Qi Zhenzhen scanned the items on the table. They were all things a young lady would use, including rouge and powder, fashionable palace flowers, and pretty pouches and handkerchiefs. There were also some storybooks.
She hadn't realized Gu Sinian was so adept at pleasing young ladies.
"Lian Bei, go invite Third Miss, Warm Sister, and Rou Mei over. They'll definitely like these things," Qi Zhenzhen instructed. "Oh, and make a trip to Eldest Miss's place too."
Although she felt indifferent towards Qi Mingzhu, it wouldn't be right to leave her out at this moment, as they were all young ladies of the same household.
"Zhenzhen sister, are you going to share these things with us?" Li Qing asked, her face full of surprise. Her gaze swept over the pile of rouge and powder, already calculating which items she would take.
Qi Zhenzhen ignored the greed on Li Qing's face and pondered how the Li family educated their children. How could a proper嫡女 (di nu - legitimate daughter) exude such commonness? In contrast, Li Nuan and Li Rou conducted themselves with such propriety that it was quite pleasant.
They arrived shortly. Li Nuan was the first, as she lived in Longxiang Garden, and a simple call was enough. Then came Qi Xuanyuan and Li Rou, and finally Qi Mingzhu, accompanied by Fusu.
Qi Zhenzhen pointed to the pile of things on the table, explaining her intentions.
As soon as she finished speaking, Li Qing grabbed several items with a flourish, even taking three boxes of螺子黛 (luo zi dai - a type of eyebrow cosmetic).
Her ungraceful demeanor was difficult to watch.
"Thank you for your sister's kind intentions, but I have too many of these things already, and many are used by the imperial consorts," Qi Mingzhu said calmly, though the boast in her words was undeniable.
Li Nuan and Li Rou both felt a bit embarrassed. Li Qing's behavior was truly disgraceful. As daughters of the Li family themselves, they felt ashamed for her.
Yet, the person concerned was oblivious. Seeing that Li Nuan and Li Rou hadn't stepped forward, Li Qing urged them, "You two are so slow. What good things can you still pick? These are all of excellent quality, things you can't buy even with money. Once this opportunity is gone, don't say you didn't get anything."
Qi Zhenzhen smiled and stepped forward, taking Li Nuan and Li Rou's hands. "Warm Sister, Rou Mei, pick whatever you like. There are so many of these rouge and powders; if you don't help me share them, they'll go bad before we can even use them."
After speaking, she pushed them towards the table and, considering their complexions, picked out several items for each of them.
Li Qing glanced at the items she had picked, then at what Qi Zhenzhen had given to Li Nuan and Li Rou, and immediately felt that her own items were inferior. With a fawning expression, she said, "I think these few colors suit me. You two pick other things, other things."
Saying this, she reached out to take Li Nuan and Li Rou's items.
Li Nuan and Li Rou did not, as they usually did, meekly give their things to Li Qing.
"Qing'er, these were given to us by Zhenzhen. They are her kind thoughts, and we cannot disappoint her. Besides, you've already picked so many, can you possibly use them all?" Li Nuan said with a stern face.
Li Qing was accustomed to snatching things from them without any obstruction; she could snatch whatever she wanted.
But this time, she was actually refused, and refused in front of everyone.
Li Qing felt somewhat humiliated. These two concubine-born daughters were trying to embarrass her. Who gave them the courage?
"I already said these things don't suit you two. There are still so many here, you can choose more," Li Qing said with a forced smile, her eyes full of threat. "You two haven't paid your respects to Grandmother these past two days. Grandmother misses you."
This was using Madam Lu to pressure them.
"Grandmother excused us from paying our respects the past few days," Li Rou said loudly. "And stop using Grandmother to pressure people. You should spend your time thinking about how to cultivate your own demeanor. What legitimate daughter acts like you?"
Her words were quite harsh. Li Qing's face turned bright red, and after a long pause, she managed to blurt out, "I know you're jealous, but jealousy is useless. A person's fate is predetermined. You were born a concubine-born daughter, and you'll marry a man and have concubine-born sons!"
After saying this, she spat on the ground in her anger.
Her retort and action were seamless, without any hesitation, just like those unruly women from the countryside.
Qi Mingzhu frowned, showing her disgust. Li Qing was truly irritating.
Li Nuan and Li Rou's expressions soured. They were concubine-born daughters, but was that something they could control? If they could, who wouldn't want to be a legitimate daughter?
"What does Sister Qing mean by that?" Qi Zhenzhen asked expressionlessly. "Putting aside other things, the Heir Apparent is not a concubine-born son."
Li Qing claimed that concubine-born daughters could only marry concubine-born sons, but she, a concubine-born daughter herself, was betrothed to the Duke's mansion. The Heir Apparent was a proper legitimate son, and his status was even higher than that of ordinary legitimate sons.
This was precisely Li Qing's sore spot, and Qi Zhenzhen bringing it up to refute her words made Li Qing's expression even more unpleasant.
"We haven't congratulated you yet, Sister Zhenzhen," Li Rou said cooperatively. "The Heir Apparent not only has a good family background but also a good disposition. He's already thinking of you so soon after the engagement, sending you so many things. Sister, your future days will surely be harmonious and beautiful."
Li Qing stomped her foot in anger, glared fiercely at Li Rou, Qi Zhenzhen, and Li Nuan, and turned to leave. Of course, she didn't forget to carry the items she had chosen.
Qi Mingzhu, having witnessed the farce, felt it was meaningless and also took her leave.
Since they were not close sisters, Qi Zhenzhen did not try to keep her.
Once the uncomfortable people had left, a faint smile returned to Qi Zhenzhen's face. She pulled the Li sisters and Qi Xuanyuan to sit down and pick through the items Gu Sinian had sent.
"Sister Zhenzhen is truly generous. If it were me, I would definitely hoard these things. I would prepare different things to give to my sisters!" Li Rou said playfully.
Qi Zhenzhen smiled. "The Heir Apparent's intention was certainly for me to share them with my sisters, otherwise, why would he send so many? Look, there are several sets of the same color. Oh, this pale yellow palace flower really suits Rou Mei's dress. Come, let me pin it for you."
The sisters chatted and laughed as they divided the items, then sat together sharing secrets, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Li Qing returned to her guest room in a huff. She threw several things around before managing to dissipate some of her anger, but she still felt unsettled. She blinked her eyes hard, making them red, and then went to Madam Lu's room.
Madam Lu had not left her room for the past two days, all because Li Qing's engagement had fallen through. Moreover, the Old Madam had also told her to restrain Li Qing properly from now on. She forced herself to speak to Li Qing about how to interact with sisters. Regardless of her private feelings, she had to maintain appearances. Sister Qing was not stupid; she would surely understand her intentions. If she could get along well with Qi Zhenzhen, perhaps some good fortune would befall her. Look at those two concubine-born daughters; they were close to Qi Zhenzhen and had gained considerable benefits from the Old Madam.