Lu Jingning steadied her nerves. She had originally intended to say some vague words to the Crown Princess of Nanchang, then appropriately play the victim to gain her sympathy and persuade her not to pursue the matter further. However, with a嬷嬷 sent by her mother-in-law accompanying her, she dared not speak carelessly.
As she was leaving, Lu Jingning encountered Qi Zhenzhen, who was arriving.
Lu Jingning forced a smile and greeted Qi Zhenzhen. Qi Zhenzhen, without even glancing at her, walked past her.
"Aning, who is this?" Madam Lu asked.
Madam Lu rarely had opportunities to attend social events, and Qi Zhenzhen also did not attend many, so Madam Lu did not recognize her.
"She is the wife of the Duke's heir, the illegitimate sister of your son-in-law's concubine," Lu Jingning said, her voice involuntarily laced with a hint of malice.
One illegitimate daughter was so glorious, while she, a legitimate daughter, was so stifled.
Clearly, her status was nobler.
Madam Lu was also very surprised; this completely overturned her understanding.
"An illegitimate daughter can also become the heir's wife? I suppose this illegitimate sister of your son-in-law's concubine is quite adept at those foxy tricks?" Madam Lu's usual remarks about Lord Lu's concubines at home slipped out unconsciously.
By the time Lu Jingning realized it, it was too late.
Erxi, who practiced martial arts, had sharp ears and keen eyes. Although she had walked several yards away, she had already heard Madam Lu's words.
So what if her Madam was an illegitimate daughter? An illegitimate daughter was still better than many legitimate daughters. At least she was better than this young mistress of the Prince's mansion.
"You truly have no upbringing," Erxi said indignantly, rushing in front of Madam Lu. "How dare you slander my Madam? She is a Madam of the Imperial Order! Although you are the wife of Grand Scholar Lu, everyone in the capital knows that Grand Scholar Lu has not petitioned for an Imperial Order for you. You, a commoner, dare to speak like this about our heir's wife. Do you perhaps have an issue with His Majesty's decree?"
Madam Lu's legs went weak, and she almost fell.
How did it escalate to His Majesty?
"Girl Erxi, please don't be angry," Lu Jingning quickly apologized. "My mother does not have any issues with His Majesty's decree."
"So, Young Madam, are you saying that Madam Lu has an issue with my Madam?" Erxi was not one to take things lightly. "Who does she think she is, having an issue with my Madam?"
"Madam Heir, no matter what, my mother is considered your elder. Even if an elder says something wrong, you shouldn't instruct your maid to humiliate someone like this!" Lu Jingning said angrily.
Qi Zhenzhen slowly turned around and, with the support of Feixu, walked slowly to Lu Jingning's side.
Qi Zhenzhen was tall, while Lu Jingning was petite.
In terms of presence, Qi Zhenzhen also had more than Lu Jingning.
Therefore, when the two faced each other, Qi Zhenzhen was completely looking down on Lu Jingning.
"Elder? What kind of elder is Madam Lu? Or does your Lu family have no juniors, so Madam Lu comes to me to put on airs of an elder? Moreover, did my maid say anything wrong? Madam Lu, considering herself an elder, maliciously slandered a junior. Is this what an elder does? My maid is indignant and is protecting her mistress. Young Madam, is there anything wrong with that? Why does it become humiliation in your words?"
Lu Jingning had experienced Qi Zhenzhen's sharp tongue before; she was no match for her.
The嬷嬷 from the Prince's mansion looked at Lu Jingning with a stern expression. "Young Madam, this matter will be reported to our heir's wife word for word by this old servant. As for Madam Lu, this is the Prince's mansion, not your Grand Scholar's mansion. Madam Lu should be careful with her words, lest she makes things difficult for our heir's wife."
After speaking, the嬷嬷 bowed to Qi Zhenzhen. "Madam顾, the heir's wife, please, for the sake of our heir's wife, do not bother with them."