Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 512 - 516: Family (5)

"Last time, Madam Huang didn’t mention it," the lady said blandly.

Xiqiu felt a bit confused, Madam Huang should be the Madam of Count Jinyuan, why would the matter of Madam Huang be brought to Grand Dowager?

Later, she asked Nanny Cen and found out that the Huang family of Count Jinyuan was related through marriage to the First Madam’s natal family. The First Young Madam Tang who came to the mansion initially was from the Huang family, not a direct daughter, but a cherished gem of the second branch.

The nobility in the Capital truly is deeply intertwined.

The group exchanged a few more words concerning each household’s business, and it was getting dark; the Second Madam still hadn’t come.

The Grand Dowager, worried, said to Nanny Wu, "She comes this hour every day, could something have happened today? Go and check!"

Nanny Wu obliged and left.

A moment passed without her return, but outside came Ziwei’s voice, "Grand Dowager, a little maid from Madam Shen’s room has come, saying that Madam Shen fainted in her room."

Not only Xiqiu but both the Grand Dowager and First Madam were taken aback.

The Grand Dowager furrowed her brows and asked, "How did this news come to me first, wasn’t it reported to the Second Madam?"

Madam Shen behaved quite differently from what was originally expected. She was very low-key, rarely leaving her room unless necessary, and was said to respect the Second Madam, greeting her every morning to establish rules, and regardless of how late it was, she would greet and pay her respects to the Second Madam before retiring for the night, even if the Second Madam rested first, Madam Shen would greet her in the yard.

She carried herself properly, following protocols without any mistakes.

The situation today was indeed very strange.

Ziwei replied, "The Second Madam says she’s feeling unwell as well, so she dared not disturb her and came to seek your help."

The Grand Dowager instantly looked anxious and said, "I remarked how late it was and she hadn’t come—indeed she’s unwell; I’ll go have a look." The First Madam gently held the Grand Dowager’s arm, advising, "It’s dark now, perhaps summoning an Imperial Physician would be best, and someone should be sent to check on Madam Shen."

The Grand Dowager paused, nodded and instructed Ziwei, "Have Housekeeper Hu go to the palace to summon an Imperial Physician." Ziwei obliged, and the Grand Dowager further instructed Lianqiao, "Go check on the Second Madam, whatever the situation, come back and report to me."

Lianqiao obliged and left.

The Grand Dowager, concerned, sighed, "How did they both fall ill at the same time?"

Before a long time had passed, Lianqiao returned and reported, "It seems she got up too hastily, just a bit dizzy, Nanny Wu is currently at her side, sent me to inform you there’s no serious concern for the Second Madam." She paused, then spoke of Madam Shen, "Fainted in her room, fortunate a maid was nearby, otherwise her head could have hit the table."

The Grand Dowager breathed a sigh of relief, yet worried about Madam Shen. When the Imperial Physician arrived, Xiqiu and the First Madam accompanied the Grand Dowager to the Second Madam’s quarters.

The Second Madam had gotten up, insisting first that the Imperial Physician attend to Madam Shen’s pulse, "I slept too long and ate little at noon, got up quickly and saw black, it’s really nothing, please first check on Madam Shen, she truly fainted."

The Imperial Physician, with nothing more to say, went to the backyard with his kit.

He soon returned, formally clasped his hands to the Grand Dowager and said, "Congratulations, Grand Dowager, and Commandery Princess, this concubine is with child, but as it’s early months, I shall return in ten days to verify for certainty."

Imperial Physicians in the palace are always cautious, never exaggerating with their words.

If he says it’s a pregnancy pulse, he would not mention it without near certainty.

The Grand Dowager’s expression froze, while the Second Madam joyfully exclaimed, "This is a great joy, there hasn’t been such a joyful occasion in the mansion for long."

"Rest well, don’t rush and end up dizzy again," the Grand Dowager worried for the Second Madam’s health, turned and instructed Nanny Wu casually, "Go to the storeroom for some nourishing items for Madam Shen, remind her to be careful, and if anything is lacking, she shouldn’t scrimp, but come to me." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Though she didn’t show great happiness, Xiqiu could tell the Grand Dowager was indeed pleased.

The First Madam approached and faintly congratulated the Second Madam, "Congratulations, Second Sister-in-law." Xiqiu also stepped forward with a smile, "Congratulations, Second Sister-in-law."

Though it’s a concubine’s pregnancy, the child will still be counted as the Second Madam’s, so it’s proper to congratulate the Second Madam.

"Thank you." The Second Madam still stood up, pointing to Zitan, "Didn’t the Prince Mansion send half a pound of blood swallows yesterday? Take half to Madam Shen, let her rest and take care of herself, she doesn’t need to come greet me daily anymore, her health is now most important." She paused and further instructed, "Quickly send someone to notify the Marquis in the outer quarters, inform him of this good news."

