Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 494 - 498: Conducting Affairs (3)

"That’s her good fortune." Xiqiu smiled. Biwu appeared simple-minded but was quite savvy, always mingling around the manor. If she wanted to find something out, she’d get accurate information in no time. But if someone tried to extract information from her, she’d play dumb and feign ignorance.

According to Chunliu, Biwu was a little swindler who conned people for food and drink!

Just then, Chunliu arrived with Ruan Jingliu. Xiqiu went out to greet them, smiling, "Why have you come here today? Has there been any progress with the supply?"

"Not that quickly." Ruan Jingliu sat down with a sigh, "I’ve contacted a few friends I made while practicing medicine, but there’s still no news. I don’t know if it’ll work." After a pause, she continued, "If I had known I was going to open a clinic today, I would have formed more connections back then. Now, I’m like a headless chicken running everywhere."

Even though Ruan Jingliu was a woman, she handled things like a man. She had no ulterior motives, and her directness in dealing with others made those she liked find her genuine and unpretentious. But casual acquaintances often thought she was aloof and hard to get along with.

She also didn’t like mingling with people, so she found it a bit too much to ask for favors now.

"No rush," Xiqiu reassured her, "The shop isn’t vacant yet, and it hasn’t been set up, so we have time. Since it’s our own shop, we’re not constrained by time. We’ll open when we’re ready!"

"Hmm." Ruan Jingliu took a sip of tea, then looked at Xiqiu, "You mentioned going to see First Madam Tong for a consultation. I’m free today, so why not go today? In a couple of days, I might get busy again, and who knows when I’ll have time."

Going today? Xiqiu thought for a moment, then nodded, "Wait a moment, I’ll go notify the Grand Dowager."

Ruan Jingliu nodded, "Go ahead. I’ll sit here for a bit."

Xiqiu got up to change her clothes and went to see the Grand Dowager, who was checking Xiao Yanzheng’s dowry list with the First Madam. When Xiqiu entered, the Grand Dowager smiled, "Come sit. Your sister-in-law and I are looking at Yanzheng’s dowry. Check if anything’s missing. I’ve gotten old and can’t think of everything. It’d be good for us all to think it over together."

The Grand Dowager certainly hadn’t missed anything. Xiqiu understood her intention was to make sure everyone felt involved. It pleased her to see the family of daughter-in-law and mother-in-law discussing matters together.

Xiqiu walked over and glanced at the dowry. The first item listed was the Jade Ruyi gifted by the Empress Dowager, indicating the Second Madam had already entered the palace to request the imperial decree, just waiting for the auspicious time for the Empress Dowager’s reward.

"I can’t quite see what’s needed." Her gaze fell on the accompanying members of the dowry: eight handmaidens, four small maids, one housekeeper, two servants, and four accompanying attendants—far too many. When the Second Madam married from the Commandery Prince’s residence to the Marquis Mansion, it didn’t matter how many people she brought, the Marquis Mansion could support them. But the Pang Mansion was only three courtyards, and adding its staff to this number might make it hard to accommodate everyone.

The First Madam noticed Xiqiu looking at the number of dowry attendants and subtly furrowed her brows before averting her gaze. She remembered how Tong Xihua used to avoid matters by dodging responsibility, a trait seemingly shared among the Tong sisters.

So she spoke, "Mother, the dowry is too large. The Pang Mansion is a three-courtyard residence, also a fifth-rank official, and there are limits on household expenses. I think four handmaidens, two small maids, and two servants are sufficient. Too many people would make it difficult for the Pang Family to arrange accommodations."

The Grand Dowager paused, smiling joyfully, and nodded, "That makes sense. I’ll mention it to Chengning, and we can adjust the numbers."

Xiqiu glanced at the First Madam, who lowered her head to drink tea without further comment. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Xiqiu smiled to herself, understanding the First Madam’s intent, though she disagreed. The Grand Dowager seemed indifferent but understood everything clearly. Since she hadn’t changed it, there must be a reason.

She didn’t want to express her stance explicitly.

So she told the Grand Dowager, "Mother, I’d like to visit my maternal home." The Grand Dowager hesitated then asked, "Is something wrong at home?"

"No," Xiqiu recounted what Tong Xiyan had told her and added, "It just so happens she’s free today, so I’ll accompany her. We won’t know if it works until we try."

"Then go quickly." The Grand Dowager nodded, "It’s been a year since your in-law has been ill. If she recovers, it’ll ease everyone’s minds, which would certainly be good news!" The Grand Dowager spoke calmly.

Xiqiu nodded and bade farewell to the First Madam before leaving with Ruan Jingliu to the Tong Mansion.

The Grand Dowager sighed, "She’s much younger than I am, but I didn’t expect her to be so seriously ill. I still remember the spring banquet one year when she wore a standing-style water-patterned eight-treasure gown. Even girls of seventeen or eighteen were overshadowed. There’s even a similar dress hanging currently in the Brocade Pavilion."

The First Madam, knowing about the past event, smiled, "Good health isn’t solely related to age. As the saying goes, a broad mind leads to a long life. Mother’s positive outlook is the right way."

The Grand Dowager laughed, taking the First Madam’s hand affectionately, much like a mother and daughter confiding quietly, "You’re right. A good state of mind allows one to take things more lightly. With careful maintenance, health naturally follows."

The First Madam nodded in agreement, "Exactly!"

The Grand Dowager sighed again, "Xiqiu is such a filial child." How could she not be aware of matters in the Tong Family? Had it not been the case, she wouldn’t have given Xiqiu a set of jewelry as a thank-you gift back then. She had seen many difficulties faced by concubines’ daughters. Life in the Tong Mansion must not have been easy for Xiqiu.

Now that she’s married, with her husband’s protection, her maternal family naturally holds her in high regard. Many girls, unaware of the broader outlook, might disregard their family, forgetting that even as a married woman, her family’s prosperity is intricately linked to her standing in her husband’s household.

Xiqiu is a clever child!

The First Madam wholeheartedly agreed, nodding, "Fourth Sister-in-law has always been composed and reliable in her work!"

In just a couple of hours, Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu returned from the Tong Mansion, greeted the Grand Dowager, then retreated with Ruan Jingliu to the Warm Pavilion in her room. Ruan Jingliu said, "Careful nurturing is key; such illnesses cannot be rushed."

Xiqiu knew from the start that treating a stroke, even with advanced medicine and technology in the modern era, primarily relied on medication and convalescence. How much more so now.

Yet looking at Nanny Fang, it was clear she was quite disappointed.

Ruan Jingliu leaned back and observed Xiqiu, aware of some of the Tong Mansion’s family matters. Today’s visit confirmed her suspicions. The Lady was not only indifferent towards Xiqiu, her illegitimate daughter, but also carried a lot of hostility.