Li Qing’s face was full of grievance, her lips pouted, and her eyes were teary.
The Old Madam quickly spoke, “It was my oversight. These youngsters are most fond of gathering together. Qing’er and Mingzhu are good friends, so let her stay in Mingzhu’s courtyard. That way, their bond can grow even closer. Nuan’er, Rou’er, what about you two? Will you also go to Mingzhu’s courtyard?”
Li Nuan glanced at her grandmother and, seeing the encouragement in her eyes, said, “Then I’ll go to Zhenzhen’s courtyard. It wouldn’t be right for all of us to flock to Sister Mingzhu’s place, would it? Rou’er, where are you going?”
Li Rou pointed at Qi Xuanxuan, “I’ll go to Sister Xuanxuan’s courtyard.”
One after another, it worked out perfectly.
Qi Zhenzhen led Li Nuan and her maidservant towards Longxiang Garden.
“Sister Zhenzhen, you won’t mind my uninvited visit, will you? My grandmother wanted me to go to Sister Mingzhu’s place too, but I didn’t want to. It’s all about affinity between people. Sister Mingzhu is such a radiant person; it’s enough for me to admire her from afar.” Li Nuan’s voice was a little hesitant.
“I was already planning to ask you to come to my courtyard. I hadn’t even figured out an excuse to invite you when your sister handled it for me.” Qi Zhenzhen blinked her eyes. “I also know some fragrance recipes. I’ll write them down for you later.”
“Okay, okay, okay.” Li Nuan responded cheerfully.
Mingzhu Garden.
As she walked through the courtyard and entered the room, Li Qing could not hide her shock. Both were legitimate daughters, yet Qi Mingzhu’s courtyard was much larger than hers, and the furnishings and decorations were not on the same level.
“Sister Mingzhu, your courtyard is truly beautiful.” Li Qing’s face was full of envy. “These furniture pieces are made of huanghuali wood, aren’t they? In my home, only Grandmother’s furniture is made of huanghuali wood. This coral red, like blood, it’s the first time I’ve seen such beautiful coral. And these jade ornaments, they must be made of mutton-fat jade, aren’t they? The quality is truly excellent!”
Li Qing looked at this and touched that. Qi Mingzhu was very annoyed. Such a greedy look made her feel sick. She remembered that Qi Zhenzhen, the country bumpkin who returned from the countryside, hadn’t acted like this towards Li Qing. The legitimate daughters of the Li family were nothing more than this; they were probably not even as good as some concubine-born daughters.
“Sister Qing’er must be tired from the day. Please rest quickly. Tomorrow, I’ll take you around properly.” Qi Mingzhu suppressed her impatience and said with a smile, “Fusu, please escort the cousin to the side room to rest.”
Li Qing quickly took Qi Mingzhu’s arm. “Sister Mingzhu, can’t I sleep in the same bed with you? I don’t have any elder sisters. Today, meeting you, I feel so close to you, as if I wish you were my own sister.”
You want a sister like me, but I don’t want a sister like you.
“I’ve been used to sleeping alone since I was young,” Qi Mingzhu said. “Besides, if we sleep together, we’ll definitely talk, and then we won’t be able to rest well at night. If we’re not energetic tomorrow and the elders in the family see it, we’ll be scolded.”
Li Qing pouted. Just as she was about to speak, she was pulled by the maidservant behind her. The words at the tip of her tongue changed, “It was my presumption. I’ll talk to Sister Mingzhu again tomorrow.”
After entering the side room, Li Qing’s maidservant closed the door and said with a serious expression, “Miss, know when to stop. The eldest young lady of the Marquis’s mansion appears to be a reserved person and is not very keen on fostering close relationships with her peers. If you are too clingy, you might provoke her dislike. Furthermore, you are a legitimate young lady of the Li Mansion. You should maintain your dignity. Even if you are shocked internally, you must not show it on your face. Otherwise, people will look down on you.”
Li Qing pouted, looking displeased. “Grandmother sent you to take care of me, not to lecture me. You need to know your place.”
“The Old Madam also instructed me that if Miss acts improperly, I am to offer advice. Otherwise, if Miss causes any trouble, I will also be punished along with her.” The maidservant said neither subserviently nor arrogantly.
Li Qing snorted coldly, “Aren’t you going to come and serve me quickly?”
The next day.
Qi Zhenzhen squinted her eyes as Feixu and Lianbei pulled her out of bed.
Washing, changing clothes, and combing her hair.
After about thirty minutes of fussing, Qi Zhenzhen was still sleepy.
“Last night, the maids urged you and the cousin to sleep many times, but you refused. Now you know how uncomfortable sleep deprivation is, right? If you don’t hurry, you’ll be late for the morning greeting. If you’re late, Miss’s reputation will be tarnished. If the Old Madam and Madam of the Li family see it, they’ll surely laugh at you in their hearts.” Feixu said.
Qi Zhenzhen forced her eyes open. “Lianbei, take a handkerchief, soak it in cold water, and bring it to me so I can put it on my eyes. Erxi, bring a boiled egg and roll it over my eyes.”
After a series of efforts, Qi Zhenzhen’s dark circles looked less obvious.
Finally, she applied a thin layer of powder. If not examined closely, her complexion still looked good.
“Have the pastries been made?” Qi Zhenzhen’s voice was filled with unconcealed laziness.
“Sister Feixu woke up early this morning and finished them. They have already been packed into the food box and sent to Auntie. They were also sent to Young Master; my brother picked them up at the垂花门 (chuí huā mén – a decorative gate in traditional Chinese architecture).” Lianbei said cheerfully.
Qi Zhenzhen yawned. “Let’s go to Grandmother’s place.”
“Why do you look like you haven’t woken up?” the Old Madam asked.
“Last night, I talked with Sister Nuan for a while longer, and I pestered her with questions about making fragrances. It was already past midnight when I went to bed.” Qi Zhenzhen did not pretend in front of the Old Madam. “Sister Nuan taught me a method for configuring a calming incense. I’ll make some for Grandmother to use later. They say if you light it at night, you sleep very soundly.”
“Your maternal grandaunt gave me a box of calming incense, saying she spent a lot of money to buy it. I used it last night, and I indeed slept soundly all night, without even a single dream.” The Old Madam took out the incense box.
It was a round incense box in natural wood color, the same as the one Li Nuan had given them.
“Sister Nuan’s craftsmanship is excellent. If she sold it, it would fetch a high price.” Qi Zhenzhen made a funny face.
“You little mischievous imp.” The Old Madam chided Qi Zhenzhen with a glare. However, in her heart, she felt even more displeased with Madam Lu. Even a box of incense pills required lying; she was truly stingy.
After eating breakfast and having some pastries with the Old Madam, Qi Zhenzhen was yawning constantly.
“You don’t need to stay here with me. Go back and get some more sleep.” The Old Madam urged.
“Soon, the young ladies from the Li family will surely come to pay their respects. Your granddaughter will stay here with you. After lunch, I’ll take a nap.” Qi Zhenzhen tried hard to open her eyes, warding off sleepiness.
Not long after she finished speaking, Qi Mingzhu arrived with Li Qing. Li Nuan, who had gone to find Li Rou early in the morning, also arrived with Qi Xuanxuan.
“How well did you girls sleep last night? If you need anything, just tell your great-aunt. You must not wrong yourselves.” After receiving everyone’s greetings, the Old Madam spoke kindly.
Li Nuan and Li Rou said in unison, “Our sisters hosted us very well. We feel as comfortable as if we were in our own homes.”
Li Qing inwardly scoffed, ‘Flatterers! If you don’t make requests now, when will you?’