Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 488 - 492: Rumors (6)

Xiqiu tilted her head to contemplate the meaning of his words and expressed surprise: "Fourth Master, are you saying the Teng Family started this?"

However, Xiqiu did not think like him. She naturally wouldn’t consider herself so important as to cause turmoil in court affairs!

Whether it was the bidding of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the operations of the Caoxing Company, it all appeared to be business competition. But which businessman hasn’t been supported by someone in court once they grow large? Interests are interconnected and entangled, and to protect their interests, they must unite behind the scenes and twist into a rope to resist.

Especially for businesses like the Teng Family that have been operating for many years.

And Fourth Master Xiao, as a supporter of the Maritime Trade Bureau and a trusted minister of the Emperor, naturally couldn’t escape attacks from these people. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Fourth Master Xiao indeed furrowed his brows and nodded.

"Then what does Fourth Master intend to do?" After all, there is also the Fifth Madam, who is related to the Teng Family.

Fourth Master Xiao just danced around the issue with her, smiling: "Naturally, we must listen to the Emperor’s judgment!"

Xiqiu wouldn’t let him brush her off, delving deeper: "The memorial has sound reasoning and evidence. Has the Emperor inquired about it?"

Fourth Master Xiao raised his eyebrows and, holding her, laughed: "I have always been upright in conduct; why would the Emperor doubt me?"

Xiqiu thought of his past escapades in the pleasure districts and his exploits with Ren Jun among the common folk, and she couldn’t help but laugh softly, saying, "Yes, Fourth Master is indeed upright and beyond question."

Fourth Master Xiao bit her earlobe and chuckled deeply, "Does madam doubt her husband?"

Xiqiu squirmed into his arms, pleading as she did so: "I don’t dare, I don’t dare!"

Only then did Fourth Master Xiao relent, with a fleeting look in his eyes, as if he left something unsaid.

Early the next morning, Tong Xiyan came over, wearing a red floral overcoat and a moon-white gauze skirt, her face full of smiles as she held Xiqiu’s hand, saying, "I heard the rumors outside, did Fourth Master Xiao swear never to take a concubine for the rest of his life, is it true?"

Xiqiu smiled without replying and welcomed her into the room.

"I never thought he had some backbone. When I heard about Hu Suqing’s incident before, I was furious. That woman was shameless, forcing someone to marry her like that. It’s just ludicrous. I think it’s good she died, it’s peaceful now!"

"What!" Xiqiu asked, "Wasn’t she released by the Capital City Government? How did she die?"

Xiqiu thought of Fourth Master Xiao’s hesitant demeanor last night.

Could this be what he wanted to say but didn’t?

"You don’t know?" Tong Xiyan curled her lips and said, "I only just heard that the Capital City Government was originally going to sentence her, but her health deteriorated day by day, so they released her. Madam Hu looked everywhere in the city for doctors, but they either couldn’t cure her or wouldn’t treat her. Also, I heard that the medical woman Nurse Zhang wasn’t in the Capital. Madam Hu sent someone to Tongzhou to find her, but before they could set off, Hu Suqing passed away in an inn!"

Died? Xiqiu remembered her vomiting blood in the mansion.

Tong Xiyan added, "Such a person, their death brings peace." Pausing for a moment, she continued, "But it caused you to gain a bad reputation, and stirred Fourth Master Xiao to be attacked by imperial censors. These censors really must be full from eating too much; with nothing else to do, they pick private matters of others to write about, as if not probing into others’ affairs and criticizing them daily makes them uncomfortable."

"Let them be." Xiqiu knew that the attack on Hu Suqing by the imperial censors was just an excuse, and she continued, "You came today, is there something?"

Tong Xiyan suddenly remembered the purpose of her visit and said, "In a couple of days, it’s our eldest sister’s memorial day. I’m here to bring some offerings and paper money, and incidentally have something to discuss with you."

Xiqiu nodded and replied, "What is it? Speak."

"It’s about mother!" she said. "I heard from our sister-in-law that you have a good relationship with Nurse Zhang. Would you please invite her home to check on mother? She is a disciple of the Divine Doctor, surely more capable than ordinary doctors, she might be able to cure mother’s illness."

"I’ll give it a try." Xiqiu thought for a moment and replied, "However, she’s out of the Capital for a few days, it might be ten or so days before she returns. When she does, I’ll speak with her. If any news arises, I’ll send someone to inform you."

"Good, I’ll be at home waiting for your news." Tong Xiyan’s face was full of smiles: "Father is returning soon too. If mother recovers, our family will once again be harmonious as it was!"

She spoke with anticipation on her face: "Our sister-in-law is pregnant too, our family is only going to get better!"

Tong Xihua’s memorial day arrived, and Master Puning came to the mansion to perform a ritual. Min was with Xing daily in Tong Xihua’s yard, and Xiqiu also went to offer incense. The yard was unchanged from before, accompanied by rooms that Tong Xihua left behind, and some dowries still displayed in the rooms, cleaned daily as if she were still there.

The yard had mostly little maidservants except for Qiuping, whom she recalled as the senior maid in Tong Xihua’s room along with Qiuluo, who left with Nanny Lin and Nanny Song. Qiuping remained, leading the maidservants to guard the yard.

Qiuping was different from when she served Tong Xihua; now she had her hair up, and the little maidservants in the yard called her aunt, presumably she had settled down with someone!

Qiuping saw her, nodded from afar, and quickly went to the backyard.

As if avoiding her.

Xiqiu didn’t mind and turned to look at Xing, his little body knelt before the altar, eyes red from crying, with Min and Sheng one on each side protecting him.

Xiqiu consoled him with a few words, unable to bear watching further, she then exited the room.

In the evening, Master Puning came to see her before leaving, and upon seeing her, Xiqiu’s eyes reddened, asking, "Master’s health is well?" Master Puning hadn’t changed much from before but appeared increasingly transcendent.

Master Puning’s eyes showed affection, looking at Xiqiu just like years ago, smiling as she responded, "My health is fine, how is Madam?"

Xiqiu nodded, letting Chunliu serve Master Puning’s favorite Monkey Chief tea, saying, "Aunt often mentions you, she visited you when she had the chance in the past two years, but I..."

"It’s not a problem, not a problem!" Master Puning replied amiably, "I am someone outside of worldly matters, having Madam’s thoughts is my blessing in this world. Besides, Madam always sends gifts during festivals. The tea I drink now is still from you."

Xiqiu laughed softly, saying, "You’re like my aunt, you’re my elder, this is what I should do!"

Master Puning showed a gratified smile, holding Xiqiu’s hand with slightly wet eyes: "I was truly happy when I heard you were married, but later, not knowing how you fared in the Marquis Mansion or how Fourth Master Xiao treated you, I didn’t dare visit rashly, so I waited until today!"

Seated on both sides, Xiqiu laughed, saying, "If you hadn’t come this year, I was also thinking of visiting the temple in a few days. Is the incense at the temple still as prosperous as before?!"