The Concubine's Daughter Travels Through Time and Space and Takes the Road of Confrontation

To welcome the Second Master, the Marquis of Ping'an's residence had set up several tables for a feast. Lu Hui was led forward by the Second Master, while Zhang, accompanied by her two daughters, headed to the waterside pavilion in the back, where the room had already been laid out. A palace lantern sat in each of the six corners, illuminating the room as if it were daylight. In the center stood an eight-person table, laden with the latest delicacies from the capital.

Qin had also changed her outfit, with her hair styled high and a phoenix-shaped brocade headdress with pearls. A string of white pearls hung around her neck, and her jewelry jingled with every movement. Zhang, noticing the bustle of activity in the pavilion, stopped with Rong and Yun. About half a cup of tea had passed before Qin, seemingly noticing someone, smiled and approached. "I was so busy I didn't see you," she said, glancing angrily at the waiter beside her. "Why didn't you remind me when the Second Madam arrived?"

Zhang smiled and said, "Maybe I came too early."

When people entered the pavilion, they found that there was a space on the right side separated by a screen. Lu Qin and her sisters were sitting inside. When they saw their aunt, they stood up and greeted her.

Zhang handed over a few purses and said, "These are all little things. Take them and play with them."

Lu Qin took the three purses with a smile and said, "Thank you, Second Aunt."

Seeing this, Qin took out two purses from her bosom and stuffed them into Rong Jie'er and Yun Jie'er respectively, saying, "You are both young ladies from our Marquis' Mansion, why are you wearing such plain clothes?"

The two sisters-in-law sat down, and the old lady came in supported by someone. There was another round of greetings, and in the middle of talking, suddenly several voices were heard coming from the shore, but they were not very clear due to the distance.

Lu Rong noticed her aunt's expression and quietly tugged at her mother's sleeve. Zhang patted her hand soothingly. Nanny Gui, who was beside Qin, quietly walked out. Suddenly, there was a clang and a cry of surprise.

Lu Ling stood up in a panic. The lower part of her skirt was visibly wet, and wisps of heat were faintly coming out of it.

Lu Qin stood up on the side and said with disgust, "Big sister, what's wrong with you these days? You can't even hold a cup of tea."

Lu Zhen took out a handkerchief and bent down to wipe the tea off her body. Lu Ling pursed her lips and bowed to everyone, saying in a whisper, "It's my fault. I accidentally spilled the tea."

Qin was annoyed. "It's just a family dinner. Where are your usual manners?" After being scolded by her stepmother in front of everyone, Lu Ling lowered her head in embarrassment, with her fingers tightly wrapped around the handkerchief.

Zhang sighed softly, "Good boy, your mother cares about you. We are all family, so there is no need to be too restrained."

Lu Ling said softly, "Thank you, Second Aunt." Seeing that her stepmother didn't say anything, she sat down on the stool again.

The old lady smiled and said, "You sisters will live under the same roof in the future and visit each other often. The eldest girl is really good at embroidery." After that, she took out a handkerchief and handed it to Zhang. Zhang took it and examined it carefully. She saw that the pine yellow silk handkerchief was embroidered with a pair of cranes with their wings spread out, ready to fly. What was rare was that the shapes were lifelike and the touch was very delicate.

Zhang couldn't help but praise, "If only your sister Rong had half of your skills, it would be great. She can't even sew a straight line yet, and she still says she wants to make clothes for me." Zhang shook her head, "She dares to make it, but I don't dare to wear it." Everyone laughed when they heard this.

Lu Qin disagreed. Who in a family like theirs would make a living by sewing? Only a lowly illegitimate child would work hard on this every day.

Lu Yun opened her big black eyes and sat obediently on the small round stool, looking very pitiful.

Qin's face grew increasingly grim as the voices in the distance drew nearer. Everyone looked towards the shore. They saw a woman in a pink blouse with gold sprinkles approaching, surrounded by a crowd. The maidservant beside Qin was separated from her by several young maids, clearly trying to stop her in vain.

Qin secretly hated Aunt Sun, the little bitch, who was deliberately trying to embarrass her in front of the second wife.

Sun came over gracefully and bowed softly, saying, "I was passing by and heard that the old lady and the ladies had a family banquet here, so I thought I would come and pay my respects to them." After saying this, she bowed deeply. As the saying goes, one should not hit a smiling person, and the guests at the table nodded in return.

Qin forced a smile and said, "This is Sun." Then she shut up.

Aunt Sun stood up, and the pearl hairpin on her head swayed slightly. Zhang saw at a glance that this multi-treasure hairpin was not much different from the one on Zhang's head.

With a thump, the concubine suddenly knelt down. Everyone was startled, but before they could react, they heard her burst into tears, her voice sobbing, yet every word was clear. Lu Yun craned her neck, nodding her head. Lu Rong nervously held onto her sister's leaning body.

"I know I have offended Madam because of past events. I beg Madam to have mercy on Ling'er for the sake of my bearing children for you over the years."

The old lady frowned and looked at Qin. Qin's face was expressionless. "Old lady, you can see clearly that everything Lingjie eats and uses is similar to Qin'er. I guess my kindness has made her heart too big."

The old lady narrowed her eyes and said, "Sun, please listen carefully to what your wife said."

Sun knelt forward and took out a stack of silk handkerchiefs. "Look, old lady, the lady is the mistress and she is raising her children, and I shouldn't interrupt. But Ling'er is only 11 years old now, and you ask her to embroider handkerchiefs in just over a month. If she embroiders poorly, she will have to eat her hands. Recently, Ling'er can't even hold the chopsticks when eating. I really am..." She covered her face with her hands and cried softly.

Recalling the scene just now, everyone suddenly realized. Qin was about to explode with anger, asking what had happened to the usually calm and steady eldest girl today. She was waiting for her here. Everyone also had different expressions.

The old lady took the handkerchief without even looking at it. She leaned over and asked Du Juan, who was standing beside her, "Has our family reached the point where we can't even afford to eat? We have to rely on our young ladies to embroider handkerchiefs to supplement our income?" Du Juan shook her head. "You're worrying too much, old lady."

Qin snorted coldly and said, "Aunt Sun, you've got it wrong. As you said, I have the responsibility to educate my children. Lingjie will be coming of age in a few years. Lingjie is certainly a good girl, but unfortunately..." She paused for a moment before continuing, "It would be a pity if she didn't have any outstanding skills and could only make perfume and write ink like you." Her words didn't fully express the meaning, but everyone in the hall understood.

Just a few words made Sun's face pale. Lu Ling didn't care about anything else at this time. She knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Please have mercy on me, Madam. Ling'er will definitely finish embroidering the rest of the silk handkerchief. Please don't punish me, Madam."

Qin, unobtrusively avoiding the question, said, "My dear Ling-er, Qin-er always says you're sensible. I'm relieved to see you today." Then, the old nanny beside her tactfully stepped forward to help the young lady to her feet. As Lu Ling stood up, everyone saw her hands, swollen like steamed buns. Lately, Lu Ling had been wearing wide-sleeved outerwear, and her hands were hidden by the cuffs.

The old lady who was watching from the side saw it more clearly than anyone else, but she still had a smile on her face. "I think the eldest girl's needlework is already very good. There is no need to improve it deliberately. Girls are all guests of honor. Why would they do these needlework for nothing? Good people will become idiots." Qin's face was forced. "What are you talking about, old lady?"