Qingmei remained somewhat dazed even after leaving the room. It wasn't that she didn't believe Wang Shi's words, but such a drastic change in a person would make anyone feel it was unreal. Was it a whim, or a genuine desire to change? She was just a little maid, and thinking too much was useless. She would see how the madam acted in the future.
Meanwhile, Li Nuan and Li Rou, though willing to believe in Wang Shi's transformation, never expected the difference to be so profound.
Initially, they were restless and filled with dread, always suspecting that Wang Shi was holding back some ulterior motive.
In the end, they convinced themselves that their stepmother was genuinely caring towards them.
Although they didn't know why, this feeling was truly pleasant.
Lu Shi and Bai Shi also noticed Wang Shi's change.
Lu Shi specifically kept Wang Shi back to talk. "Second daughter-in-law, tell your mother, what are your plans? You never liked those two girls, did you?"
Wang Shi remained silent. When Lu Shi pressed her, she finally spoke with a hint of grievance, "The second master spends every day with Tang Shi. I am the legal wife, and Yu Ge'er is his son. With him acting like this... Mother, I can't do anything about it. If I treat them well, they might say a few good words for me to the second master later."
Lu Shi sighed. "The second one is truly... Alas, I want to help you with this, but I have no way. The second one is stubborn. He'll agree to my face, but do as he pleases behind my back. Regardless, it's the second one who has wronged you. I'll find an opportunity to speak to him again. As for those two girls, you don't need to go to such lengths to please them. Just maintain appearances."
Bai Shi gloated. Her mother-in-law had clearly favored Wang Shi these past two days. She had thought Wang Shi had finally seen the light, but now it seemed she was just a pitiable person trying to attract her husband's attention by appeasing his concubines' daughters. What kind of enlightenment could such a person achieve?
"Sister-in-law, don't look so glum. If you ask me, your current predicament isn't anyone else's fault but your own lack of strong methods," Bai Shi said, putting on an air of the elder sister-in-law. "The eldest master also has people serving him, but aren't they all well-behaved?"
In this regard, Bai Shi indeed possessed certain skills. The concubines in the eldest household were no different from the head maids by Bai Shi's side.
Wang Shi did not respond, but she inwardly grumbled. Her elder brother-in-law seemed to be completely controlled by his wife, but as a woman confined to the inner chambers, how could she know about his affairs outside? Speaking of which, she had stumbled upon it by chance. Her elder brother-in-law was accompanying a woman to purchase jewelry, and he was holding a nursing infant. By calculation, that infant was about the same age as her Yu Ge'er.
Being kept in the dark, what right did he have to lecture her?
However, she did not intend to speak about this matter now. The eldest household, unlike their second household, was very likely to remain in the capital. When Bai Shi returned to Yunnan, she would secretly have someone let the news slip, causing them trouble.
Lu Shi did not want to see the two sisters-in-law vying with each other in front of her. She waved to Wang Shi. "Your elder sister-in-law will keep you company here. You can go back."
With Lu Shi's permission, Wang Shi naturally did not linger. She bowed and left.
"Mother, I think something is wrong," Bai Shi whispered. "Second sister-in-law said she's paying attention to those two girls because of second brother, but I feel like she genuinely wants to be good to them from the bottom of her heart."
Lu Shi narrowed her eyes. "This old woman's eyes aren't so dim that I can't see. Wang Shi is a bit clever. She must have received some pointers from my good sister-in-law and is pinning her hopes on those two little concubine daughters. Doesn't she realize they are just concubine daughters, raised to be subservient in the household? Even if they find good marriages, what then? They aren't even married yet, who can say there won't be any changes?"
Hearing Lu Shi's words, Bai Shi felt a bit more at ease. "Mother, do you have a good plan?"
Lu Shi snorted, glaring at Bai Shi with a look of disappointment. "This old woman has one foot in the grave, yet I still have to worry about your eldest household. Truly a life of toil."
Bai Shi acted solicitously, pouring tea and massaging her shoulders. "Mother, you are the backbone of this family. If we want to live good lives, we all depend on you."
The weather grew colder, and it snowed several times. Qi Xuanyuan, full of playful spirit, pulled Li Rou to build snowmen several times. Li Nuan watched the livelier Li Rou and said happily, "Rou'er should spend more time with Xuanxuan. This way, Xuanxuan can influence her personality."
Qi Zhenzhen smiled. "If she really becomes like Xuanxuan, you'll probably worry again."
Speaking of Qi Xuanyuan's personality, Qi Zhenzhen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She had worried that Qi Xuanyuan's experiences would affect her temperament and had often subtly guided her. Later, the girl's personality completely loosened up. According to the Old Madam, she was even more mischievous than the boys.
"This is better. I won't worry about her being bullied in the future," Li Nuan said.
As they were talking, Fei Xu led a young maid in.
Qi Zhenzhen recognized her as Xing'er, a little maid by Song Mingyue's side. Qi Zhenzhen had helped Song Mingyue choose her back then.
"Second Miss, my madam sent me to deliver a message to you. She is with child," Xing'er said clearly.
Qi Zhenzhen was stunned for a moment before she reacted. She jumped up from the couch. "What did you just say?"
Xing'er repeated herself. Qi Zhenzhen's face was filled with surprise, and she asked incoherently, "Where is she? Has a doctor seen her? Is the household lacking anything?"
"Replying to Second Miss, the madam is at home and has seen a doctor. They say she has been with child for over a month. The household lacks nothing. The Old Madam is personally looking after her," Xing'er answered one by one.
"You go back and attend to her first. I will come over later." After much thought, Qi Zhenzhen felt that for such an important matter, she had to go in person.
After Xing'er left, Qi Zhenzhen hurried to Zhaohui Hall. She greeted the Old Madam. Upon learning that Song Mingyue was with child, the Old Madam praised her for being blessed and instructed Granny Fang to take many items from her private storeroom for Qi Zhenzhen to take to Song Mingyue as congratulations for her pregnancy.
Qi Zhenzhen brought more than half a cartload of items to the Zhang family. Yu Shi came out to greet her. Seeing the large amount of items she brought, she was momentarily speechless, thinking she was too wasteful.
"Auntie, these items are not from me. My grandmother personally selected them from her private storeroom after she learned of this matter," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile. "These should all be good things, many of which cannot be bought outside."
"Your Old Madam is truly a Bodhisattva. When I have the chance, I must thank her properly. Come, let's go inside. It's cold outside. That girl Mingyue has been thinking of you. She said you would definitely come personally when you received the news, and she was right." Yu Shi shook her head and said.