"May Miao Niang accompany the Old Madam for a few more years," Xu Miao Niang said softly, her head lowered. Lan Shi didn't notice the flicker in her eyes at all, only patting her hand with relief.
When Gu Changwei arrived at Yannan Courtyard, Lan Shi mentioned that Gu Sinian had taken a fancy to the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Changping. Gu Changwei frowned, his first reaction was to refuse. What a joke, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Changping, her status was higher than the eldest daughter-in-law. With the support of the Marquis of Changping, his position as heir would be even more stable.
"Mother, what do you think of this marriage?"
"I am old and will not worry about these matters. You and your wife can discuss it," Lan Shi said indifferently. "Alright, I've told you what I needed to. You can go discuss it with Tingxue yourself."
Gu Changwei left Yannan Courtyard and, after a slight hesitation, headed to Lanzhi Courtyard. Da Feng Novel Network
The maids guarding the door, having received Gu Sinian's instructions in advance, did not stop Gu Changwei.
"The legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Changping's household, is she the one you've set your sights on?" Gu Changwei asked directly upon entering the room. "Not to mention anything else, with Arnian's scandalous reputation outside, do you think the Marquis of Changping would marry his legitimate daughter to him? Stop dreaming. Dispel this idea quickly. Our Duke's mansion cannot afford to lose face. Find him a girl from a humble family as soon as possible!"
Qin Shi sneered, "In the Duke's heart, only Gu Siya is qualified to marry into a prominent family, but my Arnian is not qualified?"
"Do I need to tell you about his reputation outside?" Gu Changwei said impatiently. "Over the years, if it weren't for Aya's excellence and diligence, your good son would have ruined the Duke's mansion's reputation entirely. Although the Marquis of Changping's power is somewhat inferior to ours, he is a schemer with a good reputation. Would such a family offer their legitimate daughter just to avoid offending us? Impossible!"
Qin Shi stood up abruptly. "If the Duke hasn't proposed, how can you be so sure it's impossible? My son has finally taken a liking to a girl, and I will help him marry her no matter what. If you refuse to propose, then I will ask my maternal family to help propose!"
Gu Changwei glared at Qin Shi. If the Qin family were to propose, it would be an even greater loss of face for the Duke's mansion. The Duke's mansion wasn't without people, so why would they need the Qin family's help? Would he still have the face to go out?
Qin Shi confronted Gu Changwei, not backing down at all.
If he refused this matter, she would definitely involve her maternal family.
"It's not that I'm being unpleasant, but with your son's reputation, it doesn't matter who proposes," Gu Changwei said, leaving after dropping these words.
But this could also be considered a compromise.
Qin Shi took a deep breath to calm herself and instructed Granny Li to start preparing for this matter.
First, she needed to find an opportunity to meet the Marchioness of Changping and subtly reveal her intentions.
Both families were aristocratic, so they couldn't approach each other rashly, lest it lead to awkwardness.
Qin Shi soon learned that the Marchioness of Changping accompanied the Princess to the temple to offer incense on the first day of each month. With a little arrangement, they could have a chance encounter at the temple. Then, she could bring up the matter and see the Marchioness of Changping's attitude.
Leaving this matter aside for now, in Xinghua Village, at the Qi family.
Qi Zhenzhen warily eyed the strangers before her: several uniformly dressed young men and a kind-faced old woman.
"Aunt Yun, do you still recognize this old servant?" the old woman asked kindly.
The fact that she was addressed as Aunt Yun immediately confirmed that the visitors were from the Marquis of Changping's household.
Yun Shi was very nervous, gripping Qi Zhenzhen's hand tightly, her body even trembling slightly.
"Granny... Granny Fang," Yun Shi called out the identity of the visitor hesitantly.
"It seems this old servant hasn't aged too much in these years, Aunt Yun can still recognize me," Granny Fang said with a smile on her round face, speaking familiarly.
As she spoke, Granny Fang subtly observed.
The house before her was the most imposing rural residence she had seen on her journey. Aunt Yun's attire, though simple, was made of good fabric, and the gold-inlaid jade hairpin she wore was also quite exquisite. It seemed she was living quite well.
"Aunt Yun, won't you invite this old servant in to sit?" Granny Fang asked.
Yun Shi was startled. She didn't want to deal with those people from her past, but now that they had found her and were blocking the entrance, it wasn't appropriate to refuse them entry. Moreover, although the Qi family's house was built some distance from the village, Granny Fang's entourage was quite large. It was surely already the talk of the village, and someone might come to investigate soon.
Rather than face the embarrassment of being watched by the villagers, she preferred to invite Granny Fang inside to discuss matters privately.
The group bypassed the screen wall and entered the courtyard.
Qi Zhenzhen, walking behind, bolted the main door.
For now, it was best to keep this matter quiet.
The young men were left in the courtyard, while Granny Fang followed Yun Shi into the main hall. After Qi Zhenzhen instructed Qing Shui to serve tea, she stayed by Yun Shi's side.
"Aunt Yun, is this the second young lady?" Granny Fang asked after sipping her tea, appraising Qi Zhenzhen. "She has the Marquis's features. By the way, why don't I see the young master?"
From their brief conversation, it was evident that Yun Shi was very respectful, even a little afraid of Granny Fang. Qi Zhenzhen tried hard to recall information about Granny Fang and finally remembered that this嬷嬷 was a trusted attendant of the Old Madam of the Marquis's mansion. Not to mention Yun Shi, even the Marchioness had to show her some respect. After all, she was the most capable person by the Old Madam's side.
"Granny, I hope you are well," Qi Zhenzhen said, performing a junior's courtesy to Granny Fang with a perfectly measured smile. "Brother Yi has gone to study at the academy, the Songhe Academy in the county town. He lives and studies there."
This news greatly surprised Granny Fang. Studying was an expensive undertaking. It seemed that Aunt Yun, despite being estranged, could still afford to send her son to school. It appeared that the family she found later doted on her greatly. Otherwise, where would she find the means to support someone with whom she had no blood relation?
Qi Zhenzhen observed Granny Fang's subtle appraisal, not missing the fleeting look of disdain in her eyes. Did she think her mother had done something to offend the Marquis's mansion and caused it to lose face? Judging others by her own standards, she had a prejudice from the moment they met. It seemed that her return to the Marquis's mansion might not be smooth sailing.
"Aunt Yun, I won't beat around the bush. You should know why I've come today. You were once close to the Marquis, and your son and daughter are noble children. They cannot remain in the outside world forever," Granny Fang said slowly. "This old servant has come here today on behalf of the Marquis and the Old Madam."
Yun Shi stood up nervously. "I... I..."
"Aunt Yun, please don't be nervous. This is a good thing," Granny Fang interrupted Yun Shi. "The Marquis and the Old Madam have always been thinking of you, your son, and your daughter."