Breakfast concluded in a relatively harmonious atmosphere. Qi Mingzhu invited Qi Zhenzhen to Jinghua Courtyard.
"Sister Zhenzhen, I'm going to pay my respects to Mother. Will you join me?"
It was only natural for a concubine's daughter to pay respects to the legitimate mother. How could Qi Zhenzhen refuse? After taking her leave from the Old Madam, Qi Zhenzhen, accompanied by Yun shi, followed Qi Mingzhu out of Chaohui Hall and headed towards Jinghua Courtyard.
Yun shi, being a concubine, could not walk alongside Qi Mingzhu and had to follow some distance behind.
As they left Chaohui Hall, Qi Mingzhu enthusiastically linked arms with Qi Zhenzhen. Once they were a good distance away, she impatiently shook off her arm, her eyes filled with disdain, her demeanor condescending. "A country girl actually thinks she's a young lady of the Marquis's mansion? What right does a lowly concubine's daughter have to walk with me, the legitimate daughter?"
With a cold snort, she walked ahead, supported by her maid.
Heh, this was more like it. The previous harmony was all an act. Sisterly affection? All pretense.
Yun shi hurried a few steps to catch up. "Zhenzhen, don't be angry. She is the eldest young lady."
"Auntie, I'm not angry. It's better for the eldest young lady to be like this. This way, I can understand her intentions. If she were always like she was with Grandmother, I would be troubled. Let's go pay our respects to Madam." Qi Zhenzhen said calmly. "Qingshui, help Auntie."
They soon arrived at Jinghua Courtyard, where two old women guarded the entrance.
Seeing Qi Zhenzhen and Yun shi approach, they looked them up and down with appraising eyes, remaining silent and blocking the doorway completely.
Yun shi, seeing this, quickly gave Qingshui a look. Qingshui took out two purses and placed them into the hands of the two old women. "Thank you, Mama. This is for your tea."
The two old women exchanged glances, then broke into smiles. "Are you Yun yi niang and Second Young Lady? We've only been in the mansion for the past two years and haven't seen you two. We can't just let you in without proper authorization. Please wait a moment, and this old servant will go and inform them."
"Thank you, Mama," Yun shi said gently.
Qi Zhenzhen's hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched and then relaxed. She was a concubine's daughter in this Marquis's mansion. The main wife disliked them, so she had to endure. If she didn't, she wouldn't get any good treatment.
In such a prominent family, one had to be clear about their own status, or they wouldn't know how they died.
After waiting for a full half-hour, the mother and daughter were finally permitted to enter Jinghua Courtyard.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait any longer in the corridor, as a maid directly led them inside.
Qi Mingzhu was sitting on a couch by the window, eating cherries, while Qin shi watched her with a doting expression.
"Your concubine pays her respects to Madam."
"Your daughter pays her respects to Mother."
Yun shi and Qi Zhenzhen bowed and greeted them in unison.
Qin shi nodded, but the warmth from the previous night was gone from her face. "Sit down."
She only said to sit, but there were no seats. Qi Zhenzhen subtly scanned the room. The empty space beside the couch and the marks left by the table and chairs indicated they had been deliberately removed.
Without chairs, they could only stand.
Qin shi turned her head away from Yun shi and Qi Zhenzhen, speaking to Qi Mingzhu with a smile.
Was this a punishment of standing?
If a pampered young lady, raised delicately, were subjected to such treatment, she might falter. After all, standing outside for half an hour and then continuing to stand inside would likely make one's legs weak. But what hardships had Qi Zhenzhen and Yun shi endured in the countryside that were worse than standing? Qin shi's tactics were unlikely to work on them.
Yun shi and Qi Zhenzhen kept their eyes focused on their noses and their noses on their eyes, standing motionless.
After an unknown amount of time, the door curtain was lifted, and Qi Tianming and Qi Yi entered.
Qin shi quickly stood up and led Qi Tianming to a seat.
Yun shi and Qi Zhenzhen paid their respects to Qi Tianming, and Qi Yi also paid his respects to Qin shi and Qi Mingzhu according to etiquette.
"Father, why are you in Mother's courtyard at this hour today?" Qi Mingzhu asked, pouting.
"Your brother has just returned to the mansion, and the way is unfamiliar, so Father brought him here," Qi Tianming said with a chuckle. "Father remembers that Mingzhu rarely comes to your mother's courtyard at this time. Why are you here today?"
"I was thinking of Auntie and my younger siblings. I didn't see them when I returned yesterday, so I came to wait for my mother early." Qi Mingzhu said with a smile. "Father, you are truly fond of my brother. You even personally led the way for fear that he would get lost, taking over the duties of the household servants."
Her coquettish tone made Qi Tianming laugh heartily. "You girl, are you even jealous of your younger siblings?"
Qin shi exclaimed, "Why are Sister and Zhenzhen still standing? These maids have been spoiled by me, they lack even this much awareness, making Sister and Zhenzhen stand for so long! Good sister, Zhenzhen, I apologize for the inconvenience."
Then, she continued to explain, "The table and chairs in my room were somehow infested with termites. They were carried out this morning, and the new ones haven't arrived yet. Qin Mama, hurry and prepare seats for the young master, young lady, and Yun yi niang."
The seats prepared in the room were embroidered stools, meant for concubines. The intention of having Qi Zhenzhen and Qi Yi sit on them was to humiliate them.
Qi Zhenzhen worried for Qin shi. If her father hadn't arrived today, she could have done as she pleased. But with her father present, how could she make them sit on embroidered stools?
"Mingzhu, move aside a bit. This couch is very large. Let your younger brother and sister sit here," Qi Tianming said, glancing at Qin shi, his words unspoken. This woman was truly short-sighted.
Qi Zhenzhen and Qi Yi sat side by side on the couch, their heads bowed. They answered when Qi Tianming asked questions and remained silent when he did not.
"Qin Mama, go to the front courtyard and find Steward Qi. Tell him to open the front courtyard's storeroom. I remember there is a set of fine huanghuali wood tables and chairs in the storeroom. Have someone move them over immediately for Madam to set up, so that these children don't have to stand when they come to pay their respects." Qi Tianming instructed as he was leaving.
Qin shi's teeth itched with anger. After Qi Tianming left, she held her forehead, claiming a headache, and drove Yun shi and her two children out.
"How is Yi ge'er doing in the front courtyard?" Yun shi asked anxiously after they left Jinghua Courtyard and reached a secluded spot.
"Father treats me very well. Everyone in Qingzhu Courtyard has been arranged. Besides Lianshan, three young servants have been assigned. They are slightly older than me and seem decent. Mother... Auntie and Sister, how are things? It seems Madam is not easy to deal with." Qi Yi asked.
"It's alright. Madam just makes a few sarcastic remarks and slightly delays things. This is even better. If the courtyard isn't staffed, Mother and I are more at ease," Qi Zhenzhen smiled. "Don't worry. Grandmother is in the back courtyard, and Father is watching now, so we won't suffer too much. As for you, we can't go to the front courtyard. You must take good care of yourself, study hard, practice martial arts, and heed Father's teachings."