When she returned to the Zhang residence, it was already late at night. As soon as Zhang Gui entered her room, she fell onto the couch.
Lu had been waiting for her, now she was propping up her chin with both hands, staring at Zhang Qi with wide eyes, not even planning to blink, just watching when she couldnt bear it and took the initiative to tell her a story.
Zhang Qi was stared at by a pair of eyes that were so big and bright, she couldnt sleep anymore. She gave Ah Lu a white eye, turned over, and muttered: "Sleep, its late."
A Lu shook her head quickly, regardless of whether she could see or not.
Zhang Qi let out a long sigh and said, "Actually, theres nothing much. I just saw many girls and young men, but they were too far away to see clearly. Although the Prince of Guangling has arrived," Upon hearing the three words "Prince of Guangling", A Lus breathing became noticeably heavier, and her fists clenched even tighter.
"However, the curtains still covered their faces and nothing could be seen. As for the envoys of Qi, they were even farther away. His Majesty also arrived, he was too majestic, I didnt dare to look."
Zhang Qi spread her hands and said, "Thats all."
"Is that it?"
"Of course not!"
"But, however..."
"Alright then, go to sleep. Whatever you want to hear, those girls will tell you tomorrow."
A Lu thought for a moment with a crooked smile and also lay down on the couch, "Yes, their stories are definitely better than Ah Qis."
The next day woke up, another sunny day.
Todays first class was calligraphy. In the quiet, whispers occasionally reached Zhang Qis ears, "I heard that as soon as Ah Jin came back last night, she was locked up by the madam."
"I heard she was crying and throwing a tantrum."
"The madam also sent someone to warn Xiao Lang."
……
Whispers and snickers, accompanied by the giggles of the maidservants. Zhang Qi focused on the instructors demonstration, but thought to herself: Back for just one day and already being punished? It seems that Madames attitude is quite tough indeed.
The harder Mrs. Yus attitude was, the more advantageous it was for her.
Today, the girls interest in Guangling Wang decreased a bit. After all, someone who doesnt even want to show his face at a banquet, they cant expect to see his true appearance.
After class, Zhang Qi habitually came to the forest and practiced writing on the rough tree bark with her fingers. Seeing her actions, several girls from humble backgrounds gathered together and laughed, "A private-born girl, no matter how well she practices her handwriting, what can she do? Cant she just attend a banquet and live as a wife?"
"Hehe, shes also helpless, everyone ignores her, if she doesnt do something, time will be hard to pass for her."
"Its better to stay at home and practice embroidery, so that when youre old and kicked out, you can still earn a living."
These laughs, Zhang Qi didnt hear them at all. She knew that the dinner party last night was so much fun and important, but she attended it, making those people jealous.
After the second class ended, Zhang Qi walked towards the room with a score of piano sent by the teacher.
In the place where girls gather, she has become accustomed to lowering her head and walking with a humble air. Now it is the same, her eyes are looking at her toes, walking towards the grass thicket, moving quietly, taking small steps forward, with an extremely quiet, obedient, and timid appearance.
Zhang Yu saw Zhang Qi from afar and stared at her, his eyes flashing with complex light.
A woman in her thirties came up behind her and said softly, "Ah Tao, its time to learn the qin."
Zhang Dan nodded slightly, his eyes still fixed on Zhang Qi.
That woman followed her gaze and said with a sarcastic smile: "Ah, Ah Yan is looking at those girls, right? They are the legitimate daughters of the Zhang family, who will be married to large families in the future, and will become the main wife once they get married... Ah Yan, its better not to look."
Zhang Cen listened and listened, her face turned whiter. She bit her lip, stubbornly not letting tears fall.
Looking at her like that, the woman in her thirties sighed and softened her tone, "Ganu zi, why be so sorrowful? Although you are marrying into a concubine this time, your husband is Xiao Kes pillar, Xiao Ce Lang Jun. If you have Xiao Lang Juns children in the future, you will also rise to prominence, why be sorrowful?"
Its fine if you dont listen to this, but after hearing these words, Zhang Dans tears couldnt be held back. She covered her face with her sleeve and sobbed softly: "Why must you say such things to deceive me?"
Who doesnt know that Xiao Ces mansion has hundreds of concubines? Who doesnt know that although he likes young and inexperienced girls, only half of them can survive under his bullying after being brought back.
Although she was a Zhang, Xiang Ye would show her some respect due to her surname. Although she was the one he had chosen and married himself, although she was a concubine with a legitimate name and status higher than that of a courtesan, what hope did she have in life after marrying such a depraved and lustful man?
Choked with sobs, Zhang Dan was so painful that she wished to die immediately. She covered her face with both hands and ran away crying.
The woman didnt go after him either. She just looked at the direction Zhang You left in a cold and detached manner, humming softly, and said with a cold smile: "Lowly status, you have to accept your fate!"
At the same time, someone else said, "If youre of low status, then just accept your fate!"
The most trusted Seventh Sister leaned against the soft couch, looking at Ah Lans pale face with a cold expression and said lightly: "Let you take care of Ah Jin, how did you do it? In front of Zhang Shuos wife and son, Ah Jin dared to defy the orders of the madam, and was affectionate with Xiao Mo in public... You say it has nothing to do with you? Hmph!" She let out a cold snort from her nose, too lazy to continue speaking.
But her words stopped at this point, and Ah Lan completely understood. Now the great lady was furious, Ah Jin was a legitimate daughter, she couldnt be punished too severely, whether to beat or kill or to assert authority, could only take it out on her personal maid.
Seventh Aunt said up to here, waved her hand, hinting that Old Lady should drag Ah Lan away.
No! Cant be like this! With those twenty lashes, even if you dont die, youll only have half a life left!
A Lan suddenly woke up, she broke free from the two women, and with great effort, she fell forward and started knocking her head on the ground, amidst the crisp sounds, A Lan hoarsely shouted: "No, no, its not me, I have nothing to do with it. Its that Ah Gui, its her, she instigated my sister-in-law. She also likes that Xiao Lang."
"Ah Qi?"
When Seventh Aunt asked, Ah Lan seemed to have grasped a lifeline and nodded repeatedly. "It was her, shes the illegitimate daughter of Twelfth Brother, brought from the countryside over three months ago. Who knows why she took a liking to Xiao Lang and kept urging Ah Jin." After a pause, Ah Lan hastily added: "Seventh Aunt, you have to believe me, if it wasnt for her urging, Ah Jin wouldnt have taken her to the banquet last night either."
"Shi Langs illegitimate daughter?"
"Really? Really?"
Seventh Aunt smiled, and at this moment, her snickering was particularly piercing. Ah Lan opened her big watery eyes and looked at her in confusion.
"Ah Lan, are you taking me for a fool? Shes just an illegitimate daughter with no status and has only recently arrived at the manor. What makes her think she can influence your sister?" The daughters of this manor, or rather, the legitimate daughters in Jiankang City, always looked down on their illegitimate sisters. How could Zhang Jin, who had always been arrogant, tolerate a lowly half-sister competing with her for the same man without feeling any jealousy or disgust?
With a wave of her hand, Seventh Aunts voice turned stern and she shouted: "You dare to spout nonsense in front of me? Take him away and apply torture!"
"Yes!"