Chapter 1129: Chapter 1129: Openly Targeting
Two flower sticks.
Duke Ying Mansion, Madam Lu and Madam Xiao Liao returned to the mansion and first went to the main courtyard to pay respects to Madam Qi.
"Sister-in-law, looking at the posture of the third sister-in-law, sheâs pregnant again, isnât she? She wonât even eat pears, and she has to hold the maidâs hand just to take a step, acting so cautiously, afraid of falling." Madam Xiao Liao said to Madam Lu.
Madam Lu looked at her in surprise: "Is that true? The third sister-in-law hasnât sent any message back, and I havenât noticed her movements either."
Madam Xiao Liao rolled her eyes, pretending ignorance, who in this mansion isnât astute?
"If the third sister-in-law is pregnant, that would be good news. After all, what happened last year was unpleasant for everyone. Being pregnant again now is somewhat comforting." Madam Lu said with a smile.
Madam Xiao Liao pouted but didnât continue the conversation.
Madam Lu glanced over with the corner of her eye, revealing a trace of mockery and sarcasm underneath.
Madam Qi was engaged in her routine wellness activities with the help of the maid using moxa, and seeing the two daughters-in-law coming to pay respects together, allowed them in.
Madam Lu and Madam Xiao Liao went inside, had their cloaks removed by the maids, and from a distance, first paid respects to Madam Qi. They then warmed themselves beside the charcoal stove covered with a cloth inscribed with âFive Fortunes Holding Longevityâ, before approaching Madam Qi.
"Back already. How are the health of Song Familyâs old Madam and my in-laws?" Madam Qi asked while stretching out her hand for the maid to trim her nails.
Madam Lu stepped forward, smiling and bending her knee, said: "In reply to mother, the old Madam and my mother-in-law are well. Itâs been some time since Iâve seen the old Madam, and she seems to have lost weight, but her spirits are still good."
"Hmm, what about Song?"
Madam Xiao Liao wanted to say something, but Madam Lu spoke first: "The third sister-in-law is also well, in high spirits. Speaking of which, there was a little incident when I saw the third sister-in-law at the Song Familyâs old Madamâs place."
"Oh?"
Madam Xiao Liaoâs heart skipped a beat, just about to change the subject when she saw Madam Lu looking over, smiling and asking: "Mother, donât you think the second sister-in-law seems slightly different?"
Madam Qi raised her eyebrows, surveyed Madam Xiao Liao from head to toe, squinted slightly, and said: "Indeed, different. This outfit of yours I havenât seen before, is it cloud brocade? The style is novel, the pattern is nice, but it fits you a bit tightly. You might want to loosen it at the waist."
Madam Xiao Liao blushed, feeling somewhat awkward.
Madam Qi then asked: "Where did this come from? Are we using cloud brocade for the winter clothes this year?"
This question was directed at Madam Lu.
Madam Lu smiled and shook her head: "Mother, this is actually the second Madam of the Song Mansionâs outfit. Itâs because one of the old Madamâs maids accidentally spilled water on the sister-in-law, causing her to change clothes, and she was quite annoyed about it."
She narrated the water-spilling incident as a joke, openly adding fuel to the fire.
Madam Qiâs eyelid twitched erratically, glancing at Madam Xiao Liao, who lowered her head in guilt, not daring to speak.
"Just a set of clothes. Later, Lu send someone to deliver two bolts of cloud brocade to the Songâs second Madam. Take it from my storage, otherwise, people might mistakenly think our grand Duke Mansion is so stingy, lacking even a set of cloud brocade clothing." Madam Qi said suppressing her anger.
Madam Xiao Liaoâs face turned purple with embarrassment.
Madam Lu agreed, saying: "Thereâs no need to use motherâs private storage. I have two bolts of cloud brocade in my dowry, we can take from there, and motherâs can stay for making clothes."
Madam Qi was not inclined to argue and praised her with a few words, then allowed her to return to her quarters: "Anâer studies hard, donât forget to make more nourishing food for him."
"Yes."
Madam Lu wisely paid respects and withdrew.
Once she departed, Madam Qi gestured, and the maids exited in a line, leaving only her trusted nurse by her side.
"Kneel down!"