Qi Zhenzhen couldn't calm down at being teased by the Old Madam, her face flushing as if about to bleed.
"Grandmother~" Qi Zhenzhen shook the Old Madam's arm, refusing to let go.
"A Lan, look at this girl, she's actually shy," the Old Madam chuckled heartily. "I thought our little girl here didn't know what shyness was."
Madam Yun smiled, "Mother, please stop teasing her."
"Although this is a matter of shame, it also shows the Marquis's attitude towards Zhenzhen," the Old Madam said, patting Qi Zhenzhen's hand. "Grandmother is truly happy, very happy."
Madam Yun smiled gently, "Our Zhenzhen is blessed."
"Your mother-in-law is a good woman, Grandmother is not worried. The Marquis, Grandmother, and your father-in-law..." the Old Madam inquired. "The Marquis was here just now, and I didn't have the nerve to ask."
Qi Zhenzhen didn't hide anything from the Old Madam and recounted what happened during the tea ceremony.
"Your father-in-law is truly unreasonable, blind and foolish. I won't say anything about the Dong family's daughter who passed away earlier. But doesn't he have any sense? He actually brought Dong Ningxin into the estate! It's not unheard of for sisters to share a husband, but the key is that Dong Ningxin has already been married once!" The Old Madam frowned. "He truly doesn't care about the Duke's mansion's reputation anymore! And the Old Madam, letting him act so outrageously."
Qi Zhenzhen remained silent. As a junior, she had many unspoken thoughts but it was not appropriate to agree with her grandmother's words.
"Dong Ningxin truly has her ways!" the Old Madam said indignantly. "Doesn't your father-in-law know what kind of person she is?"
"What does Grandmother mean?"
"Her previous husband suddenly fell ill. Later, word spread from that family that Dong Ningxin was unchaste and had caused her husband's death." The Old Madam said, "It even reached the yamen at the time, but there was no evidence to prove Dong Ningxin did it. Instead, she counter-attacked, accusing her husband's family of abuse. Later, your father-in-law intervened, and she returned to the Dong family with a letter of divorce."
Qi Zhenzhen knew Dong Ningxin was divorced and that her previous husband had died, but she didn't know there was such a backstory.
Given Dong Ningxin's audacity in targeting Madam Qin, Qi Zhenzhen truly felt her former husband's death was suspicious.
"In any case, you need to be careful from now on. That woman is extremely ruthless and has your father-in-law as her backing," the Old Madam advised.
Qi Zhenzhen nodded, "Grandmother, rest assured."
"Second Sister." Qi Xuanxuan's voice approached, and moments later, she rushed in.
"This girl, how many times have I told you? A young lady should be demure!" the Old Madam chided.
Qi Xuanxuan playfully stuck out her tongue, "Grandmother, I was just eager to see Second Sister! I pestered the teacher for a long time before she agreed to let me come back."
"You!" The Old Madam tapped her forehead helplessly. "When can you be as steady as your second sister? Then Grandmother won't have to worry."
"When I'm as old as Second Sister, I'll naturally be steady. Besides, Grandmother, you know I'm only like this in front of you, Madam Yun, and Second Sister. When I go out, I am the most demure. If you don't believe me, ask Granny Fang. She's been out with me several times." Qi Xuanxuan said.
Granny Fang liked Qi Xuanxuan's lively personality. With her causing a stir in Chaohui Hall every day, she felt as if she had become younger.
"This old servant can testify for Third Miss. Many ladies have praised Third Miss," Granny Fang said with a smile.
Qi Zhenzhen also chimed in, saying that Qi Xuanxuan should be lively at her age, and in a few more years, she might not even want to be lively.
"It's quite lively here at Grandmother's!" a sinister voice suddenly rang out.
The smile on the Old Madam's face instantly froze. It was truly vexing.