Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 601 - 603: Fate of Marriage (Part 3)

Nanny Qian and Nanny Lai directly took people to fetch Fourth Aunt’s dowry. Jiang Family’s eldest sister-in-law sent people to guard, along with Madam Mei, Nanny Fang, and two other servants; they even pulled three or four handfuls of Madam Mei’s hair. The Jiang Family was turned upside down by the chaos.

"Now our family and the Jiang Family are the hottest topic in the Capital. But fortunately, everyone sympathizes with Fourth Sister, saying that a good woman would never choose separation unless there was no other choice. If there was any path, they would never opt for this one." Tong Minzhi grasped Xiqiu’s hand with some worry, his eyes filled with emotion, "Sister, is the Great Governor good to you?"

This is indeed a case of "once bitten by a snake, a decade afraid of the well rope." Xiqiu pinched his still slightly chubby face and smiled, "Hurry home. It’s such a scandal; everyone’s face is unpleasant. If you’re idle these days, just stay at home. You’re old enough to help Father and Brother."

"Understood." Tong Minzhi stood up, "I was just worried about you and came to see you. I even brought my salute home from the academy. I’ll stay at home these days."

Xiqiu nodded and smiled, personally sending Tong Minzhi out of the door.

Old Madam Jiang wants to write a divorce letter, while the Tong Family insists on separation. In some sense, though the result is the same with either separation or divorce, it is fundamentally different for women. The Tong Family will not relent. Old Madam Jiang stirred things up, causing a commotion at the Ministry of Personnel and the Capital City Government...

Jiang Shilin was sick for two days, and the court was occupied with both families’ matters. Reports of Imperial Censors flew all over, some criticizing Jiang Shilin for ingratitude and abandoning his wife, while others accused the Tong Family of jealousy and reason for separation, or Jiang Shilin’s deficiency in morals, or the Tong Family’s conduct as shameful...

Various gossips spread swiftly, becoming hot news throughout the Capital.

Some even dug up earlier matters involving Xiqiu, Fourth Master Xiao, and the Hu Family, claiming that although the Tong Family is a scholarly family, their daughters are ignorant and immoral, unfit as legal wives. This led to both Fourth Master Xiao and Ren Jun being impeached, causing a storm throughout the city.

Xiqiu was busy with Xiao Yanzheng’s affair in the mansion, barely touching the ground. She worried about Tong Xiyan but could only let Nanny Cen carry some things to visit her. When Nanny Cen returned, she said, "Fourth Miss of the in-laws has lost much weight, and she seems spiritless. But fortunately, she’s better than a few days ago. She sits in her room embroidering, rarely goes out or talks to anyone. Even when First Young Madam visits, she only responds briefly."

Tong Xiyan had never deigned to engage in embroidery; even a handkerchief needed Xinzhu to embroider it while she insisted. Only when necessary would she reluctantly handle the needle, yet now she was sitting in her room embroidering. With a furrowed brow, Xiqiu grew increasingly concerned.

Fearing she might bottle everything inside, Xiqiu asked, "Did you mention to First Young Madam about sending Fourth Sister to stay at our family’s villa for a while?"

"I did," Nanny Cen replied with a nod. "But First Young Madam said she mentioned it to Fourth Miss too, suggesting that since her elder brother does business in Suzhou and Changzhou, if Fourth Miss wishes, she could take a trip to Jiangnan for a change of scenery." Then she sighed, "But Fourth Miss outright refused, saying if First Young Madam tires of her, she’d shave her head and go to a temple instead, refusing to go anywhere else."

Alas! Having said such words, Madam Jiang probably won’t dare to say anything similar again.

"Thank you for your effort," Xiqiu sighed too, intending to visit after she finishes handling Xiao Yanzheng’s marriage and subsequent ceremonies.

Nanny Cen smiled and saluted, then hesitated, saying, "There’s something else, but I’m uncertain whether to mention it."

Xiqiu nodded, "What is it?"

Nanny Cen appeared embarrassed, whispering, "When I went to greet the in-laws’ Lady, I saw the basins the maids were carrying out..." Nanny Cen struggled to continue, eventually saying, "They had a terrible stench, suggesting the in-laws’ health is..." nearly beyond recovery.

Recently with Xing’s matters, and Tong Xiyan’s issues, it’s astonishing that First Young Madam’s body has supported this long.

In the evening, when Fourth Master Xiao returned, Xiqiu discussed Tong Xiyan’s affair with him, "... not seeing anyone, not speaking. Eldest sister-in-law offered to send her to Jiangnan, but she refused outright."

"Lord Jiang also fell ill for three days, and the Emperor mentioned him today!" Pausing, Xiqiu handed him a bowl of iced mung bean soup, asking, "What did he say?"

Fourth Master Xiao took a sip of the soup, raising an eyebrow, "The Ministry of Personnel has two officials with identical names, both from Shu. Someone made a mistake, and one reported it to the Emperor, saying it was due to Lord Jiang approving the documents himself."

Xiqiu raised her eyebrow. Matters of office duty ought to undergo meticulous scrutiny and review, even if there’s an error, it certainly wouldn’t be solely Jiang Shilin’s fault.

Surely someone took advantage of the situation, attacking him while he’s down.

Fourth Master Xiao rested his arm on a pillow on the couch, looking at Xiqiu, "The document for separation was approved today. I suppose tomorrow your Fourth Sister will receive it."

Xiqiu sighed, hoping she can overcome this challenge.

After they finished talking, when Min returned, Xiqiu went to the Grand Dowager to pay respects. Upon seeing Xiqiu, the Grand Dowager asked, "How is Fourth Miss of the in-laws?"

"Nanny Cen visited today and said she seemed more energetic than a few days ago but still doesn’t talk much," Xiqiu replied.

"This child has a troubled marriage too," the Grand Dowager sighed, "When you see her, try to comfort her. If she’s bored at home, take her to the villa for a few days with the children there; the new surroundings might help her cheer up."

Xiqiu nodded in agreement. Xing came out from the green gauze cabinet, ran to Xiqiu, and climbed onto her lap, looking up, "Auntie, is Aunt Fourth sick?"

"Yes, Aunt Fourth is sick," Xiqiu replied with a smile.

Xing tilted his head, thinking, then said, "Shall I give my osmanthus sugar to her to eat? Grandma said one candy would cure the sickness." Saying this, he didn’t wait for Xiqiu’s response and ran back, returning soon, "Auntie, can you deliver the candy to Aunt Fourth for me?"

Xiqiu laughed, caressing Xing’s head, "Xing is really sweet. If Aunt Fourth knows, she’ll surely be delighted." Then she truly asked Chunliu to take the osmanthus sugar, "I’ll have someone send it to Aunt Fourth tomorrow."

Xing nodded repeatedly, smiling as he nestled in Xiqiu’s embrace.

The Grand Dowager, watching, also chuckled, then turned to Fourth Master Xiao, asking, "Is the military camp affair resolved?"

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, "The camp has been moved back." pausing and adding, "The Silver Platform recently had constant reports. The Emperor also praised Lord Pang!"

Hearing this, the Grand Dowager exclaimed in joy, "Is that true?"