The old Marquess and Old Madam Nalan have always emphasized the distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate heirs. The old Marquess still nodded slightly. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ n0velfire.net
Old Madam Nalan looked at Nalan Mingzhu and said with a smile, "You are also good, no need for formalities!" Then she turned to Nalan Mingcong, "You must be Mingcong!"
"Yes, Grandmother!" Nalan Mingcong replied respectfully.
"You’re a sensible one, you will go to the academy with your brothers in the future!
" Old Madam Nalan seemed to want to say more.
Nalan Huanhuan laughed, "Grandmother, it’s so cold outside, your health is not well, should we head back first?"
Everyone immediately came to their senses.
Old Madam Nalan laughed, "Our Huan is so considerate, let’s go inside!"
She held Nalan Jinlian’s hand as they walked towards the Marquis Residence.
Nalan Huanhuan also took Nalan Jinlian’s other hand, "Lian, I’m your sister Huan, our courtyards are next to each other, I’ll take you around later to see what’s missing, and you can take from mine to use first!"
"Exactly, your sister Huan has many good things. She’s usually very strict, but today she’s generously offering. You should take as much as you can later, and if you can’t carry it all, Grandmother will send some maids and women to help you!" Old Madam Nalan teased with a laugh.
Nalan Huanhuan widened her eyes.
In disbelief, she exclaimed, "Grandmother, I was only telling Lian to take it, how can you help? No, no!"
Nalan Huanhuan shook her head, pouting her cheeks, looking adorably flush with embarrassment. Nalan Jinlian laughed out loud.
Considering how much the old Madam and old Marquess value their father, the courtyard they’ve prepared must be decent enough. With the things brought back from the small town, it would be well-furnished, leaving no need to take from her cousin sister’s room.
"Why not? You said it yourself, we all heard it, Lian, don’t be polite with your sister Huan, take as much as you can later!"
Nalan Huanhuan widened her beautiful eyes again, "I only said Lian could take, I didn’t say Grandmother would send someone to help take it!"
"Look at this stubborn one!" Old Madam Nalan laughed heartily, telling Nalan Jinlian, "Your sister Huan loves her possessions dearly, if she doesn’t let you take freely, Grandmother will let you have anything from the storeroom, take and pick as you wish!"
Receiving gifts from an elder should not be declined, Nalan Jinlian slightly nodded.
"Grandmother, and what about me?" Nalan Huanhuan quickly asked.
"Nothing for you, not giving!"
"Oh dear, Grandmother, now that you have Lian, you don’t love me anymore, how heartbreaking!" she said, feigning a dramatic heartache.
"You cheeky monkey!" Old Madam Nalan scolded with a smile.
Nalan Jinlian had to admit, this Nalan Huanhuan is clever, her teasing amused Old Madam Nalan greatly.
Logically speaking, they should have been the center of attention today upon returning, but Nalan Huanhuan was the most lively.
Nalan Mingzhu walked behind, her eyes slightly red.
Indeed, there was no difference in the small town, but upon arriving at the Imperial Capital, the distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate become apparent.
Seeing how Grandmother favors her legitimate sister, seeing her mother surrounded by aunts, seeing her aunty being led away by maids, seeing her brother silent by their father’s side.
Nalan Mingzhu clenched the handkerchief in her hand.
A girl approached Nalan Mingzhu, saying in a low voice, "My name is Zile, I’m eleven this year, from the fourth house, and you, what is your name and how old are you?"
"My name is Mingzhu, I’m thirteen!"
"Oh, it’s Sister Mingzhu!" Nalan Zile smiled, leaning a bit closer to Nalan Mingzhu, "Sister Mingzhu, Grandmother is really good to Sister Lian, even better than to Sister Huan!"