Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 451 - 454: Legal Wife (2)

After he finished speaking, he looked up slightly surprised at Second Madam. Second Madam had never been particularly concerned about Xing, so he couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled at her inquiry now.

Seeing him look over, Second Madam smiled and said, "After all, it’s a significant matter. I understand the importance of a teacher, as the saying goes, ’If the student doesn’t study well, it’s the teacher’s laziness.’ Xing is pure-hearted, like a young sapling; how the teacher guides him is how he will grow, so..." so there’s a fear that the teacher might lead Xing astray.

"I’ll pay attention to matters at the school, you don’t need to worry." After he spoke, Xiao Yanyi lowered his head again to polish, meticulously honing small areas. Second Madam continued, "I had someone clean Mr. Song’s accommodations this afternoon, according to Mother, the academy will be set in Tihu Hall. I have moved the jade folding screens, ’Jade Pot Spring Water’, there. If the teacher were to hold private lessons, it would be convenient, wouldn’t it, Marquis?"

Holding private lessons implied that Xiao Yanyi intended to raise Xing as the Princely Heir; otherwise, there would still be room for discussion.

After Second Madam finished speaking, she looked at Xiao Yanyi, waiting for him to respond.

The grinding stone paused in Xiao Yanyi’s hand, his gaze fell on the translucent, glossy jade, gradually dimming.

The room went silent for a moment, with only the faint friction sound under his hand remaining.

After a long time, Xiao Yanyi still did not respond, which slightly altered Second Madam’s expression. She quickly changed the topic, smiling, "There’s another matter I wanted to mention to the Marquis. Regarding the schedule in the room, should the Marquis rest at Madam Teng’s place on the first five days of the month and at Madam Shen’s place on the last five days? Does the Marquis find this arrangement feasible?"

Xiao Yanyi had no objections and nodded casually, "Take care of it as you see fit."

Second Madam felt a heaviness in her heart, but stood up with a smile, refilling Xiao Yanyi’s tea pot. "Is this piece of jade newly acquired, Marquis? I find it truly beautiful, the clarity and hue are of top quality."

Xiao Yanyi continued his work without stopping, responding casually, "Just ordinary jade, not worth calling top quality." And said no more!

"How could that be?" Second Madam stood behind him, began to massage his shoulders softly, speaking gently, "The Marquis mentioned going to Shandong, but has a date been set? And for how many days will the trip last?"

"The day after tomorrow," Xiao Yanyi replied, "as short as seven days, as long as half a month." After speaking, he stopped his work, looked at Second Madam and asked, "Do you have something on your mind?"

Second Madam shook her head, smiling, "What matters could I have, just worried about the Marquis." Then paused and asked, "Why did Mother want to see the Marquis tonight?" Just after Madam Hu left earlier, Grand Dowager called for Xiao Yanyi. Understanding a bit of Madam Hu’s character, she had been pondering over this matter.

Xiao Yanyi’s gaze flickered as he answered, "Mother wants me to send someone to find Mr. Zhang of Tongzhou, but Mr. Zhang passed away several years ago, leaving behind a successor. However, this successor is elusive, finding him might be troublesome."

Surprised, Second Madam asked, "Why seek him all of a sudden?" She had heard of the fame of Divine Doctor Zhang of Tongzhou.

Xiao Yanyi furrowed his brows and said, "Second Miss of the Hu Family is afflicted with a strange illness, and they’ve sought out Mother for help..." Then paused and added, "Don’t mention this matter to the Fourth Brother and his wife."

Hearing this, Second Madam nodded, but raised an eyebrow, marveling at how Madam Hu was not easy to handle. She figured even if she didn’t speak of it, the Fourth Brother would find out about it sooner or later.

What reaction Tong Xiqiu would have if he knew, she couldn’t tell.

She sighed, "You have it tough, Marquis." Finishing, she reached out to hold Xiao Yanyi’s hand, "The Marquis has worked all day, better to rest early."

Xiao Yanyi’s brow slightly furrowed, he let go of Second Madam’s hand, and the words "I’m going to Lingbo Hall" were caught in his throat. Remembering Grand Dowager’s words, he slowly put down the tools in his hands and nodded, "That would be fine!"

The two then retired for the night without further mention.

The next morning, Second Madam sent Xiao Yanyi off as both Madam Shen and Teng Qiuniang entered the room, one after another, to pay respects.

Second Madam’s room was having breakfast set as the two concubines stood on either side, one wrapping chopsticks with a handkerchief to serve food, the other holding tea. Second Madam gracefully ate, and after she finished, rinsed her mouth, moved to the Warm Pavilion for tea. With a full smile, she said, "Last night, the Marquis and I discussed that from now on, the first five days of the month will be spent at Madam Teng’s and the last five at Madam Shen’s." She paused, looking at the two, "Do you have any opinions?"

The two concubines stood in the room with their heads bowed, silently listening.

Teng Qiuniang didn’t mind much as her body could no longer bear children; whichever day she was summoned to the bedchamber was of no consequence to her, as long as it didn’t coincide with her cycle. Any days were fine by her.

Madam Shen listened, inwardly sneering once before gracefully bowing and saying, "I will follow Madam’s arrangements!"

Second Madam scrutinized the two briefly, then continued with her tea, "Since there are none, you may leave now."

The two then paid their respects and slowly withdrew, faces downcast.

Upon returning, Madam Shen tore at her handkerchief, furrowing her brow, "Such tactics, she knows my cycle falls in mid-month, yet assigns me for month’s end, hmph, parading grace and virtue before Grand Dowager and the Marquis, doesn’t she still employ this kind of trickery in private!"

Nanny Zhou, who had come along, sighed consolingly, "Madam, if it’s really like this, why not discuss with the Marquis at month’s end to have your days switched to the beginning?"

Switch to the beginning? Madam Shen sneered, "And what if it’s switched? She’d just find another way; might as well have some peace like this."

Nanny Zhou, who had been purchased mid-way to follow Madam Shen, didn’t know much about these inner residence affairs and asked confusedly, "The children born to you, Madam, are also hers, why go through such trouble!"

"You don’t understand!" Madam Shen squinted, "The previous Second Madam left behind a legitimate son, while it’s been over two years since she married in, her belly yet to produce. Now that young master is growing older, they used to say he wouldn’t live long, but he’s healthy, and I’ve heard an academy for schooling will be opened after the sixteenth of the first month. She must be quite anxious. If I were to bear a son before her, wouldn’t any legitimate children she bears in the future seem less precious?"

Fortunately, Madam Teng was unable to bear further children, so her chances were slightly better.

Nanny Zhou listened, her face filled with astonishment.

On his way out from the main courtyard, Xiao Yanyi encountered Steward Liu leading a strange child into the outer court. They talked while walking, "Fourth Madam has entrusted you to me, for the next few days you’ll follow me. You don’t have to learn everything about dealing with people, but you must remember the household rules."

Xiao Yanyi listened and stopped in his tracks, asking, "What’s going on?"