Despite her reluctance, Li Qingruo couldn't go against her mother's wishes. She curtsied swiftly, her tone clipped with barely contained frustration. "I wasn't aware a few simple questions could offend Madam Jiang so deeply. If that's the case, then I must apologize."
Beside her, Murong Feixue's expression shifted multiple times. Although Madam Li's earlier words had clearly implicated her, she couldn't afford to fall out with Li Qingruo. After all, the Li family's status was something she couldn't afford to lose. She forced a conciliatory smile and said, "Madam Jiang, I also apologize. If I've said or done anything inappropriate, I ask for your forgiveness."
Jiang Huaiyu tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "Since the two of you are so earnest in your apologies, I won't hold a grudge. Just be mindful in the future—words, once spoken, can't be taken back."
Her tone was polite enough, but the message felt sharp, leaving both girls bristling with indignation.
The matriarch, experienced as she was, could sense the tension. She needed to maintain her amicable facade, especially with Daoist Li Shuhan present. Leaning on her cane, she took two measured steps forward and examined Jiang Huaiyu closely, her eyes shrewd behind her genial expression. "And which household do you belong to, dear?"
"I run my own household," Jiang Huaiyu replied calmly, her gaze steady.
The old lady's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. "A young woman running her own household? No wonder you carry yourself with such confidence." She tapped her cane lightly against the ground and added with a smile, "I noticed earlier that Daoist Li showed you great respect. You must have a profound understanding of the Dao to earn such courtesy. Perhaps you might enlighten me? We could discuss the Dao together."
The matriarch's demeanor was warm, but Jiang Huaiyu wasn't fooled. Years of careful grooming hadn't entirely hidden the sharp edge in her words. If not for Li Shuhan's earlier display, Jiang Huaiyu suspected she would have been the one forced to bow and scrape moments ago.
With a soft chuckle, Jiang Huaiyu glanced at the food box on the side and said, "I'm just here to have a meal in this charming courtyard. But it seems the esteemed Li family has a penchant for imposing their preferences on others."
The matriarch blinked, clearly not expecting such a blunt retort. She prided herself on her knowledge of the Dao and had planned to embarrass Jiang Huaiyu with a few pointed questions. Yet the younger woman had refused outright and done so without a trace of embarrassment.
Before the old lady could recover, Daoist Li stepped in, his tone respectful but firm. "Madam Jiang's understanding of the Dao surpasses even my own, Matriarch Li. Perhaps a discussion would be better left for another day. I fear even with the best intentions, her insights might be too profound to grasp in haste."
The matriarch's grip tightened on her cane. She trusted Daoist Li implicitly, viewing his insights as divine guidance. But to hear him so openly praise Jiang Huaiyu was disconcerting. "Madam Jiang is so young—how could her understanding surpass even yours?"
Li Shuhan smiled wryly. "It was Madam Jiang's words that reminded me how small I am in the grand scheme of things. I have traveled across the land, visiting countless sacred mountains and renowned scholars. Yet only two others I've met could compare to her clarity and insight."
The matriarch was left speechless, her faith in Li Shuhan warring with her own judgment. She had come to believe that his art and teachings would guarantee her celestial ascension. While she wasn't entirely fond of Jiang Huaiyu, she couldn't afford to alienate someone so highly regarded by the Daoist. Adopting a kinder expression, she said, "Ah, that explains it. From the moment I saw her, I sensed she had a special quality about her."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled faintly. "You flatter me, but I'm just an ordinary person. If you'll excuse me, I wouldn't want to disrupt your peace." With that, she turned and headed back into the room without waiting for a response.
The matriarch opened her mouth to speak, but Jiang Huaiyu's retreat left her at a loss. Meanwhile, Daoist Li, seemingly oblivious to the tension, said with a serene smile, "Today is a bit too crowded for meaningful discussions. Perhaps next time, Matriarch, you might bring only one or two companions. A calmer setting often aids comprehension."
"Quite true!" the matriarch agreed, her earlier annoyance melting away under his sage advice.
Li Qingruo, on the other hand, was left fuming in silence. Her mother's insistence on the apology made sense now, as it was clear her grandmother had taken a liking to Jiang Huaiyu. The woman's favor with Daoist Li only added to her frustration.
As their carriage made its way back to the city, Li Qingruo sat quietly, refusing tea and avoiding conversation.
Her mother, Lady Li, was not one to let things slide. She studied her daughter carefully before asking, "Tell me the truth—was it that Murong Feixue girl who encouraged you to behave so foolishly today?"
Startled, Li Qingruo looked up. "Mother, what do you mean?"
Lady Li sighed. "I've let you be too naive for too long. You're at the age where marriage discussions are inevitable. Suitors have been knocking on our door for months, and today's debacle has reminded me that I need to teach you better."
Li Qingruo straightened in alarm. "Mother, you can't decide my future without asking me! Who have you chosen?"
"Mind your tone!" Lady Li snapped, her gaze sharp. "Do you think I would harm you? And as for Murong Feixue, I don't want to see her at our house again. She's trouble, and I won't have her dragging you into more of it."
"Why?" Li Qingruo asked, baffled.
Lady Li exhaled in exasperation. "The Clear Harmony Monastery isn't just any place. Every woman there is connected to power, and if your behavior offends the wrong person, the consequences for our family could be dire."
Li Qingruo bit her lip, unsure how to respond. Her mother's words carried weight, but they also brought a new fear to light.
Back at the courtyard, Jiang Huaiyu let out a sigh of relief as the tension dissipated. She motioned for her maids to set the table. "Let's eat together. After all that nonsense, I'm sure you're all just as hungry as I am."
Aunt Xu hesitated but finally nodded, seating herself. Despite the difference in their stations, she could see the fairness in her mistress's heart.
As they ate, Jiang Huaiyu mused, "I always thought noble ladies were simply lively. Who knew they could be so insincere? They're all smiles on the outside but speak with daggers behind your back."
Aunt Xu chuckled softly. "True. But it's a blessing to serve a mistress like you, Madam. Most of us wouldn't dare dream of sharing a table with our employers."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled warmly. "Hard work deserves kindness. I'll never understand why others see it differently."