“What did you say to my cousin?”
In the Youlan Courtyard, Xiao Jinse stood arrogantly in Zishu Sui’s bedroom, storming out.
Even though Zishu Sui was only a guest, Xiao Jinse’s entry into her bedroom without permission made Zishu Sui show a rare look of anger on her face.
“How can Cousin enter my boudoir at will? Is this how the Marquis’s mansion teaches its rules?”
Zishu Sui’s voice was not loud, but it carried a faint reproach.
Hearing this, Xiao Jinse’s eyebrows furrowed, and her already unattractive face became even more fierce.
“Qi Sui! I am the Second Miss of the Marquis’s mansion, and you are just a temporary guest. I can go to every place in this mansion. You better know your place!”
Zishu Sui silently watched her go crazy.
She had long heard that the Second Master of the Wuning Marquis’s mansion was a mediocre talent, relying on the support of his elder brother, the Wuning Marquis, to have a place. Originally, Zishu Sui was wondering how mediocre he could be, but now, seeing his daughter’s stupid and tyrannical appearance, she understood.
Over here, Xiao Jinse saw Zishu Sui’s silent appearance and assumed that she didn’t dare to argue with her, and her face became even more smug. “My cousin is the heir, and he will inherit the Earl’s title in the future. Even if my cousin sees you today, don’t be too happy!”
“You’re only able to live here because your mother is related to our Marquis’s mansion, but based on your status alone, you’re not even worthy of being a concubine to my cousin!”
“Lingyi is different from you. She is the daughter of the Rongxin Marquis, and her elder sister is a noble concubine in the palace. Her status is much more noble than yours. I advise you not to overestimate yourself.”
The more Xiao Jinse spoke, the more smug she became. She stood on the steps outside the bedroom door, occupying the geographical advantage, looking down at Zishu Sui below the steps.
Originally, Zishu Sui could tolerate some provocative words.
But when Xiao Jinse brought up Shen Lingyi and Shen Lingyi’s background, Zishu Sui’s indifferent expression instantly changed, becoming even colder.
The daughter of the Rongxin Marquis?
Noble?
“Heh.” Zishu Sui laughed out loud, contrary to her usual behavior.
Seeing this, Xiao Jinse’s eyebrows furrowed, as if a punch had landed on cotton. “What are you laughing at?”
“How can the words ‘noble’ be used to describe the daughter of an mistress? Or are you saying, Cousin, that you are the same kind of person as her?”
Zishu Sui raised her head slightly, and a faint sarcasm appeared at the corner of her mouth.
“What nonsense are you talking about?!” Xiao Jinse was angered by this nonsensical remark and immediately walked down the steps, sternly saying, “Lingyi is born of the legal wife, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis’s mansion. How dare you, a country bumpkin, speak recklessly?”
At this time, Xiao Jinse stood in front of Zishu Sui, Xiao Jinse’s arrogance was rampant, but Zishu Sui was different from her.
Zishu Sui smiled softly, but this smile was particularly harsh to Xiao Jinse’s ears, as if it were mocking her.
Zishu Sui looked directly at Xiao Jinse’s angry face. “Although my father is only a seventh-rank official, he was honest and upright all his life, and died for his country. Although my mother is not an official’s wife, she is also the legitimate daughter of the Xiao clan.”
“No one in the capital mentions the Rongxin Marquis’s background. Cousin, you live in the inner quarters, so you haven’t heard of it. But when I was in Pingting, I heard storytellers talk about it. The Rongxin Marquis’s wife was promoted from an mistress.”
“But in Cousin’s heart, I am lowly, and Shen Lingyi, who was born to an mistress, is noble. I don’t know what the reason is.”
Zishu Sui’s words were pearls, and although she spoke softly, she was surprisingly imposing.
Xiao Jinse, who was shocked, was stunned at first, and then pretended to be calm after reacting. “You’re talking nonsense. If it were true, how could no one pass it on? You’re clearly jealous, maliciously fabricating it!”
Zishu Sui lowered her head and sighed. “No one passes it on, which means that the Noble Consort is deeply favored, and His Majesty intends to erase all the stains for her.”
“I won’t believe your malicious fabrication! Now that Aunt and Cousin are not here, you’re showing your true colors, right! Anyway, don’t even think about marrying my cousin!”
These harsh words were not as imposing as before.
Xiao Jinse left after saying this, and after walking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned around, and stared at the white figure—
“Not only my cousin, but also Young Master Lu, you are not worthy of him either!”
After Xiao Jinse left, Yinxing had already been shocked by the previous remarks, and now she slowly asked, “Miss, is what you said true?”
Zishu Sui walked towards the house. “The storyteller said it, how would I know if it’s true or false.”
Her voice couldn’t tell whether she was happy or angry, and Yinxing stood behind her, unable to see her face clearly.
Before sunset.
A low-key and simple carriage passed through the back door of the Marquis’s mansion, drove towards East Street, and finally stopped in front of the Yongan Restaurant.
The servant who had been following the carriage all the way looked up at the restaurant’s signboard and immediately turned around.
Yinxing helped Zishu Sui out of the carriage, but her eyes were looking at the sneaky servant. “Miss, the Second Miss has been sending people to follow us.”
“She hopes to catch some mistakes of mine so that she can tell my aunt and uncle.” Zishu Sui ignored the existence of the servant and walked straight into the restaurant.
As soon as she entered the restaurant, the waiter greeted her. “Does the guest want to sit in the hall or a private room?”
“Private room.”
The young lady followed the waiter upstairs. In the hall behind her, there were loud discussions from several diners—
“Did you see? Just now, the real and fake Young Masters of the Lu family came to the restaurant to eat together and went up to the third floor!”
“Ah, wasn’t it rumored that they were at odds? Sure enough, rumors are not to be believed.”
“This real young master is now exclusively favored by General Lu and Madam Lu. Although he is a bit unruly, he is still their own flesh and blood.”
“With that appearance and demeanor, the difference is obvious when the two stand together. No wonder the Second Miss of the Wuning Marquis’s mansion is determined to change the marriage to the real young master!”
After saying this, there was a burst of laughter in the hall.
Zishu Sui’s steps upstairs paused. Xie Yan was here? Third floor?
Zishu Sui thought of the servant who had been following her just now, and she couldn’t be sure whether Xiao Jinse would go crazy and rush to the restaurant.
So it was better not to get involved with Xie Yan today. The matter in the garden last time still hadn’t been explained clearly.
On the other side.
The servant returned to the mansion and told Xiao Jinse everything he had seen while following her.
“Good! I knew she must have some secret! I’ll go tell my cousin right now!” Xiao Jinse slammed the table and stood up.
Her personal maid, Qiuju, couldn’t bear to watch. “Why don’t this servant go to the restaurant to investigate first? After all, if the young lady is just going to eat, you won’t be able to get any advantage by complaining to the heir. It’s better to be cautious.”
How could Xiao Jinse listen? “What kind of food is she eating? I heard that she didn’t have much when she entered the mansion, only a few personal jewelry items. Can she afford the dishes at Yongan Restaurant? There must be something dirty going on. Don’t stop me!”