"You may go," Fourth Master Xiao picked up the tea and lowered his gaze, Tiancheng responded and retreated.

Xiqiu was full of doubts. Could it be that Madam Shen gave money to the Fifth Madam? There’s no other explanation. The Teng Family’s property is still in the Shen Family’s hands. The fact that the Fifth Madam doesn’t hate Shen is already fortunate. How could they still associate with them?

However, this reason clearly doesn’t hold water. With Madam Shen’s status, it’s unlikely she’d do something so disgraceful.

She looked towards Fourth Master Xiao and asked, "Fourth Master, is there something happening in the court?"

"The Emperor has ordered an increase in the fisheries tax starting in May; aside from that, there’s nothing else," he replied.

The matter of the fisheries tax is quite a blow to the Shen Family but doesn’t affect the overall situation. What exactly did Old Madam Shen and the Fifth Madam talk about, and what do they intend to do?

She sipped her tea slowly, contemplating all the possibilities. Suddenly, she thought of the matter concerning the Second Madam: "The position of the main wife in the Xuanning Marquis Mansion has been vacant for some time. Could they be consulting with the Fifth Sister-in-law because of this?"

Fourth Master Xiao raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and nodded, "It’s possible." Before he could finish, Xiqiu added, "Whether or not they have this intention, I think it would be best to address the Second Sister-in-law’s matter early, to prevent other issues from arising over time."

"Hmm," Fourth Master Xiao nodded and said, "I’ll send someone to invite Second Brother over to the mansion and discuss it with him."

That evening, Xiao Yanyi came over to the mansion. Fourth Master Xiao directly invited him into the inner courtyard and discussed the matter concerning the Second Madam in front of Xiqiu: "Since you’ve already made arrangements in Shandong, why not send someone to announce her passing tomorrow?"

Xiao Yanyi paused for a moment, then asked, "Has something happened?" He glanced at Xiqiu, then towards Fourth Master Xiao.

Fourth Master Xiao explained the situation with the Fifth Madam and the Shen Family to Xiao Yanyi, "Even if the Shen Family doesn’t have this intention, as Xiqiu said, we need to resolve this matter early to avoid future complications."

At the time, the Second Madam was sent out of the mansion by Madam Shen, a fact that Old Madam Shen must be aware of. She hadn’t made an issue of it all this time merely because she was preoccupied with court matters... Now, with the Empress ill and Shen’s hands tied, they are bound to retaliate in some other way. Targeting Xiao Yanyi through this matter is the quickest, easiest, and most direct approach.

Xiao Yanyi contemplated briefly, then nodded, "I’ll return and discuss it with Mother. If there are no unforeseen issues, I’ll send someone to announce her passing tomorrow."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded.

That night, the Grand Dowager urgently summoned Xiao Yanting and his wife back to the mansion to question the Fifth Madam about her visit to the Shen Mansion. The Fifth Madam was momentarily stunned that the Grand Dowager knew about this and stubbornly refused to explain, claiming it was merely an insignificant visit.

The Grand Dowager pointed at her angrily, "Under a fallen roof, not even an egg is safe. You’d better wise up and not get yourself into trouble over trivial gains."

The Fifth Madam lowered her head, refusing to admit wrongdoing. They had already been expelled from the mansion, so there was never a chance to benefit from it. After being married for so many years, she understood that she could only rely on her own family in this world.

The Grand Dowager pressed for answers but yielded no results, angrily instructing the Fifth Young Master to take her back, "From now on, Sheng will be raised by me as before. With parents like you, the child is sure to grow up crooked."

Xiao Yanting shamefully half-dragged, half-carried the Fifth Madam back to the mansion.

The following morning, the Xuanning Marquis Mansion unexpectedly announced the death of the Second Madam.

The entire city buzzed with lamentation; the once-glorious Commandery Princess Chengning had passed quietly away, just like that!

The Fifth Madam was startled to hear this, abruptly sitting up in bed. "Have they announced her death? Are you sure?" she asked. The maid at her side nodded, "I am sure, Madam. There are already people leaving the mansion to attend the funeral."

This left the Fifth Madam slumped back, defeated. She dressed in a dispirited manner and instructed the maid, "Prepare the carriage. We will make a visit to the Shen Mansion."

The maid complied, and the Fifth Madam rode the carriage around the city twice before heading to the Shen Mansion.

After waiting for a long while to be announced, a servant finally escorted her in. Old Madam Shen sat composedly at the upper seat, sipping tea as she looked at her with a tepid expression, "Why have you come?"

"Grand Dowager," the Fifth Madam said with a smile, "I did not expect it. They chose neither earlier nor later to announce her passing but timed it just so," she paused, then continued, "However, it shouldn’t be too late for me to handle it now, no?"

"There’s no need to trouble you, Fifth Madam," Old Madam Shen replied coldly, "Let’s not bring up this matter again. Should I need anything, I will send for you."

The Fifth Madam was taken aback; they had agreed she would spread the word about the Second Madam, and in return, Old Madam Shen would return the Teng Family’s Taicang and Ningbo fisheries to her: "So... when will you fulfill the fisheries agreement?"

Old Madam Shen looked at her in surprise, "What fisheries?"

The Fifth Madam was shocked as Old Madam Shen indeed denied the agreement. Just as she was about to speak, Old Madam Shen picked up her tea, "See the guest out!"

The Fifth Madam left Shen Mansion angrily. Once out, Madam Shen entered and inquired, "Mother, did the Xiao Family realize something, which is why they were in such a hurry to announce her passing?"

"It doesn’t matter. I didn’t place much hope in it anyway. I merely wanted to stall Fourth Master Xiao until the Emperor exits the palace. Since they acted this way, we will simply find another opportunity for the Empress to request a marriage decree from the Emperor. Besides, since Xiao Yanyi is staying in the Capital, we still have time," Old Madam Shen said as she stood up, "Accompany me to change my clothes. I need to make a trip to the palace,"

Madam Shen complied, assisting her as they walked. Suddenly, Old Madam Shen added, "Just now, the Fifth Madam mentioned the fisheries. Let’s gift her the one in Taicang... so they can enjoy the commotion."

Understanding her mother’s intent, Madam Shen smiled, "I understand, Mother."

Mourners streamed in continuous lines. Xiqiu assisted every morning, and the Grand Dowager seemed somewhat disheartened. Still, she was in better spirits with Old Madam Lou accompanying her. Xiao Yanting brought the Fifth Madam back, intending for her to aid the First Madam and Xiqiu. The Grand Dowager, furious, refused bluntly, "No need to trouble her!" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

As conversations continued, someone outside reported that Madam Shen had sent offerings. Shortly after, a servant entered to kowtow to the Grand Dowager, who ordered the offerings received and rewarded the servant. The servant noticed the Fifth Madam standing to the side, approached her with a smile, and said, "Fifth Madam, our Grand Dowager said the fisheries you asked about yesterday will be given to you. They’re just collecting dust in her hands, and it’s not wrong for them to return to the original owner."

The Fifth Madam paled and shrank back. She had never expected Old Madam Shen to bring up this matter before the Grand Dowager, prompting her to glance at the Grand Dowager cautiously, who indeed sported a grim expression.