Shi Lan felt like she had only squinted her eyes for a moment before Xing Bi woke her up. After dressing up, the two of them went to the main hall to pay their respects and then greeted their elders.
Because of the previous humiliation he had suffered, Zhu Xian valued Shi Lan, who had the Wang family as her backer, very much. He got up early this morning and had people urge the slow-moving Qian Shi several times. Finally, he managed to sit in the proper seat when the two arrived.
Dan Cai took a cushion, and Shi Lan knelt down to offer tea, respectfully and obediently calling out, "Father."
"Good, good," Zhu Xian chuckled as he accepted the gift, took a sip, and then, satisfied, picked up a brocade box, opened it, and said, "Zhu Lianyu Bi is a family heirloom of our Zhu family. Today, I'm handing it over to you."
Xingbi stepped forward to accept it, and Shilan thanked her obediently, without even glancing at the box.
Seeing her like this, Zhu Xian was extremely satisfied. He couldn't help but glance at Qian Shi, whose eyes were red, and thought to himself, "She's so petty. She's not as good as someone raised in a scholarly family like this."
Zhu Yi helped Shi Lan up, and Dan Cai placed the cushion in the empty space next to Zhu Xian.
Shi Lan knew before her marriage that Qian was a second wife, so she wasn't surprised. She bowed to the stool, and Dan Cai placed the teacup she was holding on the table, which was considered as Zheng accepting the tea.
Shi Lan then got up, and Zhu Xian handed her a carved lacquer box, saying, "These are the jewelry left by Yi'er's mother, and I'm giving them to you today as well."
Shi Lan turned to look at Zhu Yi, who smiled gently at her.
Turning to the Qian family, Dan Cai turned her head, put the cushion aside, and put it away.
Seeing her like this, Madam Qian gritted her teeth in hatred, but she was helpless. Since ancient times, a second wife has always been inferior to the first wife. She had entered the family in such a shameful way back then. Even if she asked Shi Lan to kneel down now, Zhu Xian would lose face for the sake of his son's reputation. It would be better to pretend to be magnanimous and save face.
Although she had good intentions, the blatant slap in the face made her blush with shame and anger.
Shi Lan lowered her head, curtsied, and said, "Madam."
Madam Qian gritted her teeth, grunted through her nose, and turned to signal Granny Ruan to bring out the soft satin that had been prepared beforehand.
Zhu Xian frowned immediately when he saw that she had prepared only ordinary goods.
Shi Lan didn't seem to mind and thanked him calmly.
Zhu Yi and his wife sat down hand in hand. Zhu Xian glared at Qian Shi before putting on a friendly smile and saying a few words to the two of them about living a good life.
Just then, Yi Hong came to announce that Qian Zhiqing had arrived.
As soon as Yi Hong finished speaking, Zhu Xian's face darkened.
Madam Qian glanced at Zhu Xian cautiously and ordered someone to bring her in.
Qian Zhiqing, dressed in a moon-white dress and adorned with a hundred flowers in her hair, was helped in by Lan Qiu, her figure slender and delicate like a willow in the wind.
As soon as she entered the door, she called out "Aunt" and her eyes reddened, and she looked like she was about to cry.
Madam Qian had come here forcibly suppressing her grief, but seeing her clothes and her demeanor, she could no longer hold back. Her eyes immediately reddened, and she took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
Seeing her like this, Zhu Xian became even angrier, but he thought about how her loved one had suddenly passed away and he couldn't fully control his emotions. Besides, he didn't want to leave a bad impression on his new daughter-in-law, so he forced himself to hold back.
Qian Zhiqing choked up twice, stepped forward to greet Zhu Xian and Madam Qian, but Zhu Xian waved his hand dismissively. Madam Qian immediately felt sorry for her and urged her to get up.
Qian Zhiqing thanked him, then went to Shi Lan and presented her gifts, saying, "Zhiqing congratulates my cousin and his wife."
Zhu Yi waved his hand without saying a word.
Shi Lan took a piece of brocade, smiled and stood up, saying, "Cousin, you are too kind. Last night at such an hour, Lan Qiu brought a congratulatory gift. It is I who am returning the favor a little late."
Qian Zhiqing did intend to upset Shi Lan yesterday, but she didn't expect Shi Lan to say it in front of Zhu Xian. She raised her dark, somewhat cold eyes and slowly raised the corners of her mouth.
Zhu Xian sensed something was amiss when he heard the two talking. Relatives and friends usually exchange congratulatory gifts on the wedding night, not on the wedding night itself, and it was unusual for them to send gifts to their daughter-in-law in such a way. It seemed the gifts had been delivered to the couple's courtyard.
Zhu Xian recalled his conversation with Madam Qian about making her a concubine, and suddenly realized he had been blinded by greed. Between wives and concubines, it was the wife who should educate the concubine; how could a concubine so blatantly try to undermine the wife?
Zhu Xian glanced meaningfully at Qian Zhiqing, who was facing away from him.
If someone as restless as her were to actually enter the house, how could the household possibly find peace?
Zhu Xian frowned, his prejudice against Qian Zhiqing intensified, and he became increasingly dissatisfied with Qian's attempt to force someone into the family.
Having served Zhu Xian for many years, Madam Qian noticed his unusual expression and felt uneasy. She quickly made an excuse to send Zhu Yi and the others back.
After leaving the courtyard, Qian Zhiqing bowed to Shi Lan, then excused herself, saying she was tired from the journey and feeling unwell, and was helped away by Lan Qiu.
Shi Lan frowned as she watched her retreating figure.
Zhu Yi said, "I didn't mention it last night because I was afraid of upsetting you. Her grandparents suddenly fell seriously ill and both passed away."
Shi Lan's eyes widened suddenly, and she turned to ask, "When?"
Zhu Yi said, "About a month or so."
Shi Lan blinked, incredulously saying, "Her family member just passed away, and she's already leaving her hometown like this?"
Zhu Yi twitched the corner of his mouth and said, "She has no relatives at home. After burying the old man, she took a boat here, saying she wanted to observe mourning here."
Shi Lan raised her eyebrows and looked at him.
This place is filled with joy and celebration, is she here in mourning to upset everyone?
Zhu Yi noticed the teasing in her eyes and became increasingly irritated.
When he learned of this yesterday, she had already arrived at the manor. He couldn't very well push her out. Hearing such a disheartening thing on such a joyous day made him feel particularly awkward. In addition, what Qian Zhiqing had done made Zhu Yi dissatisfied with Qian Zhiqing, who always presented herself as obedient.
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