Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 489 - 493: Apothecary (Part 1)

Master Puning nodded slightly, "Speaking of this matter, we must thank the Marquis in the mansion. Before the end of the year, the temple added several new courtyards, and the Bodhisattva’s statue was newly gilded. Even the courtyard you once lived in has been rebuilt exactly as it was and is kept there, though it’s now locked. If you go, I’ll take you to see it."

Xiqiu was taken aback upon hearing this. Did Xiao Yanyi donate so much silver to Puji Temple? Why hadn’t she heard Second Madam mention this?

Puzzled, she asked, "Why keep my courtyard? Turning it into guest rooms would allow us to host more visitors." Master Puning smiled and shook her head, "That’s also the Marquis’s idea. He said since your courtyard is close to where I live, it would inevitably be noisy if others lived there. It’s better kept empty for peace and quiet." Pausing, she added, "Moreover, the temple now has enough guest rooms, so there’s no need for it."

A strange feeling surged in her heart. Xiqiu furrowed her brows, unable to articulate it, yet it reminded her of encountering Xiao Yanyi in the temple long ago.

She sighed, hoping she was overthinking it!

Xiqiu rose to escort Master Puning, who smiled and said, "I need to go next door, you may remain here." Xiqiu still accompanied her out: "I also want to check on Min, who hasn’t returned yet!"

"Min is the son of the Great Governor, right? I just saw him; he’s truly smart and adorable!"

As they talked, they exited and turned towards the courtyard where Tong Xihua once stayed. Master Puning went in, and Xiqiu sent Chunliu to find Min. She waited in the courtyard.

Just then, someone strode in at the gate.

Hearing the sound, Xiqiu turned to look, momentarily startled, then bowed in greeting, calling out, "Second Brother!"

The sunset was fiery, hanging on the eaves, casting the courtyard in a vivid red evening glow.

Xiao Yanyi gazed at her. Because it was Tong Xihua’s death anniversary, she wore a plain white overcoat with embossed patterns, and a white pearl flower adorned her hair. With no other accessories, she resembled a magnolia blossoming on a branch, and a refreshing fragrance seemed to waft to his nose.

"Sister-in-law!" Xiao Yanyi’s gaze flickered as he nodded slightly towards Xiqiu, but his eyes lingered on her.

Xiqiu felt peculiar; at this moment, Xiao Yanyi seemed unfamiliar, as if enveloped in despair.

What was there to despair about?

Suddenly, Xiqiu realized she didn’t understand this former brother-in-law, now an uncle. She turned her face aside with a smile and said, "I’m here to pick up Min."

Xiao Yanyi nodded, watching as Min, guided by a young attendant, carefully descended the steps and approached Xiqiu. Xiao Yanyi said, "I’m sure Fourth Master has mentioned the Hu family’s situation to you? The entire Hu family has been sent back to Xuzhou; rest assured, sister-in-law."

This Fourth Master Xiao, she hadn’t heard a thing about the Hu family’s affairs; he kept it so tight-lipped.

Thinking this, Xiqiu nodded with a smile, saying, "Understood." Not wishing to dwell on it.

A silence fell between them.

"Mother!" Min arrived, taking Xiqiu’s hand and looking up, asking, "Have you come to pick me up?"

Xiqiu smiled, her expression full of endless warmth. She nodded and said, "Yes, isn’t Min hungry? It’s already past dinner time."

Min touched his stomach, knitting his brows, and nodded honestly, "I’m hungry!"

Xiqiu embraced him, her face full of joy, and added, "Your Second Uncle is here, quickly greet your Second Uncle." Min turned, neatly saluted Xiao Yanyi, and called, "Second Uncle!"

Xiao Yanyi’s face also broke into a smile, nodding.

Xing and Sheng also came out, each saluting Xiao Yanyi, then the three children surrounded Xiqiu, chattering: "Auntie, what delicious food are you making tonight? We want to eat too!"

Xiqiu replied with a constant smile, "What would you like to eat, we’ll have Nanny Cen make it!"

Xing and Sheng eagerly nodded, "Yes, let’s go eat at Auntie’s house!"

Xiao Yanyi quietly watched, suddenly feeling that this previously cold and sterile courtyard was now so comfortable, enveloped in warmth.

He watched as Xiqiu led the three children away but then turned to enter Tong Xihua’s room.

When Fourth Master Xiao returned in the evening, Xiqiu purposely asked him, "What’s happening with the Hu family now? Are Miss Hu and Madam Hu still at the Capital City Government?"

Fourth Master Xiao’s hand in sipping his tea paused imperceptibly, then he nodded naturally and replied, "Yes, they’re still at the Capital City Government." He then casually changed the subject, "Is Min asleep?"

"Fourth Master!" Xiqiu’s smile faded as she looked at him, "You should stay in the Warm Pavilion tonight."

Fourth Master Xiao was taken aback, looking at her full of confusion, asking, "Why should I sleep on the heatable bed?"

"Because Fourth Master deceived me, so I must sleep separately from Fourth Master." Saying this, she raised her eyebrows, pointing to the heatable bed: "It’s quite nice here, so Fourth Master can sleep here!" After that, she turned and went back to the bedroom, then closed the door!

Fourth Master Xiao looked at the heatable bed, then at the now-empty-for-the-absence-of-Xiqiu Warm Pavilion, seeming desolate. He furrowed his brows, set down his teacup, swung his robe, and went back to the bedroom.

The door was bolted!

He tried pushing it a few times, as if in protest, and the light inside the bedroom went out.

He was dumbfounded, wanting to call out to Xiqiu, but with girls guarding inside the room, he awkwardly coughed, mumbling as he returned to the Warm Pavilion, picked up a booklet on the table, but couldn’t concentrate on a single page...

Chunliu entered nervously and asked, "Fourth Master, shall I make your bed?" She then indeed laid out fresh bedding on the heatable bed.

Fourth Master Xiao looked at the bed and found it particularly glaring.

Xiqiu listened intently, hearing Fourth Master Xiao’s footsteps fade away.

She chuckled, turned over, and closed her eyes to sleep.

Usually, the two of them slept together, and now that her side of the bed was empty, she found it somewhat unfamiliar.

Unable to fall asleep as she tossed and turned, she was about to drift off when suddenly she heard rustling beside her. Startled awake, she saw that Fourth Master Xiao was already comfortably lying beside her. Seeing her awakened, he gently patted her back, soothing, "Sleep now."

Then he turned over, embraced her, and fell asleep!

Xiqiu was surprised. Didn’t she bolt the door? How had he gotten in!

"Fourth Master!" Xiqiu nudged him, "I’m still angry, you can’t sleep."

Fourth Master Xiao responded with a hum, pulling her closer as he drifted into a light slumber seemingly tinged with a hint of contentment.

"No way." Xiqiu frowned at him, "You didn’t tell me the truth, I’m very upset; you need to apologize!"

Fourth Master Xiao opened his eyes, gazing at her intently, raising an eyebrow, "Why are you angry, then?"

He actually didn’t know why she was angry.

"You figure it out yourself." Xiqiu turned her back on him!