Guo'er, that clever girl, quickly brought out the lotus root powder and silver ear mushrooms that Su Xiaoqi had prepared outside the courtyard.
Su Xiaoqi took them and presented them to Old Madam Zeng, saying they were a small token of her respect as a junior.
Old Madam Zeng glanced at the items Su Xiaoqi was holding. Upon hearing they were lotus root powder and silver ear mushrooms, she found them somewhat novel.
She knew what lotus root powder was; their Marquis's mansion enjoyed great favor, and such tribute items were frequently received.
However, she was unfamiliar with silver ear mushrooms, and Su Xiaoqi had to explain them to her.
They were similar in appearance and efficacy to the five-tripod ganoderma, but these were artificially cultivated. To differentiate them, everyone called them silver ear mushrooms.
"Oh, these are truly good things. My bracelet seems quite insignificant now," Old Madam Zeng said, feigning surprise.
Of course, her words were a bit exaggerated.
Su Xiaoqi appraised the ice-type jade bracelet, estimating its value at a thousand taels of silver. No matter how valuable her jar of lotus root powder and silver ear mushrooms were, they wouldn't exceed a thousand taels.
However, what Old Madam Zeng valued most was likely her gesture.
She had lowered her head, knowing that presenting these two items was the right move.
As they chatted back and forth, no one noticed Zhao Xiaohua, who had followed Su Xiaoqi into the courtyard.
Whether Old Madam Zeng genuinely didn't see her or deliberately ignored her was unclear, as she showed no reaction whatsoever.
Her coldness stood in stark contrast to her warmth towards Su Xiaoqi.
Su Xiaoqi observed her, suddenly feeling she had overestimated her.
She had thought that by her own efforts becoming a young lady of the Marquis's mansion, she must possess some exceptional qualities.
But she hadn't expected that, even now, she had not gained the true mistress of the Marquis's mansion, the Old Madam's, approval.
She hadn't intended to pay attention to her, given how Zhao Xiaohua had spoken to her outside with such arrogance.
But considering that Zhao Xiaohua had entered with her and was from the same hometown, her ignoring her would only make Zhao Xiaohua look foolish and serve as a release of her own frustration.
However, it felt somewhat uncomfortable.
She could only look towards the Old Madam.
The Old Madam had, of course, noticed the young girl who entered behind Su Xiaoqi long ago.
But seeing that the host had made no move, she, as a guest, couldn't really say anything.
Fortunately, Old Madam Zeng was, after all, concerned with appearances.
After leaving Zhao Xiaohua hanging for a while, she didn't do anything further in front of everyone.
Instead, she allowed Zeng Mama, who was by her side, to introduce Zhao Xiaohua's identity.
She was the life-saving benefactor of the Marquis's wife, Huang Lian.
Later, she was recognized as an adopted daughter by Huang Lian.
However, since Old Madam Zeng didn't much like Huang Lian, her own daughter-in-law, she certainly didn't like the adopted daughter she had taken in.
Therefore, within the Marquis's mansion, she had never given Zhao Xiaohua a pleasant look.
She had rejected all her visits to pay respects and present gifts.
However, today, in front of guests, she couldn't be too heartless.
So, she had Zeng Mama casually pick out a piece of green jade as a meeting gift for her.
The Old Madam also took a sachet from Lin Mama and handed it to her.
This was reciprocity.
From beginning to end, Zhao Xiaohua was the overlooked one. Zhao Xiaohua stood aside, watching Su Xiaoqi receive the attention of the two elders in the upper seats, and she felt exceptionally angry.
But in such an occasion, no matter how immense her anger, she dared not vent it. She could only watch helplessly, suppressing her anger and resentment internally.
Su Xiaoqi, after the initial glance, didn't even cast a sidelong glance at her afterward.
Zhao Xiaohua had already been defeated.
She thought about how arrogant she had been when she provocatively challenged her outside, and now she felt just as dejected.
She had spent considerable effort to gain the favor of the Marquis of Yong'an's wife and become her adopted daughter. But then she had become a cousin from the Duke's mansion, deeply liked by the elders.
She had thought she could finally suppress Su Xiaoqi, only to find that in the end, she was still a loser.
Zhao Xiaohua seethed silently, while Su Xiaoqi was very adept at conversing with the elders.
She spoke of topics related to health and wellness, causing the two elders to lean forward and listen intently, nodding and agreeing from time to time. The atmosphere was incredibly harmonious.
By the end, she had charmed the elders, truly winning Old Madam Zeng's favor.
They even remarked that the Old Madam was lucky; even without a granddaughter, her daughter adopting such a likable child was a blessing.
The Old Madam was even happier, her wrinkled face beaming with a smile, her mouth never closing.
She declared that she had truly found a treasure.
Su Xiaoqi, of course, responded with sweet flattery to both of them, calling them fortunate old ladies, and left each of them a recipe for longevity-promoting medicinal dietary wellness.
"I obtained these from Old Mr. Lu some time ago. Please have a physician examine them first, and if there are no issues, then have them prepared for use."
Her voice was clear and melodious, her speech unhurried, making people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze, feeling very close.
After sitting for a while, a young maid from outside announced that the Duchess had sent someone to invite their young lady to admire flowers outside.
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Zeng chuckled, "Hahaha, look, the two old folks have kept her here. It's fortunate that Xiaoqi is such a steady person who can endure this; if it were someone else, they would probably be cursing us two old things in their hearts."
"That's not so. To be able to accompany the Old Madam and the Madam is a junior's fortune; others can only wish for such an opportunity," Su Xiaoqi said, whether intentionally or unintentionally, glancing at Zhao Xiaohua.
Old Madam Zeng thought about it and agreed. If it were that young girl named Zhao, she would indeed not favor her and wouldn't have allowed her to come and pay her respects.
The last shred of doubt in her heart was removed. She exchanged a look with the Old Madam and then allowed Su Xiaoqi to leave with the young maid.
Su Xiaoqi looked at the Old Madam, saw her nod, and then curtsied, offering an apology before departing.
Zhao Xiaohua saw this and hesitated for a moment, standing still.
She didn't want to leave yet. She had finally managed to get this opportunity to come here, and she naturally wanted to seize it to curry favor with Old Madam Zeng.
Moreover, she had to admit that, although she disliked Su Xiaoqi intensely, she had learned something from witnessing Su Xiaoqi's methods of charming the elders.
She also wanted to use them to improve her relationship with Old Madam Zeng,
which would make her future comings and goings to the Marquis's mansion more convenient.
Unfortunately, Old Madam Zeng had no intention of giving her that opportunity.
She smiled and watched Su Xiaoqi leave with the maid. Turning back, she saw Zhao Xiaohua standing there, hesitant to speak. Old Madam Zeng glared at her unpleasantly, "Aren't you leaving yet? What are you still doing here?"
Zhao Xiaohua's thousand words were suddenly choked in her throat, unable to be spoken.
Zeng Mama quickly stepped forward and quietly urged her to leave.
Zhao Xiaohua was furious, but she couldn't show it and had to suppress it once again.
She followed Zeng Mama out of the courtyard and, as they met, saw Su Xiaoqi waiting at the courtyard entrance, seemingly waiting for her.
"What are you doing here? Waiting to laugh at me?" Zhao Xiaohua snapped at her, annoyed.
Su Xiaoqi chuckled lightly, "Enough, you're thinking too much. I'm just telling you, don't provoke me when you have nothing better to do, and don't measure me by your own standards of honor and disgrace. My thoughts are different from yours. What you desire might not be what I want, and what I want, you may not be able to attain."