The old madam patiently comforted Madam Lu for a few more sentences before sending her away.
"How could Madam do such a thing?" Nanny Fang looked incredulous.
"She was sure my elder sister-in-law wouldn't tell me!" The old madam snorted coldly. "Unfortunately, she underestimated my elder sister-in-law; she's always been someone who acts unconventionally. Go to Jinghua Courtyard and give her a reminder. Even with the Prince's Mansion backing her, if she does something that disgraces the Marquis's Mansion, this old woman and the Marquis will not tolerate it. Tell her to rein in her petty schemes, as this matter was orchestrated by her."
Nanny Fang nodded in agreement and, taking Zi Ling with her, headed to Jinghua Courtyard.
Young Madam Qin forced a smile and listened as Nanny Fang conveyed the old madam's message. Beneath her wide sleeves, her fists were clenched so tightly that her fingernails dug into her flesh. What a Madam Lu, to have complained behind her back and then extricated herself, pushing all the blame onto her.
"Nanny Fang," Young Madam Qin said, looking as if she were about to cry, "I never expected my uncle's wife to say such things to Mother. I... my uncle's wife has come to my courtyard several times, hinting that she wanted to find a high-ranking and influential husband for Qing Jie'er. I thought it was Mother's intention, as she is Mother's sister-in-law. If Mother hadn't instructed her, how could she have found her way to me? As for the marriage to the Duke's Mansion, I said from the beginning that the Duke's Mansion was interested in a daughter of our Marquis's Mansion. My uncle's wife was insistent, saying Qing Jie'er was the most suitable, implying Mother's approval."
She was pleading innocence.
Nanny Fang remained impassive. "This old servant is only here to convey the old madam's intentions. As for anything else, Madam can speak directly to the old madam. Furthermore, Madam, as the lady of the Marquis's Mansion, do you conduct your affairs solely based on guesswork? You thought it was the old madam's intention, but I don't know if the old madam ever sent you a clear message instructing you on what to do. This kind of shirking is not befitting the mistress of a household."
With that, she bowed and took her leave, leaving Young Madam Qin no room to speak further.
As soon as Nanny Fang left, Young Madam Qin's expression turned completely dark. She ordered the attending maids to close the doors and then smashed a great many things, only then feeling a bit more at ease.
Nanny Fang returned and reported Young Madam Qin's defense to the old madam. The old madam was not angered by it. "It's as expected. Now that this matter has been exposed, she naturally doesn't want to be implicated and will try to justify herself. Let this matter end here. Keep an eye on both sides. Madam Lu will not leave anytime soon. Just tell her that if she acts rashly again, the Marquis's Mansion will not tolerate her and her children, and she will then behave herself. As for Madam, have Zi Yan keep a closer watch on her and send word immediately if anything happens. After all, the Princess of Qin's Mansion is behind her, and she is not someone to be trifled with." The old madam was very angry about this matter. Her granddaughter, who had been schemed against, had been well-behaved from beginning to end and had not uttered a word of complaint. Yet, those who had plotted against her were the ones crying foul. It was truly exasperating and gave her a headache.
Qi Zhenzhen was completely unaware of these affairs. She was currently in Yun Shi's room.
"Are the things the servants in the mansion are saying true?" Yun Shi asked, her face pale and very nervous. The last time the Marquis came, he had spoken about lifting Zhenzhen's engagement to the Lu family. This time, he said he had not mistreated Zhenzhen, that he had arranged for her to marry the heir of the Duke's Mansion as the primary wife, and that she would marry with the status of a legitimate daughter, with a generous dowry. He had also requested the title of Marquis's heir for Yi Ge'er. Not only that, but she herself had become a secondary wife, and the maids now respectfully addressed her as the second madam.
When she first heard all this, Yun Shi was somewhat bewildered, unsure whether it was true or not. She recognized the heir of the Duke's Mansion; he was a fine young man. When they were in the countryside, the way that boy looked at Zhenzhen was unusual. She hadn't expected him to be matched with Zhenzhen now.
But that wasn't right either. Did he know their identities?
Yun Shi pondered for a long time, confused, but she was ultimately a little happy that her Zhenzhen had found a good match.
However, those words circulating among the servants...
Yun Shi eagerly called Zhenzhen over and asked if she knew what was really going on.
"Mother, you've met him. If you disregard those rumors, what do you think?" Qi Zhenzhen asked.
He was handsome and refined, with a distinguished appearance, graceful in his bearing and very polite. Apart from being a little cold, he could be described as a talented young man.
"Naturally, he is good," Yun Shi said. "But rumors don't arise from nothing. They say he hasn't married at his age because he has a preference for men, and if you marry him, you'll be a widow for life. A prominent family background sounds good, of course, but the Duke's Mansion's power and status far exceed those of ordinary ducal and marquis families. The Marquis's Mansion's status is inferior to the Duke's Mansion. If you are wronged, the Marquis's Mansion will not have the confidence to support you."
Qi Zhenzhen stood up, walked behind Yun Shi, and gently wrapped her arms around Yun Shi's shoulders. "Mother, before returning to the mansion, Gu Sinian already knew our identities. He told me that he would find a way to marry me, not as a concubine, but as the primary wife. He told me to wait with peace of mind."
These words were half true and half false, intended only to reassure Yun Shi.
"As for the rumors, Mother, you know they are usually exaggerated. Something that's a little bad becomes ten times worse after being spread by people. Coupled with the Duke's Mansion's high status and power, there are bound to be many envious people, so such rumors will only intensify, with the aim of slandering the Duke's Mansion. Besides, Xiao Niu is serving by Gu Sinian's side. If Gu Sinian were truly as rumored, do you think Xiao Niu would not tell me? He's always been unable to keep secrets from me."
"So, you mean those rumors about the heir being unfavorable are all baseless?" Yun Shi asked doubtfully.
Qi Zhenzhen nodded. "Yes."
Of course, the matter of his preference for men was not entirely baseless. Qi Zhenzhen added in her heart, but she couldn't say such things to Yun Shi.
Yun Shi breathed a sigh of relief, tears of joy streaming down her face. "Mother has always worried about your marriage. Now it seems everything is fine. Heaven has not treated you unfairly. You have always been sensible, and Mother has nothing much to advise you on, only hoping that your future days will be peaceful and harmonious."
"Not just me, but you and Yi Ge'er too. The three of us must live well!"
"That is only natural."
After the marriage was settled, Qi Zhenzhen officially became a bride-to-be and was supervised by the old madam in embroidering her dowry.
In the old madam's words, although people of their status did not have to embroider their dowries themselves, there were some things they could not avoid. After marriage, to show sincerity, the needlework for the elders of the husband's family had to be done personally. Fortunately, they were not large items, but rather handkerchiefs, pouches, and the like. Qi Zhenzhen felt she could handle them, so she dutifully reported to the old madam every day and diligently did her embroidery.