"I, I don't know," Madam Lu stammered, worried she might have disturbed some important guest.
"Sister, you know Qing'er, she's always been straightforward. Is there perhaps a misunderstanding? I personally raised her, and she's most well-mannered!" Madam Lu added after a moment's thought. She couldn't show any weakness; if she admitted Qing'er was a shrew from the marketplace, wouldn't that mean she herself was also a shrew?
"Straightforward? She's straightforward?" The Old Madam's brow twitched with anger. "Her mind is so twisted, and unfortunately, not for the better. She's lived in this manor for so many days, when has she ever brought me soup? And homemade, no less. Don't think I don't know that girl can't cook. The moment she enters a room, her eyes practically stick to the guests. Is that what you call well-mannered? A young lady staring intently at a man, you tell me, is that polite? And then she deliberately tried to stumble into him, what kind of politeness is that?"
Madam Lu's heart leaped. She knew her sister wouldn't exaggerate. Had that girl truly done such improper things? If Madam Qin found out, would she refuse to vouch for Qing'er? This had to be kept quiet!
Madam Lu dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, weeping, "Sister, this is also my fault. Our Li family is declining day by day, and I just thought, no matter what, I must find good homes for my girls. That's why I shamelessly stayed in the manor, hoping to gain some respect, and perhaps secure a good marriage. Qing'er probably wanted to please you by bringing the soup. She hasn't seen much of the world. Perhaps seeing a man in the room startled her, leading her to act so absurdly."
The Old Madam snorted, did she take her for a three-year-old child, so easily fooled?
"I called you here today not to pursue this matter, but to remind you to properly restrain Qing'er, to make her obedient and follow the rules, and stop her from having fanciful thoughts. As for marriage, as long as she can change her ways, I will naturally find her a suitable family. Don't be too ambitious. Given our Li family's current situation, forget about noble families. Finding a well-matched husband and living a good life as a principal wife is what matters most."
After all, they were her family. While angry, the Old Madam couldn't completely abandon them.
"Tell Qing'er to learn from Nuan'er. That girl is polite and sensible, with proper conduct, she's a good one," the Old Madam added. "And don't just focus on your嫡女 (legitimate daughter) all the time. Your庶女 (concubine-born daughter) also shares your bloodline. If the庶女 does well, isn't that also good for the Li family?"
Madam Lu mumbled a vague agreement. Of course, it was different. Qing'er was her son's daughter, while Nuan'er and Xing'er were the daughters of her concubine's son, with no blood relation to her. They were merely of the Li family bloodline.
"You may go. Don't forget what I said," the Old Madam sighed, speaking with a hint of weariness. "The gates of noble families are not so easily entered. Even if you get in, with Qing'er's temperament, can she bear the responsibilities of a family's matriarch? If you truly care for her, you should think carefully."
After Madam Lu left, Qi Zhenzhen asked, "Grandmother, do you think Aunt Dowager will listen to you?"
The Old Madam shook her head. "She's someone who is always striving to be the best. My heartfelt words, she not only won't listen to but will also misinterpret my intentions!"
On her way to the guest reception room, Madam Lu's suppressed anger from the Chaohui Hall erupted.
What was this talk of "for their own good"? Belittling her Qing'er. It was clearly malicious. She was afraid Qing'er would marry well and outshine her own granddaughters. She couldn't stand to see her do well, couldn't stand to see the Li family, which she managed, do well. It served her right to be kept in the dark. Qing'er was about to marry into a Duke's mansion! Oh, and she wondered how her nephew's wife was doing. When would the Duke's mansion propose? Da Feng Novel Network.
Speaking of which, that nephew's wife only put on a show of respect for her mother-in-law. In private, she was far from as respectful. What was that word? "Seemingly in harmony, but actually at odds."
Back in the guest room, Li Qing had already tidied herself up, her eyes still red.
Madam Lu, having been reprimanded by the Old Madam, was feeling very vexed. Seeing Li Qing's red eyes, she didn't offer comfort but instead scolded, "Tell me, why did you insist on going to your grand-aunt's place today, and ended up making yourself so miserable?"
As soon as this was mentioned, Li Qing's grievances resurfaced, and tears streamed down her face. "That young lord came, and I wanted to make an impression on him. But, but, who knew he would vomit when I got close? I really didn't do anything! Grandmother, his reaction must mean he dislikes me. If I marry him, how will I live?"
Although Li Qing was determined to marry into a noble family, she still had fantasies about her future husband, his appearance, his temperament. Ideally, after marriage, they would live in harmony and affection. But now, it seemed this young lord was not that kind of person at all!
Madam Lu was stunned. The young lord had come today?
She suddenly remembered what Madam Qin had said. Originally, she had intended to choose one of the Marquis's daughters to marry him. Had her good sister called him over for a viewing? Qi Zhenzhen was also there at the time. Perhaps they were viewing him in private. How despicable and shameless! (Qian Yuanbao: When did I become a young lord?)
"Alright, stop crying. It might just be an accident. Think about it, did the young lord show any expression of disgust towards you?" Madam Lu asked.
Li Qing thought back carefully and shook her head. "No, he just sat there properly, his eyes straight ahead, not looking at me, nor at Qi Zhenzhen."
Madam Lu felt slightly relieved. "It seems like it was an accident. He was probably feeling unwell, which is why he vomited. Don't be sad. He vomited on you, and he might remember you and feel guilty. This is a good thing."
Li Qing felt a little better with this comfort. She was favored by heaven. What she thought was a bad thing now seemed to have turned into a good thing.
"I'll find some time to ask your aunt again and see when the Duke's mansion will propose. By then, we, grandmother and granddaughter, will hold our heads high," Madam Lu said proudly. "However, what your grand-aunt said is also true. You must restrain your temper from now on. After all, the capital is not Yun Gui. The people here are either rich or noble. Your temperament is too straightforward. What if you offend someone? Learn from Nuan'er and Xing'er!"
Li Qing pouted. "Learn their petty ways? Being timid and shrinking, hiding in their courtyards all day, or flattering that concubine-born daughter Qi Zhenzhen? I don't know what those two girls are thinking. Does a concubine-born daughter require them to curry favor?"