Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Rejected (1)
"Shut up!" Tong Xihua slapped the teacup from Qiuping’s hand and glared at her, "Useless thing! I sent you to serve the Second Young Master, yet he won’t even touch you. Why should I keep you if you can’t even do this?!"
Qiuping clasped her scalded hand, holding back tears. She also wished the Second Young Master would look at her, but when he entered the room and saw her there, he didn’t even give her a chance to speak and turned to leave immediately. No matter how skilled she was, she couldn’t possibly chase after him to make a fool of herself in front of the entire courtyard full of maids and servants!
She dared not speak, but Tong Xihua’s anger hadn’t subsided. She supported herself on the kang table and sat down with difficulty, "Now that the Marquis’s coffin is still in the residence, they wouldn’t dare to act recklessly. If they want to push me out, let’s see if they have the ability!" When she births a child, she’ll teach them a lesson!
Qiuping nodded timidly. Tong Xihua didn’t even look at her as she said, "Go and see where the Second Young Master is tonight."
"Yes!" Qiuping nodded, lifted the curtain swiftly, and went out.
Nanny Lin was escorting Teng Qiuniang, who slowed down on the path, turned back with a smile at Nanny Lin, her once proud face now lowly and humble, as she spoke, "Nanny..."
Nanny Lin raised her brows and snorted coldly.
Tong Xiqiu looked at her, her voice filled with grievance, "Did I make the Second Madam angry again?" She paused, and tears began to fall, "I really felt humiliated earlier and, in a moment of anger, spoke nonsense. I hope Nanny can put in a good word for me with the Second Madam. I didn’t see the Second Young Master tonight; those words were all made up by me!" Saying that, she lowered her head.
Nanny Lin looked at her disdainfully and said, "What the young lady says is her business. Our Madam is not a petty person. It’s no big deal if the young lady did meet the Second Young Master. What has happened once can always happen again. Furthermore, someone like the young lady, who behaves and speaks as such, wouldn’t be taken seriously by our Madam or be worth noting. If the young lady is really capable, go ahead and do those sneaky things; if there’s a scandal, it won’t only be the young lady’s face that is lost!"
Even though she was prepared mentally, Teng Qiuniang blushed when reprimanded in such a way before so many people. She lowered her head and began to cry, looking plaintively at Nanny Lin, "Nanny, please don’t say that. I was foolish that day. My sister scolded me afterward, and I’ve also figured it out. I won’t do such things again. I’ll be going home in a few days, and I may not have another chance to see the Second Madam. Please beseech the Second Madam on my behalf, remembering my youth, and ask her not to hold grudges."
Nanny Lin sneered, "Young lady, just settle down. Farewell... I won’t be seeing you off!" With that, she left.
Suddenly, Teng Qiuniang grabbed Nanny Lin’s hand, smiled softly at her, "Still, I must thank Nanny for escorting me. Here’s a small token of my gratitude!" She finished, without waiting for Nanny Lin to respond, and walked away first, taking a different path back to the Fifth Madam’s courtyard.
Nanny Lin’s eyes flickered, and she squeezed the pocket in her hand, returning without a change in expression.
Once inside Tong Xihua’s room, Nanny Lin reported everything Teng Qiuniang had said to Tong Xihua, then mockingly took out the pocket Teng Qiuniang gave her to show, "Such generosity, I reckon it’s about seven or eight taels of silver."
Tong Xihua’s eyes narrowed suddenly, smiling with an ambiguous expression, "She gave it to you, so just take it. I want to see what other tricks she has up her sleeve!"
"Have you packed?" Xiao Yanzheng stood behind Xiqiu, reluctantly holding onto her hand, her eyes slightly red, "After staying for these days, it’s quite unsettling to suddenly leave!" If it weren’t for Xiqiu constantly taking care of her, thoughtfully attending to everything, she might have doubted if she would still be here talking.
There were several times when Pingqiao mentioned that the bouts of illness were sudden and severe. Though the maids had experience, they still panicked, and if not for Xiqiu, they would have forgotten the techniques taught by the Imperial Physician in their panic! She remembered all this and felt even more grateful towards Xiqiu.
"Although we won’t live in the same place, we’re all in the Capital. If you feel stifled in the manor, come stay over at my place for a while, to relax and unwind," Xiqiu smiled and looked at Xiao Yanzheng, "With so much going on in the manor, you should also take care of yourself, to avoid worrying the Grand Dowager."
The Grand Dowager, in just over half a month, looked as if she had aged more than ten years, with more white hair at her temples. Fortunately, the sons were now in the manor. Fourth Master Xiao had been staying at the outer courtyard, assisting Xiao Yanyi with the household affairs. With one more person, there’s one more strength, and things have indeed improved a lot!
Xiao Yanzheng nodded, "I know!" She wiped her eyes and looked at Xiqiu, "After the New Year, if there’s nothing in the manor, I’ll visit your place. I still haven’t learned that Xiangxi Embroidery you taught me."
Xiqiu smiled slightly, and outside the door, Nanny Song called through the curtain, "Miss, the First Young Master has arrived!" The Lady arranged for Tong Shen Zhi to take them back to the manor today, as informed yesterday. Xiqiu had been eager to return, so she had no objections. However, what happened to Tong Xiyan the night before last still made Tong Xihua upset with her, and she felt distressed wanting to stay and accompany Tong Xihua, lingering outside for half a day. Tong Xihua agreed to see her only to scold her for half a day, leaving Tong Xiyan dispirited all morning.
"Got it!" Xiqiu let go of Xiao Yanzheng’s hand, "I’ll go bid farewell to the Grand Dowager." Xiao Yanzheng nodded and walked out with her, "I’ll accompany you."
Xiqiu smiled at her, and the two went to the Grand Dowager’s courtyard, waiting outside for Tong Xiyan, and the three of them then went inside. The Grand Dowager was sitting on the kang drinking tea, and said with a smile seeing Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan come in, "I thought of keeping you here to pass the New Year, but with so much going on in the manor now, keeping you here would only trouble you." She waved for Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan to come closer, "Come sit by me."
Xiqiu and Tong Xiyan obediently went over and sat beside the Grand Dowager. She smiled at Tong Xiyan, "I seem to see that the Fourth Miss from your family has lost a lot of weight since she arrived. It doesn’t matter whether you’re troubled or not; your health should be the priority, even at a young age, you can’t be careless!"
Tong Xiyan nodded with her head down, "I know!" The Grand Dowager then looked at Xiqiu, her eyes full of smiles, gently patting her hand as if conveying endless meaning, "You’re close with Yanzheng, I also regard you as my own. If you have any issues in the future, write a letter and have someone bring it here. Although I’m just an old woman now, lacking usefulness, I’ve lived longer than you and have experience." She paused and continued, "I’ve also heard from Yanzheng about your leg. It reminds me of when the Old Marquis was still alive, and he too had suffered from cold dampness, causing severe pain in rainy and cold weather. Later, during a trip to Miaojiang, he met a Miao Doctor who prescribed a medicine that, after applying for half a year, never troubled him again. I’ll send someone to inquire in a few days; whether or not we can find the same treatment, we’ll see. If it’s possible, you won’t have to endure such suffering in the future."