Yin Zhu was a bit confused. "Miss, do you mean that the Old Madam will be displeased because the eldest young master did not write to her?"
"Clever. It seems our courtyard is not clean enough. The moment I received my elder brother's letter, people outside already got the news."
Xiao Man glanced towards the outside of the house.
In the courtyard, there was only a sweeping old woman diligently cleaning the ground. In the small kitchen, Qiu Yue and Lian Xing were preparing lunch, while Qiu Tong was conscientiously managing everything in the courtyard.
"Qiu Tong, come with me to the main house. We probably won't be back for lunch," Xiao Man instructed.
"Yes, Miss."
Before Xiao Man even entered the main house, she heard the Old Madam's hearty laughter from inside, along with the Fourth Miss's cheerful voice, as crisp as a young oriole.
"The eldest young lady is here." Madam Xu hurried to greet Xiao Man as she entered. "Has the eldest young lady had lunch yet? The Old Madam just sent for lunch."
"Not yet. I just received the letter from my brother and wanted to send it to grandmother quickly, so she wouldn't worry about him." Xiao Man followed Madam Xu into the room. The Fourth Miss was amusing the Old Madam. Seeing Xiao Man arrive, she quickly greeted her. "Eldest sister, did you also smell the delicious food grandmother made and come running?"
"You glutton, do you think your eldest sister is a glutton like you?" The Old Madam affectionately poked Xiao Ting's head. "Your eldest sister is here because she has something to discuss."
"Grandmother, can't I just be greedy for your food?" Xiao Man stepped forward, helped the Old Madam to sit by the table. "I am indeed here for the food today and plan to eat at your place."
Upon hearing this, the Old Madam instructed someone to add a pair of chopsticks and bowls. Xiao Man sat on the right, the Fourth Miss on the left, while Concubine Lin stood by, serving dishes to the Old Madam.
"Grandmother, brother sent a letter home," Xiao Man said, first handing the letter to the Old Madam. The Old Madam's hand, holding the chopsticks, paused for a moment, then she put down the chopsticks and took it joyfully. This was the first letter she had received from her eldest legitimate son in many years.
Concubine Lin secretly glanced at the Old Madam. The smile on the Old Madam's face was radiant as she read line by line.
"This monkey, he still remembers to think of this old woman. This rascal, he even lectures me, telling me not to be greedy for food. Who is greedy for food?"
Although the words were of rebuke, the Old Madam spoke them with immense pride. Receiving a letter from her grandson filled the old woman with joy.
Despite the Old Madam's adherence to etiquette and her rigid demeanor, she was wholeheartedly dedicated to protecting the General's Mansion.
"I told you brother wrote a letter, and eldest sister lied to me, saying he didn't. Grandmother, let me see it too." Xiao Ting eagerly leaned over. "Brother never wrote to grandmother before. When he was away, he only wrote to eldest sister. I was so jealous."
Hearing this, a flicker of doubt crossed the Old Madam's eyes as she looked at Xiao Man.
Xiao Man, instead, served the Old Madam more food. "Brother is in Cloud City, with no one to rely on. He misses his family and thinks of grandmother, which is only natural. Fourth sister is young and has never left home, so she doesn't understand the longing of someone away from home."
Concubine Lin was about to interject, but Xiao Man continued, "Brother is a man, and he guards Cloud City. He can't return even a few times a year. If people knew he was crying and missing grandmother and father, wouldn't they laugh at him? So he had to use my name as a sister to express his longing. Who would have thought that in the eyes of others, it would be seen as his filial impiety."
Xiao Ting bit her chopsticks, her smile unchanged.
She was young, so the Old Madam wouldn't pay much attention. Concubine Lin couldn't get a word in, so there was no question of blame. However, the Old Madam's dissatisfaction with Xiao Man lessened, and she even actively served Xiao Man food. Concubine Lin's heart faltered again.
Xiao Man stayed in the main house to dine with the Old Madam, which the people in the mansion found somewhat unbelievable.
"The eldest young lady is dining with the Old Madam? Is it going to rain red today?" Madam Yan asked calmly. Xiao Man's recent actions were truly impeccable.
Normally, Xiao Man would avoid the Old Madam. If the Old Madam allowed it, she would probably even skip the morning and evening greetings. Now, to proactively dine with the Old Madam, Madam Yan couldn't help but suspect Xiao Man of having ulterior motives.
"I heard the eldest young master sent a letter home."
Madam Yan frowned upon hearing this. Her eldest son, Xiao Luo, was her legitimate son, and he was also Xiao Man's full brother. Yet, among the many women in their mansion, none had given birth to a son.
Madam Yan also regretted not having a son. She had consumed a lot of tonics, but the General was often away, and even when he returned, he was not interested in women. Madam Yan, despite her myriad schemes, had nowhere to apply them.
"He only sends letters to his sister. Who else in this mansion would he miss?" Madam Yan sneered. "It's a pity I don't have a son to rely on. However, he is in Cloud City, which is a strategic stronghold. Once war breaks out, it will be the first to be affected. Who knows if he will return alive."
"Madam, you mustn't say such things," Madam Luo immediately said. "If the General's Mansion has no heir, it is unlikely to remain glorious for long."
Madam Yan gritted her teeth and stared at her belly for a long time. "Is the medicine you prepared ready?"
"It's been prepared all along. The General will be back soon. Madam, seize this opportunity to capture the General's heart. It's been a long time since the mansion had a new addition. If Madam can give birth to a son, then your status will be unshakeable."
Madam Yan slowly nodded. Her daughter was about to come of age. When Xiao Zhen returned, he would have to stay in her room. Moreover, with the order for male descendants in the mansion, the Old Madam was somewhat displeased. If she could get pregnant again, the Old Madam would be happy, and her own life would be easier.
"By the way, how is the second young lady?"
"I heard the mansion physician examined her and she has recovered considerably, but her vitality has been greatly depleted. She is now a chess piece that has been sacrificed. Before long, the Old Madam will probably find a family to marry her off to," Madam Luo replied. A庶女 (shu nü - daughter of a concubine) who had lost her chastity could only be married off to a distant place or go to a nunnery.
Madam Yan's eyes flickered, and a smile curved her lips. "As the mistress of this household, I should still be concerned about her. Go and inquire. Find a good family for her!"
Madam Luo smiled knowingly and nodded in agreement. "Oh, and these are the maids yet to be assigned in the mansion. The list is all here. Should we send them to the eldest young lady's courtyard tomorrow for her to choose?"
"You handle it as you see fit. Oh, and the mansion physician..."
"Regarding the mansion physician, the Old Madam has already sent word that the new physician will report for duty tomorrow," Madam Luo's eyes flickered. "I heard this person was recommended by the steward."
"Let's see first. Don't act rashly, lest we displease the Old Madam."
"Yes."