“Yes, I slept very well, but the curtains in the side room are a bit heavy. I feel a bit stuffy,” Li Qing said, her brow furrowed slightly. “Great-Aunt, it’s not that Qing’er is being difficult, it’s just that I feel stifled when I sleep.”
The curtains in the side rooms were uniformly provided by the Marquis’s mansion. They were made of cotton gauze. While not as breathable as silk gauze, they certainly wouldn’t cause stuffiness.
“Why didn’t you tell your sister, dear? You are staying in my courtyard, and your food, clothing, and daily necessities should be managed by me. The silk gauze curtains in my room are quite airy. I’ll have Fusheng bring you one over later,” Qi Mingzhu said with a smile. “Is there anything else you’re not satisfied with? Just say it all at once.”
“Qing’er brought only thick clothes this time, not expecting the capital to be as cold as imagined. Wearing them now feels very hot,” Li Qing said with annoyance. “Isn’t that right, Nuan’er, Rou’er?”
Not to mention the extravagance of Qi Mingzhu’s clothes, even the concubine-born daughters Qi Zhenzhen and Qi Xuanyuan were dressed better than she, a legitimate daughter. If she didn’t get a couple of new outfits, she would surely lose face in front of the noble ladies of the capital during her great-aunt’s birthday celebration. She was eagerly anticipating making an impression.
Li Nuan and Li Rou’s faces turned extremely unpleasant. How could they be so shameless when visiting as guests?
“We brought thin clothes,” Li Nuan and Li Rou said in unison.
Li Qing glared fiercely at Li Nuan and Li Rou, thinking them unappreciative for not seizing such a good opportunity.
“It was my oversight, my dear. The weather has indeed become warmer these past few days. Fang Momo, please invite the shopkeeper from Jinxiu Workshop to measure the young ladies and have them rush out a few summer outfits,” the Old Madam said with a smile.
Li Nuan and Li Rou politely declined, saying they had brought summer clothes that were newly made and it would be too wasteful to make more.
“For young ladies, the more beautiful clothes, the better. This is a gift from your great-aunt, so please accept it with peace of mind,” the Old Madam said kindly. “Don’t be too constrained here. Think of this place as your own home. If you need anything, just tell your sisters.”
Li Nuan and Li Rou thanked her gratefully and obediently sat to the side.
“What are you all talking about so lively? Your sister-in-law wanted to accompany you, dear, for breakfast, but as soon as we arrived, the kitchen sent breakfast over. Thinking it would be a waste not to eat it, we ate first before coming,” Madam Lu said loudly. “The cooks in your mansion are truly remarkable. Those little rabbit-shaped red bean buns looked so lifelike, I almost couldn’t bear to eat them.”
“I’m glad you like them,” the Old Madam said with a smile.
“I like them, I like them! I wish I could eat such breakfast every day from now on,” Madam Lu said, smiling.
“Mother, that’s not difficult at all. Haven’t you always wanted to spend more time with your aunt? You can stay here for a while longer. After Father left, Mother was very lonely at home. Now that you’re at the Marquis’s mansion, talking with your aunt every day, I see your complexion has improved quite a bit,” Li family’s eldest aunt, Madam Bai, said with a smile. “Sister-in-law, am I right?”
“Eldest sister is right. I also see that Mother’s complexion has improved a lot,” Madam Wang also chimed in.
Qi Zhenzhen’s eyes twitched. The Li family members seemed quite normal yesterday, but today they were revealing their true colors? Were they here to celebrate a birthday, or to freeload?
“Grandmother, I also like the sisters in the Marquis’s mansion. If I could live here permanently, then I could play with my sisters. Oh, and Great-Aunt has been so good to us. Just now she instructed Fang Momo to have people from the embroidery workshop come measure us for new clothes,” Li Qing said with a look of innocent candor.
“I know you well enough. Did you shamelessly ask your great-aunt for them again?” Madam Lu playfully glared at Li Qing. “Forgive me, dear. This girl was raised by my side since childhood and I’ve spoiled her. She’s always been straightforward and can’t keep things in her heart. If she says or does anything wrong, please discipline her. Don’t indulge her just because she’s a guest.”
Huh?!
This thick skin was probably comparable to a city wall!
“Sister-in-law, you jest. Qing’er is innocent and lively, and I like her very much. Unlike the girls by my side, who are all too bound by rules and propriety in their speech and actions. They are good young girls, but they’ve become like little old women,” the Old Madam said subtly.
To put it nicely, it was innocence and liveliness, simplicity. To put it bluntly, it was foolishness and naivete.
But the Li family acted as if they couldn’t detect the sarcasm and truly believed the Old Madam was praising them.
“Sister, I won’t hide it from you. I brought them to the capital this time not only for your birthday celebration but also for other reasons,” Madam Lu sighed. “Zheng’er needs to study, and the girls are also of marriageable age. As you know, Yun Gui is a poor and remote region. Although there are quite a few academies, there are fewer capable tutors compared to the capital. Zheng’er wants to pursue the imperial examination path, and I think it’s best for him to come to the capital. The Li family has no industries here, so I’m shamelessly asking you to help Zheng’er secure a future by asking your nephew to find him a renowned teacher, alright? As for the girls, I don’t want them to marry in Yun Gui either.”
Li Zheng was the legitimate son of the Li family and would inherit the Li family in the future. If he was ambitious, the Old Madam felt it was her duty to help. After all, the Li family was her maiden family, and she had promised her parents that she would help them if she could. As for the marriages of the three girls, the Old Madam did not want to take responsibility. Marriage was a major event, governed by parents’ orders; what business did a great-aunt have interfering? Moreover, judging by their current demeanor, Nuan’er and Rou’er were good girls. As for Qing’er… raising a legitimate daughter to this state, let alone finding a good family, even ordinary families might not take a liking to her if they knew her disposition.
“When Tianming returns, I will speak with him about Zheng’er’s matters. As for the marriages of the girls…” the Old Madam mused, “When Mingzhu’s mother goes out visiting, I’ll have her take them along so they can socialize more. If the children are good, good marriages will naturally come to them.”
Madam Lu’s face lit up with joy. “Good sister, I knew you had our Li family in your heart. Hurry up and thank your great-aunt, girls. Whether you can marry into a distinguished family as the main wife depends on your great-aunt.”
The Old Madam frowned. Distinguished families? Their appetite was too large!
“Alright, alright. I am old and my energy is waning. You sisters go play. The two nieces’ wives can also go to your sister-in-law’s courtyard to chat. She is currently looking for suitors for Mingzhu. If you have any requirements, you can discuss them with her,” the Old Madam waved her hand.
Madam Lu was quite sensible at this moment. “I’ll also go sit in my nephew’s wife’s courtyard to learn more about families in the capital.”
After everyone had left, the Old Madam slammed her hand heavily on the square table. “She’s gotten so old, I thought her disposition would have moderated somewhat. But now, she’s even worse than when she was young. Listen to her, just listen to what she’s saying! Zheng’er’s matter is understandable, but how could she so brazenly speak about her three granddaughters’ affairs? And distinguished families, at that. Does she even consider the current situation of the Li family? Which distinguished family would even look favorably upon the Li family? Truly delusional!”