Qi Zhenzhen didn't think much of her encounter with Lu Chen, but Qi Mingzhu interpreted it as Lu Chen deliberately seeking her out while neglecting Qi Mingzhu.
Burning with anger, Qi Mingzhu couldn't confront Lu Chen directly, but she could find Qi Zhenzhen. As the elder sister, she felt it was her duty to reprimand Qi Zhenzhen for her inappropriate behavior, lest she do something even more outrageous.
Seeing her young lady's indignant demeanor, Fusu swallowed the words that had reached her lips. She was merely a servant; her mistress could do as she pleased.
Qi Mingzhu arrived at Longxiang Courtyard in a huff. Qi Zhenzhen was with Li Nuan, sorting through plum blossoms, chatting occasionally with faint smiles, presenting a picture of tranquil beauty. When Qi Mingzhu barged in, this was the scene she saw.
"Eldest Sister," Qi Zhenzhen said, rising to greet her, though she didn't understand the reason for Qi Mingzhu's sudden visit. Despite her own feelings, she couldn't neglect certain courtesies due to the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate daughters.
Li Nuan, however, now held the title of County Princess. Although an illegitimate daughter, her status was higher than Qi Mingzhu's, so she was not required to bow to her.
Qi Mingzhu suppressed her anger and sat in the spot Qi Zhenzhen had just vacated. Pinching a few plum blossoms between her fingers, she said coldly, "Sister, you have such refined taste, picking flowers yourself. If outsiders were to know, wouldn't they think the Marquis's estate is neglecting you? That you, a young lady, have to do such menial tasks yourself. People would surely say the lady of the house is not managing things well."
It was merely picking flowers, yet Qi Mingzhu managed to stretch the matter so far.
Qi Zhenzhen was not foolish; she immediately grasped the crux of the issue.
It was about encountering Lu Chen, wasn't it? But it wasn't as if she had planned it. Who knew it would be such a coincidence that Lu Chen would appear in the garden at that moment? She felt utterly innocent.
"Eldest Sister, you are exaggerating. Sister Nuan is always hands-on with making incense, and I've long admired the scent of plum blossoms, so naturally, I wanted to help. This is merely a young lady's pastime; how did it become something ulterior in Eldest Sister's mouth? You even dragged Grandmother into it," Qi Zhenzhen said calmly.
Qi Mingzhu was taken aback. She then remembered that due to her mother's pregnancy, the household affairs were currently being managed by the Old Madam.
Qi Zhenzhen gave Qi Mingzhu no room to maneuver and added, "We informed Grandmother about going to the garden, and she approved of us getting more exercise."
After speaking, she looked at Qi Mingzhu with a puzzled expression, as if she didn't understand her intentions.
"Sharp-tongued. I don't have your ability to argue. In any case, you are in the wrong," Qi Mingzhu gritted out resentfully.
"Eldest Sister, please clarify where I am wrong. I wasn't the only one who went to the garden; the County Princess was there too. Does Eldest Sister mean the County Princess is also in the wrong?" Qi Zhenzhen retorted.
Qi Mingzhu was momentarily speechless. Although she looked down on Li Nuan, Li Nuan's current status was undeniable, and she couldn't casually offend her.
"I said you are wrong, not the County Princess. Don't try to change the subject," Qi Mingzhu argued.
Qi Zhenzhen frowned, looking genuinely perplexed. "I went with the County Princess, so how can one be right and the other wrong? Is there a rule in the household that I am not allowed in that part of the garden? That's not right; I haven't heard Grandmother mention anything of the sort. Feixu, you remember the household rules clearly. Tell me, is there such a rule? If there is, and I violated it, then I am naturally in the wrong. If not, please explain to me clearly, Eldest Sister, what exactly is the issue?"