Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 737 - 738: Labor Pains (Part 4)

The Grand Dowager spoke, tears falling once again, recalling the night she stabbed Naduo—the unbearably pained expression of the Old Marquis... Though he said nothing to her, he secretly sent people to take care of the ailing Naduo afterwards; that was the best response he could give her.

She could still remember how she felt after knowing, perhaps her heart had died in that moment, all the love and hate of the past seemed to have disappeared with the wind!

She knew that in the Marquess’s heart, it was no longer just her, or her and the children, there was another woman, a woman as dazzling and ephemeral as fireworks, it was due to her fleeting nature that she was so deeply unforgettable, yet unattainable!

And what about her?

The Grand Dowager smiled slightly, it was she who had demanded too much, other men took many wives, but he only had her, it was her own high expectations... that led to such suffering, she blamed no one!

In those years he lay idle, they lived in the Marquis Mansion as if isolated from the world, she tried to forget, tried to start anew with him, but her heart always remained on that night... She had once told the Marquess about the year he went missing in Miaojiang, the Marquess said nothing, just sat quietly, and after a long while held her and cried, confessing... It was the first time she had seen him cry like a child in front of her...

She cried too, thinking of those unbearable pasts, her heart aching, yet she never told him about Naduo, Naduo had already been punished, what was the point in speaking of it?

Later, she truly fell ill, lying in bed... She thought, rather than have his mind on others, it would be better to arrange for a concubine in the mansion, no one knew how much Fifth’s mother resembled Naduo.

It wasn’t until Fifth was born that she truly let go, nothing was worth occupying her heart anymore...

And when Yanzheng had her first attack, holding her, she suddenly understood—no matter what one sows, good or bad, it will always return in kind...

Her Yanzheng was innocent, yet had to suffer this fate, trapped in shadows for a lifetime.

The Marquess was in poor health, near death several times, then she had promised him to treat the Third as her own, he said he owed Naduo and the Third... She agreed, saying she’d repay his debts, she was doing her best and doing well, she was the main wife of the Marquis Mansion, unity and cooperation during its perilous times were more precious than anything, besides, the Third knew nothing, like Fourth and Yanzheng, they were just children, what did children understand... They had no choice, yet had to bear the consequences of their wrongs.

She knelt there alone, seemingly reliving her life from youth to old age, every memory surging in her mind, yet causing not the slightest ripple...

After a long while she stood up, about to call for Nanny Wu, but suddenly realized she was no longer there.

Unexpectedly, tears fell like rain, her vision went black, and she collapsed.

Xiqiu returned home, Xing and Min had already returned from school, Xiqiu hadn’t gone out for a long time, not even visiting her maiden family, but unexpectedly went out today, both were curious, Min asked, "Mother, did you go out?"

"Yes." Xiqiu didn’t mention the Grand Dowager’s return, smiling she made up a reason: "Aunt needed something, so I went to see." She casually changed the topic, "Were you good today? What did the teacher teach?"

"Student Rules!" Xing smiled, replying before Min could: "Fourth Aunt... The teacher said there will be a dragon boat race on the Tongji River this Dragon Boat Festival, and asked if we could go watch. Can we?"

Xiqiu remembered last year Fourth Master Xiao had promised to take her to see the dragon boats, but something happened and they couldn’t go. She smiled, unable to remember what happened, and said to Xing, "Alright, bring more people to protect you then, you can go."

Both children smiled and nodded eagerly.

"Go wash your hands quickly, we’ll eat soon." Xiqiu playfully patted Xing’s little bottom, and Xing giggled, covering his bottom as he ran to the washroom.

Min lingered a moment, looking at Xiqiu and asked, "Mother, is Grandmother well?"

Xiqiu paused at the words, then looked at Min, uncertain if she was happy or troubled by his attentiveness, "Grandmother went out, how would Mother know if she’s well or not!" Xiqiu said, laughing as she touched Min’s head.

"Oh!" Min nodded gloomily, glancing at Xiqiu, then trailed behind Xing to the washroom, turning away with a smile on his lips. No one knew that his mother’s eyes would flicker unconsciously and shift when she lied.

He had observed for a long time and that was the conclusion he reached.

Today he tested it, and sure enough!

Xiqiu naturally did not know what was in Min’s small mind, she simply had a meal prepared, and after the three of them ate, she had Min bring a book to the adjacent room, where they all sprawled out comfortably on the rose bed, studying or practicing calligraphy...

Min seemed especially cheerful, whenever he was with his mother, he felt an inexplicable peace of mind.

When Ruan Jingliu returned from the medical clinic, they extinguished the lights and each went back to their rooms to sleep.

"...The Grand Dowager is back, I was thinking of inviting you to go with me for a visit, she didn’t seem too well," Xiqiu sighed, thinking of the Grand Dowager’s appearance, her face full of worry.

Ruan Jingliu nodded, replying, "I don’t have much on these days, I can go with you!" Her playful demeanor reflecting a good mood.

Xiqiu rarely saw her like this, and curiously asked, "What’s the reason for your good mood?"

"Nothing much." Ruan Jingliu’s smile faded, she nonchalantly said, "The Second Son of Tongxuan Hall... He got drunk yesterday and burned an entire storeroom of herbs, it actually turned out to be good for our clinic’s business."

Xiqiu was surprised, raising her eyebrows at Ruan Jingliu. The Tongxuan Hall had only opened in the Capital late last year and was large, with branches throughout Great Zhou. It was said the head merchant started from scratch, with a rather legendary journey, but he had a dissolute second son, who was said to squander immense sums in brothels or wager fortunes at gambling houses.

But, it was someone else’s business, she only regarded it as gossip, yet Ruan Jingliu’s reaction caught her interest, seeming a bit gleeful at the misfortune.

"Do you hold a grudge against Tongxuan Hall’s Second Son?" Xiqiu couldn’t resist asking.

Ruan Jingliu, having restored her indifferent demeanor, picked up a medical book beside her, glanced at Xiqiu, and said, "It’s getting late, go rest." With that, she paid her no more attention!

Xiqiu grew more curious, contemplating a future visit from Chunyan to inquire further.