It seemed that Erxi had said something similar. Qi Xuanxuan was three years younger than her. Before leaving the manor, she only saw Qi Xuanxuan during the New Year's reunion dinner. The young girl was taciturn. After greeting the elders, she remained silent with Qi Mingzhu. As for Concubine Xiang, she had no memory of this person's appearance. This meant that the original owner had never met her.
Even if she was bedridden, she couldn't be unwell for an entire year, could she? It could only be said that Concubine Xiang was a very low-key person.
"Keep a closer eye on their movements over there," Qi Zhenzhen instructed.
She was not a sheltered young lady who knew nothing. The child was too large during childbirth, either Concubine Xiang was ignorant, or someone had intentionally done it.
Why? Generally, women in large families who were pregnant would have experienced midwives guiding them. Eating too much would cause the fetus to grow too large, which was a very serious problem. If it wasn't for someone deliberately concealing it, such a problem would basically not occur.
Concubine Xiang was attended by the Marquis's wife during her childbirth. During this period, Qi Zhenzhen did not believe that nothing fishy had happened.
Of course, she wasn't kindly trying to help Concubine Xiang investigate anything. She merely wanted to grasp more information about the Marquis's manor and what the Marquis's wife had done, as these could potentially become her means of self-preservation in the future.
"Miss, Fusheng, who is by the Eldest Miss's side, has come. She says the Eldest Miss has prepared a banquet and invited you to join her," Qingshui reported as she entered.
She had refused earlier in the morning, and now she was being invited again. If she refused again, it would surely spread throughout the manor that she, a concubine's daughter, was ungrateful.
Her loosely tied hair had to be styled again. Alas.
Qi Zhenzhen, without waiting for Erxi to help, tied up her black hair into a neat bun, inserting the hair comb she made that day. It was neat and tidy, with a hint of playfulness.
Qingzhi matched Qi Zhenzhen with a peach-pink long dress, embroidered with blooming peach blossoms on the hem. The wide sash at her waist was outlined with silver threads in the shape of peach blossoms, balancing the peach-pink color. It was clean, elegant, and very charming. Qi Zhenzhen felt a sense of admiration; indeed, professionals were professionals, and the pairing looked truly beautiful.
"Qingzhi has excellent taste," Qi Zhenzhen praised casually.
"It's Qingshui's skillful work. The peach blossoms on the hem of the skirt look as real as can be," Qingzhi said with a smile, her eyes curved.
Yes, this outfit was made by Qingshui and sent over. Even the sash was embroidered by Qingshui. It was sent over two days ago. She hadn't thought it was particularly beautiful then, but wearing it today, it matched her hairstyle and the comb in her hair perfectly.
She applied a light touch of makeup and chose a pair of pink pearl earrings, making her look beautiful without being too ostentatious.
Qi Mingzhu's courtyard was named after her, called Mingzhu Garden. It was located very close to the Marquis's wife's Jinghua Garden, enjoying a good position within the manor. Furthermore, there were large lotus ponds next to Mingzhu Garden, offering excellent scenery.
When she went out this time, she didn't bring Lianbei but instead brought Feixu and Erxi.
Erxi was also a professional, well-behaved, and less likely to make mistakes when taken out.
Qi Zhenzhen instructed Liuxu to pack the pearl hairpins prepared for Qi Mingzhu. After some thought, she also packed Qi Xuanxuan's share. What if Qi Mingzhu had also invited Qi Xuanxuan?
"Our Miss had already instructed the main kitchen to prepare a banquet earlier, so it should be ready by now," Fusheng said with a smile, speaking neither too fast nor too slow. "Miss has long wanted to invite the Second Miss to our Mingzhu Garden."
"Having just returned to the manor, there are many things to adapt to. It should have been me who paid a visit to the Eldest Sister," Qi Zhenzhen said amiably.
Fusheng cast a subtle glance at Qi Zhenzhen, inwardly grumbling but showing nothing on her face, remaining as respectful as ever.
The so-called Second Miss was nothing more than a country girl. According to the Eldest Miss, she had to show her face to eat and stay warm in the countryside, even interacting with men. She was truly shameless. She couldn't understand why the Marquis had brought her back. Wasn't he afraid that the manor's reputation would be tarnished by this Second Miss? It would be a loss if she dragged their Miss down.
Qi Zhenzhen noticed Fusheng's actions. The maids by Qi Mingzhu's side looked down on her, so one could imagine Qi Mingzhu's attitude.
One had to pretend in front of others for the sake of reputation; there was no other way.
Why bother with such effort behind closed doors? Qi Mingzhu didn't like her, and she didn't like Qi Mingzhu either. Wouldn't it be better to live in peace? To insist on acting like sisters who loved each other would be overdoing it. If they ended up disliking each other, wouldn't it be even worse?
Qi Zhenzhen did not expect that Qi Mingzhu would personally welcome her at the entrance of the courtyard.
She was very enthusiastic, and the atmosphere was strange.
Had she been stimulated by something?
As Qi Zhenzhen had guessed, Qi Mingzhu had indeed been stimulated. Lu Cheng was actually Qi Zhenzhen's fiancé.
She was a high and mighty legitimate daughter and had always disdained associating with concubine's daughters. But now, she was going to snatch her sister's fiancé. This was a huge shock to Qi Mingzhu. Given her pride, she was unwilling. However, the Duke's manor proposed marriage at this critical juncture. The reputation of that young lord was extremely poor throughout the capital. How could she tie her entire life to him?
Therefore, despite her disdain, she tacitly agreed.
Compared to Lu Chen, Gu Sinian naturally chose the talented Lu Chen.
Because of this, she felt a little guilty towards Qi Zhenzhen.
"I don't know what you like to eat, Sister, so I've asked the kitchen to make some of their specialty dishes. The head chef in our manor was formerly an imperial chef, and the noble ladies in the palace greatly favored his cooking. He is now living in retirement in our manor and only cooks for major banquets. I took great effort to persuade him to cook today," Qi Mingzhu said affectionately.
The square table was filled with delicacies, all appealing in color, aroma, and taste. The maids serving nearby quickly set out bowls and chopsticks as Qi Mingzhu led Qi Zhenzhen into the room.
"Sit down, Sister. Let's not adhere to the rule of not speaking while eating. We can talk as we eat," Qi Mingzhu said, still full of enthusiasm.
If the two had always interacted this way, it would have been fine. But earlier, Qi Mingzhu had clearly shown her attitude. To behave like this now truly made one feel uncomfortable. She was smiling and welcoming, and she had to play along. It was truly...
"Sister, come and try our manor's special fruit wine. It comes in peach and apricot flavors. It's light and not intoxicating, suitable for ladies to drink," Qi Mingzhu personally poured a cup for Qi Zhenzhen.
The meal concluded amidst Qi Mingzhu's enthusiasm. Qi Zhenzhen had intended to find an excuse to leave, but Qi Mingzhu pulled her to sit on the couch.
Fusheng brought over a jewelry box. Qi Mingzhu opened it, revealing various exquisite pieces of jewelry.
"Sister, these are a token of my affection. You mustn't refuse," Qi Mingzhu said.
Fusheng added with a smile, "Second Miss, these jewelry pieces are all crafted by masters. They were sent to our Miss by the Princess of the Prince's Manor. They were just delivered."
This meant that Qi Mingzhu had never worn these jewelry pieces; they were brand new.
What intentions did she have behind this? Qi Zhenzhen truly couldn't figure it out.