Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 449 - 452: The Academy (5)

She looked at Min and asked, "What’s the matter with Min, don’t you like the teacher?" Min thought for a moment and shook his head, "No." He said no more.

Mr. Song entered the mansion to teach, naturally, his main focus would be on Xing. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be the future master of the Marquis Mansion. In terms of teaching, compared to Min who learns from books, Xing has much more to learn about how to wield power, how to interact with others, understanding the art of balance, how to advance and how to maintain his career, in a more diversified manner.

Once the teaching priorities are set, she feared that there might be a gap in Min’s heart, leading to self-esteem issues.

But these problems will have to be solved gradually by keeping Min by her side and gently guiding him over time.

She instructed Nanny Cen to personally make some pastries and brought them in, accompanying the two children to eat some snacks, then sent them to the Grand Dowager’s room.

They happened to meet the Second Madam.

Xiqiu brought up Mr. Song’s matter: "Fourth Master met him and said his scholarship is good, so we decided to start the school on the sixteenth of January."

The Second Madam’s eyes flickered as she listened, her brows slightly furrowed, and the Grand Dowager asked, "Did you mention the matter of the scholarship?" Xiqiu shook her head, "Fourth Master didn’t say, so I assume he didn’t mention it. But I heard that in the Marquis Mansion, they pay Mr. Huang twenty taels of silver a year, with clothes for each season and a servant. So I want to discuss with Mother and Second Sister whether to follow this example or add some more."

The Grand Dowager thought for a moment, then said, "He is from Changzhou, so he will likely live in the mansion. Let’s allocate the Chengyi Pavilion in the outer courtyard to Mr. Song, and the school can be at the Tihu Hall nearby. Although it’s not big, it’s quieter than other places." She paused and added, "As for the scholarship, thirty taels of silver a year, with clothes for each season following the example of the maids in the mansion—two sets per season, and two attendants to serve him."

With Xiqiu’s worries resolved, she looked at the Second Madam.

The Second Madam turned her gaze and smiled, "There’s no need for the scholarship to come from the public funds; it will come from my room. I’ll arrange to send the attendants later, and I’ll have someone clean and tidy the two courtyards and buy whatever is needed when the market opens."

The public funds come from the estate’s manors, shops, and Xiao Yanyi’s salary, with part of Fourth Master Xiao’s salary also allocated to the outer courtyard, and part going into Xiqiu’s treasury. But this public money is still considered a collectively disposable asset!

The Second Madam saying the scholarship would come from her room means she’s using her personal funds.

But thirty taels of silver, the Second Madam said it just to please the Grand Dowager.

Sure enough, the Grand Dowager nodded secretly, very satisfied with the Second Madam’s attitude, smiling and saying, "Then let’s settle it this way!"

With the Second Madam saying so, Xiqiu naturally had no other opinions. She smiled and replied, "Then it’s all up to you, Second Sister." In front of the Second Madam, she held back from taking Min back.

As they talked, Lianqiao led three children in. The children each greeted the Grand Dowager, the Second Madam, and Xiqiu. The Second Madam then smiled and asked Xing, "Did you see the teacher today, Xing?"

Xing responded respectfully, "In response to Mother’s words, I did."

The Second Madam nodded with satisfaction and smiled, "Mother has recently acquired a new Huzhou inkstone. I’ll have someone bring it to Xing later."

Xing then bowed to the Second Madam and thanked her, "Thank you, Mother." After speaking, he quietly went to stand beside the Grand Dowager without saying a word.

"Grand Dowager," suddenly Ziwei came in with a smile, "Madam Hu is here!"

The Grand Dowager nodded, "Invite her in." Then turned and instructed Lianqiao, "Take them inside to rest."

Lianqiao then took the children into the green gauze cabinet.

Madam Hu walked in with a smile, wearing the same clothes as when she came a few days ago, but her complexion looked much more haggard compared to then, Xiqiu was secretly astonished.

Madam Hu had already greeted the Grand Dowager with a smile, then exchanged greetings with the Second Madam and nodded to Xiqiu, then smiled and said to the Grand Dowager, "The Pang family’s Master and Madam have arrived in Tongzhou. Lord Pang sent someone to pick them up, and they will be in the city this time tomorrow, so I’m here today on behalf of Lord Pang to ask for your opinion on when it would be convenient for you to meet with the Master and Madam of the Pang family."

So it was for this matter.

"Arriving in the Capital tomorrow, they must need to rest for a few days after such a long journey. There’s no rush, let’s invite them to the mansion after the fifteenth of January." The Grand Dowager said slowly.

"Alright. Then I’ll go back and relay this to Lord Pang." Madam Hu replied with a smile.

The Second Madam then spoke, "The wedding is in May, there’s still some time, no need to rush these few days."

Madam Hu quickly responded with a smile, "The Second Madam is right, but ever since the Pang family knew they were to marry into the Marquis Mansion, marrying the legitimate young lady, everyone in the family couldn’t be happier. As soon as the two elders arrive in the Capital, they are eager to meet the Grand Dowager and the future daughter-in-law."

The Second Madam just covered her mouth and laughed, neither confirming nor denying Madam Hu’s words.

The Grand Dowager smiled, "Traveling all the way from Guangxi, it’s been hard on them." She then instructed Nanny Wu, "Later, prepare a gift and send someone to deliver it, it’s our way of showing hospitality."

Nanny Wu agreed.

Madam Hu turned and glanced at Xiqiu, showing a look of wanting to say something but hesitating.

The Second Madam noticed Madam Hu’s expression and smiled as she stood up, "Mother, I’ll go arrange for people to tidy up the two courtyards." The Grand Dowager smiled and nodded, "Go ahead!"

The Second Madam bid farewell to Madam Hu and nodded to Xiqiu, then left the room.

Xiqiu didn’t want to have excessive dealings with Madam Hu, so when the Second Madam left, she followed suit, stood up, and said, "Mother, I will also take my leave." She nodded to Madam Hu and then left the room.

After both the Second Madam and Xiqiu left the room, the Grand Dowager looked at Madam Hu and asked, "Is there any difficulty?"

Madam Hu held the tea, showing a look of embarrassment on her face, muttering, "...always troubling you."

"No need to be so polite." The Grand Dowager waved her hand unconcernedly, "Is it about your second son’s health...?"

Madam Hu heard this, and her eyes turned red. Using a handkerchief to wipe her eyes, she replied, "I too have a bitter fate, Suozhen’s health was poor since she was young and she left early. Now Suoqing is the same, the doctor said she has the same condition as the older one..." As she spoke, she began to cry softly.

Upon hearing this, the Grand Dowager showed surprise and asked, "Which doctor did you consult, and what exactly did they say?"

Madam Hu choked with sobs and replied, "She is always in a daze, with large and small bruises all over her body, just like Suozhen before." She paused and added, "Initially, it was just a cold, and I didn’t pay much attention, but who would have thought..."

The Grand Dowager also wiped her tears upon hearing this, sighed, and said, "It’s all a bitter fate!" Grabbing Madam Hu’s hand, she comforted her, "Tomorrow I’ll send someone to Tongzhou to invite Divine Doctor Zhang. This time, no matter what, we can’t let it end like it did with Suozhen."