Qi Zhenzhen smiled, "Grandmother, after all this time, you still don't know my temperament? I never go back on my word. If you bargain any further, you won't get any to eat."
The Old Madam pouted, "I'm afraid of you. Whatever you say goes. You've got me where you want me."
The old are like children, they sometimes need to be coaxed.
"I can cook more than just spicy rabbit!" Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile, "If you only eat spicy rabbit, how will you have an appetite for anything else?"
The Old Madam laughed happily, "You're right."
After the grandmother and granddaughter finished their meal, Qi Zhenzhen took the Old Madam for a walk around the courtyard several times.
"Grandmother, I'll be going back now. I still need to visit my concubine mother." In front of the Old Madam, Qi Zhenzhen didn't shy away from her closeness with Madam Yun. To others, she was a concubine, half a servant, but to Qi Zhenzhen, she was her birth mother.
The Old Madam nodded, "Go. She's been thinking of you. While you were away, she came to see me twice. Once she brought a forehead band, and once she brought two pairs of shoes. The stitches are so fine, much better than what the sewing room in our manor makes. I'm becoming more and more fond of your concubine mother's needlework. However, doing needlework damages a woman's eyes. Tell your concubine mother to only make one or two pieces occasionally, not to make it her main occupation. She is, after all, your father's woman, and she should prioritize your father. Although she already has you and Yi Ge'er by her side, the more children, the better. Ru Yan and the Madam both have children, so they can't serve..."
The Old Madam was hinting to Madam Yun, encouraging her to be more proactive.
"Grandmother, I understand. I'll speak with my concubine mother. It's just..." Qi Zhenzhen looked troubled, "My concubine mother, influenced by my maternal grandfather, has the inherent pride of a scholar..."
The Old Madam sighed, "Indeed. If it were someone else in this situation, they would surely try to win your father's heart. But your mother, even when she was most favored, never tried to win your father's heart with schemes, let alone now. Never mind, this old woman won't worry about it. Children and grandchildren have their own destinies. She's not without fortune, at least she has you two children by her side, so her future won't be too difficult. For your sake, this old woman will look after her more while I'm alive."
Qi Zhenzhen playfully chided the Old Madam, "You should take good care of yourself, and you'll surely live a hundred years."
"Wouldn't that make me an old monster? According to the history books of our Great Feng, the longest-lived old man only reached eighty-six. Your grandmother is already over fifty, and I'd be content to live another ten years." The Old Madam said cheerfully, "Originally, I thought living to fifty was enough. Now, with your delicious cooking, I want to live a few more years."
"You will," Qi Zhenzhen said with certainty.
"Alright, you should go now. Come and keep this old woman company again tomorrow," the Old Madam urged.
Qi Zhenzhen stood up, and Nanny Fang entered from outside, "Someone from the front courtyard has come with a message. The Young Master wants two jars of spicy rabbit and sent someone to ask."
"Didn't you prepare any of your delicious food for the Young Master?" the Old Madam asked.
Qi Zhenzhen slapped her forehead, "I did prepare some for him, but it was all brought into the inner courtyard. I'll have someone send it to the front courtyard now. Oh, Grandmother, what about Jinghua Courtyard and Concubine Ru Yan's place?"
"This food is too stimulating. They are pregnant, so they shouldn't eat it for now," the Old Madam said.
With her elder's word, Qi Zhenzhen could openly not send it. Even if they wanted to complain, they wouldn't dare to do so openly. They could say whatever they wanted behind her back; she didn't care.