At only twelve years of age, I'm afraid in a few years this face will be hard to conceal.
It seems that merely protecting herself is not enough anymore; for the sake of the ones she cares about, she cannot simply seek stability.
She gathered her thoughts, turned around, and sat upright on the bed covered with a scarlet red carpet. Before Sixing came out from inside, the voice of the little maid Xi'er was already heard from outside the door: "With rain this heavy, Nanny Fang, please come in for a cup of tea to warm yourself up."
Rainwater had pooled, and though Xiqiu wore thick-soled wooden clogs, the embroidered shoes with entwined peony patterns were still half wet. As she just entered the gate of Zhui Garden, Zizhu came up to her, took the umbrella from Sixing's hand, and whispered in Xiqiu's ear: "A letter from Yongzhou says that Madam Wang is already three months pregnant."
Xiqiu stood under the corridor, took off her slightly worn silver mouse cloak, took off the wooden clogs, nodded to Zizhu, her mind already strategizing, and then smiled at the maids by the door before stepping inside.
She passed through the Rich Peony Screen into the Warm Pavilion, where she saw Lady sitting upright, wearing a crimson overcoat embroidered with round flowers symbolizing good fortune, the red gold phoenix hairpin on her head trembling slightly, her face full and noble with a benign grace, yet her smiling eyes carried a sharp glint.
On the long table by the good fortune kang were trinkets like a chiseled enamel incense burner, a blue-and-white porcelain tea set, and sweet white porcelain bowls filled with candied snacks and other refreshments.
Beneath the kang, Third Miss Tong Xiyang was sitting on a round corner embroidered stool, and upon seeing her enter, a slightly gloating smile appeared on her face: "Sixth Sister, you finally arrived."
Fourth Miss Tong Xiyan sat opposite, her smile radiant as sunlight as she looked at Xiqiu. On her left side, Siliu and Shuixiang knelt side by side, which made Xiqiu sigh in relief, knowing at least Siliu was well.
"Mother!" Xiqiu stepped forward to pay respects. Once Lady allowed her to rise, she also paid respects to Tong Xiyang and Tong Xiyan. Zixia had already brought over an embroidered stool, but instead of sitting, Xiqiu lowered her eyes slightly, somewhat surprisingly looking at Siliu.
Still the same, not knowing anything beyond the window, not even aware of her servant's affairs.
Lady was very satisfied and pointed to Siliu: "Speak up, your mistress is here, it's better to make things clear."
Better? What's better? Has Lady already decided how to deal with this?
Siliu dared not lift her head; her wet hair stuck to her pallid cheeks, her olive-colored jiaao showing water stains. She was unsure if it was from cold or fear, but her voice trembled: "Madam, it's all my fault, please punish your servant."
Only speaking of punishment, yet not the matter itself.
Lady found it inconvenient to speak in Xiqiu's presence; with a quick glance at the upper seat, Lady maintained her smile, but with a sharper edge.
"Sixth Sister has trained well indeed; when something like this happens, there's no need to ask; the servant admits immediately," Tong Xiyang said, covering her mouth as she laughed, her peach-colored engraved gown adorned with a hairpin on the right, a pomegranate silk flower on the left, and emerald earrings swaying brilliantly, like a gentle breeze teasing a willowy form: "Saves Mother the effort of interrogation."
Xiqiu was puzzled and looked toward Lady.
Lady looked at her, her tone unreadable: "Your loyalty to your maid is touching!"
Siliu's heart skipped a beat, and she shuffled forward on her knees: "Madam..."
Lady waved her hand, interrupting her words.
Zichai had already informed Xiqiu of the entire matter.
It turned out that Siliu and Shuixiang had been quarreling when someone nearby, overhearing, mentioned that Siliu now had the outside courtyard's Manager Lai as a backup and that they saw a woman's handkerchief, clearly stitched by Siliu, on Laiwang's family's eldest son Fugui one day.
For some reason, Xiqiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Siliu grew anxious; what was Lady intending with this? It wouldn't mean anything to her, being sent away, but the young lady...
Thinking of this, she couldn't hold back and spoke earnestly: "Madam, I was brought into the mansion when I was young, taught by both Madam and the young lady. Though foolish and unworthy to be in the spotlight, even less deserving to serve Madam, the young lady often reminded me that Madam is busy with household matters, and we servants should behave according to rules so as not to trouble Madam. I've always kept this in mind, never daring to entertain improper thoughts."
Siliu spoke so quickly that once she finished, she dared not look at Lady, only kept bowing her head repeatedly.
"Speaking without the master's permission," Tong Xiyang glanced mockingly at Xiqiu: "Just said Sixth Sister trained her well, and this girl rushed to prove it."
Lady's face already showed displeasure.
Siliu grew even more anxious. She was initially trying to exonerate Xiqiu, but Third Miss clearly told Lady that it was the young lady who instructed her first. Standing beside, about to argue, Xiqiu suddenly spoke: "Mother, I have a few words I'd like to say."
Lady nodded.
Stepping forward, Xiqiu's tone carried slight perplexity: "In my humble opinion, since someone said Fugui was seen with Siliu's handkerchief, it can't be baseless. Would Mother consider calling Fugui over to ask?"
Tong Xiyang looked at Xiqiu in surprise, not expecting her to spell things out. Who exactly was Laiwang? Even when the First Master was home, he showed some respect toward him.
Calling him in to confront? Truly foolish.
Lady's eyes flashed a touch of coldness. Did she honestly believe there was no issue, or did she think she couldn't command Fugui?
The thought flitted by, as Lady slowly sipped her tea, her voice indifferent: "What do you think?"
Think what? Xiqiu naturally understood this was Lady probing her.
She had never underestimated Lady; someone who could hold the Tong Mansion in her grip without a drop lost surely wasn't simple.
A flicker of hesitation appeared in her eyes, her voice low and fearful: "I misspoke; naturally, I'm in deference to Mother's judgment." A look of having no opinion.
Lady glanced at Nanny Fang, who sternly spoke up: "Such a servant with no sense of propriety should be sent to the villa according to the rules."
Tong Xiyang's eyes gleamed with delight.
Xiqiu's face turned pale, kneeling beside Siliu: "All depends on Mother." She caught a glimpse of Siliu's trembling, the handkerchief in her hand twisted into a ball, then softly added: "Mother is right, if this matter proves true, such a servant can't be kept. Our family might not be royal, but we're still esteemed. Both the First and Second Masters and Elder Brother are notable figures at court, and Eldest Sister is the Second Madam of Marquis Xuanning, unparalleled in honor. The servants embroiled in personal affairs are of varying impact, yet if spread, it'd mar our reputation, especially with us sisters still residing at home..." Her cheeks flushed, unable to continue.
Nanny Fang gave Xiqiu a surprised look, not expecting the usually simple and reticent Sixth Miss to possess such eloquence. She pointed out Siliu's lack of propriety without stating her fault, but Sixth Miss focused on the illicit liaison issue, appearing unbiased yet subtly reminding Lady that while a servant could be dealt with, if such matters spread, the household's face wouldn't be spared. Moreover, Manager Lai's family had their registration negated by First Master, even Lady had no right to dispose of them, making it impossible to use this incident as an excuse for siding with Siliu.