Madam Lu looked embarrassed, wanting to defend herself but not knowing how to start. After all, she had said those words, and to someone’s face, no less. And this was the Prince’s Mansion; she ought to be more considerate.
Thus, she lowered her head and remained silent.
“Since the wet nurse has spoken, I naturally have to give her face,” Qi Zhenzhen said. “I hope Madam Lu will be more mindful when speaking ill of others behind their backs in the future. Not everyone is as easy to talk to as I am.”
To overlook the matter out of respect for the wet nurse was undoubtedly a severe blow to Madam Lu Jingning.
Yet, she was struck in a way that left her utterly defenseless, forcing her to swallow her pride and endure it.
After speaking, Qi Zhenzhen, supported by Fei Xu, turned to leave.
Her visibly protruding belly was a sharp pain in Madam Lu Jingning’s eyes.
“Young Madam, Madam Lu, let’s go,” the wet nurse urged. “If we linger any longer, we’ll be late, and that’s something this old servant cannot bear responsibility for. Furthermore, if I may say something presumptuous, the Crown Princess of Nanchang is not as accommodating as the Duke’s Mansion’s Heir’s wife. Madam Lu must think thrice before speaking, lest she implicate our Young Madam.”
Madam Lu responded awkwardly, but inwardly, she felt a bit resentful towards her daughter. If her daughter hadn’t caused trouble, she wouldn’t have lost face like this. After all, she was her own flesh and blood, someone she had doted on for years. Madam Lu did not reveal her inner feelings.
Similarly, Madam Lu Jingning also resented Madam Lu, thinking her mother spoke so casually when they were out. If she hadn’t been so careless with her words, would she have been humiliated by Qi Zhenzhen? Was being humiliated by Qi Zhenzhen any different from being humiliated by Qi Mingzhu?
With their own thoughts occupying their minds, the two boarded the carriage and headed towards the Hundred Herbs Hall.
Meanwhile, Qi Zhenzhen was already seated in Qi Mingzhu’s room.
“Why are you here again?” Qi Mingzhu asked, her tone showing impatience, but her eyes held a hint of joy.
“Do you think I want to be here? It’s all because your mother went to the Duke’s Mansion again. She said she dreamt you were being wronged and insisted I come check on you,” Qi Zhenzhen said, leaning back against a soft cushion, finding a comfortable position. Her pelvis ached severely now that she was further along, and sitting upright was unbearable.
Qi Mingzhu felt a pang of sadness. She blamed herself for her past impulsiveness and self-degradation. Otherwise, how would she have ended up in a situation where she couldn’t casually return to her maternal home?
“Second Sister, please tell Mother when you go back that I am doing well and she doesn’t need to worry about me. I will definitely visit her when I get the chance,” Qi Mingzhu said.
“Are you really doing well?” Qi Zhenzhen asked.
“Cousin treats me as he always has, Grandmother protects me, and Aunt has been much quieter these past few days due to the matter of the Crown Princess of Nanchang,” Qi Mingzhu said. “Thank you for opening my eyes last time.”
“We already thanked each other last time,” Qi Zhenzhen replied nonchalantly.
“Can’t you pretend to be moved and play along with me a little? I’m expressing my gratitude so sincerely.”
“Why should I play along with your sisterly affection? It’s so boring,” Qi Zhenzhen pouted.
“You, you, you—” Qi Mingzhu huffed, but after stammering for a moment, she burst into laughter.
Qi Zhenzhen looked puzzled. Qi Mingzhu gazed at her with gentle eyes. “Second Sister, if we were biological sisters, we would surely have a very good relationship.”
Qi Zhenzhen knew she meant sisters born to Madam Xiao Qin.
Qi Zhenzhen glanced at Qi Mingzhu. “Aren’t we sisters? Is it that you’re not Father’s blood, or that I’m not?”