Regardless of Qi Mingzhu's intentions, she couldn't accept these seemingly valuable items. Accepting gifts would obligate her, making it difficult to distance herself later.
Qi Zhenzhen feigned a look of utmost deference. "Sister, these items are too precious. I cannot accept them. Besides, this is the Princess Consort's token of affection for you. If I accept it, wouldn't that be disregarding the Princess Consort's feelings?"
If the Princess Consort were to find out, even if she had done nothing wrong, she would be blamed.
Qi Mingzhu shot Fu Su an angry glare. "Do I need your input?"
Fu Su lowered her head, appearing contrite.
"Don't overthink it, little sister. Grandmother sends such things from time to time, and I simply cannot wear them all. Rather than letting them gather dust here, it's better for you to wear them and let people appreciate their beauty." Qi Mingzhu said with apparent sincerity, holding Qi Zhenzhen's hand as if she wouldn't let go unless Qi Zhenzhen accepted.
With such insistence, Qi Zhenzhen had no choice but to reach into the box and casually pick out a hairpin. "Sister, I think this hairpin is lovely. I'll shamelessly take it, but any more, and I couldn't even accept this one."
Qi Mingzhu didn't press further and personally pinned the cricket hairpin Qi Zhenzhen had chosen onto her.
The cricket's whiskers quivered as if it could leap off the hairpin at any moment.
The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the design unique. Even someone unfamiliar with valuables could tell the hairpin was worth a fortune.
"Second Miss has excellent taste. This hairpin is one of a kind," Fu Su chimed in promptly. "It was personally designed by the owner of Jinxiu Workshop!"
Qi Zhenzhen realized then that the mistress and servant were working in tandem.
She gave Feixu a look, and Feixu presented a delicate small box. Qi Zhenzhen opened it and offered it to Qi Mingzhu. "Sister, as a return gift, this is for you. It may not be as significant as the cricket hairpin, but it's a token of my affection. I hope you won't dislike it."
The kingfisher was vibrantly colored and lifelike. Although the gemstones were ordinary, the design was interesting and unique.
"Are these beads Grandma gave you?" Qi Mingzhu asked, momentarily surprised.
"Yes," Qi Zhenzhen nodded.
"I wonder which maidservant by Second Miss's side is so skillful to create such a unique item," Fu Su exclaimed, feigning amazement.
Feixu's lips curved upwards. "Fu Su sister, you've guessed wrong. This is not the skill of us maids. Our young lady said this is a gift for Eldest Miss, and doing it herself makes it more meaningful. This kingfisher was strung with the most beautifully colored beads by our young lady. She strung two kingfishers; this larger one is for Eldest Miss, and there's a smaller one for Third Miss. She had originally intended to make one for herself too, but she ran out of beads, so she only made a few small flowers to adorn her hair comb."
The fact that Qi Zhenzhen made it herself meant the sentiment was no less significant than the valuable hairpin. Furthermore, it subtly highlighted Qi Zhenzhen's equal treatment of her sisters, demonstrating her affection.
Fu Su looked somewhat awkward, and Qi Mingzhu was also displeased—
To think that her gift was the same as the one for Qi Xuanyuan. Although they were differentiated by size, Qi Mingzhu preferred to believe it was because Qi Xuanyuan was young and the larger one wouldn't suit her.
"Little sister, you are truly thoughtful," Qi Mingzhu said, suppressing her displeasure. While the item was unique, it didn't make her dote on it. Since that was the case, she wouldn't dwell on it. She could give it to any of the maids in her chambers later; they were just trinkets anyway.
With nothing more to say, Qi Zhenzhen used the lateness of the hour as an excuse to take her leave.
Qi Mingzhu breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. "Then I won't keep you. Come visit me more often, little sister. We don't have many sisters in the manor. Next time, let's invite Third Sister to join us. However, Third Sister is rather quiet; perhaps you won't like her company."
"As she is my sister, how could I dislike her?" Qi Zhenzhen replied lightly. "After all, even an unrefined sister like me is not disliked by you."
After leaving Mingzhu Garden, Qi Zhenzhen's tense nerves relaxed slightly. "I truly can't fathom this Eldest Sister's disposition. What exactly is her intention?"
"Perhaps she sees that Miss has gained the Old Matriarch's favor? So she's eager to put on a show of sisterly affection? After all, it's hard to deceive someone like the Old Matriarch. If it's just surface-level effort, she might be seen through," Feixu said hesitantly.
"I don't think so," Qi Zhenzhen shook her head. "Given her status as a pampered daughter of nobility, she wouldn't stoop to such actions."
The mistress and her two servants couldn't figure out Qi Mingzhu's intentions. "Alright, let's not think about it anymore. If she wants to act, we'll play along. Erxi, lead the way, let's go to Third Miss's courtyard."
The courtyard where Qi Xuanyuan lived didn't even have a name, which spoke volumes about her status.
There were no elderly women guarding the courtyard entrance, nor were there any people inside. Compared to Mingzhu Garden, it was desolate, with several flowerbeds overgrown with weeds.
A maidservant sat on a low stool under the corridor, nodding off.
Qi Zhenzhen exchanged glances with Feixu and Erxi. This Third Miss of the Marquis's manor was perhaps just a title?
Gently pushing open the door, Qi Zhenzhen entered alone. The room was furnished very simply and had a somewhat cold atmosphere. A thin, small maid was doing embroidery on a couch by the window. Her padded jacket was loose and dark, making her appear even more frail.
The person matched Qi Zhenzhen's memory of Qi Xuanyuan. Qi Zhenzhen felt that Qi Xuanyuan hadn't grown in height or put on weight in the past few years.
"Xuanyuan," Qi Zhenzhen called out softly.
Qi Xuanyuan blinked, tilted her head slightly, and stared at Qi Zhenzhen for a moment before suddenly standing up. "Xuanyuan greets Second Sister. Why has Second Sister come?"
After speaking, she flusteredly picked up the teapot, intending to pour tea for Qi Zhenzhen.
Unfortunately, the tea that poured out was cold, and the pastries on the couch were dry and unappetizing.
Her life was even worse than hers, the country girl in others' eyes.
"Don't trouble yourself. Sister has already eaten. Come, sit down, and keep Sister company." Qi Zhenzhen sat down first. "Here, this is a meeting gift from Sister. See if you like it?"
She then handed the small box to Qi Xuanyuan, gesturing for her to open it.
The little girl's eyes sparkled with joy. "Second Sister, is this truly for me?"
Qi Zhenzhen nodded. "Sister doesn't have many presentable things. This was strung by Sister herself. Wrapped around a hairpin, it's very unique to wear."
Qi Xuanyuan examined it back and forth, clearly infatuated. "Xuanyuan likes it very much."
Qi Zhenzhen then had Qi Xuanyuan find a hairpin and, using the colored threads in her sewing basket, wrapped the kingfisher around it.
"Come, Sister will put it in for you," Qi Zhenzhen beckoned Qi Xuanyuan.
Qi Xuanyuan obediently leaned her head towards Qi Zhenzhen. Once it was pinned, Qi Xuanyuan straightened up and happily went to look in the mirror.
"Who are you people? Why are you in Third Miss's courtyard?" a sharp voice from outside rang out.