Hard to explain, after all, the concubine and Lady are sisters, so why need an intermediary to convey their matters?
Thinking it over several times, some points Xiqiu couldn't figure out, she quietly observed Madam Yang, listening to their conversation.
It seemed that Lady and Madam Yang had reached an understanding, no longer mentioning affairs of Jiangnan or Shandong. Lady chatted briefly with Madam Jiang when Nanny Fang returned, and Lady asked: "How's it going over at the outer courtyard?"
Nanny Fang whispered in her ear: "First Master and Second Master are entertaining Lord Liu, Lord Yang, as well as a few officials who have returned to the Capital to report from posts. The eldest son-in-law and the eldest young master are conversing with Lord Jiang, Scholar Qian, along with some scholars... in First Master's study at the outer courtyard." First Master's study is right at the entrance of Tong Mansion, just beyond the side hall and East Cross Courtyard separated by a wall.
