Fei Xu's face was ashen with pain, her forehead covered in a dense sheen of sweat. Seeing her, it was clear how much she was suffering.
Qi Mingzhu watched Fei Xu, and the anger within her subsided. She then looked at Qi Zhenzhen's displeased expression and felt a pang of guilt. "We are sisters, and you're quarreling with me over a maid?" Qi Mingzhu struggled free from the servants holding her. "Aren't you going to let go?"
Seeing that her face was no longer contorted and her fit of madness seemed to have passed, the Old Madam signaled the servants to release her.
"Grandmother, I am your legitimate granddaughter!" Qi Mingzhu bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes.
"If it weren't for the fact that you are my granddaughter, do you think I would tolerate the things you've done? Mingzhu, you are the legitimate daughter of our Marquisate. You've studied poetry and books since childhood, and we hired many tutors for you. You've learned the principles of conduct, so why have you turned out like this?" At this point, the Old Madam decided to speak plainly. Being subtle now might not even be heard.
Turned out like this? Qi Mingzhu couldn't help but think back to the past. Although the Changping Marquisate wasn't comparable to deeply rooted ancient families in the capital, it wasn't bad either. Moreover, her mother came from a princely estate, and with that name, no family looked down on the Marquisate. To put it bluntly, she grew up cherished, coupled with her beauty and literary talent, she was truly radiant. Even before she came of age, many suitors came to the house.
But now? Her mother had made a mistake, not only was she disdained by her father, but even the princely estate offered no support. The marriage she and her mother had schemed for was now on the verge of falling apart.
Looking at Qi Zhenzhen, she was now the wife of the heir, immensely glorious. Yun Shi was now favored by her father, not only securing her position as a co-wife but also holding the reins of the household.
How did it turn out like this? Qi Mingzhu couldn't understand. Back then, she had even spoken to Qi Zhenzhen about matters concerning the Lu family. At that time, she was arrogant, but now, she lacked the capital to be so.
She still remembered what Lu Chen had said, "The commands of parents are difficult to disobey, so I agreed to this marriage. I originally thought that, slowly, affection would grow between us. Even if not, we could at least maintain a respectful distance! But I never expected you to be this kind of person!"
Qi Mingzhu didn't know how she had become like this either! Her mother was confined, and her pleas were useless. Feeling wronged, she impulsively went to find Lu Chen. Fu Su said that if the raw rice was cooked, the matter would be imminent. She hadn't wanted to, but thinking of Lu Chen's indifference towards her, and that he still harbored feelings for Qi Zhenzhen, she hardened her heart and had Fu Su arrange the matter.
She met Lu Chen, and he ate the pastries she brought. What should have been a natural progression of events, who knew Lu Chen would hold out? Because she was too distressed, she almost did something to the young attendant beside Lu Chen...
Fortunately, Lu Chen was not such a heartless person; he ordered the attendant to knock her unconscious.
Recalling this now, Qi Mingzhu felt guilt, regret, and wished she could turn back time and not do such a shameful thing.
"I..." Qi Mingzhu choked, "I didn't want to either!"
Saying this, she knelt before the Old Madam. "Grandmother, I was wrong, I was truly wrong, I've wronged you..."
After all, she was a child she had watched grow up, and the Old Madam couldn't be too heartless. However, setting aside the right or wrong of past events, her apology today was not just to her. "Mingzhu, you were wrong, but you have wronged not only your grandmother but also your second sister!"