The Grand Dowager, watching the Second Madam, realized that after so long without conceiving, she was genuinely happy for the pregnancy of a concubine; a look of compassion appeared on her face as she admonished with a smile, "Take care of your own health, pregnancy isn’t a matter of just one day or two, make arrangements and go rest."

The Second Madam held the Grand Dowager’s arm and said with a smile, "Mother, I am delighted. It’s been a long time since anyone was added to the family, and now that Madam Shen is expecting, shouldn’t I be happy?"

The Grand Dowager patted the Second Madam’s hand with a smile, showing a contented expression.

The group chatted in the room for a while, then excused themselves and left. Once outside, the Grand Dowager smiled and sighed, "We talked for so long, yet I forgot to have the Imperial Physician check Chengning’s pulse."

The First Madam glanced around and smiled, "Mother need not worry. I see that the younger sister-in-law looks quite well, so there should be no problem." After speaking, she looked at Xiqiu, who smiled faintly and nodded, "Yes, if Mother is still concerned, we can have him come to the house tomorrow."

The Grand Dowager thought for a moment and nodded, "Hmm, I’ll feel more at ease seeing for myself."

Xiqiu went back and asked Nanny Cen to send some nourishing items to Madam Shen. When Nanny Cen returned, she said, "The Marquis came back, saw her, and then went to Lingbo Hall." Pausing, she seemed a bit gossipy and curious, "When I went in, the Marquis was just leaving. When I came out from Madam Shen’s room, I saw that Madam Teng was also leaving, seemingly heading to Lingbo Hall to find the Marquis."

Xiqiu paused and showed a thoughtful expression.

At this moment, Madam Teng going to find Xiao Yanyi must still be related to the Teng Family’s matters, right?

The next day, Tianyi came to the house and spoke about the medical center, "The counter has been set up; we’re just waiting to start a fire and set up the stove in the backyard."

Another important matter is that the medicinal meals can’t be left for Ruan Jingliu to handle personally, so someone knowledgeable must be on-site to supervise.

Thinking of Chunyan, Xiqiu called her over, "Well, there’s nothing much happening at the house these days. Why don’t you go help out at the medical center with Tianyi for now? Once things are on track there, you can come back!"

Tianyi’s eyes lit up.

Chunyan was startled, turned to look at Tianyi, and instantly blushed, lowering her head, "Madam, perhaps Nanny Cen should go. She can do it too."

"Anyone can go, but since you are familiar with Nurse Zhang, it’s much more convenient for you than Nanny Cen," Xiqiu said calmly.

"Yes!" Chunyan agreed, murmuring as she left to pack her things. Tianyi also left the house with a big smile, bidding farewell.

Biwu came, leaned close to Xiqiu’s ear, and whispered, "Madam, I heard that last night, Madam Teng cried outside Lingbo Hall for half the night, but the Marquis had people forcibly send her back!"

So, does that mean the Second Madam also didn’t agree to Teng Qiuniang’s request for help?

Biwu added, "The Grand Dowager invited the Imperial Physician into the house to check the Second Madam’s pulse, and everything is fine, just a bit weak."

Listening, Xiqiu tilted her head, knitting her brows tightly.

In the evening, Teng Qiuniang was talking with Xiuhong in her room. She changed her clothes, inserted her hairpins, and asked, "Has the Marquis returned?"

Xiuhong nodded and replied, "He is already at Lingbo Hall now." She paused, showing a hesitant expression, and looked at Teng Qiuniang, "...Are you really going to go again?"

The Marquis is indeed heartless. Last night, the concubine knelt outside Lingbo Hall for so long, yet the Marquis showed no sympathy at all. Going again tonight will probably be the same as last night, returning without success.

"What else can I do if I don’t go..." Teng Qiuniang sighed, applied another layer of rouge on her face, "We have no road left to walk now."

Xiuyun’s eyes reddened as she looked at her mistress with distress and whispered, "Otherwise, let’s ask for the Second Madam’s help again. Asking for the Second Madam’s help might give us a chance with not only the Marquis but also Prince Rong and the Empress Dowager."

Hearing this, Teng Qiuniang’s expression changed, and she sat on the stool in deep thought.

When night fell, after getting ready, she went to Lingbo Hall and, just like last night, knelt outside, crying softly.

Even in spring, Lingbo Hall was built by the water, and the ground still chilled to the bone. Biting her lip, her tears fell like broken pearls...

She thought of her two years in the house, where Xiao Yanyi had always been indifferent to her. She did not receive the affection she expected and day by day, her beauty faded. Now, as the family was declining, she was increasingly terrified and desperate. If the Teng Family fell, who would she rely on in the future?

Thinking of the future, her sobs became even more heart-wrenching.

Suddenly, Xiuhong stopped crying, grabbed her sleeve, and said excitedly, "Mistress, Mistress..." Teng Qiuniang was startled, and Xiuhong pointed at the figure walking out from the gate, "Mar... it’s the Marquis."

Teng Qiuniang looked up and immediately showed a look of surprise on her face.