Granny Fang comforted her in a gentle and soothing manner for a good while before the Old Madam’s anger subsided considerably.
“Knowing who they are, you’re still angry? You should agree, whether to do it or not is up to you! Besides, if Madam brings them out, it will depend on the abilities of the cousin-girls to see which family fancies them. Looking at them these past two days, Eldest Cousin is steady, and Third Cousin is also good. Only Second Cousin…” Granny
“That’s hardly a nurtured legitimate daughter, she’s so petty. Even daughters raised in humble homes wouldn’t be so unpresentable.” The Old Madam said angrily.
“I think Second Cousin has a rather high opinion of herself. She’s provoked Second Miss and Third Miss several times since yesterday.” Granny Fang also frowned.
“Is that girl Zhenzhen just letting her provoke them?”
“Second Miss probably sees her as your maternal relative and a guest, hence she’s quite tolerant.”
Longxiang Garden.
Li Nuan’s complexion was somewhat displeased. Judging by her appearance, if Qi Zhenzhen weren’t present, she might have burst into tears.
“Don’t overthink it, let them do as they please,” Qi Zhenzhen comforted her.
Li Nuan could no longer hold back and burst into tears, “I’ve never had the thought of marrying into a prominent family to be the mistress. I only wish to find a suitable match in the future, and have a harmonious marriage! If they have such ambitions, why must they drag me into it. It’s not that I’m belittling my sisters, but with her arrogant demeanor, would a prominent family fancy her? If she causes trouble, neither Rou’er nor I can escape, and those who haven’t even arrived yet will implicate the Marquis’s estate. Sister Zhenzhen, why am I so ill-fated?”
In ancient times, for families with many siblings, one could not truly stand out alone.
When one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, others’ reputations are also affected.
For the Li family’s young ladies and masters, if one did well, all did well; if one did poorly, others’ reputations could also be tarnished.
“Don’t worry, with Grandmother and Mother watching, there likely won’t be any major issues,” Qi Zhenzhen could only offer such comfort.
After a good cry, Li Nuan felt much of her pent-up frustration dissipate. Qi Zhenzhen asked Feixu to bring warm water and accompanied her in washing her face and tidying up.
“Sister, please forgive me. I was truly upset just now.” Li Nuan’s voice was still somewhat choked.
“By losing your composure in front of me, does that mean you truly consider me your own sister from the bottom of your heart?” Qi Zhenzhen asked with a smile.
Li Nuan nodded very seriously and with great effort, “I’ve long considered you my own sister.”
“So, you mustn’t hide anything from me when you’re in the estate, understand? If I can’t manage it, there’s still Grandmother. She wouldn’t let you be wronged,” Qi Zhenzhen instructed.
Li Nuan’s eyes curved, and she let out a low laugh.
Qi Zhenzhen seized the opportunity to mention Madam Lu sending the calming incense. Li Nuan’s mouth widened, “I was wondering why I was asked to make so much calming incense before coming, so it turns out…”
“Who told you your skills are so good? Grandmother even told me today that after using your calming incense, she slept soundly all night, without even dreaming.”
“Then I must watch you carefully to ensure you master this calming incense recipe completely, so that when I leave, Great Aunt won’t have to go without it,” Li Nuan said. “Also, I’ll teach you a few other commonly used incense recipes. Once you can mix them yourself, you’ll feel more at ease in the future.”
“Why doesn’t Sister consider staying in the capital, as your grandmother wishes? Sister is knowledgeable, dignified, and knows how to conduct herself, unlike Li Qing. We don’t aspire to prominent families, but a decent official family is still possible. Pick someone from a simple household, and have a harmonious life for a lifetime,” Qi Zhenzhen said slowly.
A flicker of hope crossed Li Nuan’s face, but it quickly vanished.
“If I marry in Yun’gui, I can at least look after my concubine mother. If I marry into the capital, my concubine mother…” Li Nuan shook her head. “She’s always been tolerant and never knew how to seek benefits for herself. In the wolf-like Li family, I fear she will suffer losses.”
Li Nuan spoke with great helplessness, and Qi Zhenzhen nodded, “Indeed, I have the same worry as you. My concubine mother is probably somewhat similar to your concubine mother.”
“Your concubine mother is better off. Not only do you have her, but you also have your brother. After you marry, your brother will still be in the estate. Unlike my concubine mother, who only has me and Rou’er.”
“What do you mean only me and you?”
Li Rou and Qi Xuanxuan, each holding a sheet of Xuan paper, walked in hand in hand.
“Nothing, I was just talking to Sister Zhenzhen,” Li Nuan said softly. “What are you holding?”
Li Rou spread the Xuan paper on the square table, “Sister Zhenzhen, how do you think my drawing is?”
It was a Q-version comic.
It wasn’t any animal figures that Qi Zhenzhen had drawn, but comic figures of people.
With big eyes, cute expressions, and smiling bodies, they were endearingly drawn and very beautiful.
“Second Sister, Sister Rou is so amazing. She saw the drawings of cute little animals you gave me and drew these,” Qi Xuanxuan said with admiration.
Is this considered integrating what one has learned?
“Good, really good. I almost thought I drew this,” Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile. “The two little girls, are they you and Sister Nuan?”
Li Rou nodded, “I’d never seen this kind of drawing before. I saw it in Sister Xuanxuan’s room and found it very charming. I apologize for looking without Sister Zhenzhen’s permission.”
Qi Zhenzhen waved her hand, “It’s nothing. These patterns of mine are not secret. Many people have seen them, but no one has studied the drawing techniques to draw other figures. So, it can only mean one thing, Sister Rou has talent.”
Li Rou smiled shyly, “I’ll draw one for Sister Zhenzhen later.”
“Rou’er, we are living in the Marquis’s estate now. If you’re going to give gifts, you must treat everyone equally,” Li Nuan instructed.
Li Rou pouted, “I don’t like Qi Mingzhu.”
Li Nuan glared at her, and Li Rou changed her tune, “Eldest Sister Mingzhu is the legitimate daughter and has high aspirations. How could she possibly fancy a painting by a mere concubine daughter like me? I’d rather not humiliate myself.”
“You girl, have you forgotten everything your concubine mother told you before we left? Concubine mother said to restrain yourself when you’re out, and don’t steal the spotlight. And you? Yesterday in the warm pavilion, if I hadn’t glared at you, would you have insisted on overshadowing the eldest young lady of the Marquis’s estate? Conceal your brilliance, conceal your brilliance!” Li Nuan’s voice rose slightly. “You also know you’re just a concubine daughter. If you steal the limelight from the legitimate daughter, no one will be happy.”
Li Rou appeared delicate, but her personality was rather stubborn. She bit her lip, held her head high, and met Li Nuan’s gaze.
“What’s wrong with being a concubine daughter? Why should a concubine daughter cower and hide in her shell like a turtle? How are we any worse than Li Qing? Why can she act as she pleases, while we have to abide by all sorts of rules? The problem is, even if we abide by the rules, our lives haven’t gotten any better. At home, Li Qing still bullies us whenever she wants, and even our concubine mother has to be careful and subservient. I’m truly tired of this kind of life!”