Qi Zhenzhen had originally intended to rest a little longer before getting up. However, she then thought of Madam Da Qin. As a daughter-in-law, paying respects morning and evening was her duty. Although Madam Da Qin had said she didn't require it, Qi Zhenzhen couldn't become lax just because Gu Sinian had left.
"Get up," Qi Zhenzhen said lazily, stretching.
Chunfeng and Xiayu helped her dress, brought warm water for her to wash, and then served breakfast. After eating, she, accompanied by Chunfeng and Feixu, went to pay her respects to Madam Da Qin.
As expected, Lin Fangruo was already there.
"Mother and I were just talking about you, and here you are. It seems people can't be spoken ill of," Lin Fangruo said warmly, standing up and reaching out to take Qi Zhenzhen's hand. "Come, Zhenzhen, let's sit together."
One doesn't hit a smiling face. Qi Zhenzhen bowed to Madam Da Qin and sat down, mindful of Lin Fangruo's presence.
"Sister-in-law is here so early. Anian left today, and I felt reluctant. I couldn't sleep last night, and I was determined to get up early to see him off. But because I slept too late, I didn't even know when Anian left this morning," Qi Zhenzhen said with a look of annoyance.
Madam Da Qin smiled and replied, "Why did you need to see him off? He always left on his own before."
Lin Fangruo swallowed the words that had reached her lips. She could discern the sincerity or insincerity in Madam Da Qin's smile. When Qi Zhenzhen first spoke, Lin Fangruo had carefully observed Madam Da Qin's expression. After all, mothers-in-law always had high expectations of their daughters-in-law. A man leaving was a significant matter; as a wife, how could she not get up to see him off? When she heard Qi Zhenzhen speak, she had mentally scolded Qi Zhenzhen for being foolish, for saying such a thing in front of her mother-in-law. Wasn't this just handing her mother-in-law an excuse to criticize her? To her surprise, Madam Da Qin showed no reaction after hearing it!
They were both daughters-in-law. Why was Qi Zhenzhen so favored? Looking at herself, her legitimate mother-in-law was long gone. Now, a concubine was acting like a mother-in-law in front of her, and she still had to go and pay her respects every day.
Lin Fangruo suppressed her anger with great effort and said with a smile, "Mother, it's fortunate that Second Brother isn't here. If he were, he'd surely be jealous of his wife after hearing your words."
Madam Da Qin chuckled, "He's a grown man, is he going to bicker with his own wife?"
Qi Zhenzhen affectionately held Madam Da Qin's hand. "Mother treats me so well."
Lin Fangruo felt increasingly stifled. They were a biological mother and daughter-in-law, while she, though also a daughter-in-law, couldn't compare to Qi Zhenzhen at all. It was clear that even if she were allowed to help manage the household, her status would certainly not be as high as Qi Zhenzhen's. This would only change if, one day, the heir apparent became Gu Siya, and she became the heir's wife.
Initially, Lin Fangruo had been very confident that Gu Siya would seize the position of heir apparent. But now... although Ah Ya was valued by her father-in-law, the position of heir apparent wasn't solely decided by him. Her father-in-law could request the appointment, but whether it was approved depended on the Emperor's attitude.
Although Gu Sinian's reputation outside was average, he held significant weight with the Emperor.
Furthermore, Noble Consort also favored Gu Sinian. When the time came for her father-in-law to request the change of heir apparent, could she stand idly by?
Lin Fangruo felt a surge of powerlessness. Why hadn't she personally assessed Gu Sinian from the beginning?
The rumors circulating inside and outside the manor about Gu Sinian having a preference for men now seemed completely false. Or perhaps, he had been that way before but had since reformed. As someone experienced, Qi Zhenzhen's undisguised demeanor clearly indicated a relationship that had naturally progressed!
If he were inclined towards men, how could this be...
"Fangruo?" Madam Da Qin called out to Lin Fangruo in confusion. "Are you feeling unwell? Why is your complexion so poor?"