In just one day, the corners of her mouth erupted in sores from anxiety. Third Young Madam Ren came to the mansion again with her maid, causing trouble in a neither soft nor hard way. She sent them off with a smile and some assurances, and was about to close the door when a strange old woman appeared outside with a smile: "Fifth Madam, our Grand Dowager invites you to the mansion for a chat."

Fifth Madam was taken aback and asked, "Which mansion’s Grand Dowager?" The visitor introduced herself: "Shen Guojie Mansion!"

Fifth Madam was stunned. Though she didn’t care much about court affairs, she had heard bits and pieces from Xiao Yanting that the Shen family and the Marquis Mansion were like water and fire now. Why would Old Madam Shen cordially invite her over?

She frowned and replied, "Inform your Grand Dowager that I’m currently unavailable." She was about to close the door.

Yet the visitor said with a smile, "Our Grand Dowager said, Fifth Madam must have heard, the Emperor is now imposing a fisheries tax. Although the Teng family’s shipping isn’t affected, their affiliated fishing grounds will be hit hard. The Grand Dowager and Lord Shen are both very busy and have no time to deal with this area where they lack experience. So, they would like to invite Fifth Madam to the mansion for guidance on fisheries management."

Upon hearing this, Fifth Madam was a bit stunned, as she knew precisely where the Teng family’s few fishing grounds were located. She also knew that once the fisheries tax was imposed, the fishing grounds would struggle to survive unless changes were made. It was quite normal for Old Madam Shen and Lord Shen to lack experience in this area.

"What do you mean?" Fifth Madam warily looked at her.

The visitor continued, "I’m not sure myself, I just heard the Grand Dowager say, if it doesn’t work out, she’d rather return the fishing grounds to the Teng family to save herself from this headache."

Fifth Madam narrowed her eyes and looked at the visitor with suspicion. The temptation was indeed too great. With the Teng family like a dog in distress, if she could reclaim those fishing grounds, with her second brother’s capabilities and her help, they could undoubtedly rise again someday.

"Fifth Madam, please accompany me for a quick trip. It won’t take much of your time. I’ll have you back soon." The visitor gestured with an inviting hand, stepped aside to reveal a carriage marked with the Shen Mansion’s insignia parked at the door.

After a moment’s hesitation, she boarded the carriage.

Xiqiu was inside, preparing travel necessities for Fourth Master Xiao and Min for their hunting trip. Fourth Master Xiao, having rare free time, returned early and, alongside Zhi, helped around, bantering back and forth. Xiqiu, full of smiles, turned and asked Fourth Master Xiao, "I heard Second Brother went to Shandong?"

Fourth Master Xiao paused and replied, "Yes." After that, Xiqiu asked, "How about Second Sister-in-law, is everything alright?"

"Her health is not seriously ailing, but her condition has significantly worsened." Xiqiu stopped what she was doing, turned, and asked him, "Have you discussed when to announce..." the news of death.

This matter was somewhat unscrupulous, but it had already occurred. Leaving it unresolved for too long might be exploited by malicious individuals, bringing significant trouble to Xiao Yanyi.

Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brows silently.

Nanny Cen returned from the Jiang family and reported to Xiqiu; Fourth Master Xiao then took Zhi to play in the courtyard. The martial arts instructor would wait until Zhi started school before entering the mansion. In the meantime, whenever Zhi saw Fourth Master Xiao free, he would pester him to teach him martial arts.

Fourth Master Xiao enjoyed playing with his son and, seeing Zhi’s natural talent for martial arts, patiently taught him.

Inside, Xiqiu listened as Nanny Cen spoke: "When I arrived, First Young Madam Ma was leading people to inventory Madam Jiang’s dowry. Old Madam Jiang was ill, and there were people there mourning for the funeral, poor disciples reciting farewell poems, thankers crying and shouting, and drunks causing trouble... there were even debt collectors, a complete mess."

Xiqiu frowned and asked, "Is Madam Jiang inventorying her dowry because she’s returning to her maiden home?" Nanny Cen thought for a moment and nodded, "It seems so."

Xiqiu hadn’t expected the Jiang family to fall into such chaos after Jiang Shilin’s death. Ma was truly capable, collecting her things and preparing to leave so eagerly just after her husband’s passing!

She sighed heavily, at a loss for words, while Nanny Cen, wearing a puzzled expression, said, "Madam, when I left, I also saw Fifth Madam."

"Fifth Madam?" Xiqiu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is she there for mourning?" Knowing that Fifth Madam and Madam Jiang had always been close.

Nanny Cen shook her head uncertainly and replied, "It didn’t look like it, she was holding a document, almost as if... like she was there to collect debts."

Debts?

Could Fifth Madam have lent money at interest? She knew the affair with Jiang Shilin, borrowing from outside to support his family, could it be that these funds were from Fifth Madam?

Now that Jiang Shilin is dead, worried she wouldn’t get her money back, she urgently went to Madam Jiang?

"I saw her, looking dejected, departing quietly, so I didn’t go up to greet her." Nanny Cen shook her head, recalling Fifth Madam’s appearance, unsure what to think.

Xiqiu leaned over, picking up a teacup, scraping the floating foam with the lid without drinking, appearing deep in thought.

"Send for a maid to go to the Marquis Mansion and inform the Grand Dowager that I’ll visit tomorrow." Xiqiu instructed Nanny Cen with a furrowed brow.

Nanny Cen acknowledged and went on her way.