’t see her, at least not now.

Xiao Yanzheng understood Xiqiu’s meaning and nodded, saying, "Then, I’ll go back with her. When Nurse Zhang comes tomorrow, whatever the outcome, please send someone to inform me. I’ll be waiting at home for you."

"Go on, go on!" Xiqiu saw Xiao Yanzheng out, "Invite your mother-in-law to your room to have a cup of tea and rest for a while. I’m not feeling well, so I won’t go."

"I understand!" Xiao Yanzheng replied with a nod and turned to leave with the maids by her side.

Xiqiu sighed and shook her head. Chunliu, afraid that she was getting tired, asked softly, "Do you want to rest for a while?"

"I’ll go see the Grand Dowager." Xiqiu stood up and waved her hand, "You all go find someone to chat with, no need to stay here guarding." Saying this, she turned and entered the Warm Pavilion.

The Grand Dowager had already awakened. However, she sat quietly leaning there with her eyes open, lost in thought, a somewhat scattered look in her gaze. Upon hearing footsteps, she looked at Xiqiu, pursed her lips, and smiled, "Don’t tire yourself. Come and sit."

Xiqiu nodded in agreement, sat by the Grand Dowager’s side, and looked at her with deep affection. The Grand Dowager smiled, adjusted her posture, and shook her head saying, "I’m really getting old, chatting with you all made me fall asleep, and I wasn’t even aware of it."

"Mother is just tired!" Xiqiu said softly, "This long journey has been exhausting, even for young people, let alone with your health condition!"

"Alas! No need to comfort me. I know my own health very well, it’s not what it used to be." As she spoke, she took Xiqiu’s hand which was resting on her lap with a doting look in her eyes, "Keep me company and let’s chat. Since you joined the family, we haven’t really had a proper talk."

Xiqiu smiled and nodded, "Okay, what would mother like to talk about?" She moved a little closer to the Grand Dowager, who glanced at her belly and smiled happily, "During my journey, I kept counting the days, afraid I wouldn’t make it for your delivery. The Fourth Master isn’t here, and you have no one by your side for support, so I didn’t want to delay any longer. Even if I can’t do much, at least I can be with you." She paused, "Glad I made it. These recent days, are you feeling better, not feeling nauseous anymore?"

"Much better!" Xiqiu said with a soft smile, "This child is quite lazy, doesn’t move much in the belly. We might have to wait a bit longer."

The Grand Dowager also laughed, nodding, "Just like the Fourth Master. When I was carrying him too, he wouldn’t move all day. If it weren’t for the belly showing, sometimes I forgot I was even pregnant."

Xiqiu thought of the stories recorded in the Grand Dowager’s memoir, feeling a pang of empathy for her, but on the surface, she laughed along with the Grand Dowager.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sat on the edge of the kang. The Grand Dowager recounted stories of young Fourth Master Xiao, "Among the children I raised, he was the naughtiest and most disobedient, often challenging me. Unlike your second and first brothers, he wasn’t close to me at all, not clingy in the least, always practicing martial arts or staying in your father’s study reading military books."

Xiqiu could imagine Fourth Master Xiao at that time, and the Grand Dowager continued, "So, I’m not afraid of you thinking so much. Since childhood, my relationship with him wasn’t as close as with your second and first brothers. Back then, my health was poor, and there were so many household affairs to take care of, I couldn’t manage him. Thankfully, your second brother took care of him. Although the Fourth Master is a bit stubborn, he’s not unruly. Though not all the kids turned out outstanding, compared to the prodigal sons of other families, they are much better!"

That’s true. No matter how you look at it, the men of the Xiao family are considered upright. Even Third Master, before his incident, was a righteous man!

They talked about other matters, then Xiqiu mentioned the Grand Dowager’s box, "The eldest sister-in-law took it to my place. I’ll bring it to you when I come tomorrow." The Grand Dowager’s eyes showed a hint of movement as she nodded with a smile and sighed deeply, "Have you all looked through the things inside?"

Xiqiu didn’t want to lie to the Grand Dowager, so she nodded honestly, and the Grand Dowager patted her hand, "That comb inside was given to me by the Old Marquis when I just got married. You wouldn’t know, but he was very skilled at carving and polishing jewelry, making it with great finesse... Even Second Master and Fourth Master learned these skills."

Xiqiu secretly raised her eyebrows. She knew Xiao Yanyi enjoyed carving, as evidenced by the numerous uniquely shaped stones in his room. But Fourth Master Xiao as well? That was something she truly didn’t know.

Suddenly, she thought of the hairpin Fourth Master Xiao had given her. The jade was top quality and finely crafted, but the patterns were somewhat plain. Such items might not sell well if made by a shop... Most businesses wouldn’t take such risks. Could it be that her two hairpins were personally crafted by Fourth Master Xiao?

Thinking of this brought a sweetness to her heart, adding a layer to her smile.

The Grand Dowager paused and then said, "I’ve heard about your matters too, all the frightening experiences you’ve had—it’s my fault for having caused you such distress." The Grand Dowager sighed, "If I hadn’t let them stay in the house, such things wouldn’t have happened."

Xiqiu deeply understood the Grand Dowager’s feelings and smiled, "It’s all in the past now. Please don’t dwell on it. As long as everyone is safe, that’s all that matters!"

"Dear child, you really are magnanimous!" The Grand Dowager nodded with a smile.

After chatting a while longer, Xiqiu saw it wasn’t early, and with children still needing care at home, she took her leave of the Grand Dowager and returned to her own house.

The Grand Dowager didn’t light a lamp, dismissing the maids, and made her way through the darkness to the Buddhist Hall alone, where several oil lamps flickered dimly in the tranquil, chilly space.

Retrieving a string of Buddha Beads from the box in the drawer, she knelt on the prayer mat, closing her eyes for a long time before sighing. Her fingers slowly moved, counting the beads, as she spoke softly to herself, "Marquis, Yujing has gone. Have you met her down there? Please take care of her for me. She followed me all her life, enduring so many hardships, and met such an unhappy end. Please tell her I’ll take care of things at home, so she may be at peace!" She paused before continuing, "Marquis, you’ve surely seen the Third Master, haven’t you? I hope you father and son can meet, have a proper conversation, and resolve the misunderstandings. This life didn’t allow for the three of you to be together, but now, perhaps, you can reunite below!"