"You're all mouth!" Old Madam chided Qi Zhenzhen with a smile, then turned to address Qian Yuanbao, "What is your grandmother doing at home? She said she'd come visit me sometime, but never did. Oh, don't just stand there, sit down quickly."
He was handsome and polite, truly a fine young man.
Old Madam now felt like a mother-in-law looking at her prospective son-in-law, finding him more pleasing the more she looked.
She had only one son, and now she was raising Qi Zhenzhen like a little daughter.
Qian Yuanbao, though showing nothing on his face, spoke respectfully to Old Madam. Inwardly, however, he was full of complaints. Who would possibly fancy that wild girl Qi Zhenzhen? He truly didn't understand what his grandmother saw in her, praising her so much.
"Miss, Old Madam has a guest in her room. It's inconvenient for you to come in now," Zi Ling's voice sounded from outside.
"I've come to pay my respects to my grand-aunt. What's inconvenient about it? I personally stewed some soup for my grand-aunt, and it's best to drink it while it's hot."
Her sharp voice could only belong to Li Qing.
It turned out that when Qian Yuanbao entered the manor earlier, Li Qing had spotted him. At the birthday banquet, Qian Yuanbao had stood with Gu Sinian. She had only paid attention to the two of them and hadn't noticed their identities. Later, she heard from her grandmother that the heir of the Duke's manor was better looking than the young master of the Qian family. Amusingly, Li Qing found Qian Yuanbao more attractive, so she mistakenly believed Qian Yuanbao was her future husband.
How could she, the future wife, not show herself when her future husband visited?
Old Madam's expression darkened. She truly disliked this grand-niece from her maternal family. Zi Ling had already tried to stop her, saying there was a guest, but she acted as if she hadn't heard, insisting on barging in. Was she ignorant or doing it deliberately?
*Slap—*
A crisp clapping sound came from inside, followed by Li Qing lifting the curtain and walking in. She moved gracefully, with a shy expression as she greeted Old Madam, but her eyes kept darting towards Qian Yuanbao.
As soon as Old Madam saw her demeanor, she knew what she was thinking. For a legitimate daughter of the Li family to behave so wantonly and without restraint, how was the Li family educating their children?
Qian Yuanbao had also noticed Li Qing's actions. His expression remained calm, but he was thinking, where did this vulgar creature come from, trying to flirt with him?
"What are you doing here?" Old Madam asked calmly.
"Grand-aunt, Qing'er has stewed some soup for you," Li Qing said sweetly. "I didn't expect you to have a guest. If I had known, Qing'er would have stewed more."
"That's thoughtful of you. Leave the soup here, and you can go back. I'll have someone invite you over to talk later," Old Madam said.
Li Qing's gaze was now fixed on Qian Yuanbao. Was she supposed to leave after just a few glances? She didn't want to.
Her eyes darted, and Li Qing had an idea. She curtsied, turned to leave, but perhaps turning too quickly, she lost her balance slightly. She stumbled directly towards Qian Yuanbao's seat.
Because Li Qing was so close, Qian Yuanbao had already been holding his breath. Just as he was about to relax after Old Madam told her to leave, she stumbled towards him.
A pungent fragrance drilled into Qian Yuanbao's nose, making him feel nauseous.
*Gag—*
Qian Yuanbao vomited, all of it landing squarely on Li Qing.
Li Qing, who had fallen at Qian Yuanbao's feet, was stunned. What had happened?
The sour, rotten smell spread throughout the room. Li Qing's brain finally caught up. She had stumbled and no one had caught her, but instead, someone had vomited all over her?
Qian Yuanbao's stomach churned, feeling extremely uncomfortable. "Quickly get her away, she's making me sick."
Li Qing, a delicate young lady, was actually being disgusted by the man she thought was her fiancé, to the point of vomiting.
With a wail, Li Qing burst into tears.
After half an hour of commotion, Li Qing, who had cried herself into a stupor, was sent back to Madam Lu. The room was cleaned several times, and finally, the sour, rotten smell disappeared.
Qian Yuanbao sat down again, his face full of apology. "I apologize to Old Madam for making a spectacle. I've had a strange illness since childhood; I can't tolerate the smell of rouge and powder used by young ladies. I can tolerate mild scents, but the smell on that girl just now was too strong. I tried to endure it, but I couldn't. I am truly sorry."
Qian Yuanbao's expression was sincere, and his vomiting didn't seem faked. It was a chronic condition, so Old Madam couldn't say much. Besides, if Li Qing hadn't acted out, this wouldn't have happened.
"Are you feeling better now? The manor has a physician. Would you like me to call him to take a look?" Old Madam asked with concern.
"No, no, there's nothing to see. As long as I don't smell those scents, I'll be fine," Qian Yuanbao quickly waved his hand. "In any case, I was rude today. I will come with my grandmother to apologize later. There's nothing else, so I'll take my leave now."
This was a marquis's manor, and not many people knew about his peculiar habit. If another young lady were to appear and he couldn't help but vomit again, it would be a truly embarrassing situation.
Old Madam sent Madam Fang to personally escort him out and asked Qian Yuanbao to send her regards to his grandmother.
"Zi Ling, go and invite Old Madam Li here," Old Madam commanded with a frown, displeased.
Qi Zhenzhen poured a cup of tea for Old Madam. "Grandmother, please calm your anger. Don't stoop to their level."
"Originally, my Li family had strict family traditions, and our education of the children was very rigorous. The children of the Li family were all well-mannered and sensible. Only then can a family prosper. But look at what it's become now. My parents have been gone for a long time, and my elder brother and sister-in-law are in charge now. But look, does she have the demeanor of a matriarch? With Qing'er like this now, I don't believe she's unrelated to her." Old Madam said indignantly, "Is this how a legitimate daughter behaves? With such conduct and bearing, even children from humble families are better. As a young lady, doesn't she have any shame? She wasn't clumsy just now; it was deliberate. She wanted to deliberately fall onto Qian Yuanbao and have close contact with him."
Old Madam was angry, and Qi Zhenzhen's persuasion was useless. Moreover, Li Qing's behavior just now was truly unsightly.
Madam Lu arrived soon after. She was a bit bewildered. Her granddaughter, who had been in a sorry state, had just been sent back. No matter how she asked, she couldn't find out what had happened. She could only order someone to change Li Qing's soiled clothes, then instruct them to fetch hot water and have Li Qing soaked in the bathtub. The smell on her was too unbearable.
"Sister, why did you send for your sister-in-law so urgently?" Madam Lu asked.
Old Madam didn't mince words and recounted Li Qing's actions.
"I believe I've taken care of all aspects of your stay at the marquis's manor, from food and clothing to daily expenses. Have I mistreated you in any way?" Old Madam said angrily. "Is this how you repay me? She barged in without regard when I had important guests, and even hit my head maid. Is this the conduct of a noble lady? It's no different from a shrew in the marketplace! And now, she has disturbed my guests and ended up in such a pathetic state. Are you satisfied?"