Lu Jingning hadn't expected Qi Zhenzhen to visit her, and for a moment, she was unsure of Qi Zhenzhen's intentions. Both the information she had gathered and what her mother-in-law had told her indicated that Qi Zhenzhen had a very poor relationship with Qi Mingzhu. After all, Madam Qin had treated Madam Yun and her two children so poorly, and Qi Mingzhu had even snatched the marriage that was originally intended for Qi Zhenzhen.
As for Qi Zhenzhen's subsequent marriage to Gu Sinian, Lu Jingning attributed it to Qi Zhenzhen's good fortune, with Gu Sinian happening to meet her and change for the better. However, none of this could be credited to Madam Qin or Qi Mingzhu. Therefore, Lu Jingning believed that Qi Zhenzhen harbored deep resentment towards Madam Qin and Qi Mingzhu.
From this perspective, Qi Zhenzhen should have come to mock Qi Mingzhu.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, so Lu Jingning was very enthusiastic towards Qi Zhenzhen.
She ordered someone to serve fragrant tea and bring out pastries, greeting Qi Zhenzhen with a perfectly measured smile, "Zhenzhen, try the tea and pastries here; they are all excellent."
Her tone was as familiar as if Qi Zhenzhen were her dearest friend.
During this time, Lu Jingning paid no attention to Qi Mingzhu, so Qi Mingzhu, with her pregnant belly, remained in a kneeling posture.
"Is Madam Qin deliberately trying to slight me and put me in my place?" Qi Zhenzhen asked, her eyebrows knitting in displeasure.
Lu Jingning was taken aback. Was Qi Zhenzhen defending Qi Mingzhu?
"What are you saying, Madam of the Heir? I was so excited to see you that I momentarily overlooked Concubine Qi," Lu Jingning said with an apologetic look at Qi Zhenzhen. "Why are you all standing there? Hurry and help Concubine Qi up and place a soft cushion on the couch for her. Have I spoiled you all too much, making you lack any perception?"
After speaking, Lu Jingning still looked very apologetic. "It's all my fault. Madam of the Heir, please do not be angry."
"The outside world says that the legitimate daughter of Scholar Lu is well-read, sensible, poised, and graceful. Now, it seems, rumors cannot always be believed. If the rumors were true, how could you have been so overly excited to see me? However, there is some truth to them; the part about being well-read should be accurate. Reading too much not only tires the brain but also impairs the eyes. Otherwise, how could you have overlooked my elder sister? With her belly protruding like this, her very presence is ignored. This shows that Madam Qin's eyesight is indeed quite poor," Qi Zhenzhen said with a straight face, speaking nonsense.
Qi Mingzhu almost stifled a laugh. How had she never realized Qi Zhenzhen was so good at insulting people before? Lu Jingning had always prided herself on being well-read and a talented woman, yet Qi Zhenzhen had just called her slow-witted and visually impaired. Seeing Lu Jingning's face turn red, it was clear how furious she was.
Qi Zhenzhen was so adept at insults; she had never been like this when dealing with her before. She truly had to thank her for holding back previously.
"Madam of the Heir, how can you say such things?" The maid beside Lu Jingning couldn't hold back. "Our young madam is warmly hosting you and has not lost any courtesy. Why are you speaking to her like this?"
Qi Zhenzhen remained silent. Fei Xu spoke up, "And by what right are you questioning our Madam of the Heir? You are merely a lowly maid. Who gave you the courage? You keep saying how your young madam has lost no courtesy, but now it seems you can't even manage a single maid."
Lu Jingning took a deep breath, finally suppressing the anger in her heart. She glared at the maid, "Madam of the Heir, please do not mind her. She is merely protective."
Qi Zhenzhen nodded. "I'm not minding her. Look, I haven't refuted her; instead, I gave my maid a look, and she spoke out in rebuttal."
The implication was that the maid's words were at the mistress's behest.
Therefore, Lu Jingning should not try to shift the blame onto the maid.