Qi Xuanxuan considered it seriously, "I think it's possible. Zisu said that choosing people is like buying vegetables. Those who arrive first naturally get the freshest, while those who come later are bound to be wilted."
Zisu looked embarrassed, "Third Miss always asks me about this matter, and I don't have any experience, so I just used a metaphor."
Qi Zhenzhen smiled, "Your metaphor is quite good and makes sense. Since Xuanxuan is so eager, I'll talk to Grandmother about it later."
The sisters chatted for a while longer, and Qi Xuanxuan started to yawn. Qi Zhenzhen said, "Hurry back and rest. Tomorrow, when you come, your second sister will take you to see your Nuan sister and Rou sister."
The next morning, as soon as Qi Zhenzhen had finished washing up, Qi Xuanxuan arrived.
"Why are you up so early?" Qi Zhenzhen asked. "You can barely open your eyes. Why didn't you sleep in a bit longer?"
"Third Miss woke up several times during the night and was afraid she'd oversleep and couldn't go out with Second Miss. As soon as it was dawn, she got up. I told her to sleep more, but she refused," Zisu explained from the side.
Qi Zhenzhen was speechless. She quickly tidied herself up and led the way towards Zhaohui Hall.
By the time they reached Zhaohui Hall, buffeted by the wind, the young girl's eyes were bright, and her earlier drowsy appearance was nowhere to be seen.
The Old Madam's room was being set up for a meal. Upon seeing the two sisters, she had Granny Fang prepare a cup of fresh milk for each of them.
"Are you two sisters here to freeload?" the Old Madam chided.
"There's plenty of delicious food here, Grandmother," Qi Xuanxuan said, her eyes shining as she stared at the food on the table. "Especially these crystal shrimp dumplings, they're simply exquisite. I could eat a whole basket of them!"
A basket of shrimp dumplings contained six small, delicate pieces that looked appetizing.
The Old Madam looked helpless, "I don't know what this girl's stomach is made of; she has a huge appetite. I'm happy watching her eat, but I can't help but worry that if she eats so much, she'll turn into a fat girl later."
In Da Feng, thinness was considered beauty, and noblewomen were very particular about their eating habits. At least no one ate a whole basket of shrimp dumplings like Xuanxuan.
"Grandmother, didn't you say I was too thin, like a bean sprout? My foundation is here, how could I get fat?" Qi Xuanxuan asked, somewhat puzzled.
Qi Zhenzhen also said, "Some people just don't gain weight no matter how much they eat. Xuanxuan is still young, we can pay more attention. If she shows any signs of gaining weight, it won't be too late to control her portions."
The Old Madam thought about it and felt it made sense. She immediately stopped worrying and pushed a plate of red bean rolls in front of Qi Xuanxuan. "Girls should eat more red beans; they nourish qi and blood. Your complexion still isn't rosy enough. Look at your second sister..."
Qi Zhenzhen had gone on a trip, and her skin had been ravaged, becoming dull and lusterless. The Old Madam stopped speaking and pushed a bowl of red bean soup in front of Qi Zhenzhen. "You two sisters should eat more. Being too thin doesn't look good. A slight plumpness looks more festive."
After eating, Qi Xuanxuan happily told the Old Madam about Qi Zhenzhen's plan to take her out. The Old Madam gave a few instructions, then had Granny Fang personally arrange a carriage and accompanying guards for them. She also instructed Zisu and Feixu to take good care of the two girls.
The Li family's residence was close to the West Market, not far from Zhang Xiaoniu's house.
Qi Zhenzhen had already planned to visit the Li family and then go see Song Mingyue.
The coachman was an old hand from the mansion and drove steadily.
"Second sister, after we go find Nuan sister and the others, can we go out for a stroll? Every time I leave the mansion, I only go to Qingqing's house to visit, and Qingqing's grandmother always restricts us from going out," Qi Xuanxuan asked with anticipation.