Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 764 - 765: Mourning (Part 5)

Xiqiu nodded upon hearing the remark, then thought of Madam Luo’s versatile demeanor: "She’s quite suited for it!" With a hint of jesting in her tone, Tong Xiyan chuckled, feeling somewhat uplifted, and asked Xiqiu, "The eighth sister and Madam Mei went to see you, didn’t they?"

Xiqiu nodded at the words. Tong Xiyan sneered, "She got ill after mother’s death, making it seem like she’s deeply saddened. But isn’t it really over the eighth sister’s marriage, fretting about it? She fears she can’t endure the mourning for three years..." There was a sourness in the words; Xiqiu could relate, being different from them as the biological daughter of Lady, she genuinely felt sorrowful. Tong Xiyan continued: "Forget it, I understand too, the eighth sister isn’t young anymore. Delaying now, who knows when it will happen... Besides, father isn’t old, and it’s better now with the elder sister-in-law managing the household, but in the future... the eighth sister’s marriage will likely be even harder."

Xiqiu worried about this too, pondering what would happen if First Master remarried.

As children, they couldn’t prevent father from remarrying, nor could they ask him: "Father, won’t you remarry?" They could only follow First Master’s intentions, taking it step by step.

"There’s another matter I wish to discuss with you." Tong Xiyan furrowed his brows as he spoke, to which Xiqiu nodded, saying: "Go ahead."

Tong Xiyan thought for a moment, then said: "It’s about the elder brother. The imperial edicts have been approved, and he will return to Baoding in a few days."

Xiqiu nodded at the words. Following the ancestral customs of Great Zhou, government officials must observe mourning if they have filial responsibilities, which she anticipated, so she wasn’t surprised.

In fact, looking at it from another perspective, the current court’s political situation is stable. The wars in Jiangnan and Wei Hui are nearing their end. Lord Min saw no way out and committed suicide by jumping into a river, and the entire Min family was captured. As for the Wei Hui rebel soldiers, only Huagu County remains besieged, but it won’t be long before Lord Han returns home victoriously. At that time, Feng Yang and the two cabinet ministers will rise, replacing Scholar Liu and Lord Wu from the Hanlin Academy. Lord Wu was once the Assistant Lecturer to the young Second Prince. Being in his early fifties, he is undoubtedly well-suited to enter the cabinet as Prime Minister, given his credentials and background. With the political situation so stable, Tong Shen Zhi remains in the Hanlin Academy merely gaining seniority...

Stopping now to take a break might be better, letting First Master fight in court. If he gets promoted in three years, these three years of mourning won’t end up fruitless. If First Master fails to climb ranks, perhaps in three years, when many princes in the palace grow mature... there might still be other opportunities unknown.

She nodded quietly, considering this might be Tong Shen Zhi’s plan.

Later that night, she discussed the matter with Fourth Master Xiao, who was unsurprised: "Wenxian has mentioned it to me." Pausing, he comforted Xiqiu by saying: "First Master, born as a scholar, once served as a Hanlin Academy Lecturer before taking external posts. With the recent shakes in court, Hanlin Academy is vacant as well as positions in the Ministry of Industry. I’ve discussed this fully with my father-in-law, and if nothing unexpected happens, the Vice Minister of Ministry of Industry..." Xiqiu, filled with pleasant surprise, interrupted: "You’re saying First Master... will be promoted to Vice Minister of Ministry of Industry?" Many officials eyed gaps due to Huagu County’s affairs, naturally resulting in vacancies.

Fourth Master Xiao watched her full-face smile, feeling like the sun rising into a cloudless sky, and nodded with a smile.

Xiqiu suddenly felt a sting in her nose. First Master endured all these years; he once chose paths less traveled despite being the father-in-law of Marquis Xuanning, or the brother of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He gave up many chances to return to the capital, stepping one footprint at a time to come here, enduring over a year in the Six Ministries. Finally, the day of rising came.

She laughed softly and embraced Fourth Master Xiao, saying: "How fortunate to have married Fourth Master!" fully expressing her gratitude.

She knew that First Master’s smooth promotion was deeply tied to Fourth Master Xiao weaving in between. Without someone behind him smoothing edges, in a court filled with numerous first-rate individuals older in experience than First Master, why did he alone get promoted? Without a hand pulling strings, how could it be so seamless?

"Silly girl." Fourth Master Xiao appeared very pleased, observing Xiqiu’s radiant face, as bright as summer flowers, he couldn’t help but lean in for a kiss... Xiqiu, somewhat moved, resisted him, blushing with guilt: "Fourth Master... I am in mourning..."

Fourth Master Xiao held her in his arms, calming his breath to respond softly: "I know." While slightly uncontrolled, Xiqiu felt guilty; she carried Zhi for ten months, followed by post-natal confinement, didn’t expect now having mourning duties... Guiltily said: "Or else..." Her hand slid down Fourth Master Xiao’s chest; her face already blushed enough, timidly looking down without daring to meet his gaze.

Fourth Master Xiao saw her expression, growing even more tender, stroking her hair-top, saying: "I’ll go bring Zhi over." With Zhi present, he could divert attention.

Xiqiu sat there watching his back, feeling soft-hearted, almost melting at a touch... felt gratitude, for had it been another man, she might have been forced to accept a concubine during early pregnancy; though Fourth Master Xiao never brought it up, no one in the mansion mentioned it in front of her either; everyone pretended ignorance. She knew why, because everyone aware knew Fourth Master Xiao once swore never to take a concubine. Everyone understood clearly his temperament, so even in these situations, not one word was spoken to her.

Early the next morning, Ren Jun was escorted out of the Capital by guards, Xiqiu didn’t hurry to go but heard from servants chatting that Madam Ren fainted out crying and Tong Xiyang remained surprisingly calm throughout, only handing Ren Jun a package of clean clothes when he passed by. After months of imprisonment, Ren Jun was emaciated beyond recognition, staggering even while walking... Traversing such a long journey, Xiqiu doubted his survival to reach Pingliang.

On the seventh day after Ren Jun’s departure, early in the morning, news of a death came from Ren Mansion. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

After enduring for over a year, Count Wujin passed away!

The following day, neatly dressed, Xiqiu handed Zhi to Grand Dowager and Mrs. Zhou for care, then accompanied by Chunliu and Bihuai, headed to Wujin Bo Mansion for condolences...