Xiqiu smiled and nodded. Fang Wenhui laughed and nodded, saying, "Thank you, Fourth Madam." As she spoke, she glanced back into the room, then quickly saluted Xiqiu, saying, "I’ll take my leave then, Fourth Madam, please!"
"Please!" Xiqiu watched her enter, amused at how interesting this Second Miss Fang was. Just as she was about to turn back inside, Madam Xu held her hand and said, "Co, let’s gather for a ga of cards." Without giving her a chance to refuse, she dragged Xiqiu along, saying, "You’ve rarely had a free day to co out, so we should take the chance to chat."
Xiqiu was helplessly pulled along inside and sat down by the table. Opposite her sat Madam Xu and the Second Young Madam Tang. The Second Young Madam Tang, thin and smiling, said, "This is the first ti letting Fourth Madam be the dealer; we can take turns in the future, is that alright?"
No one had any objections, and Xiqiu found herself like a duck forced onto a perch, rolling the dice and randomly arranging her cards at the entrance. The Grand Dowager, two tables away, laughed, "She doesn’t know how to play. If I catch any of you bullying her, see if I don’t give you a good scolding."
Everyone laughed heartily, clustering around. Madam Fang and Fang Wenhui stood behind Xiqiu. Seeing Xiqiu hesitant, Fang Wenhui pointed to a card and said, "This one only leans to one side; even if you pair it, it won’t be a loss."
Xiqiu smiled and nodded, discarding a card from her left hand. "Alright, I’ll take your advice." As soon as the card was out, Madam Xu snatched it up and said, "I’ll make a match!" Then, laughing, she added, "...But I must thank Miss Fang."
Fang Wenhui didn’t expect Madam Xu to claim the card and appeared sowhat embarrassed. Xiqiu laughed and said, "You should be thanking instead." It was a way of helping Fang Wenhui out, letting her breathe a sigh of relief.
Opposite, Madam Lin said, "Fourth Madam is really kind." She discarded a card, saying, "I also need this card, please give it to ."
Everyone laughed together. Tong Xiyu quietly ca to stand behind Madam Lin, watching her play. Madam Lin smiled at Xiqiu, saying, "See, I have soone by my side to back up." Then she turned to Tong Xiyu, "Second Young Madam Lou, you’ll help , won’t you?"
Tong Xiyu simply sat down beside Madam Lin, laughing, "I don’t know how either. I was hoping to learn from you as my teacher." Madam Lin laughed and waved it off, "I dare not be anyone’s teacher; if you lose money, Fourth Madam would be the first to spare ."
Everyone knew they were sisters, so they didn’t mind the exchange. Hearing this, Xiqiu smiled, "That’s right. If you win against us sisters, don’t expect to leave through the door."
The room erupted in laughter. Madam Lin was laughing so hard she clutched her stomach, pointing at Xiqiu, "Who knew Fourth Madam was so witty!" She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief just as Xiqiu discarded another card. Tong Xiyu looked at it, then tugged on Madam Lin’s sleeve, whispering, "Have you won yet?"
Madam Lin finally suppressed her laughter, glanced at the cards on the table, and laughed, "Oh yes, I have!" She pushed her cards, saying, "What a good start." Then she smiled at Tong Xiyu, "Thanks to Second Young Madam Lou!"
Madam Xu glanced at Tong Xiyu, pushed her cards, and laughed, "I don’t have such a wealth-bringing Second Young Madam Lou here, I’ve lost so much silver it’s hurting my liver!" But with just a few taels of silver, it wasn’t real heartache!
The Second Young Madam Tang echoed, "Second Young Madam Lou, why don’t you sit here instead, and let us have a good start as well."
Tong Xiyu lowered her head, her cheeks slightly red, eyes bright.
Xiqiu pursed her lips and smiled, instructing Bihuai to send the silver over to Madam Lin.
anwhile, Old Madam Lou paused her tea-drinking and glanced at Tong Xiyu with raised eyebrows. The Grand Dowager patted her hand softly, saying, "Let the young ones handle their matters." Then she added, "Miss Qiu knows her limits!"
Old Madam Lou withdrew her gaze, leaning close to the Grand Dowager, whispering, "The second one has been throwing tantrums these past days, staying at my place, and refusing to leave!" Seeing the Grand Dowager’s surprise, she sighed and said, "He’s always been a good fellow, it’s the first ti I’ve seen him lose his temper!"
The Grand Dowager sighed, advising, "It’s as I said, let’s not ddle in young people’s business. It’ll only cause us headaches, and they’ll reconcile later, making us look like fools."
"You’re right," Old Madam Lou agreed, reluctantly, casting her gaze on Xiqiu. She called over a servant from the Tang Mansion, whispered instructions, and the servant smiled in agreent before taking a quick turn outside and returning to announce, "Ladies, madams, and young madams, the banquet is served!"
