Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 638 - 640: Unraveling (5)

Xiqiu looked at the Grand Dowager and felt that she was somehow different at this moment. The way she looked at her was unlike any other time before.

Following instructions, she nodded and performed a salute, "Daughter-in-law takes her leave!"

The Grand Dowager nodded and waited until Xiqiu and her maid exited the courtyard. Then, as if unable to support herself, she leaned on the doorframe, and Nanny Wu greeted her at the door, "Grand Dowager, what’s wrong?"

"I’m fine!" She seemed very weary and weak, pointing inside the Warm Pavilion, "Help me inside!"

She sat down on the kang in the Warm Pavilion, looked at Nanny Wu, and said, "Have someone go to the outer courtyard and find Housekeeper Hu!" Nanny Wu responded, went out, and instructed an older maid to invite Housekeeper Hu.

A cup of tea later, Housekeeper Hu arrived hastily. The Grand Dowager asked Nanny Wu to guard the door, and she took out a slip of paper from the box she had previously prepared and handed it to Housekeeper Hu, "Try to find out tomorrow if there is an advisor in the Prince Manor skilled in imitating other people’s handwriting!"

Housekeeper Hu was startled. After staying so many years in the Marquis Mansion, his mind had become very shrewd. As soon as the Grand Dowager finished, he understood most of it and nodded, replying, "I will personally handle it first thing tomorrow morning!"

The Grand Dowager didn’t speak, just nodded.

Xiqiu walked along the road, with Chunliu and Bihuai seemingly still frightened, surrounding her in the middle, while Biwu and Wenyu held lanterns ahead. All four of them felt heavy-hearted as so much had happened, and none of them felt at ease.

At the courtyard door, they encountered Fourth Master Xiao, who was returning from the outer courtyard. The group respectfully saluted Fourth Master Xiao.

Xiqiu stopped and looked at Fourth Master Xiao, who was also looking at her. The two of them walked side by side into the room, and Chunliu paused outside the door to close it.

Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao stood inside the room. Xiqiu looked at him, her eyes gradually reddening, as if all the day’s grievances collapsed at this moment. She went over and silently hugged him, burying her face in his chest, her tears soaking into his clothing.

Fourth Master Xiao didn’t move, his arm holding her tightly.

He knew she had been wronged, he knew her heart was troubled, he knew she felt guilty, he knew she blamed herself...

After a long while, Xiqiu muffledly called out, "Fourth Master!"

"Mm." Fourth Master Xiao embraced her, responding softly, and kissed the top of her head. Xiqiu no longer had anything to say...

Xiqiu did not let go or lift her head. Fourth Master Xiao knew her pride; she would never easily reveal her vulnerability in front of others, and he understood, so he didn’t force her. He allowed her to hold onto him, and they stood like that!

After a long time, Xiqiu finally calmed down and slowly raised her head, but her hand did not loosen. She looked at Fourth Master Xiao and said, "Second Brother... I didn’t expect it either."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded, consolingly stroked her head, and replied, "I know." Xiqiu was taken aback by this, looking at Fourth Master Xiao in confusion. He wiped the tears from her eyes with his fingers and said, "I once saw a painting in his study!"

Xiqiu was startled and blurted out, "A painting of me?"

"Mm." Fourth Master Xiao held her hand, and they sat facing each other on the chairs. He explained, "The style was raw, not Second Brother’s handiwork, more like something he acquired unintentionally!"

Xiqiu suddenly thought of the painting Tong Minzhi had sent long ago, the one she sought but couldn’t find. She hadn’t expected it to end up with Xiao Yanyi. She asked, "Why didn’t you take it back, Fourth Master?"

"Silly girl!" Fourth Master Xiao’s brow was full of tenderness, "I grew up following behind Second Brother, with Eldest Brother holding up the family in the outer courtyard. Second Brother would take care of me, Third Brother, and Fifth Brother, always playing the role of the eldest, protecting us. Even as we grew up, he still maintained the bond between us brothers. Others, I might not know well, but I understand Second Brother. If he decides to keep something in his heart, it will never be known to others. Why should I expose it?" If he exposed it, where would that leave Xiao Yanyi!

This was the longest sentence Fourth Master Xiao had ever said, containing explanations, understanding, tolerance, and magnanimity.

