Princess Jinrong had snuck out. After a while of laughter, she pouted and said reluctantly, "Sisters, I must go back. If I delay any longer, the deception will be revealed, and my mother will surely be even stricter. Zhenzhen sister, when you have a chance, tell my Ah Nian brother to visit the palace more often. It's me who bothers Ah Nian brother, so I can come out and play with you all."
Qi Zhenzhen felt a bit dizzy from being shaken. Jinrong looked as if she wouldn't let go unless Qi Zhenzhen agreed. She could only respond, "I'll pass on your message, but I can't control what your Ah Nian brother does."
"My mother said that Ah Nian brother appears aloof, but he has you in his heart. Whatever you say, he will surely handle it," Jinrong blinked her eyes. "Good sister-in-law, you know, the palace, while sounding like a place of earthly riches, is like a large cage. You wouldn't bear to see your sister confined and suffering every day, would you?"
For a dignified princess to say the palace was not good and that life there was suffering, if others heard it, they would surely wonder what to think.
Besides that, Qi Zhenzhen also heard Jinrong call her "good sister-in-law." Even though she wasn't one to be easily embarrassed, her face flushed red. They weren't even married yet.
"It's settled then!" Jinrong patted Qi Zhenzhen's hand and cheerfully departed.
"In the early years, the Duke of Huguo's mansion had also looked for brides for the heir. Putting aside everything else, when it came to Jinrong, every time she met a young lady, she would say they weren't worthy of Ah Nian brother," Rui Ning said with a娇笑 (jiao xiao - delicate laugh). "But with Zhenzhen sister, I see Jinrong wishing she could marry you on Ah Nian brother's behalf."
Qi Zhenzhen gave Rui Ning a playful glare, "You're even teasing me now."
Rui Ning waved her hands, "I'm not. I'm telling the truth, a great truth. I heard this from my mother. Noble Consort and my mother were close friends in their youth, and even after they married, they didn't lose that friendship. She would often invite my mother to the palace to talk. Jinrong can be considered Zhenzhen sister's sister-in-law, not a direct one, but still quite close. When you marry in, you won't have to worry about your sister-in-law relationship!"
Qi Zhenzhen: ...
The day after the dowry gifting was the wedding day. The Old Madam was unwell and could not attend to offer congratulations. The newly appointed Madam Yun brought Qi Zhenzhen to attend. Besides the two of them, Madam Lu, who had been living in the Marquis's mansion, also arrived at the Li residence with Madam Bai and Li Qing.
Speaking of which, Madam Lu and her daughter-in-law and granddaughter had been very low-key recently, rarely leaving home unless necessary. If they hadn't accompanied her to the Li residence today, Qi Zhenzhen would have almost forgotten about them.
Regardless of whether Madam Wang and Madam Tang were pleased or not, Madam Lu's status dictated that they had to treat her with great respect upon her arrival.
"Second Aunt, it was my foolishness earlier that led me to do things that hurt people. During these days of confinement, the more I thought about it, the more I felt I had wronged Sister Nuan. She is about to leave home now, and the opportunities to meet will be even fewer. I wish to take this opportunity today to personally apologize to Sister Nuan and seek her forgiveness," Li Qing earnestly requested.
"Your Sister Nuan is busy right now. Apologies and such can be made later," Madam Wang refused without a second thought. She only wanted to live a good life with their second branch now. As for the eldest branch, she didn't want to provoke them at all. She remembered that Li Qing, at such a young age, had not learned well. Not only did she have designs on the deceased heir, but she also had designs on her prospective son-in-law.
"Second Daughter-in-law, what do you mean by this? Are you unwilling for the two sisters to reconcile?" Madam Lu, seated at the head, questioned displeasedly.