After a round of conversation, regardless of what was in their hearts, everyone was addressing each other as sisters, creating a particularly harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.
The old Mada of the Marquis Residence smiled upon learning that Mrs. Xu intended to take Nalan Jinlian back to her parental ho the next day, and imdiately objected.
"Since Sister Lian has just returned, I, the old lady, have yet to dote on her enough. Let her stay for a few more days at the Marquis Residence before visiting your uncle. You go back first by yourself!"
Mrs. Xu wanted to say sothing, but in the end, she agreed.
Thus, Nalan Jinlian didn’t end up going out after all.
Instead, she delivered the gifts, wandered around Qinglian Garden a few tis, and flipped through all the books she had brought back from the border town, only to find none that she liked.
This made Nalan Jinlian even more suspicious in her heart.
The days at the Marquis Residence were actually quite leisurely, and Nalan Mingyi’s coming-of-age ceremony quickly arrived.
Sisters all had to present gifts.
Nalan Jinlian gifted Nalan Mingyi a pair of gold hairpins with substantial weight and good quality, considered the best among the sisters’ gifts.
"The sixth sister is so generous when she gives gifts. Unfortunately, I ca of age too early!" Nalan Huanhuan remarked with a smile.
"When the fourth sister gets married, I will add to the bridal gifts then and make it up to you!"
Upon hearing this, Huanhuan’s face imdiately turned red. She reached out to tickle Nalan Jinlian, who quickly dodged, and the room burst into chaos.
Nalan Mingyi’s coming-of-age ceremony went very smoothly, and she received quite a few gifts.
Nalan Mingyi introduced Nalan Jinlian and Nalan Mingzhu to her good friends.
Nalan Mingzhu once again felt the disdain directed at her.
She bit her lip.
She excused herself, claiming she was feeling unwell, and went to the restroom.
Upon exiting, she noticed a group of Oleander in the corner. Seeing no one around, she picked a few leaves and hid them in her sleeve.
Nalan Mingzhu felt a bit scared, constantly worrying that soone would notice her. She didn’t realize that as an illegitimate daughter, no one would pay her much attention.
Moreover, the current Empress was an illegitimate daughter, but the Empress’s mother was a legitimate wife. It was only because her father disposed of his wife for a concubine that the Empress beca illegitimate. As a result, the Empress strictly forbade favoring concubines over wives, and any official who blatantly disobeyed this decree would be stripped of their office without question.
Because of this, officials truly didn’t dare to openly break the rule.
"Mingzhu sister, what are you doing?" Nalan Zile asked with a smile.
Her father was born of a concubine, and she was a legitimate daughter among the illegitimate, putting her in a very awkward position.
Especially since the old Mada was very partial, Nalan Zile harbored resentnt in her heart, always wanting to stir trouble but never having the support to do so.
"Nothing, what about you?"
"I’m quite bored. Why don’t we go look at the fish? Grandmother specially raised so beautiful koi!"
"Isn’t the pond frozen over by now?"
"Not at all. Below the pond is a warm spring, keeping it warm all year round. That’s why Grandmother uses it to raise koi!"
"Oh, that’s quite fascinating!"
"Let’s go take a look!"
"Alright!"
The two walked away, unnoticed by anyone.
At the pond’s edge, there were indeed koi swimming back and forth. Nalan Mingzhu tightly clenched the Oleander in her sleeve, hesitating for a long ti but ultimately not daring to throw it in.
The koi were indeed beautiful, but Nalan Mingzhu’s mind was not on them.
She seed to hear Nalan Jinlian’s laughter coming from the backyard, and her heart beca increasingly uneasy.
"Zile sister, would you like to visit my courtyard?"
"Sure, I’ve never been to Mingzhu sister’s courtyard. I wonder how it compares to the sixth sister’s courtyard!"
"The sixth sister is a legitimate daughter, while I am an illegitimate one. Naturally, my courtyard can’t compare to the sixth sister’s!"
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