Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 428 - 430: New Year (Part 3)

"Indeed!" Xiao Yanzheng sighed and said, "I’ll go ask my sister-in-law later." After saying that, she wiped her hands, put down the pen, walked to Xiqiu’s side, and sat down, asking, "How come you have time to come here now?"

Xiqiu replied with a smile, "Second Sister-in-law is managing the household matters, and the affairs in my room have been arranged early in the morning, so I am just a free person at the moment." Saying that, she smiled lightly.

Xiao Yanzheng also leaned against Xiqiu, wrapping her arm, and sighed, "Next year, I may not be able to spend the New Year at home. This year must be lively and festive. If things don’t go well with the Pang Family in the future, these can at least become beautiful memories for me in the years to come."

She had little confidence in her future days.

"How could that be?" Xiqiu comforted her with a smile, "The two elders of the Pang Mansion traveled all the way from Guangxi to the Capital, valuing you highly as their prestigious daughter-in-law. How could your days not be good in the future!" Saying this, she held Xiao Yanzheng’s hand, "However, it’s normal for you to think this way. Every girl worries about various things before getting married, but once you actually get married, such feelings will fade away!"

Xiao Yanzheng, listening, her eyes flickered, pulled Xiqiu and asked, "Fourth Sister-in-law, what was your mood like after you got engaged to Fourth Brother?"

Xiqiu was taken aback for a moment, recalling the night when Fourth Master Xiao proposed, she cried her heart out in front of him, remembering his sincere expression when entrusting her with the household matters. Back then, she was more emotional than rational, as if years of suppressed distress poured out in a night. After crying, she carefully deliberated and thought it over; she knew that if she had to marry with no other options, Fourth Master Xiao was possibly her best choice.

Later, when Fourth Master Xiao got into trouble, she vaguely worried in her heart. But she realized her worry was not entirely about his safety, but more about the fear of the unknown future she would face if he died... But she didn’t know when her focus of concern shifted bit by bit. Was it when she learned he threatened the Lady with letters, or when she learned he secretly gave silver notes to his concubine?

She couldn’t say, but gradually she began to have a new, unprecedented hopeful anticipation for future life.

Until her wedding day... Countless emotions clogged her heart, until...

"Fourth Sister-in-law." Xiao Yanzheng nudged Xiqiu and said with a smile, "Hurry up and tell me. I’ve been waiting for ages."

Xiqiu raised her eyebrow and smiled, glaring at Xiao Yanzheng, "What mood could I possibly have? It was just like yours, nothing special." Xiao Yanzheng didn’t believe it, furrowing her brow, "I don’t believe it. Tell me quickly."

"Oh!" Xiqiu playfully slapped Xiao Yanzheng, tilting her head to recall her feelings at that time, somewhat uncertainly saying, "Nervous, anxious, confused, scared, and sad, I suppose..." Sad she couldn’t decide her destiny, distressed about being separated from her concubine and Seventh Brother.

Xiao Yanzheng ah-ed and said, "Just like me. That’s exactly how I feel now." After saying that, she leaned close to Xiqiu’s ear and whispered a few words, her face flushed.

The two were chatting in the main hall when a greenish-brown figure outside the courtyard suddenly turned and left the courtyard.

It was sadness... not anticipation and joy.

The person left the courtyard with broad strides, not looking back!

Before long, someone from the Grand Dowager’s courtyard came to invite Xiqiu and Xiao Yanzheng to the New Year’s Eve dinner. When Xiqiu and Xiao Yanzheng arrived, the Grand Dowager was cheerfully sitting on the kang, holding Xing in one arm and Sheng in the other, while still having Xing looped around her neck, the room was filled with a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

The Second Madam was outside arranging the maids to serve the dishes and instructed Chief Zhao, "When the fireworks are set off later, you must pay attention, don’t be negligent." In previous years, the Fifth Young Master would entertain the children with the fireworks.

"Don’t worry, Second Madam." Chief Zhao replied, "I will be extra careful."

Relieved, the Second Madam turned around to instruct Nanny Song, "Have you arranged everything in the rooms?" Nanny Song nodded, "Yes, the two concubines have prepared a banquet and are dining together, and the maids and women servants have set up their own tables."

"That’s good." The Second Madam was busy bustling around and when she saw Xiqiu coming in, she took her hand and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law came at the right time. Tomorrow morning, you should let the maids in your room come here to receive the New Year’s red envelopes."

Xiqiu nodded, "Thank you for handling everything, Second Sister-in-law. I will give instructions later." She turned to Bihuai and instructed, "You may go back now. Chunliu and Biwu should have returned by now. I have instructed Nanny Cen to prepare a feast, so eat at ease without restraint." Bihuai bowed, "I will take my leave then."

Xiqiu nodded and watched Bihuai leave the room.

Then she looked towards the Second Madam and said, "Do you need my help, Second Sister-in-law?" The Second Madam nodded, "Quickly send someone to find the Marquis, I don’t know if the door gods have been pasted on the main gate yet."

Xiqiu was taken aback by the request and looked at the bustling maids and servants with a smile, "I think I’ll go have a look in the kitchen."

The Second Madam thought it was a good idea and turned to Nanny Song, "Quickly have the Marquis and Fourth Master paste the door gods, then go deliver the glutinous rice to the ancestral hall, and finally, we can set off the firecrackers and have the New Year’s Eve dinner." These tasks are traditionally done by the men in the household, and the Second Madam was anxious, not seeing Xiao Yanyi nor Fourth Master Xiao.

Nanny Song acknowledged and went outside to instruct the women servants to find the men.

Xiqiu took a turn around the kitchen and then entered the Grand Dowager’s Warm Pavilion. Xiao Yanzheng was chatting with Mrs., and upon seeing Xiqiu come in, she smiled and said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, you were right. My sister-in-law came up with a matching line to my couplet without even thinking."

Xiqiu first saluted the Grand Dowager and then bowed to Mrs., replying, "Of course, Sister-in-law has remarkable literary talent, your mere couplet is naturally no challenge for her!"

Mrs. glanced at Xiqiu.

Several children chattered, calling out "Mother" and "Fourth Aunt."

The Grand Dowager pointed to a stool for Xiqiu to sit down and said, "You’ve been busy all morning, sit and rest for a while." Meanwhile, Ziwei served tea, and Xiqiu accepted it with a smile, replying, "I’m not tired, it’s just like having taken a leisurely walk around the garden."

The Grand Dowager nodded slightly, looking at Mrs. and said, "With fresh flowers placed in the room, it indeed feels more lively and festive."

It was only then that Xiqiu noticed a vase of enchanting begonia flowers placed on the window ledge beside the Grand Dowager’s bed.

It must have been sent from Mrs.’s greenhouse.

"Very beautiful!" Xiao Yanzheng said with a smile, "The peonies in my place are also lovely, filling the room with fragrance."

Xiqiu sipped her tea quietly, unexpectedly hearing the nanny beside Mrs. say to her, "The Fourth Madam’s gift was sent over first thing in the morning, but since you were not in your room, Mrs. selected a pot of orchids for you herself, I wonder if you like it or not."

Upon hearing this, Xiqiu raised an eyebrow, recalling the plum tea Mrs. sent a few days ago, and now the orchids...