We can only wait for the concubine to return and discuss.
Tong Xihua and Lady are very similar, even their way of thinking is the same. Smiling in agreement but no longer mentioning Tong Xiyang: "Sixth Sister's embroidery skills have become increasingly refined. The gauze skirt she made for me a few days ago was even praised by the Eldest Princess."
Lady raised an eyebrow: "Gauze skirt?"
Tong Xihua explained: "Ordinary gauze skirts only have floral embroidery on the hem and apply decorative edges. Sixth Sister has a clever mind. She pieced together the skirt tube with two similar colored fabrics and embroidered green vine patterns at the seams. She added a layer of gauze, making the skirt sway like a blooming flower, vivid and refined without being clichéd."
Lady became interested too, looking at Xiqiu: "You sisters are truly affectionate. With such ingenious ideas, how could I not notice?"
Xiqiu hurriedly stood up, explaining: "Tonight, I will start making a dress for Mother, but I fear my work is crude and... and I am a bit nervous."
Lady laughed and said to the concubine: "Well, this one is honest." Then paused: "I'm getting old, and I can't wear such novel things. But you sisters should interact more, so you won't grow apart."
Xiqiu quickly agreed.
Lady looked at Tong Xiyu: "Your concubine said she would cook personally today. Go see if there's any help needed."
Tong Xiyu got up, curtsied, and went to the kitchen.
Xiqiu knew Lady wanted a private talk with Tong Xihua, her eyes flickered as she stood up: "Yesterday, Seventh Brother said he went on a spring outing. I wonder if he's back. I'd like to check."
Lady looked at her, a vague emotion in her eyes: "Have Nanny Qian accompany you, since it's the outer court."
Xiqiu nodded, leaving with Sixing. Then the concubine also mentioned having boxes yet unpacked and returned to her courtyard.
In the room, Lady's face turned cold: "What are you doing now, easily saying come back just like that?" As she spoke, she patted her hand with disapproval: "Even if your husband has a good temper, he can't tolerate constant fuss. Look around the Capital; which man is like him? You give him a concubine, and he still refuses her. What more do you want?!"
Tong Xihua began to cry, her pale face like fragile paper, ready to tear at any moment: "Mother, I know he's good, always conceding to me, but... but I am ultimately unsatisfied." She was only twenty-three. When they first married, they shared sweet affection, but always felt something was in between. As time passed, this feeling grew stronger. Despite lying in the same bed, she never knew what he was thinking.
Is this how life will always be from now on?
It is said men of the Xiao Family are passionate. The Old Marquis and the Grand Dowager shared lifelong affection, and even went into battle together. The Marquis and his sister-in-law have been married so many years, yet despite his sister-in-law having no children, he swore not to take concubines. Even the unruly Fourth Brother mourned for the departed Hu Family girl for three years, not marrying.
Only he seemed ostensibly kind and considerate, like a dull knife, cutting at her heart every day.
"Alas!" First Madam knew her daughter's temper, softened her tone: "Do you know why your aunt personally brought Tianqing to the Capital this time?"
Lady's lips showed brief cynicism: "She thinks I don't know, keeps secrets from her own elder sister. Despite not having the means, she bore the reputation for so many years, only for an affair to push her to the Capital."
Tong Xihua also knew; the concubine always compared herself to Lady since childhood. Later, when Lady married into the Tong Family, though First Master Tong was upright, he still took concubines after Lady got pregnant. Yet, Lord Xu's room had none, being strictly guarded by the concubine, boasting for decades in front of Lady.
This incident turned into a slap in the face.
No wonder she says nothing.
"So, I tell you, while men need to be managed, it must be with moderation. Regardless of his behavior outside, a man wants comfort at home. If you always try to suppress him, even immortal lovers will drift apart over time."
The example of the concubine was apt, and Tong Xihua stayed silent, listening as Lady asked: "What did Doctor Feng say?"
Tong Xihua's lips finally showed a smile: "He said after two more doses of medicine, it will be okay."
Lady excitedly stood up from the bed, staring at Tong Xihua's face for a long time as if confirming, then bowed repeatedly towards the west: "Amitabha Buddha, as long as there is an heir, my son's future will be secure."
Tong Xihua felt both saddened and glad seeing her mother like this, wiping her tears, and remembering something asked: "That Minister's wife?"
Lady waved her hand, signaling to stop speaking: "There's no sign yet, don't mention it outside." Tong Xihua nodded, saying: "I see my cousin is much steadier this time, and quite handsome. Uncle's been in charge in Shandong, and is just waiting for a regional governor's appointment soon. What are Mother's plans?"
Lady smiled, whispering something in Tong Xihua's ear, making her open her eyes wide, holding back laughter: "Really? Aunt truly lost face this time."
Lady gave her a light pat, and chuckled herself: "Alright, alright, don't mention this anymore. When mingling with those ladies and mistresses, remember to make connections. Xiyan is getting older, we should start planning for her, but your older brother..."
Tong Xihua didn't want her mother saddened, smiling and nodding: "I have it in mind. According to age, Third Girl should be settled, and Sixth Girl too. I see she's blossoming more beautifully."
Lady squinted, smiling with slight disdain, casually: "You don't need to bother. I have plans of my own."
Tong Xihua nodded, thinking the illegitimate girls could be randomly matched with decent families, with appropriate dowries to save face, not much effort needed.
Tong Xihua remembered something, saying: "Last year, the Marquis sent some Heavenly Fire Grass from Miaojiang for Sister-in-law, and I also received a few plants. They've grown this year, Nanny Zhou made a soup based on the prescription, it's delicious. I brought two plants back today, later ask Nanny Fang to plant them in the yard, and keep the recipe to taste it yourself."
Lady's smile overflowed from her eyes: "They say Miaojiang is wild, even their grass can be eaten."
Tong Xiyang left, went straight to her own courtyard, and furiously scolded Shuixiang, feeling unsatisfied, she twisted her long nails, painted in red nail polish, on Shuixiang's arm: "You useless thing, can't even handle a simple task. If not for you, how would Nanny Qiu lose her power in the kitchen? If the concubine comes back, will you cook?"
The hip wound wasn't healed yet, and her arm was unbearably painful, Shuixiang gritted her teeth, fearing heavier punishment, she dared not utter a word of complaint.
Moxiang cautiously presented a cup of hot tea, watching Tong Xiyang's face soften a bit, then whispered: "Miss, the concubine's courtyard has been tidied up. When do you think is suitable to move?"