Qi Zhenzhen had only just returned and hadn't yet heard any talk about her upcoming marriage to Gu Sinian. However, she could imagine that given the ancient emphasis on significant life events like marriage, the abrupt postponement of a wedding with a set date would naturally lead to speculation. Qi Zhenzhen could pretty much guess that the speculation would be that she had been abandoned, otherwise, why would she still be living on the estate?
"Those people know nothing and yet they say you have a strong fate, that you've caused people to die," Madam Yun said, her voice filled with indignation as she recalled. What kind of people were they, wishing ill upon others? They dared to speak so carelessly without knowing anything; she wished she could tear their mouths apart.
A strong fate? Causing Gu Sinian's death?
These words were truly vicious. If Gu Sinian had met with any misfortune, Qi Zhenzhen's life would be ruined.
Those who speculated about Gu Sinian's death also harbored ill intentions.
"Mother, please don't be angry. There's no need to bother with those irrelevant people. As for the marriage, the Marquis's estate cannot initiate the discussion. The Heir Apparent has already returned, and he will handle this matter," Qi Zhenzhen comforted her. "We still need to see where these rumors are originating from, after all, the common folk in the city know nothing of our movements."
Madam Yun was not slow-witted and exclaimed, "You mean this was done intentionally by someone?"
"Most likely."
Madam Yun became even more furious. "Who is so malicious to spread such words? Aren't they afraid of divine retribution!"
"Words are like axes that wound, and tongues are like knives that kill. Some people are accustomed to judging others with malice and harsh words; this is something we cannot stop," Qi Zhenzhen said calmly. "Mother, if you don't listen to or care about these malicious words, you won't get angry or upset."
Madam Yun sighed. "There are already servants in the estate gossiping about the Lu family breaking off the engagement. If your marriage to the Heir Apparent has further problems, what then? How can Mother not worry? So many eyes are watching you, hoping to see you embarrassed!"
"Regarding the servants' gossip, I will speak to Father about it later. He will know how to handle it then," Qi Zhenzhen said. "By the way, why don't I see Hong Tao this time? Didn't Father specifically ask her to serve in Ting Lan Yuan?"
Whenever she came before, Hong Tao would always make her presence known. She had been here for quite some time now, yet she hadn't seen her.
"Just a few days after you left, Hong Tao made a mistake, and the Marquis personally sent her away. As for what mistake she made, the Marquis didn't say, and I didn't ask," Madam Yun said indifferently.
The person was brought in by her father and also sent away by him. Whether she made a mistake or for other reasons, there was no need to investigate. It wasn't a major issue, so there was no need to dwell on it.
"Then, Mother, do you have enough people serving you here?" Qi Zhenzhen asked. "If not, let Fei Xu come over for a few days, and we can slowly find someone suitable."
"I don't have much to do here, so why would I need so many people? Didn't I live quite well without anyone serving me before you returned? Fei Xu is a capable person by your side; you can't send her to me," Madam Yun refused. "There are still several people serving outside. If I really need something, I can bring one into the room."
"It's still best to choose a few reliable people to be by your side, so there's someone to look after you if anything happens. I'll handle this matter; I'll ask Madam Fang to help me choose a few and send them over," Qi Zhenzhen said. "Madam Fang has a discerning eye and will surely select some useful individuals. By the way, Mother, this is for you. Take one pill every day after dinner. It's excellent for conditioning your body. It was obtained from a renowned divine physician that the Heir Apparent knows. That divine physician is so famous that the Emperor has tried multiple times to bring him into the Imperial Academy but failed."
Madam Yun's health had been severely depleted during her years outside. Qi Zhenzhen had always wanted to find a reliable person to help her recuperate, so she wouldn't suffer from various ailments in her later years. This time, meeting Luo Wanqing had yielded significant gains.