Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme

Xiao Yanzheng held Yong and accompanied the Grand Dowager in conversation. Yong squirmed on her lap, and the Grand Dowager chuckled, "Let him go play; he must be feeling restless having to sit and talk with us."

"It’s hot outside." Xiao Yanzheng pinched Yong’s cheek. "Stay here and don’t go anywhere."

Yong pouted and looked at the Grand Dowager with aggrieved eyes, "Grandmother..." Then he glanced outside eagerly. He could hear Zhi and Kun talking and Xuan’s excited voice, making him even more anxious.

"Come to Grandmother." The Grand Dowager took Yong and smiled, "Gong and Ying are taking a nap in the room. Why don’t you go play with them?" She pointed outside again, "You’re the youngest with them; let’s not play with the older ones, shall we?"

Yong dropped his head and nodded reluctantly. Grand Dowager had his nanny take him to play with Gong.

Xiao Yanzheng let out a breath, sipped some tea, and complained to the Grand Dowager, "Mother, you should come stay with me for a few days. At home, I have no one to talk to except the two kids..." She snuggled against the Grand Dowager, whining, "And I’m always tied down by the kids, unable to go anywhere, feeling quite anxious."

The Grand Dowager patted Xiao Yanzheng’s head and teased, "Now that you’re a mother, you’re still acting spoiled, shameless." But her smile only grew broader.

Just then, Xiqiu and the First Madam entered together. The First Madam laughed and added, "She always was the youngest; even at fifty, she’d still be the youngest..." indicating that Xiao Yanzheng was like a perpetual child.

Xiqiu sat down beside Xiao Yanzheng, and the Grand Dowager asked, "Is everything arranged?" Xiqiu nodded, "Everything is arranged."

The Grand Dowager smiled, "It’s been a long time since we invited them over for some liveliness." She thought for a moment and asked, "Has the carriage to the Shouning Bo Mansion been sent?" The Grand Dowager was unaware of Tong Xiyu’s situation.

"It’s been gone for half an hour; it should be arriving soon." Xiqiu said with a smile, noticing the absence of children in the room, and asked, "Where did they all go to play?"

Xiao Yanzheng pointed to the backyard, "Zhi and Kun are playing sandbags with Xuan and Wan in the backyard." She remembered that Tong Xiyan and Madam Jiang would be coming today, along with Xing and Nian, and laughed, "It will surely be lively."

As the saying goes, speak of the devil and he appears; outside, they could hear Madam Jiang’s voice. Xiqiu stood up, "I’ll go greet them." and lifted the curtain to go outside.

Sure enough, Madam Jiang entered with Tong Xiyan holding a child in his arms, followed by Nian, and Tong Xihua holding Xing’s hand. Mrs. Chen also entered with Chao in her arms. Xiqiu smiled, "Come in quickly; it’s cool inside." She took Yu from Tong Xiyan and nodded at Mrs. Chen.

Tong Xihua performed a curtsy and called out, "Sixth Sister." She wore a narrow-sleeved short jacket in pale green with a light pink floral overcoat, her hair styled in Willow Braid with a Cuiyu hairpin on each side, appearing graceful and dignified yet retaining a childlike innocence.

The family had hired a nanny formerly from the palace to teach Tong Xihua and Xing manners. Tong Xihua also learned embroidery from Madam Xia and decorum from Madam Luo. In just a couple of years, Xiqiu felt she had almost transformed, no longer running wildly through the courtyard with Kun and Zhi.

"Come in quickly," Xiqiu said with a smile, and Xing, following behind, sweetly called, "Sixth Aunt." Her hair was styled in two buns, with a red silk flower hanging on one side, appearing lively and adorable. Xiqiu held Yu and took Xing’s hand.

Madam Jiang had already entered, followed by Tong Xiyan, and Xiqiu led Mrs. Chen and Tong Xihua inside as well.

After exchanging greetings, Bihuai set out stools and served tea, and everyone sat quietly.

The Grand Dowager saw Chao and reached out, "Seventh Young Madam, let me take a look." Mrs. Chen was happy to oblige, handing Chao over. Chao wore a red bellyband and a green jacket, his face handsome with eyes resembling Xiqiu’s, and the Grand Dowager, captivated, stroked his cheek, "He looks so much like Gong."

Xiao Yanzheng joined in, "How could cousins not resemble each other?" She looked at Chao, "Look at those big round eyes, I’m so envious." Yong, taking after his uncle, didn’t have the same big round eyes.

Mrs. Chen, speaking with them for the first time, was a bit reserved but maintained her decorum. Smiling, she replied, "Second Sister, you’re being modest... Yong is sturdy and lively, and very handsome indeed." She added, "Where is Yong, by the way?"

"He was pouting at me earlier, wanting to go to the back to play with his sister," she laughed, pulling Mrs. Chen to sit beside her, "I persuaded him to play with Gong and Ying."

Mrs. Chen nodded with a smile.

Nian, already restless, slipped out from behind Tong Xiyan, "Where are they?" eager to find Zhi.

Seeing his antics, everyone couldn’t help but laugh. The Grand Dowager, full of spirit, loved watching children play and said, "Let him go." She pulled Nian over, "Have someone accompany you."

Tong Xiyan, preoccupied with Yu, left Nian in the care of the household tutor. Hearing his demands to play, he sighed, "Go on then, but don’t cause trouble and listen to your older siblings."

Nian’s thoughts were already elsewhere, nodding carelessly, then turned to look at Xing, who, with her big watery eyes, seemed to be seeking permission from Madam Jiang. Madam Jiang chuckled, "You can go too, don’t linger here."

Xing laughed, took Nian’s hand, and ran out joyfully. After a few steps, she remembered her mother was watching and slowed down, but at the door, she and Nian quickened their pace, running out freely when the curtain lifted.

Outside, they heard Lyuzhi shout, "Little Master, Little Miss, slow down."

Inside, the room filled with joyful laughter.

The Grand Dowager and the First Madam presented meet-gifts to Yu and Chao. The two children, still young and tired from the carriage ride, were already dozing. Xiqiu suggested, "Take them to rest with Gong and Ying."

The room quieted down.

Only then did the Grand Dowager notice Tong Xihua, quietly sitting, sipping tea and listening to their conversation. Surprised, she said, "Twelfth Miss has grown up." She beckoned, "Come over so I can take a look."

Tong Xihua set down her teacup, her face reddening, and walked over, bowing properly, "Grand Dowager."

The Grand Dowager held her hand, looking her over, and said to the First Madam, "I remember her and Zhi attending school together, with her hair in twin buns just like Xing. Time flies, and she’s become a young lady."