Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 619 - 621: Breaking the Cauldrons (Part 1)

The thick curtains were hung up, and beads of sweat rolled down Nanny Fang’s forehead.

Wiping her sweat, feeling increasingly uncomfortable due to the heat, she looked at Second Madam and said, "Commandery Princess, why do you trouble yourself so? It’s terribly hot, and you’ve lit a stove. If the heat causes harm, what will become of you?"

"I’m aware of my limits." Second Madam gestured for Nanny Fang to sit down on a chair and had Zijuan pour her a cup of iced tea. "Take a sip and rest a bit." She then turned to Zijuan and said, "Take the stove out first."

Zijuan complied, opened a crack in the window, and carried the stove out.

Nanny Fang finally felt a little better. Second Madam looked at her and asked, "How is Grandmother’s health? Is my nephew doing well? And how is Sister-in-law?" A string of questions, with Second Madam urgently looking at Nanny Fang.

Nanny Fang, now somewhat more comfortable, replied, "The Empress Dowager is in good health, the young master is also very well. Just this morning, the Imperial Physician was summoned to check his pulse for good health. One nursemaid’s milk can’t satisfy him, and the Princess Consort is also fine."

Second Madam sighed with relief, held Nanny Fang’s hand and said, "I haven’t left the house for months, haven’t seen Grandmother, nor have I seen Sister-in-law. My nephew was born and yet as his aunt..." Saying this, her eyes turned red, and she continued, "Did Grandmother send you with any messages for me?"

"Commandery Princess." Nanny Fang looked at Second Madam’s face, pale without a trace of blood, feeling a dull ache in her heart. She remembered how Second Madam used to flit through the palace like a butterfly, her laughter clear and charming, but in just two or three years, she had become like this, thin and without even a fraction of her former grandeur.

She sighed and replied, "The Empress Dowager asked me to tell you to focus on your recovery, that she would take care of everything else!"

Second Madam listened, initially joyful, but then felt there was more to what Nanny Fang was saying, and asked, "Nanny, are you hiding something from me?" In the past, the Empress Dowager would have directly issued an edict for her to visit the palace. But now she was only sent to visit by Nanny Fang with such a message.

Recovery? Whether a month or a year, where is the limit?

Nanny Fang knew that Princess Chengning was sharp and perceptive, nothing escaped her notice, so she whispered, "... The Commandery Prince recently acquired a salt mine..." She quietly explained the entire situation to Second Madam and then said, "That’s why the Empress Dowager wants you to wait a little longer; she has a way to get the Grand Dowager to soften."

Second Madam listened, her brow furrowing more deeply: "Brother, he... really?" Nanny Fang immediately quieted Second Madam’s words, nodded meaningfully, and added, "The Empress Dowager instructed that since both the Princess Consort and Empress have recently given birth to sons, the Prince Manor now stands at a crucial point. You’re reminded not to be too ostentatious in any matter."

Second Madam furrowed her brows and nodded. She naturally understood these principles, but her heart felt increasingly uneasy, thinking of various possibilities. She looked at Nanny Fang and asked, "What does Grandmother plan to do? The Grand Dowager is determined this time and hasn’t seen me since that incident. I’m afraid it’s also difficult for Grandmother to intervene."

"Commandery Princess, don’t be anxious." Nanny Fang pressed Second Madam down and took out a letter from her sleeve, handing it to her while whispering a few words in her ear. Second Madam’s face changed dramatically as she blurted out, "... A certificate?"

Nanny Fang nodded silently and whispered, "Once the Marquis and Commandery Prince are united, who in the Marquis Mansion would dare disrespect you? Two birds with one stone!"

Second Madam remained silent, tightly clutching the letter in her hand. Suddenly, she stood up, paced the room a few steps in thought, then abruptly stopped and looked at Nanny Fang. "The Marquis Mansion doesn’t only have the Marquis himself. If Fourth Master Xiao insists, what then?"

"Commandery Princess needn’t worry." Nanny Fang also stood up, saying, "Breaking bones are connected by tendons; Fourth Master Xiao and the Marquis are blood brothers. How could he disregard the safety of the Marquis and the Mansion!" She approached Second Madam and added, "With Marquis Xuanning and Fourth Master Xiao, this is more than fortunate. You must have noticed, even for Fourth Madam Xiao’s recent small birthday celebration, the Shen Family sent a gift of Ma Gu Offering Longevity Green Jade—half the size of a kang table... clearly showing the Shen Family’s regard for Fourth Master Xiao and the Marquis. We must maintain this relationship!"

Second Madam’s expression darkened, yet she seized upon the gift from Xiqiu and said, "Born lowly means being born lowly; a mere concubine’s shallow perspective can’t appreciate good things. Seeing such good things, how could she not accept?" Finishing, she recalled Xiqiu’s strategic tactics and found herself unable to continue.

Nanny Fang did not speak, simply watching Second Madam, awaiting her response.

Second Madam realized she had slightly lost composure, turned to Nanny Fang and said, "Please return to Grandmother and tell her that Chengning understands what to do."

Nanny Fang nodded slightly. Before coming, she knew that Princess Chengning would prioritize the greater good. "Commandery Princess, in three days, an Imperial Physician will come to check your pulse in the palace; this person is trustworthy." She paused, glanced at the doorway, and slightly raised her voice, "The Empress Dowager also sent many medicinal herbs and supplements; you must focus on recovering. I’ll visit you again soon."

"Nanny Fang, take care!" Saying this weakly, she called for Zijuan, "See Nanny Fang out!"

Zijuan helped Nanny Fang with the door curtain outside. Nanny Fang nodded to Second Madam and left the room.

Second Madam then took the letter she’s holding and slowly leaned against the bed, her mind continuously contemplating what Nanny Fang had just said, her eyes gradually closing.

Zijuan saw Nanny Fang out and returned to the room. Second Madam looked at her and asked, "Has Nanny Fang left?" Zijuan confirmed, and Second Madam inquired, "Is the Marquis in the Mansion?"

"He’s at the government office." Zijuan replied, "Does Madame wish to summon the Marquis? Shall I send someone to wait at the side gate and report as soon as the Marquis returns?"

Second Madam furrowed her brows and nodded, waving her hand. "Go and handle it!"

Zijuan complied and left the room.

Second Madam ate lunch, and it wasn’t until dark that a matron came to report the Marquis had returned. Second Madam sent Zijuan to invite him; Zijuan hurried to the outer courtyard and soon returned alone. She reported, "The Marquis said he still has matters to attend to in the outer courtyard. If Second Madam has anything, she can instruct me to pass it on."

He had no time to see her.

"No time?!" Second Madam sneered and looked at Zijuan, saying, "Go, summon Lianqiao!"

Zijuan paused, then understood her meaning. Lianqiao was a concubine of the second household; even though Second Madam was confined, as long as she did not leave the Mansion, she remained Second Madam, and it was completely normal for Lianqiao to pay respects and adhere to etiquette.

"Wait." As Zijuan turned to leave, Second Madam called her, "Bring the stove back in, close the doors and windows!" With that, she laid down on the bed again, looking frail and sickly.

Zijuan complied, rekindled the stove and brought it into the room, shut the doors and windows, and then went to the back garden to summon Lianqiao.