Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 487 - 490-491: Rumors (5)

Xiqiu then stood up and said, "Then I’ll head back first; I heard Nurse Zhang is coming over."

The Grand Dowager nodded, and Xiqiu withdrew. At the courtyard gate, she encountered the master and madam of the Pang Family. Master Pang was short and plump with very fair skin, resembling a Maitreya Buddha, dressed in a newly donned crimson-edged robe. Seeing Xiqiu, he smiled and nodded at her, his smile faint. Xiqiu also half-curtsied in return.

She thought that Master Pang probably wasn’t as easygoing as he appeared.

Old Madam Pang was different, a woman with slightly dark skin, around forty-five, yet appeared very kind. She approached Xiqiu with warmth, took her hand warmly, and said with a laugh, "This must be Fourth Sister-in-law. I’ve long heard that the Fourth Madam of the Marquis Mansion is famed for her beauty, one of the rare beauties in the Capital. Now that I’ve seen you, you are even more beautiful than the rumors say."

Xiqiu smiled fully, but before she could speak, Lord Pang coughed and said, "The Fourth Madam is busy, make way quickly!"

Xiqiu was taken aback. Old Madam Pang had already released her hand, laughing awkwardly, saying, "Then you must be busy. We’ll go pay our respects to the Grand Dowager."

"Alright!" Xiqiu said with a smile, "If you have the time, feel free to come to my courtyard for some tea with Master Pang!"

Old Madam Pang nodded and agreed, "Now that we’re one family, we surely will!"

Xiqiu smiled and curtsied, then returned to her courtyard with the maids and servants. Behind her, she heard Lord Pang whisper, "Getting so close to her, do you want your future daughter-in-law to be like her, refusing to let An’er take a concubine?"

The voice was soft, but Xiqiu vaguely heard it. She was bewildered and could only smile helplessly.

Ruan Jingliu was already waiting for her in the room. Xiqiu entered and said with a smile, "I thought you’d only come by noon." Ruan Jingliu held a cup of tea and smiled, "I wanted to come yesterday, but I thought you must be busy, so I didn’t join the commotion. It’s quieter today, so I came to see you!"

Xiqiu laughed and said, "Good thing you didn’t come yesterday; I really wouldn’t have had the time to accompany you."

Ruan Jingliu smiled without speaking, then changed the topic, "I’m planning to go back to Tongzhou for a while, about ten days or so."

Xiqiu was taken aback and asked, "Is there something you need help with?" She had never heard Ruan Jingliu mention matters in Tongzhou before.

Ruan Jingliu shook her head and said, "Just some family matters. My father-in-law left a lot of medical books when he was alive. I didn’t take them with me at the time; now I want to go back and collect them."

Since Ruan Jingliu didn’t elaborate, Xiqiu didn’t press further but nodded, "Tongzhou is far; I’d be worried if you went alone. How about I let Tianyi accompany you? You shouldn’t go alone. Let Chunyan go with you."

Ruan Jingliu was stunned, showing a bit of hesitation in her eyes.

Xiqiu then added, "Tianyi is clever, Chunyan is steady. With them accompanying you, I’d be at ease!"

Ruan Jingliu furrowed her brow and looked at her, "And your side..." Xiqiu waved her hand with a laugh, "Didn’t you say ten days? I have enough people here, not to mention I don’t have much going on. Take them with you!"

"Then I’ll follow your suggestion graciously!" Ruan Jingliu looked at Xiqiu and smiled slightly.

Both of them avoided talking about Hu Suqing and the rumors regarding Xiqiu as a shrew.

The next day, Xiqiu had Chunyan pack their things and, along with Tianyi, sent Ruan Jingliu back to Tongzhou!

On Min’s birthday, Xiqiu personally made longevity noodles for him in the kitchen. That morning, Min had an extra bowl of noodles. Halfway through, he asked Xiqiu, "Mother, every year on my birthday, will you make noodles for me?"

Xiqiu smiled and asked, "Min, is it that you don’t like the noodles? Then what do you want to eat? Mother will make it for you!"

"No!" Min quickly shook his head, "It’s very delicious. I want you to make me noodles every year!"

Xiqiu patted his head and smiled, nodding, "As long as Min likes it, Mother will make it for you every year!"

That evening, when Fourth Master Xiao returned, the family of three celebrated Min’s birthday, then went to Grand Dowager’s for a reward. Min returned to his room beaming with happiness. In the Warm Pavilion, Xiqiu spoke with Fourth Master Xiao, "I heard there have been more impeachments against you in the court recently? Is it still because of the Hu Family affair?"

Recently, although the rumors about Miss Hu had subsided, someone unearthed Fourth Master Xiao’s old romantic exploits, even mentioning Min’s biological mother, claiming she was not an actor but a woman from a good family. After her child was born, Fourth Master Xiao supposedly sent her to a villa in Tongzhou, raising her there. The details were clear and specific, including names.

The villa could no longer be found, having been burned to ruins, but some claimed it was once extravagantly built with gold and silver hidden underground, rivaling a nation’s wealth!

The origin of those treasures was said to be from the time Fourth Master Xiao intercepted merchant ships on the Canal, extorting merchants for their wealth. The funds, which were originally meant to strengthen the Emperor’s military provisions, were embezzled by him instead.

The situation couldn’t be suppressed, sparking various charges related to his old transgressions and indulgent behaviors, leading to an avalanche of impeachment memorials in court.

Xiqiu also became publicly known as a shrew, emblematic of women who refuse to let their husbands take concubines; even the saliva of the Imperial Censors almost reached the gates of the Marquis Mansion.

During this time, Madam Jiang came to visit, shaking her head and sighing helplessly. This matter, originally a family concern, had been pushed once again into the spotlight, saddling Xiqiu with such a reputation!

Xiqiu could only laugh it off; taking concubines was an entitlement these men expected. Now, with women openly resisting, how could they not take this chance to defend their rights?

Fourth Master Xiao looked at Xiqiu, laughing, "How do you feel about your new title as a shrew?"

Xiqiu sighed, "I feel particularly refreshed, as if my senses are more acute, and I am especially relaxed!"

Holding her, Fourth Master Xiao laughed heartily, "Then congrats to Madame on receiving such an honor!"

Xiqiu nodded in agreement, "Likewise, likewise!"

As they talked and laughed, Xiqiu asked about the court memorials, "Is everything alright on your side, Fourth Master?" After a pause, she continued, "I feel like these memorials are so concentrated it seems almost coordinated!"

"You sly girl!" Fourth Master Xiao became solemn, nodding, "What were initially trivial matters have now been magnified by the Imperial Censors into treasonous accusations. Someone must be plotting behind this."

As expected, Xiqiu furrowed her brows and asked, "Do you know whose hand is behind this?"

Fourth Master Xiao frowned and explained, "In a few days, it will be the day of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ bidding... Chief Lei’s Maritime Trade Bureau in Tongzhou recently introduced new procedures, gradually reclaiming control of Tongzhou’s water transport from various families. Several business groups were heavily impacted." He feared Xiqiu might overthink it, so he added, "Even without the Hu Family affair, without your involvement, this turmoil was anticipated!"