"I do not accept my elder sister's compensation. As a woman, you must surely know that marriage is akin to a second rebirth for a woman. Do you not find it disgusting that you brazenly snatch my betrothal and then feign generosity with compensation?" Qi Zhenzhen said sarcastically. "My elder sister is intelligent and must understand this principle. Yet, knowing this, she tacitly allowed this to happen. Her supposed purity is nothing more than this."
After speaking, Qi Zhenzhen picked up her teacup and called out towards the door, "Lian Bei, see the guest out."
As the legitimate daughter of the manor, Qi Mingzhu was accustomed to being the center of attention wherever she went. Being asked to leave like this was an unprecedented humiliation for her. Regardless of the reason, this was a deep disgrace.
Qi Mingzhu wanted to say more, but several maids entered, forcing her to swallow her words. She shot Qi Zhenzhen a glare and left with Fu Su.
Qi Zhenzhen had no intention of remaining silent about this matter. She now had a patron in the Marquis's manor and could openly seek help with doubts concerning her major life event.
"Fei Xu, pack the crystal cakes and peach blossom cakes I made this morning. We're going to see the Old Madam."
Chaohui Hall.
The Old Madam stared intently at the pastries before her. Each piece was small and square, pale and translucent – crystal cakes. The cooks in the manor also made these, and their skill was passable. However, the cakes before her each contained a blooming peach blossom, its veins clearly defined, making them exquisitely beautiful.
"Grandmother, why aren't you eating?"
"Are these pastries also from your hands?" The Old Madam picked one up, examined it for a moment, then popped it into her mouth, nodding continuously. "They are both beautiful and delicious. Your craftsmanship is truly beyond compare."
Qi Zhenzhen smiled. "Granddaughter has few hobbies, except for fiddling with food. I simply added these sugared peach blossoms to the crystal cakes; they look pleasing to the eye."
"This thoughtful touch is excellent."
After eating the pastries, the Old Madam rinsed her mouth. "Is there something you wish to tell Grandmother?"
"How does Grandmother know I have something to say?"
"Your eyes and brows are filled with matters; it's practically written on your face. You must be careful in the future, child. You cannot let your thoughts show so readily, or people will see through you. It doesn't matter if they are good to you, but if someone has ulterior motives, they can easily gain leverage over you and control you," the Old Madam said slowly.
"I only act this way with Grandmother because granddaughter knows Grandmother is not someone granddaughter needs to guard against," Qi Zhenzhen said playfully.
"You..." The Old Madam was touched. She had not felt this sense of reliance in a long time.
"My elder sister visited my courtyard earlier and brought gifts, saying they were to congratulate me on moving in," Qi Zhenzhen said unhurriedly. "To be honest, Grandmother, I was overwhelmed. My elder sister is so kind to me."
The Old Madam nodded. "Your elder sister is indeed considerate of the overall situation."
Qi Zhenzhen pursed her lips and smiled. "Grandmother, it's not that granddaughter is ungrateful, but granddaughter has seen much of the world's coldness. I know there is no gratuitous bad, nor gratuitous good. So, I asked my elder sister why she was suddenly so kind to me."
Hearing this, the Old Madam naturally did not expect Qi Zhenzhen to speak of sisterly affection. She had spent a considerable amount of time with this granddaughter recently and had a general understanding of her character. She possessed a bit of cleverness, but not in an annoying way, and she didn't hide things, at least not from the Old Madam. The Old Madam was pleased by this, considering it a sign of her granddaughter's complete trust.
"What did your elder sister say?" the Old Madam asked calmly.
A hint of shyness appeared on Qi Zhenzhen's face. "My elder sister said that she said I already have a betrothal."
The Old Madam's eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them. "What else did she say?"
Qi Zhenzhen bit her lip. "My elder sister also said that young master Lu is not someone a庶女 like me can be matched with. Only she can be matched with young master Lu. She also said that her kindness towards me is merely out of guilt, as she snatched my betrothal."
The Old Madam's face remained impassive, revealing no hint of her reaction to these words.
"Grandmother, my status as a 庶女 is not something granddaughter could choose; it was determined from the moment granddaughter was born. Granddaughter only wishes to know, if a 庶女 could be matched with the嫡子 of the Lu family back then, why can't a 庶女 be matched with the嫡子 of the Lu family now?"
Her gaze was clear, devoid of resentment or jealousy, as if her question was a mere matter of fact.
"Zhenzhen, come here, sit by Grandmother's side," the Old Madam beckoned. "Is what you've told Grandmother true?"
Qi Zhenzhen pursed her lips tightly, then after a pause, said, "Granddaughter disdains to lie."
The Old Madam patted her hand reassuringly. "There was indeed a betrothal. It was arranged by your father with the head of the Lu family. Although the betrothal did not specify who would marry whom, your father's intention was to betroth it to you. You were charming and adorable back then, and the head of the Lu family liked you very much. Moreover, your mother was the beloved daughter of a renowned scholar. Even though your maternal family had fallen, the head of the Lu family felt your mother's status was not inferior. Despite being a concubine, the daughter born to her would be no less than a legitimate daughter. Young Lu Chen also enjoyed teasing you. He was five years old then and quite sensible. After the head of the Lu family sought his opinion, the marriage was settled."
Yun Shi had always kept this marriage a secret, only mentioning the betrothal without detailing the circumstances. This was the first time Qi Zhenzhen learned that the marriage had been agreed upon willingly by both parties at its inception.
"But then, your mother committed an offense and was sent to the estate. Originally, her offense only required her to be banished alone. However, you and Yi Ge'er cried and pleaded for your mother, and your father, unable to bear it, agreed. He thought that since it was the Marquis's manor's estate, you would be cared for. What happened afterward was unforeseen by anyone," the Old Madam said with a look of helplessness. "I must admit, Grandmother also made a mistake at the time. If Grandmother had paid more attention to the matter and had people watch the estate, you and your mother and brother would not have been left to fend for yourselves. At that time, your father almost exclusively doted on your mother. If your mother had been the primary wife, such doting would have been a beautiful thing. But your mother was a concubine, and your legitimate mother was the daughter of a郡王妃, raised with pampered attention from childhood. How could she tolerate this? Because of this, the Prince's manor exerted considerable pressure on the Marquis's manor. Grandmother thought that your mother's punishment would appease them, but who knew..."
"Does Grandmother mean that if my mother had not been banished, and I had grown up in the manor, then the situation of a 庶女 being unworthy of a嫡子 would not have arisen?" Qi Zhenzhen asked, enunciating each word.
The Old Madam sighed. "At least, the Lu family could not have used the excuse of you being a 庶女 to break the engagement."