After seeing the Chen family off, Xu Rao said to Chen Zhaoci, "Why hasn't Xiao Jiu come back yet?"
Chen Zhaoci was also a little puzzled and said, "Who says otherwise? She's in the capital, and she comes over every few days. Why doesn't she come to visit now that her father is back? I'll send someone to her house to check on her."
Chen Zhaoci sent one of the women in the courtyard to check on the Zheng residence, but before long, Xu Zhi returned with that woman.
Seeing Xu Rao's injuries, Xu Zhi's eyes filled with tears. Xu Rao quickly comforted her, saying, "Look at you, I'm perfectly fine, aren't I? It's just a flesh wound, it'll be fine in a few days. Why are you crying like this?"
Xu Zhi felt a little embarrassed by Xu Rao's joke. Chen Zhaoci noticed that Xu Zhi's expression was off and asked her what was wrong. Xu Zhi didn't want to say at first, but Chen Zhaoci got anxious and said, "What's wrong with you, child? Your parents should be the first to know if anything happens to you. Otherwise, how will your father and I feel if we find out what happened to you from other people later?"
Xu Zhi then hesitantly recounted what had happened from noon yesterday to this morning.
Xu Zhi was originally going to stay at the Marquis's residence, but yesterday at noon, she was invited back by the people from the Pingxi Marquis's residence. At the time, Xu Zhi did not know what it was about, so she told Chen Zhaoci that she would come back early this morning. However, after she arrived, she found out that it was about the marriage between Zheng Boyun and Zheng Yunyun.
Xu Zhi immediately refused. As a cousin-in-law living in a different room, how could she possibly interfere in the marriage between these two people? But after she refused outright, Madam Chen wouldn't let Xu Zhi leave and insisted on taking her to Old Madam Zheng's room to talk.
Recently, due to the hot weather, Madam Zheng's appetite has not been very good. A few days ago, Xu Zhi found some medicinal dishes to stimulate her appetite and had the kitchen prepare them carefully for her. When she saw that Xiao Chen insisted on taking her to Madam Zheng's room, Xu Zhi was unhappy and started arguing with Xiao Chen.
Xu Zhi has always seemed like a kind-looking person, which makes many people think she is easy to talk to. However, Madam Chen felt that Xu Zhi was too young, and since she, as an elder, had already made a scene, what could Xu Zhi do? She couldn't possibly be a good person.
Xu Zhi was extremely annoyed. In front of the servants, she thought she should at least save some face for Madam Chen. Looking at Zheng Yunyun, who was always following Madam Chen with her head down, she couldn't help but lower her voice and say to Madam Chen, "Aunt, it would be better if you didn't do this in front of the servants. Otherwise, people will laugh at you."
Madam Chen sneered twice and said, "Niece-in-law, my own daughter is going to be unable to get married. What use is face to me? You come with me to the old lady and we'll have a good talk. You could have helped our girl, but you just stood by and watched. I know you look down on me because I'm an illegitimate child."
Hearing these shameless words, Xu Zhi's face turned red with anger. She had been called back from her parents' home, was she really going to argue with this shameless woman?
Xu Zhi stopped walking. Madam Chen said with a forced smile, "Madam, you come from a prestigious family and are now a favorite of the Emperor. We're not asking you to do anything difficult. We just want you to take our daughter with you when you go out so she can meet more people. Is that too much to ask?"
Xu Zhi took a few deep breaths and said, "Madam, this request is too much. I will not agree to it."
Madam Chen was furious that Xu Zhi would reject her so openly. Her face turned red with anger, and she pointed at Xu Zhi, her hand trembling like a leaf in the wind. It was a sight that made people feel a little sorry for her.
Xu Zhi also had a temper, and when she got angry, she was very stubborn. Naturally, she didn't care about Xiao Chen's appearance. She sneered twice and said, "Madam, you and I are just distant relatives. We don't live in the same household, and we don't share the same pot. As for whether the girls in your household can get married or whether they marry well, that has nothing to do with me. That's all I have to say. I hope you won't make things difficult for me in the future."
After Xu Zhi finished speaking, she left. She was angry and didn't want to go to her parents' home with resentment, so she simply went back to the Zheng residence to rest.
Recently, due to the hot weather, Zheng Yuanyuan and Shen Mingwan have been staying at a manor in the suburbs of Beijing. Xu Zhi had the kitchen prepare a simple meal, and after eating, she rested. However, in the middle of the night, she was woken up by someone saying that someone from the Pingxi Marquis's residence had come and that the old lady did not look well.
Xu Zhi was stunned. She had visited Madam Zheng a couple of days ago. Although she was a little listless because of the hot weather and couldn't eat, she was in good spirits. How could she look so unwell after only a few days?
Xu Zhi didn't care about anything else. After quickly getting dressed, she led a few people toward the side gate. As she walked, she wondered whether she should send someone to guard the city gate and bring Zheng Yuanyuan back to the outskirts of the capital once the city gate opened. After thinking about it, she decided to go and check the situation first.
Several lamps were lit in the old lady's courtyard. Xu Zhi saw that the maids and servants serving in the courtyard stood in two rows with their hands clasped under the eaves. The lamps in the rooms were also lit, and it was clear from a distance that there were many people inside.
Xu Zhi hurried inside and saw that not only was Madam Chen there, but even the Marquis of Pingxi was there. Xu Zhi's heart jumped into her throat.
Looking towards the old lady's bed, she was lying there, her face pale. When she saw Xu Zhi arrive, she struggled to get up, and the old nanny standing next to her quickly helped her sit up against the headboard.
The old lady beckoned to Xu Zhi, who quickly went over. The old lady took Xu Zhi's hand, her voice slightly unsteady, and said, "Good child, I'm fine. I just slept too much during the day and can't sleep at night. You've made such a fuss over that."
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