"Mother, Rong'er really saw it, that's why, that's why..."
"What did you see? Are we not even allowed to talk to people? If just saying a few words makes someone a lover, then Qin Rong, you talk to countless people, so wouldn't everyone be your lover? The lover you're talking about is really cheap!"
Xiang Xia came to her senses and saw Qin Rong still spewing slander. She was furious and spoke sharply, no longer holding back.
"No, Mother, you must believe Rong'er, Rong'er..."
“Mother, since Qin Rong is still not giving up and keeps talking about her lover as if she won’t stop until the whole mansion knows, then let’s talk to her and see who is really tarnishing the Qin family’s reputation.”
Xiang Wan interrupted Qin Rong loudly, her expression calm, and spoke to the Queen Mother with unwavering determination in her eyes. Xiang Xia seconded her, and Qin Rong's face paled, her eyelids drooping, and she fell silent.
"Since we're going to argue, let's make it clear. Cui'er, help Rong'er up."
The Queen Mother instructed her maid to help Qin Rong, who was sitting on the ground, to her feet and sit on a chair to the side. Xiang Wan and Xiang Xia sat opposite her.
"You all have your own reasons. Now I will not take sides with anyone, but only present the facts and reason with you. Are you convinced?"
"Um."
All three nodded. The Xiang sisters looked at Qin Rong calmly. Qin Rong, lost in thought, remained expressionless.
"This morning, all three of you left the residence, didn't you?"
The Queen Mother's calm voice rang out in the hall as she answered Xia, "Yes."
"Mother, Rong'er is..."
"Simply answer yes or no?"
Qin Rong was eager to explain, but was interrupted by the Queen Mother and could only respond softly, "Yes."
"Rong'er, you're back at noon. Wan'er and Xia'er didn't return in time, did they?"
"Mm." Qin Rong nodded.
Xiang Wan and Xiang Xia exchanged a glance, wondering what the Queen Mother was planning to do. After a while, they both replied, "Yes."
"Rong'er, Madam Li asked you where your two older sisters are. Tell Madam Li that they are not in the manor, is that right?"
"Yes." Qin Rong wanted to explain something, but ultimately fell silent under the calm gaze of the Queen Mother.
"You two went to help out at the clothing store, didn't you?"
"Yes," the two sisters replied in unison.
"Rong'er, what you did was right, and honesty is commendable, but exaggeration is not something a young lady should do!"
The Queen Mother slammed her hand on the table and sternly questioned Qin Rong, startling her greatly.
"Since you returned, you haven't left the manor and don't know where Wan'er and Xia'er went. Yet, Madam Li mistakenly believes that you are not ambitious and are having secret meetings with men. Do you know that you are wrong?"
"No, Rong'er never said such a thing, Mother, Rong'er..."
“You haven’t said it, but ask yourself honestly, do you really consider Wan’er and Xia’er as family? If they are family, and your sisters aren’t here, it’s one thing if you don’t worry, but you’re fabricating facts to smear their reputations. Do you know that although they don’t have the surname Qin, they are still young ladies of the Qin family? Do you think that if their reputations are tarnished, you will be any better off?”
"Yes, I am not your biological mother and cannot interfere with your freedom, but since I bear the responsibility of being the Madam of the Qin family, I cannot abandon you. Disrespect alone is enough to crush you. Even now, don't you know where you went wrong?"
The Queen Mother suddenly turned her attention to Qin Rong, which Xiang Wan hadn't expected. She was a little taken aback, while Qin Rong was so shocked by what she said that tears streamed down her face and her eyes turned red.
“Mother, even if Rong’er is wrong, it is they who are wrong first. Why do you blame Rong’er instead of questioning them first? Just because I am not your biological daughter, does that mean I deserve to be bullied?”
Qin Rong's voice grew louder, her spirits rising as she was pressed by the Queen Mother, and she no longer showed weakness.
“Rong’er, you call me Mother, so I must fulfill my duties as a mother. Your father entrusted you to me before leaving the manor, so I have to take care of you. I pity you and teach you, but you… never mind, as long as I am your mother, I will never abandon you. Today’s matter is not a big deal. If anyone is at fault, it is Wan’er and Xia’er. The reason I questioned you first was to try to be lenient, but your attitude is truly heartbreaking. You left the manor without notice this morning, and this afternoon you instigated Madam Li to cause trouble for me. These things are true, aren’t they?”
Qin Rong wanted to argue further, but seeing the pained look in Wang Mu's eyes, she bit her lip and lowered her eyelids.
"I have failed to teach you properly and have let down your own mother. Now I hereby punish you by sending you back to your courtyard to reflect on your actions in front of the memorial tablet of the late Lady Qin for a month. Do you accept this punishment?"
“Rong’er made a mistake first and accepted the punishment, but Rong’er is not satisfied. The two of them are also at fault. Rong’er wants to stay here and see how Mother handles this matter.”
Qin Rong looked defiant and refused to move. The Queen Mother sighed and tacitly allowed her to stay in the hall.
Where were you at noon?
When the Queen Mother asked the question, Xiang Xia was about to answer, but Xiang Wan grabbed her wrist, so she had to shut up and let Xiang Wan answer.
"We are recruiting models."
"model?"
"Yes, our family's clothing store needs someone to try on clothes. My sister and I saw that the young man was outstanding in appearance and figure, so we persuaded him to promote our store."
"You're lying! How could that be? You clearly..." Qin Rong was furious when she saw Xiang Wan say such things with such a calm and collected demeanor.
"Rong'er, be quiet."
The Queen Mother glared at Qin Rong, silencing her.
"So, you're doing this for the benefit of the Qin family?"
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