Gu Sinian frowned, a hint of fierceness appearing in the corner of his eyes.
Qi Zhenzhen squeezed his hand and gently shook her head. If Concubine Dong could come to Songhe Courtyard, it must have been with the Duke Huguo's approval. Since there was nothing unusual in Songhe Courtyard, it was certainly with the Old Madam's permission.
Gu Sinian understood her meaning, suppressed his anger, and led her into the Chaohui Hall.
The Old Madam sat on the main seat, with the Duke Huguo and Madam Xiao Qin seated to her left and right. As for Concubine Dong, she sat on an embroidered stool beside the Duke Huguo. Additionally, Gu Siya and his wife were present.
Glancing around, Qi Zhenzhen understood. Of the people present, only Madam Xiao Qin was genuinely happy. The rest…
Regardless of their feelings, Gu Sinian and Qi Zhenzhen first had to offer tea.
A maid waiting nearby quickly laid out cushions. Gu Sinian and Qi Zhenzhen knelt on the cushions. "Your grandson (granddaughter) pays respects to Grandmother. Grandmother, please have some tea."
The Old Madam accepted their offerings one by one, took a sip, and offered a few words of encouragement, mainly urging Qi Zhenzhen to assist her husband, raise their children, and uphold her duties.
Qi Zhenzhen accepted everything and received a jade bracelet from the Old Madam. The jade was of excellent quality and luster, appearing to have been prepared with care. Qi Zhenzhen's return gift to the Old Madam was a forehead band she had embroidered herself. The maid beside the Old Madam took it, but the Old Madam didn't even glance at it.
Next was the Duke Huguo. He drank the tea expressionlessly, without an extra word, and simply handed Qi Zhenzhen a red envelope.
Qi Zhenzhen presented her needlework again, a pair of shoe insoles. Concubine Dong reached out to take them and sneered, "The 世子夫人's needlework is truly hard to describe. So crude, how dare she present it?"
Qi Zhenzhen ignored Concubine Dong Ningxin's provocation and knelt with Gu Sinian before Madam Xiao Qin to offer her tea.
Madam Xiao Qin's eyes were filled with a smile. She drank the tea, personally helped the two of them up, and gave them some detailed advice. Her gift to Qi Zhenzhen was a set of hair ornaments.
Afterward, Madam Xiao Qin turned her head and looked at Concubine Dong Ningxin, "Concubine Dong is not from a humble family, yet she lacks even a shred of decorum?"
As a concubine, what right did she have to comment on the 世子夫人?
No matter how little Concubine Dong Ningxin respected Madam Xiao Qin, she dared not openly confront her, given their respective statuses.
"Ah Xin is just speaking her mind; she means no harm," Gu Changwei said. "Furthermore, Ah Nian's wife's needlework is indeed a bit lacking. From what I see, the patterns are embroidered like a beginner's."
"Father is correct; my needlework is not something I can present," Qi Zhenzhen said, not feeling ashamed by the Duke Huguo's words. "I personally believe that embroidery skill is secondary; sincerity is paramount. Is Concubine Dong trying to trample on my sincere intentions towards Father?"
Concubine Dong Ningxin had never expected Qi Zhenzhen to speak so boldly. Everyone said new brides were shy, and she had precisely targeted this point to embarrass Qi Zhenzhen.
Gu Sinian took two steps forward silently and took the shoe insoles embroidered by Qi Zhenzhen from the maid. "Since Father dislikes Zhenzhen's sincerity, then don't force yourself."
Gu Changwei's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. He had not expected Gu Sinian to protect her so fiercely.
"Eldest Brother has always been of one mind with Father, so I presume Zhenzhen's carefully prepared gift will also be disliked by him. If that's the case, then we won't present it." Gu Sinian ignored the Duke Huguo's displeased expression and turned to Gu Siya and his wife.
After speaking, he pulled Qi Zhenzhen, bowed, excused themselves, and left Songhe Courtyard.
Madam Xiao Qin sighed softly. What should have been a harmonious atmosphere had ended up like this. Was it Gu Nian's lack of etiquette? No, it was all Gu Changwei's fault. From the beginning, he had no intention of giving Ah Nian and his wife a good reception. After all, it was unheard of for a concubine to be present when a son and daughter-in-law offered tea. Even if she were present, she should have at least behaved herself. But what happened?
"Mother, your daughter-in-law is feeling tired and will take her leave," Madam Xiao Qin curtsied to the Old Madam and left directly, without sparing Gu Changwei a glance the entire time.