Xiqiu felt mixed emotions in her heart at this moment. She hadn’t imagined so many things in between, hadn’t thought she’d only know about this at the last moment, and she looked at Fourth Master Xiao with both pain and loss for words. Facing him for the first time, she was at a loss for words, searching for anything to say.

She stood up and hugged Fourth Master Xiao, and he lifted her onto his lap, caressing her head and saying, "Silly girl, everyone has secrets in their hearts, even among brothers. What I care about..." he softly said, word by word, "is only your thoughts."

Suddenly, Xiqiu thought of the few days when Fourth Master Xiao was angry with her. Thinking back, it was right after Tong Minzhi lost the painting. Had Fourth Master Xiao already seen that Xiao Yanyi had her painting, and that’s why he was angry with her? Was he angry because he was unsure of her love for him, unsure if his presence in her life had made her happy, thus leading to that conflict?

But now, it was different. He was very sure of her feelings, hence his magnanimity, able to endure, seeing everything clearly.

As he said, what he cares about is only her thoughts, how others feel is not something he can change, nor does it concern him!

Xiqiu leaned on his shoulder, nodding solemnly.

After a long while, Xiqiu thought about Fourth Master Xiao’s sudden trip to the Prince Manor that day, and she asked, "How did you know I would be at the Prince Manor, Fourth Master?" He not only reacted quickly in such a short time but went accurately to the Prince Manor to find her.

Fourth Master Xiao responded indifferently, "Intuition!" and did not intend to elaborate.

Xiqiu was not convinced, but given his abilities, he surely knew that in the Capital, there weren’t many who dared to mess with the Shen Family’s carriage and the Fourth Madam Xiao. Even fewer had ties to both households, making it easier to deduce it was the Prince Manor.

However, he didn’t search elsewhere, didn’t investigate quietly, but went directly to find Prince Rong at the Prince Manor, as if he was certain she was there and safe, as if she was merely a guest. His calmness and composure were remarkable.

Perhaps this is his intuition? Knowing she could handle the crisis?

The next day, Chief Chang from the side of the Emperor came, dressed in plain clothes, with only two attendants, and directly went to the Grand Dowager’s courtyard. He stayed in the Grand Dowager’s room for fifteen minutes before leaving.

Housekeeper Hu entered from outside, and the Grand Dowager asked, "Has Chief Chang left?"

Housekeeper Hu affirmed and stepped closer to report to the Grand Dowager, "Grand Dowager, I’ve found out!"

The Grand Dowager was startled, looked at Housekeeper Hu, and asked, "Quickly, is there such a person?"

"There is!" Housekeeper Hu confirmed, "This person is surnamed Pan, an advisor of the Prince Manor, skilled at imitating manuscripts and famous paintings. What he produces is difficult for ordinary people to distinguish from the genuine article." He then took out the slip and an unframed painting, "I posed as a businessman, seeking him out by reputation, and purchased a painting from Mr. Pan at a high price, then opened the Rong Hall doors to show it to the master craftsman inside."

"He said it’s by the same hand."

Having seemingly prepared mentally for this, the Grand Dowager sighed deeply, as if in relief, and said to Housekeeper Hu, "Thank you for your effort!"

Housekeeper Hu withdrew.

The Grand Dowager took the slip, lit it with a flint, and set it on fire...

Just as Xiqiu entered the room, she saw the Grand Dowager burning something and was startled, exclaiming, "Mother!"

The Grand Dowager raised her head to look at her, "You’re here!" She extended her hand, holding Xiqiu’s, and sat with her side by side on the kang, looking at her with gentle eyes. Xiqiu’s gaze grew more puzzled until the Grand Dowager spoke, "Your Second Brother woke up once this morning. Although he seems a bit weak, he’s okay now. When I was with the Marquis on the battlefield, I became very familiar with sword wounds."

The Grand Dowager started speaking about when Xiao Yanyi and Fourth Master were children, and shared amusing stories about the children of the Xiao Mansion. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law spoke in low voices in the room.

About half an hour later, Housekeeper Hu hurriedly entered the room. Knowing that Xiqiu was inside, he announced from outside the curtain, "Grand Dowager, Chief Chang is here!"

The Grand Dowager ended the conversation, looked at Nanny Wu, and said, "Help me change into my formal attire." Then she turned to Xiqiu, "You should go change into yours as well!"

Xiqiu understood that the recent matters were personal, but now these weren’t. The public matter must be to announce an Imperial Decree.

At this time, what would it be about?

"""