Free Web NovelChapter 991: Chapter 986: Hard to Let Go (2)
Xiqiu sighed inwardly but nodded and said, "Nianzu, Nian, it rolls off the tongue well and sounds nice." Having said that, she gently touched Nian’s little cheek, "He will certainly be a well-behaved and sensible child in the future."
"Sixth Sister." Tong Xiyan raised his head, "I’m afraid there will be many family matters these days. I know the First Sister-in-law is also pregnant, but we can’t let Madam Ruan handle everything alone. If you have time, could you make a couple of trips to help take care of things for me?"
Xiqiu nodded in agreement, "You should focus on recovering; Madam Ruan and I will manage the matters outside. If there’s anything unclear or difficult to decide, we’ll come to ask you."
Tong Xiyan held his son in one arm and grasped Xiqiu’s hand with the other, nodding, "Thank you!"
In the afternoon, Zhou Bohan personally arranged Madam Zhou’s remains, and members of the Zhou Family went out to announce the death. Hearing the news, Madam Qian hurried over. In the outer courtyard, Madam Ruan and Madam Qian assisted in preparing the funeral arrangements, while inside, Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu coordinated the servants. Overwhelmed with grief, Nanny Zhou fell ill, so Nanny Rong helped run errands. The group divided the tasks among themselves and organized the funeral smoothly. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
"Tomorrow I’ll come early," said Madam Ruan, sitting down and sipping tea. "A lot of people will surely come tomorrow." She looked at Zhou Bohan, "Ask your older brother to help; you can’t manage everything alone!"
Zhou Bohan stood up at the remark, bowed deeply to Madam Ruan, Madam Qian, Xiqiu, and Ruan Jingliu, "Thank you, dear auntie, dear aunts, and Fourth Madam. Otherwise, things would still be chaotic."
"Silly child," Madam Ruan frowned, "We’re all family; no need for formalities!"
Zhou Bohan nodded in agreement. Just then, someone came in from outside to report, and Zhou Bohan bowed to the trio, "I’ll go check it out, then I’ll stop by to see Xiyan." Since his son’s birth, he had been busy all day, having only managed a brief glance, so he hadn’t had a chance to see Xiyan properly.
"Go ahead, don’t worry about us," Madam Ruan and Madam Qian both waved him off, and Xiqiu nodded slightly, watching Zhou Bohan leave.
Madam Ruan then turned to look at Ruan Jingliu; though they had met many times, they had never talked in-depth. At this moment, Madam Ruan said, "You haven’t been properly thanked yet. I heard you come every half month for pulse diagnosis and prescriptions, very considerate!"
"I do it willingly, no need for thanks." Ruan Jingliu held her tea, her gaze lowered, and her tone indifferent. Madam Ruan’s face stiffened momentarily before returning to normal, accustomed to Ruan Jingliu’s attitude, "You should take some time to visit the mansion. The Marquis heard you were in the Capital and wants to see you."
Ruan Jingliu glanced swiftly at Madam Ruan and replied coolly, "If I have time, I’ll certainly pay a visit." Her words were distant.
"Hmm." Madam Ruan responded, not pressing further, and spoke to Xiqiu, "After working until now, let’s have dinner. Fourth Madam must be hungry."
Xiqiu was indeed feeling hungry, as it was already dinner time. She had initially intended to decline and return home, but with Zhou Bohan absent and not knowing the arrangements on Tong Xiyan’s side, she thought it inappropriate to leave and thus nodded, "Alright, let’s just casually eat together then."
Madam Ruan agreed, then instructed someone to bring the food in. The four of them sat at the square table in the side hall to eat. Madam Qian whispered to Xiqiu as they served the meal, "...we haven’t seen him since Mid-Autumn Festival, have we?"
Xiqiu set down her chopsticks, held her cup of tea, and nodded towards Madam Ruan, "It’s not as if I can meet him whenever I want." She laughed helplessly.
"The New Year is coming." Madam Qian’s gaze shifted, "Even though the Empress is detained, we still have to visit the palace for New Year’s greetings as per tradition. When the time comes, you can sneak someone in to bring him over."
Xiqiu pressed her lips and nodded, "Alright!"
Madam Qian sighed and somewhat reproachfully said to Xiqiu, "You know, when I found out, I was quite upset! Such a big matter, yet not a hint beforehand. Really shocked both me and the Lord. He even spent a long time pondering, about how incredibly similar people can look!"
Xiqiu didn’t quite know what to say; even if Fourth Master Xiao didn’t speak, she wouldn’t have divulged it either. If it weren’t for being tied together by Le Xiu’s connection and mutual interests, they wouldn’t have been informed, "Fourth Master worried that speaking out might alarm you, and besides, this matter involves..." She gestured upwardly, "It’s unwise to act rashly."
Madam Qian and Madam Ruan understood and nodded. Madam Qian joked to Xiqiu, "You’ll have plenty to keep busy with in the future!"
Xiqiu was resigned and shook her head, and the conversation ceased.
After dinner, Xiqiu meticulously instructed Zhou Residence’s maids and servants on precautions and left Nanny Rong at Tong Xiyan’s room, "She doesn’t have a reliable nanny by her side; you should stay for a few days."
"I understand," Nanny Rong nodded in agreement. Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu went to check on Tong Xiyan.
Having just eaten a bit, she leaned against the headboard, looking down at the sleeping Nian with affection. Seeing Xiqiu enter, she asked, "Have Madam Ruan and Madam Qian left?"
"No, they’re discussing other matters," Xiqiu sat down, while Ruan Jingliu professionally checked Tong Xiyan’s pulse, "Postpartum weakness," she reminded Daiju, "Avoid excessive consumption of highly nourishing foods, lest it be counterproductive."
Daiju acknowledged, and Ruan Jingliu sat down, Tong Xiyan said, "Thank you for all the troubles over the past year!"
Ruan Jingliu shook her head slightly, without further remark.
Tong Xiyan spoke to Xiqiu, "Please give my regards to First Sister-in-law, ask her not to worry about running around. Tell her I said she shouldn’t be anxious about me." Xiqiu nodded, "I’ll stop by before coming back tomorrow and reassure her so she won’t be concerned." Pausing, she turned to Nian, "What are your plans for the third-day wash ceremony?"
"Forget it," Tong Xiyan lovingly stroked Nian’s face, "We’ll just have to let it pass quietly for him."
Xiqiu said nothing, and after a moment, Madam Ruan and Madam Qian came by, accompanied Tong Xiyan for a while, then took their leave.
Sitting in the carriage, Ruan Jingliu’s gaze was lowered, her face appeared somber amidst the carriage bumps. Xiqiu noticed her poor complexion today and asked, "What’s wrong with you?"
"Nothing!" Ruan Jingliu shook her head, "I’m just lamenting life. Although I anticipated today’s events, watching life slip away bit by bit before my eyes with my hands tied, makes me feel quite sad!" She finished, seeing Xiqiu looking at her worriedly, she smiled, "I’m really fine."
"Life inevitably involves birth and death; even Hua Tuo couldn’t cure every illness instantly. Don’t take it to heart; you’ve done your best," Xiqiu said softly.
Ruan Jingliu’s eyes moved slightly, she nodded, and silence enveloped them as she was dropped off at Four Symbols Alley, Xiqiu returned to the Governor Mansion.
