Madam of the Marquis Mansion was quite indifferent to Song Ci’s reminder; with her grandmother and eldest aunt watching, who would dare scheme against her daughter at her maiden home?
But when Song Ruqi returned angrily, the casual question from Madam almost caused her to spill the teacup she was holding.
"What did you say? Who did you see?"
The Madam’s voice trembled, looking at her daughter in shock.
Song Ruqi was still immersed in her clashes with Zhao Mingyao at the Marquis Mansion, and upon seeing her mother’s startled inquiry, she said, "It was Ruoning’s cousin, some person from the Luo Family, which is the Uncle’s Mansion of mother’s side of the family, Liu Yang’s Uncle’s Residence."
Madam heavily placed the teacup on the table, glaring as she asked, "Are you saying that when that Luo boy came to pay respects, your aunt didn’t make you young girls avoid him at all?"
Song Ruqi shook her head, thinking for a moment, and said, "Aunt was there at the time, and so was Ruoning."
"That’s hardly appropriate. Regardless of you, even Ruoning is about to come of age; that boy is an outsider and should keep his distance, but your aunt..." Madam became more and more agitated as she spoke, slamming the table so hard the teacup bounced.
Song Ruqi was startled.
"Madam, calm yourself." Housekeeper Fang soothed Madam’s back and advised, "Maybe the First Madam acted thoughtlessly."
"Thoughtless?" Madam sneered, "Don’t you understand the situation at Liu Yang’s Uncle’s Residence? A whole mess of illegitimate sons and daughters squeezed together, almost like vagabonds, and she dares to set her eyes on my Qi’er? That Luo Yinglian is willing to support her family; willing to pull such strings. If she asked her own son to come, I wouldn’t be this angry..."
"Ahem." Housekeeper Fang coughed twice, glanced at the astonished Song Ruqi, and helplessly reminded, "Madam, the young lady is still here."
Madam choked up, looked at Song Ruqi, a bit awkwardly said, "You may return to your courtyard. In the future, avoid going to the Marquis Mansion. Even if you must go, keep away from those disorderly people."
Song Ruqi stood up and said, "Mother, no need to be angry. Even if Aunt has intentions, I don’t fancy him. He’s just a Scholar, though somewhat handsome, not enough to impress me."
Should I be relieved or speechless that my daughter is so practical?
Song Ruqi gave a respectful curtsey and withdrew. Exiting the main courtyard, she plucked a camellia from the roadside, played with it in her hands, sniffed it, and then tossed it away.
Just a mere Scholar, not her goal. Her goal is to become a Princess.
Madam looked at Housekeeper Fang, who couldn’t help but laugh, "Madam, now you can rest assured."
"This child is indeed a bit arrogant. But I’m annoyed with my sister-in-law’s actions. Does she think no one knows about her scheming? That shabby Liu Yang’s Uncle’s Residence, just the thought of it. Why didn’t she think of matching her own son Kun’er instead?"
Housekeeper Fang responded, "Madam, think about it. Young Master Kun is the youngest; he doesn’t have any titles yet and can’t inherit the dukedom. Do you really want the second young lady to live under the Heir’s wife’s command in the future?"
"Impossible!" Madam snorted coldly.
"There’s the answer. That Master Luo might have a chance to inherit the dukedom."
Madam’s anger subsided a bit, but she was still furious, "The point is, she cannot scheme against Qi’er without asking me."
Thankfully, it was just a meeting, and nothing happened at the Marquis Mansion, or else, how could she explain to the Prime Minister and the Dowager Madam?
Madam shivered at the thought, realizing she truly couldn’t afford to be careless in the future.