Madam Chen kept the person until noon, and was about to have someone serve the meal when Xuan Wenying stopped her.
She stepped forward and reminded her, "Mother, these two young people have eaten so many pastries, how can they still have afternoon snacks?"
It's getting late. They've just returned, and they have a long way to go. Perhaps we should let them go back and rest.
Upon hearing this, Madam Chen realized how tired she was. Usually, she would take a nap at this time, otherwise her back would ache.
"Alright," Madam Chen said, looking at the two of them. "I'll arrange for you to stay in Zirong Courtyard. Your aunt has already had the room prepared."
Come over when it's time for dinner.
Finally free, the two sisters, each clutching their round little bellies, followed Xuan Wenying back into the house.
The Marquis's mansion was very large, and the two sisters wandered around it, using the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the layout as a form of exercise to aid digestion.
It was only after Xuan Wenying's introduction that Lu Qiqi learned that the eldest and second branches of the family had not separated and lived together in the Lin'an Marquis's mansion.
Even so, the two courtyards are not close, separated by a waterside pavilion.
Unless someone comes looking for you, you usually don't run into each other while staying in your own courtyards.
Upon learning this news, Lu Qiqi was somewhat troubled. To find out who instructed the maid of the second branch of the family back then, she would have to contact the second branch.
Now that the two courtyards are separated, she can't keep making excuses to go there every time.
However, when she entered the room that Xuan Wenying had prepared, she felt that this matter should not be rushed.
After all, there's no use in being anxious.
Upon arrival, Xuan Wenying pointed out several servants, saying they would be assigned to serve the two sisters in the courtyard.
Lu Qiqi thanked him and then saw him out.
Back in the house, she looked at the dozen or so servants and felt a headache coming on.
With so many people, she couldn't remember all their names, so she pointed to two head maids and asked, "What are your names?"
One of the maids said, "Replying to Miss, my name is Daya, and the one next to me is my younger sister, Erya."
Upon hearing the names, Lu Qiqi remembered her aunt's words; so that was why she had been asked to name the two maids.
People of this era generally believed that children given humble or common names were the easiest to raise.
That's probably how Da Ya and Er Ya got their names.
Lu Qiqi looked at the two of them and asked, "Do you want to keep your current names? Or should I give you new names?"
Daya remembered that Yuqing used to be called Cuihua, and it was the old lady who gave her a new name. She also wanted a nice-sounding name.
So she said, "Please, Miss, bestow a name upon me."
Lu Qiqi thought for a moment and said, "From now on, you will be called Qingdai, and my younger sister will be called Haitang."
The two maids responded in unison.
Then, Lu Qiqi said, "Qingdai and Haitang, please stay. The rest of you may leave."
After a dozen or so servants left, Lu Qiqi asked Haitang to take Lu Yao back to her room to rest.
At that time, only she and Qingdai remained in the room.
Lu Qiqi sat on a round stool, and Qingdai, being very perceptive, quickly poured her a cup of hot tea.
White steam rises into the cup.
Today, during the family reunion, no one in the household mentioned Lu Changping at all, as if she had never existed.
She did not believe that Manager Chen was lying about Lu Changping's identity.
After much thought, Lu Qiqi could only think that since she and Lu Yao were entering the mansion today, no one wanted to spoil Old Madam Chen's mood.
She took a sip of hot tea and said, "Qingdai, do you know what the cousin that the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion found before did in the mansion?"
And who do you associate with, and with whom do you have close relationships?
The information that Lu Changping's identity was false was well concealed, and the maids below were unaware of it.
Therefore, Qingdai still addressed her as Miss Changping, saying, "Miss Changping doesn't go out often after returning to the mansion."
She had previously had disagreements with the fourth and fifth young ladies.
The fourth and fifth young ladies are both from the second branch of the family.
Qingdai didn't know why Lu Qiqi would ask her to explain in detail, but she didn't think much of it and reported the truth.
It was about a few months ago, on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The noble ladies of the new capital city loved to hold flower-viewing banquets during this season.
At that time, the chrysanthemums were in full bloom, so the Duke of Anguo's mansion held a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet.
For some reason, Lu Changping suddenly fell into the water that day, which not only startled the women of the various households, but also caused the Duke of Anguo's mansion to lose face with the foul language she uttered.
The flower-viewing banquet had to be ended prematurely. From then on, the two young ladies of the second branch of the family never went out of the mansion with Lu Changping again, because they thought she was a disgrace.
Afterwards, Lu Qiqi asked a few more questions, which Qingdai answered one by one.
Although Qingdai didn't know much, Lu Qiqi learned from snippets of conversation that Lu Changping's life after returning to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence was not exactly carefree.
After asking the questions, just as she was about to send Qingdai away, she heard laughter outside the courtyard.
The forced, hearty laughter was actually jarring in the cold winter wind.
Before long, Ding Wanyue swayed her hips and gracefully walked into the house.
Upon recognizing the person, Lu Qiqi stood up and politely greeted, "Second Aunt."
When Ding Wanyue saw that she was alone, she paused for a moment, then warmly pulled her to sit down with a big smile.
Lu Qiqi felt very uncomfortable with Ding Wanyue's hands enveloping her right hand. In addition, she strongly suspected that Zeng Shi's rejection of her from entering the Lin'an Marquis's mansion was closely related to Ding Wanyue.
After all, according to Zeng, that maid was one of Ding Wanyue's people.
Lu Qiqi forcefully pulled her hand back.
Ding Wanyue's hand was suddenly empty. She was stunned for a moment, and the smile on her face froze for a second.
However, she quickly realized, "I haven't had a proper conversation with you sisters yet."
"Qiqi, although I am your second maternal aunt, I was your mother's closest friend when we were still young."
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