Qi Xuanxuan pouted, her voice laced with a pathetic tone, "Second sister, is Er Xi telling the truth? After you get married, you really won't be able to come back often? What will I do when I miss you?"
Qi Zhenzhen pinched Qi Xuanxuan's cheek. "The Duke's mansion and the Marquis's mansion aren't that far apart. When you miss me, you can come visit me."
"But that's the Duke's mansion, can I just go there casually?" Qi Xuanxuan asked cautiously.
This little girl, though much more cheerful now, was still very timid at heart, lacking any of the grace of a young lady from a prominent family. Even though she had made a friend or two, in larger gatherings, she would still show her timidity. This was all due to her past environment and experiences. Although her current circumstances had changed, they hadn't erased the ingrained timidity etched into her very being.
Qi Zhenzhen sat down on the couch and took Qi Xuanxuan's hand. "Of course, you can. You are a young lady of the Changping Marquis's mansion, my sister. If a sister misses her elder sister and goes to visit, no one can object. Xuanxuan, after second sister leaves the mansion, you must make time to serve grandmother often and listen to her teachings, understand?"
Qi Xuanxuan drooped her head, dispirited. "Grandmother is always very stern."
"No matter how grandmother is, she is your biological grandmother. With her protecting you, second sister can rest assured. Do you want to go back to living the way you did before?" Qi Zhenzhen said sternly.
Qi Xuanxuan shook her head. "But I'm too clumsy. I don't know how to please grandmother, I can't cook, and I don't have interesting stories to tell. Grandmother won't like me."
Qi Zhenzhen sighed. "You are grandmother's granddaughter, you share her blood. How could she not like you? Second sister has experienced more than you, so I am more at ease in front of grandmother. It's not that grandmother favors me specially. You just need to remember that if you are sincere with grandmother, she will treat you with the same sincerity. Second sister asking you to get closer to grandmother also has a selfish motive. In another two years, you will be ready for marriage. Under normal circumstances, a concubine's daughter's marriage is managed by the legitimate wife. Think about your previous life, would she properly arrange a good match for you? Grandmother is different. If grandmother arranges a match for you, it will definitely be for your own good."
Qi Xuanxuan was not foolish and naturally understood Qi Zhenzhen's intentions. Indeed, her birth mother had been confined to her chambers for so long that she was starting to forget what she looked like. In the future, she couldn't rely on her. And she didn't have second sister's capabilities, fearing nothing. Her only reliance was grandmother.
"As for father, you don't need to greet him constantly. Just send him a simple piece of needlework or a pot of stew you personally prepared once or twice a month. This way, father will know he still has you as a daughter. By not fighting or seeking anything, he will think more of you when something truly important arises," Qi Zhenzhen added. "And Yi Ge'er, he will still be in the mansion after I leave. I will remind him to protect you more."
Qi Xuanxuan sniffled and said with a sob, "I've remembered it all, second sister. Don't worry, I will be filial to grandmother, and I will often go to chat with Aunt Yun."
"Good girl, don't cry. Second sister brought you some delicious food, you're sure to like it," Qi Zhenzhen coaxed her gently. "Look at you crying, others will think someone bullied you. Wipe your tears and go back to sleep quickly. We can talk again tomorrow. If you are obedient, tomorrow I will ask grandmother, and we can go out shopping together."