Jinghua Courtyard.
Madam Qin’s face turned ashen upon hearing Madam Qin’s investigation results. “So it’s this little slut. I underestimated her. Is she so bold as to disregard me because the Old Madam favors her?”
“Madam, please calm your anger. This matter cannot be definitively proven as intentional on the second young lady’s part. That hairpin with the jeweled beads, you have one, the Old Madam has one, Concubine Yun has one, and the third young lady has one. Moreover, she went from the eldest young lady’s courtyard to the third young lady’s. Perhaps they hit it off and she sent her maid the next day? After all, she had no prior contact with the third young lady. This old servant believes it’s all a coincidence.” Madam Qin deliberated.
Madam Qin quickly recalled the events. Indeed, there was nothing to suggest any calculation. Could this truly be a coincidence?
Even if it were a coincidence, it was two little sluts colliding with her. She would remember this debt and settle it when the opportunity arose.
Two days after moving into Longxiang Courtyard, Qi Mingzhu paid a visit, bringing a pair of official kiln porcelain vases for flower arrangements and a small folding screen for a table.
“Sister, your move into Longxiang Courtyard is a cause for celebration. These two items are my small token of congratulation,” Qi Mingzhu said softly, her delicate face adorned with a faint smile.
Congratulating her on her housewarming – with such a reason, Qi Zhenzhen could not refuse the gifts.
Feixu took the items from Fusu. Qi Zhenzhen invited Qi Mingzhu to sit. “Sister, you feel so guilty, and you’ve gone to such expense for me.”
“Between sisters, why speak such formal words?” Qi Mingzhu replied with a hint of playful reproach.
Qi Zhenzhen felt helpless. People’s natures were often innate, some shaped by upbringing, but regardless, they couldn’t be changed overnight. Qi Mingzhu clearly looked down on illegitimate daughters and didn’t take them seriously. What had happened to make her suddenly act this way?
“Sister, have some tea.”
Just as Qi Zhenzhen was unsure how to respond, Lian Bei brought over the tea tray. Qi Zhenzhen quickly placed a cup before Qi Mingzhu.
Qi Mingzhu nodded slightly, picked up the teacup, blew on it gracefully before taking a sip, and then set it down.
“The tea is good, but the brewing is careless. Boiling water will dilute the tea’s natural fragrance and spoil the flavor,” Qi Mingzhu said faintly, her brow furrowed slightly.
Lian Bei felt a pang of embarrassment. She had brewed the tea, and the eldest young lady had found fault with it. This was clearly a subtle jab, implying the second young lady and her attendant were unsophisticated.
Qi Mingzhu indeed intended this, feeling that the rudeness of Qi Zhenzhen and others had ruined such fine tea.
Qi Zhenzhen, of course, understood her meaning.
She pursed her lips and smiled. “Sister, please forgive my ignorance. I lived in the countryside after I came of age. I don’t know what life was like in the countryside, but very few families could afford tea, and they only had the lowest grade of tea. In such circumstances, who would understand these subtleties? Unlike you, Sister, who grew up in the manor with fine silks and delicacies, and whose attendants were meticulously trained.”
This meant that environment shaped people, and comparing them based on different living environments was meaningless.
Qi Mingzhu ignored Qi Zhenzhen’s words. “Perhaps I can teach you how to brew tea? After all, you are a young lady of the Marquis’s manor, and every word and action represents the Marquis’s reputation. Both you and I will eventually leave this manor to go elsewhere. If you know nothing then, you will disgrace the Marquis’s reputation.”
Regardless of Qi Mingzhu’s intentions, if she genuinely offered to teach, it would be beneficial to Qi Zhenzhen.
“Second young lady, our young lady was personally taught by the renowned tea master, Mr. Zuo. Her tea brewing skills are excellent. To receive guidance from the eldest young lady, you are truly fortunate,” Fusu said with a proud tone.
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head. “Eldest sister, Zhenzhen is not interested in the art of tea. I will have to disappoint Eldest sister’s kind intentions.”
“How can you be so ungrateful?” Fusu exclaimed in exasperation.
Qi Zhenzhen stood up, her body aching, and looked coldly at Fusu.
Her gaze was icy, and Fusu couldn’t help but shiver, finding Qi Zhenzhen’s eyes terrifying.
“Fusu, apologize to the second young lady at once!” Qi Mingzhu glared at Fusu, her voice somewhat cold.
“There’s no need, Eldest sister. If outsiders were to judge this matter, they would likely say I am ungrateful.” Qi Zhenzhen suddenly smiled, pursing her lips. “Whether Eldest sister’s intentions are good or something else, Zhenzhen hopes Eldest sister doesn’t force herself to get along with me. Isn’t it better for us to maintain a superficial sisterly affection? That way, Eldest sister doesn’t have to be insincere, and I don’t have to expend effort.”
Qi Mingzhu’s mouth parted slightly in surprise.
“What do you mean by that, Sister? Do you think I am being hypocritical?”
“There’s no one else here, Eldest sister. You don’t need to pretend.”
Qi Mingzhu fell silent. After a moment, a disdainful smile appeared on her lips.
“Fusu, go wait outside.” She then stared directly at Qi Zhenzhen.
Qi Zhenzhen had no choice but to send Lian Bei and Feixu out as well. “Alright, there are no outsiders now. Say what you want, do what you want. However, I’ll tell you in advance, I’m not easily bullied.”
“As for me, my kindness towards you is to alleviate my guilt,” Qi Mingzhu said with a cool voice.
Qi Zhenzhen was even more puzzled. What guilt could Qi Mingzhu possibly have towards her?
“Do you know you are betrothed?” Qi Mingzhu asked.
Qi Zhenzhen nodded. “Yes, my姨娘 told me about it.”
“How can you, an illegitimate daughter, be worthy of the Lu family’s legitimate son?”
“So, my noble legitimate elder sister is worthy then?”
Qi Zhenzhen immediately understood Qi Mingzhu’s meaning. If she, an illegitimate daughter, was unworthy, then the only one in the manor who was worthy was this legitimate daughter. It turned out Qi Mingzhu’s actions were all because of Lu Chen, to whom she was betrothed?
“Lu Chen and I are naturally well-matched. I am the legitimate daughter of the Marquis’s manor, skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, talented and beautiful. As for you, not only are you an illegitimate daughter, but you also lived in the countryside with your姨娘 for several years. This is a stain on you and also brings disgrace to the Marquis’s manor, as your mother was essentially a runaway concubine. Furthermore, you and your mother have appeared in public, damaging your reputation. Surely you don’t naively believe the Lu family wouldn’t care about these things? For prominent families, reputation is paramount,” Qi Mingzhu said, frowning. “The Marquis’s manor and the Lu family are on good terms, and this engagement will certainly stand, but the person who will fulfill it will definitely not be you.”
To want to snatch her engagement and say it so righteously truly shocked Qi Zhenzhen’s worldview.
“So Eldest sister’s solicitous kindness towards me is due to guilt, a compensation for me?”
Qi Mingzhu pondered. “Although you are unworthy, I have wronged you nonetheless.”
Heh, was this a sliver of conscience?