Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 490 - 494: Apothecary (Part 2)

After a long time, when Xiqiu thought he was going to brush things off again, he nudged her and whispered softly in the quiet night, almost inaudible: "I’m sorry."

Xiqiu laughed, turned around to look at Fourth Master Xiao: "Hmm. So Fourth Master, tell me, what was wrong?" Unintentionally, she used the tone she used when talking to Min.

Fourth Master Xiao raised an eyebrow, thought about it carefully, and shook his head seriously: "I don’t know!"

"You don’t know why you’re apologizing." Xiqiu glared at him playfully, and Fourth Master Xiao hugged her, coaxing softly as he asked: "Then, Madam, tell me. Why are you upset?"

Xiqiu sighed and sat up with a serious expression: "I already know about the Hu Family matters. Madam Hu and the Second Young Master of the Hu Family have been expelled from the Capital. Master Hu is detained at the Capital City Government awaiting the Ministry of Justice’s sentencing. Hu Suqing died of illness a few days after leaving the mansion. Why didn’t you tell me these things?" After a pause, she continued, "I’ve asked you several times!"

She wasn’t truly angry, but at least she wanted him to realize that the status between husband and wife is equal, at least concerning matters related to her, she has the right to know.

Fourth Master Xiao said nothing.

Xiqiu continued: "Does Fourth Master think that since I don’t like the Hu Family, it’s better not to tell me to prevent my unhappiness?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded.

"Fourth Master!" Xiqiu tilted her head to look at him: "I’m in the inner quarters, and many things, if no one tells me, I have no way to know. Even though nothing can be done about it once I know, at least I’ll be aware of the context and details. If something happens, I can handle it at home and won’t be left in the dark, passively led by others. Isn’t that right?"

Fourth Master Xiao responded with an "Hmm."

Xiqiu continued: "The issue with the Hu Family is just a special case. We’ll encounter similar things in the future. If Fourth Master continues like this, not telling me anything or discussing with me, how can I have a good time at home without worrying and being anxious all day from not knowing?"

For example, last time when they talked about the impeachment by the court’s Imperial Censor, he only told half of the story, and then hedged around it. These past few days, there have been matters concerning the Maritime Trade Bureau and the Teng Family in the court, yet he avoided talking about them. This time it was the same with the Hu Family. If it weren’t for Tong Xiyan and Xiao Yanyi mentioning it, she might have only stumbled upon it much later by chance.

This feeling left her very insecure!

Fourth Master Xiao listened quietly, watching her with a stubborn and serious expression, and after some thought, nodded and said: "Hmm, I understand now!"

Xiqiu was taken aback, not expecting him to agree so readily.

She looked again, seeing that his face showed no sign of reluctance, Xiqiu smiled and raised her eyebrows at him: "Fourth Master agrees?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded and said: "Hmm, I agree." Having said that, he turned over and pressed Xiqiu underneath him: "Has Madam finished speaking?"

"Hmm. I’m done." Xiqiu nodded: "Fourth Master, go to sleep soon."

Fourth Master Xiao shook his head, eyes filled with strong interest, and said with a smile: "I haven’t reported today’s work to Madam yet, how can I sleep then?"

Xiqiu was stunned, only then realizing what he meant by ’report’.

After a night of tossing around, Xiqiu was completely exhausted, letting him wipe the sweat off her body, lazily nestling into his arms, drifting off to sleep.

Fourth Master Xiao watched her soft form, no longer the upright, elegant manner she usually maintained, appearing fragile like a delicate child, softening his heart. He pecked lightly on Xiqiu’s forehead and heard her mumble: "I’m so tired... Let’s rest."

Fourth Master Xiao chuckled softly, cuddling her while leaning on the bedhead, lowering his head to carefully observe her...

When Xiqiu woke up in the morning, he was no longer by her side. Chunliu served her as she got up and washed, had breakfast with Min, and then went to the Grand Dowager’s room.

After Tong Xihua’s memorial day passed, the Second Madam began preparing for Xiao Yanzheng’s wedding. For the Grand Dowager’s birthday this year, she announced early on that she didn’t want to host until after the house completed its period of mourning.

Everyone gathered to discuss Xiao Yanzheng’s wedding. The Second Madam said: "The yard at the Pang Family’s place has already been measured early on. It has three sections, with gardens at both front and back, but it’s a bit remote and far from the South Arch." Pausing, she continued: "In my opinion, we might as well set up another house for them closer to home, so Second Sister can easily return."

The Grand Dowager waved her hand and said: "No need. Even if it’s outside the Capital, it’s no more than half an hour or an hour’s journey. Once she’s married, she’s a member of the Pang Family, who goes back to their natal family frequently? Let her stay according to the Pang Family’s arrangements."

The Second Madam hesitated a bit, then said: "Then as Mother wishes, I’ve had the rooms measured before the New Year, and the furniture is ready. We’ll send them over along with the dowry. The Pang Family gave five thousand taels of silver as betrothal gifts, eighty-four dowry sedan chairs from us, accompanied by an eight hundred-acre estate in the suburb of the capital and a two thousand-acre estate in Shandong. As for shops, we added two adjoining on East Street; conveniently, there is a two-section garden house in Huai Tree Alley behind the shops, so the daughter-in-law included it in the dowry. Mother, what do you think?"

The Grand Dowager thought about it, nodded, and said: "I trust your handling of matters. Do as you see fit."

The Second Madam beamed with a smile and continued: "The only thing left is the list of guests for the banquet at the mansion. Over the next couple of days, I’ll have someone draft it. I’ve already informed Chief Zhao at the outer courtyard. At the time, you’ll be able to approve it with the dowry list base."

The Grand Dowager’s eyes showed satisfaction as she nodded: "Also ask the second and fourth young masters to make sure none of their friends and colleagues are left out."

"Understood." The Second Madam replied: "Quan Furen invited Old Madam Duan, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites’ widow, as the matron of honor. As for the matchmaker, I haven’t decided on whom to invite yet. I’d like to ask Mother’s opinion, who should we invite to be the matchmaker?"

The Grand Dowager thought for a moment, smiling: "Madam Qian would be the best choice."

Madam Qian is straightforward by nature, quite popular among the circle of noblewomen, and what’s more, the Qian and Xiao families are long-standing allies. The Grand Dowager and Old Madam Qian were close from a young age, and the two households have frequent interactions.

The Second Madam nodded in agreement, then suddenly turned towards Xiqiu and said: "As for the bridesmaid, it would be a trouble for our fourth sister-in-law. Since you are of similar age and childhood friends with the second sister, it’d be most fitting for you to do it."

Surprised to be assigned a role, Xiqiu smiled and nodded: "With second sister getting married, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to contribute. Second Sister-in-law is most considerate, giving me this opportunity."

The Second Madam looked thoroughly pleased with Xiqiu’s comment, beaming with smiles.

The First Madam, being widowed, had avoided such joyful events from the beginning.

After Fourth Master Xiao returned from the government office, Xiqiu recounted the Second Madam’s words from earlier and asked: "What sort of person is Lord Pang?"