Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 436 - 438: Avoidance (1)

Fourth Master Xiao turned back to glance at her, nodded, and entered the room first.

Xiqiu entered Biwu’s room. Biwu, who was alone in the room, was holding a plate of candied fruits and eating melon seeds. Seeing Xiqiu come in, she quickly put down the plate and came over to greet her with a smile, saying, "Madame is back." She then led Xiqiu to sit on the kang and asked, "Does Madame have something to say to me?"

"Yes, I have something to tell you." Xiqiu’s face was solemn.

Biwu’s heart skipped a beat, and she straightened up, looking seriously at Xiqiu.

Xiqiu continued, "Tomorrow morning, you and Ziyang go to the Grand Dowager’s room and say that everyone would like to gather for the New Year, and invite Treasure Bead over." She paused and added, "Remember, don’t alarm anyone else."

"I understand." Although Biwu did not know what was happening, she sensed the gravity of the situation.

After giving a few more instructions, Xiqiu got up and returned to her room.

Fourth Master Xiao was not in the room. Chunliu, with a bitter expression, said to her, "Madame, Fourth Master has gone to the study." She had sensed that something might have happened between Madame and Fourth Master.

Xiqiu’s gaze flickered, and she instructed Chunliu, "Go and check if the earth dragon in the study is warm, make some tea for Fourth Master and prepare a sobering soup."

"Madame..." Chunliu hesitated to speak.

"No need to say more." Xiqiu sighed and said, "I have it under control. You go ahead."

Chunliu released the curtain, hesitantly left, then turned back to Xiqiu, saying, "Should I stay here and keep watch tonight?" A hint of redness appeared in her eyes.

Xiqiu held a teacup and shook her head, saying, "You’ve been running around all day too, go rest, there’s no need to keep watch here."

Chunliu released the curtain again and exchanged a glance with Chunyan, who was guarding the entrance, before both lowered their heads and left the main room.

The room was unusually quiet, and outside, the snow began to fall with a soft rustle. Xiqiu sat on the kang, holding the "Four People’s Monthly Orders," flipping through it, yet she couldn’t focus on a single word... The sound of snow settling on the roof magnified in her ears.

She sat alone for a while and began to feel stifled in the room. She opened the window, allowing the fluttering snowflakes to land on the windowsill. She reached out to catch them, but her palm felt slightly cold, the chill seeping into her heart.

Her gaze drifted from the faint red candlelight in the courtyard to the nearby study where Fourth Master Xiao’s tall silhouette stood motionless by the window.

She frowned tightly, her eyes firm as she slammed the window shut with a snap.

Turning, she walked towards the Warm Pavilion entrance, but the curtain was suddenly lifted, letting a gust of cold wind in...

Xiqiu was taken aback as she saw Fourth Master Xiao stride in, and the next moment everything went black as she fell into a tight embrace. Fourth Master Xiao’s deep voice sounded above her head, "Girl..."

He spoke hoarsely, with a hint of alcohol.

She had been planning to find him but hadn’t expected him to return first.

Xiqiu nestled in his embrace, her voice muffled, responding, "Hmm." Waiting for him to speak.

"Girl..."

Besides these words, it seemed he had no intention to say anything else.

Xiqiu furrowed her brows, expecting that since he had come back, he would explain why he was suddenly angry, even questioning her might’ve been acceptable. But now, seeing his intention to gloss over it seemed that he had worked through his feelings and decided not to be angry anymore.

She pushed Fourth Master Xiao away, tilting her head to look at him, revealing a smiling expression, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes, and she said slowly, "Fourth Master, let’s have a talk."

Fourth Master Xiao was taken aback, not understanding what she meant by having a talk.

Moreover, he didn’t understand that husband and wife could sit down to have a talk like this!

Xiqiu held his hand, guiding him to sit by the kang, looked at him, and said, "Is Fourth Master not used to having an open and honest conversation like this with others?"

Fourth Master Xiao didn’t reply.

The lack of response was an admission!

Xiqiu continued, "Then I shall ask, and if Fourth Master finds it difficult to speak, please use nods or shakes of the head to respond."

Fourth Master Xiao’s eyes glittered, replying, "No need."

"Alright then." Xiqiu appeared serious as she said, "Could Fourth Master tell me if you have been upset with me for the past two days?"

Fourth Master Xiao looked at her for a moment, then quickly averted his gaze. In his eyes, Xiqiu seemed to notice a hint of guilt.

He nodded, then shook his head, "No!"

Xiqiu frowned, earnestly saying, "Fourth Master isn’t telling the truth. If you weren’t angry with me, then why have you been avoiding me?" Fourth Master Xiao sighed, raising his hand slightly as if wanting to touch Xiqiu’s head, but for some reason, he lowered it again...

Xiqiu continued, "Could Fourth Master tell me why you’re upset? If I did something wrong, I am willing to change; if it’s a misunderstanding, I hope we can clear it up."

Fourth Master Xiao still didn’t speak.

"Fourth Master!" Xiqiu’s tone softened significantly as she said, "If you don’t tell me, are we going to keep this knot in our hearts forever? Are we to live our days filled with suspicion of each other?"

Since the first day in this world, she had lived such a life every day, constantly guessing others’ intentions, cautious for fear of taking a wrong step. She was tired; she did not want those closest to her to also live these days full of suspicion of each other!

Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyebrows and looked at her, suddenly asking, "Do you care a lot?"

"Of course!" Without hesitation, Xiqiu looked at him and said, "For the past two days, Fourth Master has ignored me, making me very sad, as if a part of me is missing, feeling empty. I can’t sleep well at night, nor eat with pleasure by day." She paused and continued, "So I want to know why Fourth Master is upset with me, and I’m eager to find out. I don’t want to continue like this with Fourth Master..."

Fourth Master Xiao didn’t say anything, but his eyes gradually brightened at her words. In an instant, his once dim eyes were like stars shining in a summer night sky, bright enough to illuminate Xiqiu’s heart.

He stared intently at Xiqiu, suddenly extending his long arms to embrace her and, lowering his head, kissed her face haphazardly, his voice happy as he said, "Is that really how you feel?"

Xiqiu honestly nodded, "I feel very downhearted!"

Suddenly, Fourth Master Xiao stood up, lifting Xiqiu horizontally, tightly holding her in his arms, the joy in his eyes spilling over.

Yet he still had no intention of having the so-called candid conversation with Xiqiu.

"Fourth Master." Xiqiu persistently looked at Fourth Master Xiao, saying, "You still haven’t told me why you were upset with me!"

It seemed she wouldn’t rest until she got an answer today.

The dim wing-room, with its faint candlelight.

Their shadows overlapped on the window paper, the flickering candlelight casting twin shadows.