Qi Zhenzhen nodded, finding Li Nuan's personality more and more agreeable. Initially appearing dignified and graceful, she revealed a mischievous and clever spirit upon closer conversation.
"Sister Mingzhu is truly amazing!" Li Qing's large eyes sparkled with admiration.
Li Rou's small face showed a hint of displeasure, her hand tightly clutching a handkerchief.
"Rou'er is three years younger than Sister Mingzhu, so she's naturally had three fewer years for calligraphy and studies. If you lose, you lose, why be so dejected?" Li Nuan stepped forward, taking Li Rou's hand to comfort her.
However, these words of comfort were not solely comforting; they subtly included Qi Mingzhu, implying that winning after three extra years of study was not a fair victory. As the elder sister by age, she had failed to yield to her younger sister, losing the demeanor of an elder sister.
Qi Mingzhu had never been subjected to such veiled criticism, yet the words were undeniably true, leaving her unable to retort.
Qi Zhenzhen, holding Qi Xuanyuan's hand, stood aside, showing no intention of intervening.
"Losing is losing. If Sister Nuan twists it like this, is she unable to accept defeat?" Li Qing spoke up for Qi Mingzhu.
Li Nuan glared at Li Qing. Her legitimate sister was truly clueless. Even if she looked down on her and Li Rou for being born to concubines, she shouldn't be helping an outsider belittle her own sister in such a setting. If this were to spread, wouldn't it affect the reputation of the Li family's young ladies?
"Young ladies and young sirs, the banquet is prepared. The Old Madam has sent this old servant to invite you to be seated," Madam Fang announced from the doorway of the warm pavilion.
When an elder invites someone, dawdling and not going would be disrespectful.
Li Nuan patted Li Rou's hand and was the first to lead her out of the warm pavilion.
Qi Zhenzhen led Qi Xuanyuan to follow.
Qi Yi beckoned for the Li brothers, Li Zheng and Li Yu, to also leave.
This left Qi Mingzhu and Li Qing.
"Cousin, don't be angry. They are just narrow-minded. Let's go, we should head out, otherwise Grandmother and Great Aunt will be waiting impatiently," Li Qing said, stepping forward to link arms with Qi Mingzhu.
Qi Mingzhu instinctively wanted to pull away. She had always disliked being too close to people, but considering Li Qing had just spoken up for her, even if her words were foolishly imprecise, she was at least on her side. She could only suppress her discomfort and leave with Li Qing.
Madam Lu saw the two enter arm-in-arm, her smile deepening. "Look at how close our Mingzhu and our Qing are. When they walk out, people will surely mistake them for sisters."
Qi Mingzhu pursed her lips to hide her embarrassment, while Li Qing was more cheerful, "Grandmother, I really like Sister Mingzhu. I wish she were my own sister."
"Given our families' blood ties, the relationship between the children is indeed close. Alright, alright, everyone, quickly take your seats. Today is a family banquet, so we won't be adhering to strict formalities. The adults will sit at one table, and the younger ones at another," the Old Madam instructed.
The dishes were served one after another. Qi Zhenzhen's eyes lit up. Seeing the abundance of meat and fish, she realized it was all vegetarian. It seemed the Old Madam was strictly adhering to her rule of not eating meat at dinner.
"Sister Mingzhu, is dinner at your house always this lavish?" Li Qing asked, looking at the dishes being placed on the table.
"Not always. Today is a welcome banquet, so it's naturally different from ordinary times," Qi Mingzhu replied calmly.
Even so, Li Qing was astonished. The Li family was already a renowned prominent family in Yun Gui, and they often hosted banquets that guests considered quite lavish. However, compared to this small welcome banquet at the Qi family's, it paled in comparison. It was no wonder Grandmother always said they hadn't seen enough of the world and wanted to bring them to the capital. The capital was the most prosperous place in the world. In terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities, nowhere else could compare to the capital, and even the talented young men were better in the capital.
Li Qing clenched her fist. She was determined to find a way to stay at the Marquis's mansion.
"Sister Zhenzhen, why are you eating even the bones of the braised pork ribs?" Li Nuan asked with surprise.
"Sister Nuan, you can try them too. These bones are even tastier," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile.
"How barbaric! I've never heard of people eating bones before. Sister, you are a young lady of the Marquis's mansion, yet you are so indiscriminate with your eating," Li Qing said with a look of disdain.
Qi Zhenzhen pouted and ignored Li Qing, picking up a piece of braised pork rib and deliberately biting into what was called a bone.
Li Nuan was very curious. She also tried to imitate Qi Zhenzhen, picking up a piece. With a gentle bite, she found the bone was edible, yielding and springy, with a good flavor.
"These bones can really be eaten! No, this isn't bone. Sister Zhenzhen, do you know what this is made of? The bone isn't bone, and the meat might not be meat either! But it tastes like meat!" Li Nuan's face was filled with intense curiosity.
Hearing the conversation from their table, others also picked up braised pork ribs. After tasting them, they curiously asked the Old Madam.
"All the meat and fish on this table are made from vegetarian ingredients, some from flour, some from tofu, and some from dried tofu and bean curd sheets," the Old Madam said with a smile. "I like to eat meat, but I am old, and the imperial physicians who come to check my pulse have all advised me to eat as little meat as possible, or not at all. But I feel unwell if I don't eat it for a day. Zhenzhen, this girl, came up with the idea of using vegetarian ingredients to replace meat and made these things. Like all of you, I was fooled the first time I ate them."
Everyone's gaze immediately fell on Qi Zhenzhen. She nodded slightly, a playful smile on her lips. "Grandmother, you still have the nerve to say that! At your age, you're still a picky eater. To ensure you eat properly, I and the cooks in your courtyard put in a lot of effort."
Qi Zhenzhen did not take all the credit, sharing half of it with the cooks frequently used by the Old Madam.
"You," the Old Madam chided her, "Come, come, don't just stare. Hurry up and eat, or the dishes will get cold, and the taste will be greatly diminished."
The meal concluded with everyone enjoying themselves.
"Madam Fang, have the guest rooms been arranged?" the Old Madam asked.
"Everything is in order. The Old Madam, the two Madams, and the young ladies and young sirs can move in at any time," Madam Fang replied.
The Old Madam nodded. "Sister-in-law, it's getting late, so I won't keep you. Rest well tonight, and we can talk tomorrow. You must stay for a longer period this time."
Madam Lu, leading everyone, stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality, sister."
"Not at all, not at all. We are family. Just let me know if you need anything."
"Great Aunt, can I not stay in the guest room? I want to stay in Sister Mingzhu's courtyard and chat with her properly," Li Qing said, looking pleadingly at the Old Madam.
The Old Madam paused for a moment. She hadn't expected the young lady from the Li family to make such a request.
Sisterly affection was understandable, and staying in the same courtyard was not out of the question. But this was their first meeting today, and they had become so close in such a short time?
Seeing that the Old Madam remained silent, Madam Lu glared at Li Qing. "You girl, you're becoming more and more ill-mannered. It was one thing when you were at home, but now that you are at your Great Aunt's, you need to restrain yourself."