This was an explanation of Gu Chengyang and the others' identities, but in Madam Fang's eyes, it was still improper. In the back courtyards of noble households, no outside male was allowed to enter and exit freely without permission, except for the master of the house. Although Madam Yun was with her children outside, strictly speaking, she was still part of Marquis Changping's household. How could an outside male be allowed to come and go? Especially with their casual demeanor, it was clear they were accustomed to entering and exiting the Qi family's residence.
Madam Fang pondered how to handle this matter.
Putting aside these vexing issues, the meal itself was quite surprising.
It was all prepared by the second young lady. Her culinary skills surpassed even the most experienced cooks in the mansion.
Women from noble families generally refused to cook. Why? The kitchen was filled with heavy smoke. A trip in and out would leave one reeking, and it took considerable effort to wash clean. Not only that, but the smoke also damaged the skin. How could they condescend to simmer soups and cook dishes? It was merely the cooks who prepared everything, and the ladies would merely glance from afar, considering it their contribution.
But the second young lady was different. She managed everything herself without any assistance.
This entire table of dishes would typically require the cooperation of several cooks in the mansion, yet she seemed to be more efficient than the second young lady working alone. How much hardship must she have endured while living outside these past few years?
After the meal, Qi Zhenzhen escorted Madam Fang back to her room. Madam Fang asked her to sit down for a talk.
"Second young lady, I won't beat around the bush with you. You manage your household very well, but your family's demeanor is too lax. Regardless of anything else, Madam Yun is a lady of the Marquis's household, and you are a young lady of the Marquis's household. How can you dine with these outside males?" Madam Fang said earnestly. "If this were to become known, people would surely say that you and Madam Yun are not adhering to proper conduct."
Qi Zhenzhen looked at Madam Fang's eyes for a long time before replying, "In the countryside, there aren't these rules. Things like 'boys and girls over seven should not sit together' or 'women should not leave the house' are not paid attention to by anyone. If my mother and I truly confined ourselves to the rules of high society, would Madam be able to see us now? For every aspect of our food, clothing, housing, and transportation, we had to manage ourselves. Perhaps Madam would say that these matters should be handled by servants. Let me put it this way: early on, we couldn't afford servants at all. Qing Shui only came to this household a little over a month ago. For any matters concerning the household, I have tried my best to handle them myself. My mother rarely leaves the house. If I am not home, I would invite neighborhood aunties to stay with my mother. Madam, life is not easy, and I am already trying my best."
Madam Fang looked deeply at Qi Zhenzhen. She could tell that these words were spoken from the heart, without complaint or exaggeration.
"Good child, you have suffered these past few years."
"Madam Fang, I don't feel wronged. After experiencing those things, to me, simply being alive is not a grievance at all," Qi Zhenzhen said earnestly.
Her words made Madam Fang's heart ache even more. To think that a young lady of the Marquis's household would have to endure so much hardship to utter such words.
"Second young lady, your disposition suits me very well. Setting aside the Marquis's household, I truly admire you. However, the Marquis and the Old Madam have sent me to find you, which means that Madam Yun, you, and the young master cannot sever ties with the Marquis's household," Madam Fang said. "The admirable things you do, if spoken of in that circle, would be looked down upon. Therefore, you must discard them."
Madam Fang was speaking from the bottom of her heart, carefully explaining the current situation of the Marquis's household to Qi Zhenzhen and how a young lady of a noble family should conduct herself.
"I can see that you have a very good relationship with Madam Yun. However, after returning to the mansion, she is merely a concubine, and you are a lady of the household. You absolutely cannot call her 'mother.' If you fail to remember this, you will not be punished, but Madam Yun will be. This would lead people to believe that Madam Yun's upbringing is inadequate, or even that Madam Yun is doing it intentionally," Madam Fang said. "Furthermore, upon returning to the mansion, you will have only one mother, and that is the lady who manages the Marquis's household. All your affairs, including your future marriage, will have to go through her. You are intelligent, and I don't need to say more for you to understand. If that person is kind-hearted, you won't have to suffer so much."
"Additionally, although the Old Madam will care for you, she must also consider the Madam's reputation, especially since she manages the household's affairs and has the support of the Prince's mansion."
"Our Marquis is a prominent figure outside, but he is a man, and he suffers from the common failing of men, which is being easily swayed in matters of the inner courtyard. To put it plainly, he rarely interferes in the affairs of the back courtyard. However, you and the young master were in exile for so long, and he does feel guilty. You must make good use of this guilt, second young lady."
Qi Zhenzhen looked at Madam Fang with gratitude. These were all words of advice on how to conduct herself after returning to the Marquis's household.
Madam Fang could have omitted these words. After all, her mission this time was to bring the three of them back, and their well-being afterward had nothing to do with her. By speaking these words now, she was showing a desire to foster goodwill.
"I will keep everything Madam says in my heart. Upon our return, I will pay special attention to every word and action," Qi Zhenzhen said seriously.
Seeing that Qi Zhenzhen had taken her words to heart, Madam Fang's favorable impression of her deepened.
The next day, after the household had finished breakfast, Qi Zhenzhen prepared to go out.
Madam Fang stopped her. "Second young lady, if there is anything, please instruct the subordinates."
"Madam, I know you mean well for me, but there are many matters at Xinglin that I need to settle. I can't just leave without a second thought, can I? To be honest with you, Madam, my mother has very little personal savings, let alone private funds. Now that I have established this estate, it is precisely to earn some money to support my mother. It would be a shame to abandon it!" Qi Zhenzhen took Madam Fang's hand. "Madam, we haven't returned yet, so please turn a blind eye. I promise, after we return, I will be very well-behaved."
Madam Fang sighed. Although reluctant, she still agreed.
Qi Zhenzhen went straight to the Song family, running all the way.
Madam Yu and Song Mingyue were washing clothes in the courtyard. Qi Zhenzhen grabbed them and pulled them into Song Mingyue's room.
"Child, why are you rushing as if your backside is on fire?" Madam Yu wiped the water from her hands with a towel and chided her.
"Mother, you always say Zhenzhen is more sensible than me. Look at her just now, does she seem sensible at all?" Song Mingyue made a face at Qi Zhenzhen and said with a smile.
"Auntie, Mingyue, I might be leaving in a few days," Qi Zhenzhen said faintly.