Qi Zhenzhen learned about these matters when Xun Wannniang had already come to visit with Song Mingyue.
Her entire person had undergone a sea change—
While not exactly slender, she was now well-proportioned, her eyes bright, and she carried herself with a lively air.
Yun Shi chatted with Xun Wannniang. Xun Wannniang's voice was still a bit loud, and she answered whatever was asked without any shyness.
Song Mingyue recounted the recent events in the Song family. After realizing the matter was settled, Chen Shi could only resign herself to it. If she didn't, she would become the abandoned wife. Despite her resignation, she was unhappy. To vent her frustrations, she began to exercise her rights as a mother-in-law. A new daughter-in-law entering the household would naturally not be troubled by a polite mother-in-law. However, if the mother-in-law was unreasonable, there were countless ways to torment her.
First, all the tasks belonging to the eldest branch were piled onto Xun Wannniang.
"It's funny when I think about it. Before dawn, my eldest aunt asked my sister-in-law to cook. My sister-in-law obediently went to the kitchen. She had never cooked before, so she just sat in the kitchen until everyone else woke up. The stove was cold, and there was nothing. My grandmother scolded my eldest aunt, and my eldest aunt cursed my sister-in-law, calling her stupid. Haven't you seen a pig run even if you haven't eaten pork?" Song Mingyue struggled to suppress her laughter. "You'd never guess how my sister-in-law replied."
She deliberately created suspense, and Qi Zhenzhen, full of curiosity, urged her to continue.
"Mother, why don't you try running again? I'll watch carefully, and I guarantee I'll learn," Song Mingyue said, then giggled again.
Yun Shi, Qi Zhenzhen, and Lu Qingshui were stunned for a moment before they understood. This was calling Chen Shi a pig.
Besides this, there were endless incidents like her washing clothes with too much force and tearing them, or breaking bowls while washing them. The household chores were in disarray. Later, Grandma Song declared that if Chen Shi couldn't even do these things properly, she wouldn't mind teaching her again.
"You're amazing!" Qi Zhenzhen admired Xun Wannniang and gave her a thumbs-up.
Xun Wannniang chuckled, "I just have a lot of strength. Grandma and Second Aunt both know. I can chop wood, carry water, and till the land. I want to do other things well too, but I just can't."
She said it so righteously that no one could refute her.
"Does Song Mingze treat you well?" Qi Zhenzhen couldn't help but ask.
Yun Shi glared at Qi Zhenzhen, thinking, "This girl, why does she ask everything?"
Xun Wannniang grinned, her eyes narrowing into slits. "My husband is teaching me to read. I also grind ink for him. He said he'll only sleep in the same quilt with me after I learn the Three Character Classic and the Thousand Character Classic. I'm a bit slow and learn slowly. My husband said not to rush, to take it slow. As long as I'm willing to work hard, I'll eventually learn."
If anyone else had said something like sleeping in the same quilt so casually, they would have been ridiculed. But coming from Xun Wannniang's mouth, it felt perfectly natural. As for what Song Mingze had said, Qi Zhenzhen pouted, thinking he was just coaxing Xun Wannniang. It was probably Song Mingze's excuse. But then again, even though Song Mingze had changed his mind and accepted Xun Wannniang, the previous incident was too absurd. He might have had psychological trauma.
Putting aside the Song family's affairs, the Duke's mansion had also been quite lively these past few days.
Duke Gu Changwei had brought a co-wife into the mansion. Those who didn't know might have thought it was a joyous occasion, but everyone who did know shook their heads.
This was because the newly admitted co-wife was the second daughter of the Dong family, who was a widow, and the aunt of the Duke's eldest son, Gu Siya.
The wedding was held with great fanfare, no less grand than the marriage of a principal wife in an ordinary official's family. The betrothal gifts alone amounted to sixty-eight sedan chairs, and she was carried into the Duke's mansion in an eight-bearer sedan chair.
Outside Lanzhi Courtyard, Dong Ningxin, wearing a rose-red jacket with a blue border, spoke cheerfully to the guards.
"The Duke said I must come to Lanzhi Courtyard every day to pay my respects and serve. Are you disregarding the Duke's words by blocking me and not letting me in?" Dong Ningxin spoke coquettishly.
The two maids at the gate were brought from the Qian family by Gu Sinian. They had received orders long ago. They had only one master in the Duke's mansion, and that was Gu Sinian. Gu Sinian's command to them was to guard the entrance of Lanzhi Courtyard and not allow anyone to disturb Qin Shi's recuperation.
"You two lowly maids, haven't you heard Madam Xin speak? Hurry up and move aside."
Their master was favored by the Duke, so they, as maids, also rose in status and felt superior. In front of Dong Ningxin, they naturally wanted to perform well and please their master.
Seeing that the two guards did not yield, two maids immediately stepped forward to push them.
These two maids from the Qian family had been trained as暗卫 (secret guards) since childhood. Their movements were swift, precise, and ruthless. Without anyone noticing what they did, the two maids cried out in pain. Their arms hung limply, clearly dislocated.
Dong Ningxin had never witnessed such methods. She screamed and retreated. She had brought four maids with her today. Two were trembling with pain, and two were trembling with fear.
To leave like this would be too humiliating. Dong Ningxin, trying her best to remain calm, said, "You two lowly maids are so audacious. You didn't even let me in to pass a message. Are you relying on your good skills and thus disregarding the masters of the mansion? It's pitiful that Madam is a gentle person. Who knows how you might torment her by locking her in the courtyard? Just you wait, I will report this to the Duke and have him deal with you to uphold justice for Madam."
Inside the room, Madam Qin was chatting with Qin Shi. Upon hearing Dong Ningxin's words, she could no longer sit still.
"This vixen is deliberately seeking trouble. She's openly disrespecting you. Don't stop me. This old woman cannot swallow this insult and must teach her a good lesson. Let's see what Gu Changwei dares to do to me after I deal with her."
"Mother, why bother arguing with someone like that? She can't get into the courtyard, and she can't reach me. Outside, she can shout whatever she wants," Qin Shi said softly. "As for me, I won't concern myself with anything else. I will focus on recuperating my health."
Looking at her daughter's face, which was gradually regaining its color, Madam Qin's imposing manner slowly subsided. Yes, even if she went out and disciplined Dong Ningxin, it would be of no use. With Gu Changwei backing her, Dong Ningxin would surely not suffer injustice in vain. If she felt satisfied today, her daughter would be unhappy tomorrow. Since no one could enter, let her go on.
"You know, your cousin in your mansion is truly remarkable. What the imperial physicians could not resolve, she managed with ease," Madam Qin praised. "Later, I will have someone send a token of appreciation to her to express our Qin family's gratitude."
Qin Shi nodded. "She is indeed a good person—quiet, sensible, knows her place, and understands how to advance and retreat. Although she hasn't been in the mansion for long, her reputation is excellent. She is now managing Yannan Courtyard for the Old Madam, and she handles some of the mansion's trivial matters very properly. The Old Madam also praises her highly."