Qi Zhenzhen glared at Madam Zhang, knowing she was eager to impress, but did she have to be so quick with her mouth? Zhang Fangcao was still injured. She had originally planned to discuss her parents with her after she had recovered a bit.
"This is the contract. Keep it yourself. Without it being registered with the authorities, you remain a free citizen. Don't overthink it, focus on recovering from your injuries first and then make plans for the future," Qi Zhenzhen said softly.
Zhang Fangcao was a bit stunned. Although they had threatened to sell her, actually being sold was still difficult for her to accept. Would she have no family from now on? Parents, brother, all gone, only she remained.
"I know you dislike my quick tongue, but there's no point in hiding this from her. Knowing it sooner rather than later won't do any harm," Madam Zhang whispered. "And don't look at me like that. This time, I've truly seen their true colors. Rest assured, I will behave myself in the Lin family from now on, be filial to the elders, serve our master, and take care of the children. After all, I'm not stupid enough to end up being sold myself."
To be able to say such a thing, it seemed she was truly remorseful. Qi Zhenzhen glanced at her, accepting her change of heart.
Madam Zhang breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Qi Zhenzhen wasn't holding a grudge, she would be fine.
"You stay here and rest assured. If you need anything, just tell me," Qi Zhenzhen said, patting Zhang Fangcao's hand comfortingly. "Second Aunt, please take good care of her."
"Oh, you can rest assured. She's my niece, I'll definitely take good care of her," Madam Zhang quickly agreed, genuinely feeling sorry for her niece.
At this moment, having others around wouldn't offer much comfort. This was something Zhang Fangcao had to come to terms with herself.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Fangcao came out for lunch.
"I tried to persuade her, but I couldn't. She said she couldn't just lie around," Madam Zhang said with a helpless expression.
Zhang Fangcao stood obediently beside Qi Zhenzhen. "Miss, if there's anything that needs doing, please just command your servant."
"Have you thought it through?" Qi Zhenzhen asked calmly.
"I have," Zhang Fangcao replied through gritted teeth. "If it weren't for Miss's intervention, your servant would have faced the fate of being sold to a brothel."
Qi Zhenzhen sighed. She knew Zhang Fangcao held a resentment, but whether she expressed it or not was not for outsiders to decide.
"Even if you wish to serve by my side, there's no rush. You need to let the injury on your head heal first. If people see you serving with an injury, they'll say I mistreat my staff," Qi Zhenzhen said indifferently.
"It was my oversight. Your servant will return to her room now." Zhang Fangcao bowed and went back.
"I didn't say anything. Everything is her own decision. She looks so delicate, but she's actually quite stubborn. Besides, she's been through a lot. If my parents treated me like that, I'd probably want to kill someone," Madam Zhang said quickly when she saw Qi Zhenzhen looking at her. "I'll try to talk to her later. If she's determined to serve you, then I can't do anything about it. Moreover, it's not necessarily a bad thing. You are a good person, and you wouldn't mistreat her. Even serving people isn't that strenuous work."
"Second Aunt, you think very clearly," Qi Zhenzhen said faintly.
Madam Zhang grinned. "My greatest advantage is being sensible. Before, alas, I won't say more. I was blinded by greed. From now on, I want to live a good life and not dwell on unnecessary things. Although I am a daughter of the Zhang family, I am now truly a member of the Lin family, and it's time to distinguish between closeness and distance. They treat me sincerely, and I will naturally remember their kindness, but..."
Madam Zhang sighed. "It's more important to live our own lives well. Oh, right, your maternal grandmother is still angry. Zhenzhen, if it's convenient for you, please put in a good word for me."
Qi Zhenzhen neither agreed nor refused, only smiled with pursed lips.
Madam Zhang didn't press further. This girl, despite her young age, had a mind that she couldn't fathom. She had been plotting against her before, which was truly laughable.
The next day was the wedding day of Zhang Xiaoniu and Song Mingyue.
Qi Zhenzhen went to the Song family early and stayed by Song Mingyue's side.
"Zhenzhen, why am I so nervous? My mother said something to me last night, I..." Song Mingyue's voice was very soft. "I'm scared."
The person styling Song Mingyue's hair was a married woman from the main branch of the Song family, named Lu. According to seniority, Song Mingyue should call her Aunt. Madam Lu chided, "You girl, you're about to get married, yet you still speak so directly. Zhenzhen isn't married yet!"
Song Mingyue realized her mistake and stuck out her tongue sheepishly. "I won't say it. But Zhenzhen, when you get married, Aunt will tell you too. Then you'll know what it's all about."
What a joke, it's just the matter between men and women. What's so strange about it? As a qualified modern person, even if I haven't eaten pork, haven't I seen pigs run? Although I haven't personally practiced it, my theoretical knowledge is definitely solid.
"Aunt, that's enough, stop wiping. If you keep wiping, will it still be visible?" Song Mingyue called out.
Madam Lu examined her carefully. "You haven't wiped much, it's not enough. What girl doesn't wipe herself to be fair before marriage? What do they call it, I remember, skin like snow! The fairer the more beautiful, then Xiaoniu will lift your veil and be mesmerized by you."
White, she was truly white, as if she had dipped her face into a flour bin.
Being mesmerized was probably impossible. Suddenly seeing a pale face would likely scare him.
Song Mingyue protested in vain and had to let Madam Lu continue applying powder to her face. During this time, Madam Yu came in, her eyes red, and expressed her approval of Madam Lu's skill.
Qi Zhenzhen made up her mind. On her wedding day, no matter what anyone said, she would absolutely not let anyone paint her face to the point of having no color left.
After everything was ready, Song Mingyue sat properly on the kang. Madam Lu spoke a few auspicious words, then took the red envelope given by Madam Yu and went outside.
"You've grown into a young lady, it's wonderful," Madam Yu said, unable to hold back her sobs. "After you get married, you can't be like you are with your mother. You need to curb your temperament and live a good life with Xiaoniu. Zhenzhen, please help me keep an eye on Mingyue in the future. If she does anything wrong, please guide her."
"Aunt, please rest assured. Mingyue and I are like sisters. When she goes to the capital, we will definitely support each other," Qi Zhenzhen said. "Besides, it's not like we're at the ends of the earth. If Aunt misses Mingyue, you can go to the capital for a short stay. I heard from Xiaoniu that the house there is very spacious. The Zhang brothers have no parents, and their elder brothers won't live with them. When you and Uncle Song go to accompany the young couple, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
"Exactly, exactly. Xiaoniu also said that he will bring his parents to live in the capital in the future," Song Mingyue leaned against Madam Yu. "Anyway, our family cannot be separated."