After this incident, it should have been kept quiet, but given Madam Qin's temperament, the County Prince's Mansion would definitely get involved. Moreover, Madam Qin was injured on her face, and if it wasn't handled properly, her face might be ruined.
Granny Fang nodded, complying with Granny Qin's request.
After Madam Qin and her entourage departed, Granny Fang briefly explained what had happened to Qi Zhenzhen, advising her to be sharp and to go directly to the Old Madam upon returning to the mansion, without stopping anywhere else.
"Granny, what about me? What should I do?" Li Qing's anger had subsided, and her mind was now filled with lingering fear. That was the Marchioness, and she had actually struck the Marchioness.
"Miss Li is indeed valiant," Granny Fang said coolly. "As for what you will do, that is not for this old servant to say. If you don't wish to walk back to the Marquis's mansion yourself, then you'll have to endure sitting with the second young lady and the others."
When they arrived earlier, Li Qing had claimed to be a legitimate daughter and refused to ride in the same carriage as a concubine-born daughter, which was why she had boarded Madam Qin's carriage.
Madam Qin must be regretting it to the core right now.
Li Qing nimbly climbed into the carriage where Qi Zhenzhen was seated. Seeing the three of them staring at her, she shrunk her neck and said, "She hit me first. Was I supposed to just take the beating?"
"I didn't do anything wrong, so why should she hit me?"
Qi Zhenzhen, Li Qing, Li Nuan: ...
"Are you saying I should have just taken the beating?" Li Qing said, her neck stiff.
"But she is an elder, the Marchioness. How could you do that?" Li Nuan took a deep breath and said, "As a junior, laying hands on an elder is grounds for family punishment. If Auntie pursues this, you could be charged with assault and battery, and might even end up in prison."
Prison?
Li Qing shivered. "You're lying. I, I only scratched her a few times. When Grandmother was home, she was angry with those concubines too, and nothing happened, right?"
The concubines in the Li family were under Madam Lu's jurisdiction. It wasn't just scratching; even if something more serious happened, or even if they were killed, it wouldn't have mattered. But this was the Marchioness, a granddaughter of the County Prince's Mansion. Their statuses were not the same.
Li Nuan felt for the first time that her legitimate sister was not only overbearing but also foolish. At the same time, she felt sorrow for herself and Li Rou. They were both daughters of the Li family. Even if they weren't involved in the incident, they couldn't escape the consequences. Daughters of a family, especially blood-related sisters, rise and fall together.
Upon finally returning to the Marquis's mansion, Qi Zhenzhen did not dare to delay and went straight to Chaohui Hall.
Li Nuan and Li Rou followed Qi Zhenzhen, while Li Qing scurried off to find Madam Lu.
Li Nuan and Li Rou immediately knelt before the Old Madam, leaving her bewildered. Had the banquet ended so early?
Qi Zhenzhen did not dare to conceal anything and recounted everything that had happened after entering Prince Rui's mansion to the Old Madam.
The Old Madam's face darkened, and she remained silent.
After a long while, she beckoned the two kneeling sisters. "You two get up. This matter has nothing to do with you. It was Qing'er's own doing. Just wait and see, your Auntie and her family are not to be trifled with. Even if I have to put my old face on the line, it will be difficult to protect Qing'er."
Over there, Li Nuan tearfully recounted the events to Madam Lu. Madam Lu pursed her lips. "You, why did you get into a physical altercation with her? Regardless, she is your Auntie, an elder, and the matriarch of this Marquis's mansion. You, you this..."
Li Qing pointed to her swollen cheek and sobbed, "She hit me first like a madwoman. Grandmother, look, this side of my face is all swollen."
"If she hit you, you should have endured it. Besides, you only got slapped, and it will be swollen for two or three days. As for her, her face is ruined!" Madam Lu felt a throbbing in her forehead, not knowing what to say. "Don't cry to me here. Come, let's go to your grand-aunt. If you apologize properly there, with her help, your Auntie might be appeased."
Li Qing was truly scared now, so she naturally did as Madam Lu said.
The grandmother and granddaughter hurried to Chaohui Hall. As soon as Madam Lu entered, she began to wail dramatically, while Li Qing knelt before the Old Madam.
"Sister, you must save Qing'er this time. This girl has no ill intentions; she's just been spoiled since childhood, speaks her mind too freely, and doesn't know her limits! It was also my niece-in-law who struck her first. She's been pampered since she was young, and a surge of anger led her to this foolish act. She knows she was wrong now. As for my niece-in-law, please speak on her behalf. Whatever punishment or scolding she receives, I won't object."
Scratched someone's face, and this is still considered no ill intentions?
Women, regardless of age, are extremely concerned about their appearance. To disfigure someone's face, how deep must the hatred be?
"I cannot intervene in this matter," the Old Madam stated frankly. "Qing'er has gone too far this time! My daughter-in-law will not let this go, and neither will Prince Qin's Mansion behind her."
"Sister, you must help! If you don't, will Qing'er have any way to live?" Madam Lu cried out in distress.
"I am truly powerless. You only managed to attend the Lotus Banquet by asking my daughter-in-law and Mingzhu. Yet, you were not well-behaved when you went, causing such a great embarrassment and completely disgracing the Marquis's mansion. Now the Marquis's mansion has become a laughingstock. I won't hold you accountable for this!"
"How is it disgraceful? My Qing'er did not bring shame to the Marquis's mansion; she actually brought it honor! Those madams noticed Qing'er and all gave her gifts," Madam Lu quickly said. "I'll have her bring the items over, and you can see."
A pile of pouches.
Madam Lu opened them one by one, pouring out the contents – a pile of silver ingots.
Madam Lu was stunned. Even with her ignorance, she knew that those people had no interest in Li Qing. Silver ingots were typically used as tips for servants when visiting a household.
Did they consider Li Qing to be worse than a servant?
Madam Lu felt a breath caught in her chest, unable to breathe.
Li Qing, who was kneeling, was also stunned. She had seen the gifts given to Li Nuan and Li Rou – bracelets and hairpins, all good items. Why was she treated so casually?
"Those people who gave gifts must have had black hearts and swapped the items. They guessed I wouldn't open them on the spot, so... so..." Li Qing argued.
"Wake up. Those people were showing respect for the Marquis's mansion. When you asked for something, they couldn't refuse, so they gave you these as a dismissal. I know you saw that I and Sister Rou received gifts, and you felt unbalanced, but why don't you consider that we benefited from Zhenzhen's presence? Without Zhenzhen, those madams wouldn't even glance at us," Li Nuan said.
"No, no, I am a legitimate daughter of the Li family. Why wouldn't they like me?" Li Qing said, shaking her head.
Qi Zhenzhen put her hand to her forehead. How had Madam Lu raised Li Qing? This wasn't just foolishness; it was extreme stupidity. There were countless legitimate daughters of noble status in the capital. Unless a madam had poor eyesight, she wouldn't favor a legitimate daughter from a small place. No, the problem wasn't about being a legitimate daughter, but about one's character. To be as foolish as Li Qing was a kind of skill that commanded admiration.