Chapter 51: Leaving the Mansion

Chapter 51: Leaving the Estate

Qing Zhuo found it odd: "Why insist on bringing him into the manor? There are too many prying eyes."

"Just let him return with the troupe leader. Since they've come to the capital, they must be looking to establish themselves. We can help them secure a regular performance venue. Then, Mother can simply leave the manor to enjoy the shows, which would be much better."

"When the time comes, we can summon him to serve tea and attend to her, and Mother will naturally be pleased. Father won't find out and argue with her."

"Bringing him home, on the other hand, would only complicate things."

Qing Bai nodded, "You're right. That's a good plan."

Qing Luo blinked, confused. What were they talking about? That green-eyed performer serving Mother? How could a man serve Mother?

As the troupe departed, the children who had been watching the excitement also scattered from the bridge.

Chen Yuhu continued to enjoy herself with the others.

Among the young girls on the other side, An Zhi had always been gentle and compliant. Although she was born of a concubine, the children of Marquis Zhongyong’s household were united, with no stark class distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate offspring.

Thus, both An Zhi and Yuzhi were well-liked, though each had their own circle of friends. With such a large gathering and beautiful scenery, it was inevitable that they would naturally drift apart.

An Zhi sat with Yuzhi and their friends, chatting and observing the others at play.

Qing Jiao, meanwhile, went with her friends to gather fallen blossoms, intending to make scented sachets.

An Zhi was listening intently as a friend described an adorable kitten at her home, her face alight with longing.

Suddenly, a young girl interjected, "My family has some too. What's so special about a few cats? Our garden is home to several hunting dogs, each an expert hunter."

The children exchanged puzzled glances, clearly unsure where this girl had appeared from.

Beside An Zhi was the daughter of a concubine from the Yong'an Marquis household, who was also gentle-natured and shared a strong affinity with An Zhi.

Although she was a daughter of a concubine, the Yong'an Marquis household had no legitimate daughters, making her especially treasured.

Not only were the marquis and his wife fond of her, but even the family matriarch doted on her only granddaughter.

Ge Ying, the daughter of a concubine from the Yong'an Marquis household, inquired, "Which family are you from?"

The girl placed her hands on her hips. "I'm from the Earl of Jing'an's household."

The Earl of Jing'an's household also had only one daughter, an illegitimate child born to a concubine.

This was the same concubine rumored throughout the capital to wield immense influence in the Earl's household, even bullying the legitimate wife.

The girls immediately fell silent.

An Zhi’s expression shifted noticeably, which instantly displeased the girl.

"What's with that look? Do you think I don't know? You're also the child of a concubine, merely recorded as the wife’s child. How dare you look down on me?"

"My mother manages the household. In comparison, you're beneath me!"

An Zhi was momentarily speechless, but as a child indulged by Chen Yuhu, she might be gentle with her sisters at home, but she was no pushover outside.

An Zhi replied directly, "You've misunderstood, younger sister. My disdain for you has nothing to do with you being raised by a concubine."

In other words, she simply looked down on her.

The other girls had never encountered someone so unreasonable, especially when they hadn’t even uttered a word!

They exchanged glances, but the girl grew even angrier.

"What do you mean by that? Speak up!"

An Zhi stood up, gave her a dismissive look, and without a word, turned to leave.

It was clear she disapproved of the girl’s behavior.

She had never met someone so rude. Even girls from rural areas rarely acted this way, let alone those from official households.

As she turned to leave, the girl wouldn't let it go.

Before An Zhi had gone far, the girl began to cry, claiming she had sincerely reached out in friendship but was looked down upon because her family’s rank was inferior to a marquis’s household.

She sobbed pitifully, as if she were the victim.

Some young ladies who had just returned from enjoying the scenery looked back and forth, unsure what had happened.

An Zhi’s face was flushed with anger. Just as she was about to confront the girl, a girl wearing green stepped out from the crowd and asked, "What's going on?"

An Zhi looked up and saw it was Qing Jiao.

"Big sister."

Qing Jiao’s expression remained neutral as she asked An Zhi, "How did you bully her?"

An Zhi, indignant, lowered her head. "I didn’t bully her. I just don't want to have anything to do with her."

Her words left no room for ambiguity.

Qing Jiao smiled and took a few steps forward. "Are you the girl from the Earl of Jing'an's household?"

The girl, tears still on her face, fluttered her handkerchief with an air of arrogance. "So what if I am?"

Qing Jiao, instead of getting angry, smiled. "No wonder An Zhi looks down on you. My mother says we’ve been raised too informally. Although we don't need to learn all the formalities, we should still learn a thing or two. So she specially hired a female tutor for us."

"Among our sisters, An Zhi is the most strict about decorum. I suppose the reputation of the Earl of Jing'an's household is too scandalous for her to tolerate. Please forgive her."

"However, with so many young ladies here, if you don't get along with my sister, you can always find someone more compatible."

Qing Jiao’s words were diplomatic and measured, subtly implying that the problem lay with the Earl of Jing'an's household’s reputation, not her sister’s fault. What was wrong with valuing propriety?

A more thin-skinned girl would have been too ashamed to show her face, but this girl was clearly different.

Her eyes red, she argued defiantly, "Stop pretending to be so righteous! Some noble family! The reputation of Marquis Zhongyong’s household for harmony between wife and concubines is known throughout the capital. But what about the concubine?"

"Didn't she give birth and then quietly die of illness in the manor? And you still act like saints?"

"As for you, being manipulated without a word of protest, acting as if you’ve been done a favor—your own mother being pushed around, and you dare not speak up. Your mother wasted her breath having you."

The latter remarks were clearly directed at An Zhi and Yuzhi.

Among the girls present, some were legitimate, some illegitimate. Everyone understood the situation, but when was it ever appropriate to bring such matters into the open?

The commotion swept everyone up in it—after all, which family didn’t have both legitimate and illegitimate children?

An Zhi’s face was red with fury. Before she could speak, a sharp cry erupted from the petite Yuzhi.

"Who gave you the right to speak of my mother like that? What kind of manners were you even taught?"

"Oh, and your concubine mother is so perfect? The legitimate wife of your Jing'an Earl's household is bedridden year-round, with few children. Instead of keeping your head down, you proudly flaunt your concubine and dare to stand here criticizing my mother?"

"What kind of thing are you? Who are you to judge my mother?"

Yuzhi gritted her teeth and lunged forward, but Qing Jiao firmly held her back.

Young ladies from noble families do not resort to physical altercations.

An Zhi also clenched her teeth and retorted heatedly, "Your family truly has fine upbringing! My mother is the matriarch of the Marquis' household—filial to her in-laws, caring for her husband, raising the children, and keeping the entire household running smoothly. Isn’t that all thanks to her?"

"Everyone in the capital has witnessed it. We brothers and sisters owe everything to our mother's upbringing and guidance. Even my brother, who has studied and understands reason, can see that some people simply can't be reasoned with."

An Zhi shot the other girl a look of utter disgust.

Her revulsion was palpable.

If Chen Yuhu were to comment, she’d say these girls were still too young and too prideful.

She had seen proper ladies quarrel and bicker, and they didn't show much restraint or follow proper decorum either—

just slightly more refined than old grannies yelling in the streets.