Tong Xiyu was pointing at the card for Madam Lin to play, but Madam Lin covered it, stood up with a laugh, "Just in ti, I’m hungry. Let’s go eat." She walked over to take Xiqiu by the hand, smiling, "We’d better bolt the mansion doors tightly when we return today."
Tong Xiyu’s face stiffened, her eyes lingering on the covered card.
Madam Lin’s remark piqued the curiosity of the group. Madam Xu asked, "Why?"
Xiqiu chuckled softly as Madam Lin explained, "Tonight, Grand Commander Xiao might storm in to vent Fourth Madam’s anger."
Everyone chuckled uncontrollably again. Xiqiu covered her face, laughing, "...You’d better be careful then."
The laughter continued to echo.
The Grand Dowager pointed at Madam Lin, teasing, "I’ll tattle to your mother-in-law later." Madam Lin exclaid, pleading, "Please don’t tell my mother-in-law, otherwise I won’t dare keep even the silver I won." She sent all the silver she won to Xiqiu, "Here, have it back."
Xiqiu chuckled, and Madam Xu ca over to diate. The group, guided by the servants, laughed as they moved to the adjacent room.
Tong Xiyu was left behind, slightly dazed, watching the crowd chat and laugh as they walked out. She lowered her gaze and returned to Old Madam Lou’s side, "Grandmother!" she said, helping her up.
Old Madam Lou glanced deeply at her without speaking, then, along with the Grand Dowager, went to the next room.
As soon as they sat down, fireworks outside erupted again. Soone shouted, "The bride has arrived!" With the crackling of firecrackers and the clanging of gongs and drums, the newlyweds were cheerfully welcod in. The firecrackers went on for a long ti, and afterward, Xiqiu learned that bringing the dowry in had taken over half an hour, filling the courtyard, which greatly pleased the First Young Madam Tang.
After the wedding ceremony, Xiqiu and the Grand Dowager went to visit Old Madam Tang before returning to the mansion. Old Madam Tang said to the Grand Dowager, "I can’t get up tomorrow, but you must co."
The Grand Dowager agreed.
On the day of the family recognition, Xiqiu and the Grand Dowager were invited early to the Tang family’s large hall, which was filled with female relatives from the clan. Accompanying the Grand Dowager, Xiqiu sat at the lower end of the main seat.
Since Old Madam Tang was absent, the First Young Madam Tang took the main seat, and beyond the screen, the male relatives were hosted by First Master Tang.
Xiqiu recognized Ruan Pingrong entering, dressed in a red overcoat embroidered with twin lotus flowers trimd in gold. On her head was the gold filigree with red gemstone double phoenix hairpin bestowed by Imperial Concubine Le. Compared to being at ho, today she held a shy deanor, her face glowing with happiness. By her side was the Second Young Master Tang, not very tall with a round, prosperous-looking face like the First Young Madam Tang’s. There was a small scar at the corner of his eye which didn’t detract from his appearance but rather added a friendly, approachable vibe.
Ruan Pingrong, in stockinged feet, served tea around the room. When she ca to Xiqiu, she smiled, "Fourth Madam." Xiqiu lightly smiled, handed her the eting gift, and drank the tea with a laugh...
Ruan Pingrong glanced at Xiqiu again, "I will personally visit to thank Fourth Madam another day." She curtsied and moved on.
After eating the family recognition lunch at noon, the wedding event at the Tang family concluded. Xiqiu got busy preparing for the New Year at the mansion. Before she knew it, it was the twenty-third, a ti for thorough cleaning and offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God, as she pondered whether to have the New Year’s Eve dinner at the Marquis Mansion or invite the Grand Dowager and First Madam over...
Ruan Pingrong arrived, and Xiqiu welcod her in with a smile, "You’re still a bride!" She motioned to Bihuai to serve tea.
"There’s not much to do at ho," Ruan Pingrong laughed, "Besides, I’ve sothing to discuss with you, and my mother-in-law would understand." She covered her face, laughing!
Xiqiu raised her eyebrows slightly. Ruan Pingrong said, "When I went to the palace a few days ago to thank the Imperial Concubine, I learned that the Emperor has been coughing a bit at night recently. The Imperial Concubine wants to invite Nurse Zhang to the palace for a consultation, so she hoped you could notify Nurse Zhang and accompany her in."
"Invite Nurse Zhang?" Though the palace has many Imperial Physicians: "Did the Imperial Concubine say this?"
Ruan Pingrong looked at Xiqiu, nodding with a smile, "Yes!"
Xiqiu held her teacup, tilting her head thoughtfully.
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