Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 427 - 429: New Year (Part 2)

"Serving tea?" Xiqiu paused for a moment, then felt it was reasonable. No matter what, Madam Shen was a gift from the Empress, and the Marquis inevitably had to spend the first night with her.

Bihuai nodded, saying, "I heard that last night the Marquis went from the outer study to Lingbo Hall and returned very late, but he still went to Madam Shen’s room afterward."

Xiao Yanyi had his difficulties, and Xiqiu sighed, saying, "Don’t try to join the excitement. Who knows how many people are feeling uncomfortable at the moment." Then she stood up: "Find a few servants and send the silver trees to each room. Place one at the second gate of the inner courtyard, a few along the paths, and two in the pavilion by Lingbo Hall..."

Bihuai nodded repeatedly and replied, "I remember, my lady." After Xiqiu finished speaking, she stood up again, "Never mind, I’ll go with you to avoid misplacing anything." The Second Madam might be indifferent, but seeing how meticulous she was about a tea set, she probably isn’t truly indifferent in her heart.

"I’ll wait for you in the garden. Once you’ve delivered to each room, come to find me in the garden." Bihuai nodded and replied, "I’ll go right away, my lady."

Bihuai was still young, and the excitement of the New Year filled her heart.

Xiqiu took Bihuai and left the house. Bihuai and Chunliu, with seven or eight servants, went door to door delivering the silver trees.

Xiqiu stood at the gate of the courtyard, and from afar, saw Min, Xing, and Sheng running over, each followed by a maid and a nursemaid, holding a stack of red papers. Xing proudly said, "Fourth Aunt, we came to put up couplets for you."

It was then Xiqiu noticed the large characters written on the red paper. She asked, "Who wrote these? Did you do them?"

Sheng shook his head, "No, our cousin wrote them. We wrote a lot this morning." Then, as if presenting a treasure, he pulled out one of the papers: "This one was written by the three of us. Isn’t it pretty?!"

Xiqiu raised an eyebrow to look at the couplet in Sheng’s hand, seeing the faint and uneven ink marks. She nodded with a smile, "It’s really pretty!"

The three children, glowing with the praise, bounced around saying, "Fourth Aunt, let’s put up the couplets! After we’re done here, we’ll go to the outer courtyard." Xiqiu quickly nodded, "Alright." She then turned to instruct Bihuai, "Go ask Nanny Cen to prepare some glue paste."

The nursemaid behind Xing waved her hand, "Fourth Madam, the glue paste is already ready."

Xiqiu nodded with a smile, giving the nursemaid a deep look, "Then let’s go!" She led the bunch of children, jumping and bouncing into the courtyard.

There were a dozen or so doors, but not every door needed a couplet. Only the courtyard gate and the main house entrance received them. Xiqiu was surprised to see the grand and powerful characters on the doors; she hadn’t expected Xiao Yanzheng’s writing to be so impressive, the brushstrokes strong and vigorous... She thought of Fourth Master Xiao’s handwriting, equally bold and twisting like a dragon. She wondered if Xiao Yanyi’s writing was the same!

The three children were especially excited, even Min’s face was full of smiles. She looked at Xiqiu, "Mother, we still have to go to the outer courtyard, we’ll leave now."

Xiqiu smiled and nodded, then lowered her head to ask Xing, "Did you put up a couplet in your mother’s room?" Xing’s little face fell silent. On the side, Sheng said, "We did. After the grandmother’s room, we went to the second aunt’s room."

Xiqiu felt a little constrained by Xing’s reaction, secretly puzzled, but she smiled, "Then hurry along, but don’t run around on the way. If you get tired, call for a palanquin to carry you. Don’t catch a chill from sweating."

Sheng, being a bit older, played the big brother role, "Got it, Fourth Aunt, don’t worry!"

After finishing, he grabbed Xing with one hand and Min with the other and left.

The maids and nursemaids behind each of them bowed politely to Xiqiu and quickly followed after them.

Xiqiu looked at the courtyard filled with joy, a faint smile appearing on her face.

This was her eighth New Year here and her first time not celebrating at the Tong Mansion. She wondered if the new environment of the new year would bring any changes.

"Bihuai!" Xiqiu turned her head to give instructions, "Later, have people hang up the big red lanterns from the storeroom." Bihuai listened with a face full of joy, looking at the joyful and fresh atmosphere in the courtyard, feeling a subtle anticipation for the new year.

Xiqiu then went to the paths where some branches in the garden had quietly sprouted new buds, looking quite vibrant...

The matters of the New Year in the courtyard were handled by the Second Madam. This year Xiqiu was the most relaxed. She wondered how the concubine was faring this year. Fortunately, by the second day of the new year, she could return to her family to celebrate. She smiled lightly, her spirits seeming to soar under the bright sun...

Xiao Yanyi came from the ancestral hall, walking with his hands behind his back. From afar, he saw Xiqiu standing under a banana tree in a crimson high-collared, front-buttoned overcoat, her face serene and smiling softly as if she might be swept away by the wind the next second. His gaze dimmed, and he quickly turned his face away.

Just then, Chunliu led the servants past him. Seeing Xiao Yanyi standing there, everyone bowed, "Marquis!"

Xiao Yanyi was taken aback, a trace of awkwardness flashing across his face. Turning around, he saw these maids and servants holding a few silver trees. He thought of the Second Madam’s words: "Let Fourth Sister-in-law help decorate the garden..." and realized why Xiqiu was there.

He nodded lightly. To leave now would seem odd, so he walked towards Xiqiu.

Xiqiu had already noticed when Chunliu and the others bowed, and seeing Xiao Yanyi approaching, she curtsied and greeted, "Second Brother!"

"Fourth Sister-in-law!" Xiao Yanyi’s voice was gentle, as if trying to bury this greeting in the sound of his own light footsteps. He nodded, "It snowed last night. Fourth Sister-in-law’s leg..."

Hearing this, Xiqiu furrowed her brows, but Xiao Yanyi had already stopped mid-sentence, pausing before continuing, "Fourth Sister-in-law, take care." He nodded lightly, circumvented Xiqiu, and headed towards Lingbo Hall.

"Take care!" Xiqiu curtsied, her brows slightly furrowed.

Suddenly, she lost her previous enthusiasm, so she instructed Chunliu and Bihuai on a few matters, then said, "Just follow my directions and send the trees over. When it gets dark, light up the garden with people."

Chunliu and Bihuai promptly agreed.

Xiqiu then turned and went to the nearest courtyard, that of Xiao Yanzheng.

As expected, Xiao Yanzheng was inside writing couplets. Seeing Xiqiu arrive, he smiled and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, you’ve come at just the right time. I have just thought of a beginning line for a couplet but can’t come up with an ending line. Would you help me complete it?"

Xiqiu sat down in the chair behind Xiao Yanzheng with a smile, shaking her head, "How could I be of any help? I only know a few characters. If you really can’t think of anything, why not ask Big Sister-in-law? I’m sure she could be helpful!"