Most people's nature is to enjoy a lively scene, and the members of these prominent families were no exception.
Those familiar with or able to converse with Madam Qin gathered around, eager to get a closer look at Li Qing, this audacious young lady.
Li Qing felt quite pleased. So many madams were paying attention to her. Did this mean she had caught their eye? Perhaps some of them were from esteemed families even more distinguished than the Duke's mansion.
Qi Mingzhu watched this scene, wishing she hadn't attended this so-called Lotus Banquet. If she hadn't come, she wouldn't be so utterly humiliated.
The Princess of Rui's side was also observing Madam Qin's group. All those present were allies of the Prince Rui's mansion, and nothing untoward could happen today.
Li Nuan and Li Rou finally recovered their senses. They lowered their heads, wishing they could disappear into a hole. Li Qing had just announced her family name, and now these noble madams were looking at them with probing eyes, clearly considering them to be of the same ilk as Li Qing.
Shameless, utterly without shame.
Even Qi Zhenzhen didn't know how to handle this situation. She could only stand silently, not uttering a word.
"I remember now, these young ladies from the Li family are the maternal nieces of the Old Madam of the Changping Marquisate. When she celebrated her birthday, the Old Madam's sister-in-law brought them over. It's just that after all this time, why haven't they left yet?" someone suddenly spoke.
"Where are the Old Marchioness's maternal family from? Let me think, oh yes, from Yun Gui. The journey is long, so it's natural for them to stay for a while longer," another person chimed in.
With their words, they managed to distance themselves from the Marquisate.
After all, the Marquisate had sent two young ladies today, both of whom had behaved impeccably without causing any trouble. Furthermore, one of them had performed admirably at the Old Marchioness's birthday banquet, and now she was on good terms with Princess Ruining, so her character and disposition were certainly beyond reproach.
As for this Li family, there were no renowned families from Yun Gui, so they were likely of no consequence.
It was truly a hardship for the Marquisate to show such care for their relatives.
The rare spectacle was met with hushed whispers from those present.
Qi Mingzhu couldn't bear it any longer. She feigned a pained expression, and Madam Qin, seeing this, quickly stepped forward to inquire, using this opportunity to request their departure. Rather than be gawked at here, it was better to leave quickly.
If she were to leave, Qi Zhenzhen and the others naturally couldn't stay. Qi Zhenzhen quickly bid farewell to the Princess of Rui, and then went to help support Qi Mingzhu with Li Nuan and Li Rou. Li Nuan and Li Rou wished they could vanish on the spot; if they could leave, they certainly wouldn't linger. But Li Qing didn't want to leave. So many people had noticed her; what would it mean if she left now?
However, she also knew that in such an occasion, without elders present, it would be improper.
She hesitated, not following along. Qi Zhenzhen gave a look to Madam Fang, who understood and walked to Li Qing's side. "Miss Li, the Eldest Young Lady's aunt is unwell and needs to rest. Although you are a young lady of the Li family, you are attending this banquet from our Marquisate. In this situation, with so many people watching, you should display sisterly affection. This will leave a good impression on the madams present."
Li Qing's eyes lit up. She hurried to Qi Mingzhu's side, pulled away Li Nuan who was supporting Qi Mingzhu, and put on a show of anxious concern.
Qi Mingzhu had never been so embarrassed in her life. She hated Li Qing so much she wanted to tear her apart with her own hands. Yet, Li Qing shamelessly clung to her. Worse, she couldn't shake her off, and her expression grew even more displeased.
Those present had initially suspected the Changping Marquisate was feigning illness to escape. Now, it seemed genuine.
Regardless, guests were guests. As the host, the Princess of Rui had to see them off properly when they left early.
She bid farewell to those inside and personally escorted them out.
While it was said she was seeing off the people from the Changping Marquisate, her primary intention was to see off Qi Zhenzhen.
"Zhenzhen, there are so many people today, and I haven't had a chance to speak with you properly. I'll have Ruining send you an invitation later, and you must come to the mansion to visit. You absolutely cannot refuse! We'll have a good chat then," the Princess of Rui said, holding Qi Zhenzhen's hand.
Madam Qin, standing beside them, forced a smile. "It is her good fortune to catch the Princess's eye."
"She is a fortunate child," the Princess of Rui commented casually. "There are many other guests inside, so I won't escort you further."
With that, she designated a wet nurse to see them out in her stead.
After the group boarded the Marquisate's carriage, Madam Qin's smile vanished completely.
She raised her hand and slapped the reluctant Li Qing, glaring at her fiercely, and gritted her teeth, squeezing out a sentence from her throat, "You have disgraced the Marquisate completely."
Li Qing was stunned by the slap. No one had ever laid a finger on her since she was little, and now she had been slapped.
It hurt, a burning pain!
Li Qing was also filled with anger. She had finally made an appearance at the banquet and hadn't even had a chance to make connections before being forced to leave. The instigators were the Marchioness and Qi Mingzhu. Why did they have to fall ill now? It had delayed her plans for nothing. Not only did they offer no apology, but they even struck her? Was she someone who could be hit so casually?
Li Qing let out a cry and lunged at Madam Qin. The carriage was not spacious, and Li Qing's lunge pinned Madam Qin against the carriage wall. Madam Qin felt a sharp pain in her back, as if it were broken. She was completely dazed, until a burning pain spread across her face—
Li Qing was scratching her.
And she was scratching with all her might! Li Qing's nails were well-maintained and now served their purpose, scratching Madam Qin's face.
Qi Mingzhu finally reacted. While pulling Li Qing back, she shouted for help.
The carriage stopped. The coachman lifted the curtain and was shocked by the scene inside the carriage.
"Quick, quick, quickly pull away this lunatic!" Qi Mingzhu cried anxiously.
The coachman, accustomed to rough work and strong of arm, reacted. He grabbed Li Qing by the back of her neck and pulled her off Madam Qin.
Madam Qin's hair was disheveled, and her face was crisscrossed with bloody scratches. She bore no resemblance to a Marchioness, no dignity or honor. She looked like a shrew after a fight. No, it couldn't be called a fight; it seemed she had been attacked unilaterally.
Qi Zhenzhen's carriage was following Madam Qin's. When theirs stopped, the ones behind naturally stopped as well.
The servants' carriage at the very back also stopped. Madam Qin and Madam Fang got out together to investigate. Upon seeing Madam Qin's disheveled state, they both gasped. What had happened?
Qi Mingzhu was sobbing uncontrollably, her words disjointed, but she managed to explain.
Li Qing had gone mad and attacked Madam Qin.
Madam Qin immediately pulled Li Qing out of the carriage and got in herself. She then instructed the coachman, "Quick, speed back to the Marquisate! Madam Fang, please trouble yourself to send a message to the Princess's mansion, asking the Princess to invite an imperial physician to our residence, the one most skilled in treating such injuries."