Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 604 - 606: Joyous Occasion (Part 1)

As soon as Old Madam Shen stepped through the door, all the ladies in the room stood up. The Grand Dowager personally came forward to greet her with a smile, saying, "We’ve been waiting in eager anticipation upon hearing of your visit, and finally, you’re here."

"It’s been a long time since I last went out. Today is Second Girl’s big day, so I must come and join in on the festivities." Old Madam Shen held the Grand Dowager’s hand and then turned to Old Madam Lou, "How have you been? I heard you were unwell recently and even missed celebrating your birthday?"

"Thanks to your blessings." Old Madam Lou turned slightly to the side and smiled, "I’ve improved quite a bit over the past couple of days, so I’m here to join the fun too!" With that, she gave up the main seat and stood aside.

Madam Ruan, Madam Xu, Madam Zhou, and the others also respectfully bowed. Old Madam Shen sat down and looked at Madam Qian, "I heard you’re the matchmaker today!"

"In our household, she’s indeed the most articulate, apart from her, no one else can match her eloquence." The Grand Dowager sat down to Old Madam Shen’s right, smiling at Madam Qian. Madam Qian covered her face with a laugh and replied, "Oh, it’s not about my eloquence, the Grand Dowager simply noticed my plumpness, thinking a few more trips wouldn’t tire me out."

The whole room burst into laughter. First Young Madam Tang laughed and said, "That plumpness is indeed your blessing; others may want it but can’t have it." Old Madam Shen also chuckled, pointing at First Young Madam Tang, she said to Madam Tang, "You see that sharp tongue, she’s indeed the most articulate in the Tang Family."

Madam Tang listened and smiled reservedly. Old Madam Shen didn’t mind and turned to speak with the Grand Dowager, "Where’s Yanzheng, still in her room at this hour?"

The Grand Dowager nodded and replied, "Yes, the Astronomical Bureau set the auspicious time at two quarters past the Si hour, so she’s still in her room." Old Madam Shen nodded with a smile, sighing, "I still remember the time when we got married, and in the blink of an eye, we’ve become grandmothers; the younger days were indeed the best." She pointed toward the doorway at Xiqiu, the youngest in the room who was talking to a maid, "Look at her figure and demeanor, so pure and elegant, that even in plain rough clothing, she’s beautiful and admirable, truly a splendid time that one can’t take their eyes off."

Everyone looked at Xiqiu, seeing her wearing a plain willow green orchid overcoat today, with a moon white gauze skirt bordered in silver below, her hair styled in a Willow Braid, adorned with a cluster of velvet flowers, a gold inlaid emerald hairpin, and ruby stud earrings the size of rice grains. Around her neck was a coral necklace, with a tassel bracelet hanging from her hand, the red and green combination was eye-catching yet not vulgar, standing at the doorway as lively as a freshly blooming flower.

Xiqiu noticed everyone looking her way, startled for a moment, then blushed.

Tong Xiyang stood behind Madam Zhou, his gaze flickered, and he raised his head slightly.

Madam Tang also glanced at Xiqiu, and thinking of her own daughter’s plain white mourning dress that appeared so cold, her gaze shifted, letting out a gentle sigh. She couldn’t help but think this Fourth Madam of the Xiao Family might not speak much, but anything she said or did was very thoughtful and complete, without being overly ostentatious, which was very endearing.

The Xiao Family needed to compete without being too conspicuous, and someone like Fourth Madam was just the right kind of demeanor.

The Grand Dowager laughed heartily, and Madam Qian protested playfully, "The Fourth Madam’s beauty is one of the bests in the Capital, and yet you chose to pick on her, with your example, it’s as if we’re made of earth and mud, how are we supposed to live up!"

Madam Ruan pinched Madam Qian’s cheek, "Dear lady, you’ll soon be a grandmother too, how can you compare with Fourth Madam!"

Finally, the attention shifted away, allowing Xiqiu to secretly breathe a sigh of relief, and Bihuai whispered in her ear, "The gift from the Tong Family has arrived, the First Young Master is in the outer courtyard, and First Young Madam said it’s inconvenient for her, so she won’t be joining in the festivities here."

Xiqiu nodded, reasoning that Madam Jiang staying away made sense due to her poor health, she looked at her pocket watch and instructed Bihuai, "The groom should be arriving soon, go check if the kitchen is ready." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Bihuai, also busy today, quickly accepted her orders and hurried out.

Just then, a young maid led an old maid into the room. Xiqiu looked toward the old maid, who was dressed in an elegant Qiuxiang-colored lake silk overcoat with her hair in a tidy bun, making her appear quite formal. Curious, Xiqiu saw the old maid greet her, "I am Nanny Rong from the Prince Manor. Our Princess Consort sends me to deliver a wedding gift."

So it’s from the Prince Manor. The Princess Consort is due in a few months and naturally can’t come to the wedding feast, so she sent Nanny Rong. Xiqiu nodded with a smile, "Thank the Princess Consort for me and sorry to have troubled you." Then she turned to a young maid, "Take the nanny down for the wedding feast."

The young maid gestured invitingly, but Nanny Rong remained still, adding, "I happened to come at a lucky time today and would like to visit our Commandery Princess; may Fourth Madam please appoint someone to lead the way."

This seemed to be the real reason for her visit.

Since the Second Madam was in the residence, there’s no point in hiding it. Xiqiu smiled and nodded, "That’s fine, nanny, please go ahead and have a glass of wedding wine afterward."

Nanny Rong looked deeply at Xiqiu, remembering what the Princess Consort instructed, "No need to find anyone else, just seek out Fourth Madam; nowadays, in the Xiao Mansion, it’s she who calls the shots. Though we need not fear her, Chengning indeed still resides at the Marquis Mansion and lacks the ability for self-defense. If she deliberately causes trouble, Chengning can only suffer in silence, so be courteous when speaking with her."

"...She’s not a simple person, even Chengning can’t compare to her..."

Nanny Rong’s eyes flickered with a serious look, she bowed slightly in thanks, "Thank you, Fourth Madam."

Xiqiu nodded and turned her attention back to the flower hall, going about inspecting the seating arrangements, leaving instructions on who should sit with whom with the guiding young maids, adjusting the main table, and sending someone to pick a few large red peonies from the First Madam’s flower house to place on the table...

The whole flower hall looked joyous yet maintained a serene elegance.

From outside came the sound of firecrackers. The little maids could hardly hold back from joining the fun. Xiqiu turned a blind eye to it as the sound from the outer courtyard resounded, and the boisterous clamor was audible even from the inner courtyard. Later Bihuai explained that Qian Zhong was stationed at the door, insisting that Master Pang answer ten questions correctly before allowing him entry...

Even that night, when Fourth Master Xiao returned and talked about it, he couldn’t help but commend, "Indeed quite resourceful."

The door opened, and the Pang Family’s Quan Furen together with the matchmaker entered. Xiqiu made arrangements and had someone notify to start the banquet. Everyone moved to the flower hall for the feast, and after a commotion, the auspicious time had arrived. Dressed in a crimson straight robe, Xiao Yanyi personally carried Xiao Yanzheng to the main room. Through the peony partition, Xiqiu got her first glimpse of Master Pang, whose delicate eyebrows and scholarly demeanor, tall and graceful, exuded the manner of a gentleman.

Xiqiu silently nodded, at least his appearance was satisfactory. She looked at Xiao Yanzheng and wondered if seeing such a gentle-looking Lord Pang, she might feel enamored and grow hopeful for the future.