"I really shouldn't have let Auntie come along," Li Rou said anxiously. "Mother was never one with a big heart. She was already jealous of Auntie's favor with Father back at our estate. Now that Sister Nuan has found such a good match, Mother is practically consumed by envy. If she gets a chance, she'll surely make things difficult for Auntie!"
"But what can we do..." Li Nuan had also lost her usual composure, her face full of worry.
"Don't you worry too much," Qi Zhenzhen said after a moment's thought. "This is the Marquis's estate, not the Li estate. Your stepmother can't cause too much trouble. She's just here to give your Auntie a warning on her first day. Tomorrow morning, we'll go to Grandmother. We'll have Grandmother find an excuse to call your Auntie to her side, and then they won't have any opportunity to torment her."
Li Nuan and Li Rou exchanged a look, their eyes filled with undisguised joy. If their Auntie could stay by their grandaunt's side, she wouldn't have to suffer.
"Zhenzhen, thank you."
"Do we need to be so polite between sisters?"
With a solution found, Li Nuan's mood improved considerably. She had someone bring out all the things her Auntie had brought. "Zhenzhen, Xuanxuan, see if you like anything?"
They were all handmade crafts, little trinkets that girls liked.
"My Auntie is very skilled with her hands. These are all things she makes herself," Li Rou said proudly. "Second Sister, look at this doll. Its eyes are inlaid with black gems. See, it moves when you shake it."
Qi Zhenzhen examined them one by one. Indeed, the seemingly ordinary trinkets were quite extraordinary, all crafted with care and skill. Most importantly, they were made with ingenuity, something most people couldn't achieve.
Qi Zhenzhen chose a frog that chirped when squeezed. Qi Xuanxuan chose the doll with moving eyes, along with many outfits for the doll. They were a bit like the dress-up Barbie dolls sold in later generations, and looked quite fun.
After chatting for a while, the sisters returned to their rooms to rest.
Qi Zhenzhen thought for a moment, then took up her brush and wrote a letter, asking Erxi to deliver it to Gu Sinian.
Gu Sinian received the letter and was quite pleased. However, when he opened it, his face fell.
It turned out the letter wasn't for him, but was asking him to deliver it to Qian Yuanbao.
The letter detailed Li Nuan's father and Auntie's arrival, emphasizing how Li Nuan's Auntie was being bullied by her stepmother and how sad Li Nuan was. It concluded with a few compliments for Qian Yuanbao, calling him a kind-hearted person.
There had been many rumors about Qian Yuanbao recently, and Gu Sinian had heard some of them. That fellow was too cunning.
The next morning, Gu Sinian reluctantly made a trip to the Qian family's residence and handed the letter to Qian Yuanbao.
"How will you thank me?" Gu Sinian asked, looking at him askance.
"You just ran an errand. Do you have the nerve to accept my thanks? Qi Zhenzhen wrote the letter. If anyone should be thanked, it's her," Qian Yuanbao rolled his eyes.
"It doesn't matter, we are family," Gu Sinian said slowly.
"A Nian, how did I not realize you were so thick-skinned before?"
"Not as thick-skinned as you, you boastful fellow."
Qian Yuanbao was speechless. After a while, he muttered, "When did I boast? I was clearly, clearly speaking the truth. Alright, you've delivered the letter. Hurry up and leave, don't delay my important business."
After sending Gu Sinian away, Qian Yuanbao frowned and thought for a long time without finding any solution. With no other option, he went straight to the Old Madam's courtyard. She had experienced much and would surely have a proper plan.
Qian Yuanbao embellished Li Nuan's plight as he told it. The Old Madam's face was filled with anger. His grandson was finally about to get married, and she quite liked the young lady. Now she was being bullied? This was clearly disrespecting their Qian family!
Bullying others based on status and position?
This was easy to handle.
Old Madam Qian took the imperial token given to her by the Emperor and led Qian Yuanbao into the palace.
She had been angry when she went in, but came out smiling. That afternoon, someone arrived at the Changping Marquis's estate to deliver an imperial decree.
The decree was for Li Nuan.
The imperial edict stated that the Qian family's Old Madam was the current Emperor's wet nurse, and their relationship was akin to mother and son. As Qian Yuanbao was the only remaining heir of the Qian family, he naturally needed to be looked after. Hearing that Li Nuan possessed a gentle nature and was both knowledgeable and generous, she was bestowed a marriage with Qian Yuanbao. Since Qian Yuanbao had no interest in officialdom, the honor was bestowed upon Li Nuan, who was enfeoffed as a County Princess. Naturally, the birth mother of a County Princess could not be a concubine, so Li Nuan's Auntie was also officially elevated to the status of Li Su's equal wife.
The entire Li family was stunned. It was the Old Madam who reacted quickly. She bribed the eunuch who delivered the decree and sent them away.
Qi Zhenzhen was also a bit dazed. She had only written to ask Qian Yuanbao to think of a solution, never expecting him to find one so quickly, and one so effective. A betrothal, an enfeoffment, not only for Li Nuan but also for Li Nuan's Auntie. This solved all the problems.
After the Li family members recovered their senses, some were happy and some were worried.
"Is the imperial decree correct?" Wang Shi's voice rang out inappropriately. How could a concubine be promoted to an equal wife? Although it was still a slight difference from her own status, an equal wife was a proper lady. How could she torment anyone in the future? Moreover, the Second Master had always doted on her. Wouldn't she be stepping on her toes from now on?
"Foolish woman!" Li Su flicked his sleeve and cursed. "Are you questioning the imperial decree? Questioning the current Emperor? Who gave you the courage? If you want to die, don't drag the entire Li family down with you."
Wang Shi trembled. She hadn't meant anything by it, she was just asking.
"Sister-in-law, this is good news, it's a joyous occasion for our Li family," the Old Madam patiently said to Lu Shi. "Nuan Jie receiving this honor is also an honor for the Li family's daughters!"
The implication was that she should put away her unseemly thoughts and behave herself.
"Grandmother, the Emperor truly treats the Qian family differently," Qi Zhenzhen said, feigning surprise. Her words were meant to let the Li family members know that the Qian family had the Emperor as their backer, so they shouldn't be too arrogant and risk their own downfall.
"It's also Nuan Yatou's good fortune. My old friend is extremely fond of her, so I imagine Nuan Yatou's future marriage will not be difficult. You must not forget to help your brothers and sisters in the future," the Old Madam said.
Although they were merchants, with the Emperor's protection, who would dare look down on them? Such a Qian family certainly had the ability to help others.
Lu Shi was still displeased. She left in a hurry with her two daughters-in-law. Li Su was pulled away to the front courtyard by Qi Tianming. Li Nuan and Li Rou were so happy that they couldn't stop smiling, now able to openly call their mother "Mother." Qi Zhenzhen also felt a longing in her heart, wondering when she could earn such honor for Yun Shi.
The mother and daughters had much to discuss, so Qi Zhenzhen ceded Longxiang Garden to them and went to Tinglan Garden.
"Second Miss, Auntie Ruyan and our Auntie are talking in the room," the maid guarding the corridor said. "Auntie Ruyan has been coming here often these past few days and even ate meals in our Tinglan Garden."
Qi Zhenzhen nodded as she walked towards the room.
Yun Shi, hearing the movement, came out to greet her. "You've come at just the right time. Your Auntie Ruyan has brought some southern fruits. Try some."