Xu Miaoniang sat down obediently, not idle. She made fists with her hands and gently massaged Lan Shi's thighs with just the right amount of pressure. Lan Shi found it extremely comfortable.
"Are you curious about what I said to Madam?" Lan Shi asked, looking at Xu Miaoniang.
Xu Miaoniang's expression remained calm. "If the Old Madam wishes for Miaoniang to know, she will tell me. If she does not wish for me to know, Miaoniang being curious would only bring me trouble. As you know, Miaoniang never does things that bring trouble upon herself."
Lan Shi chuckled. "You girl, what can this old woman say about you? You are learned and sensible, knowing when to advance and when to retreat. The only flaw is that you are too uninteresting. This old woman finds you good, but in the eyes of young people, you lack a certain spark. How can you attract his attention?"
Xu Miaoniang knew who the young man Lan Shi was referring to, but such matters were not up to her to decide.
Therefore, Xu Miaoniang did not respond to Lan Shi's words, focusing instead on massaging her legs.
"You girl, it's no use if only I like you. The most important thing is that A Nian likes you." Lan Shi's tone was full of disappointment. "You live in the manor, close to the water, so you have the advantage. But you cannot let the little vixen outside snatch the lead. The Heir is young and vigorous, and too reserved. Will his gaze even fall upon you?"
With things said to this extent, if Xu Miaoniang still didn't respond, it would be unreasonable.
"Old Madam, Miaoniang remembers."
Lan Shi knew Xu Miaoniang was intelligent and, with her hints, she should know what to do.
"You should know, this old woman's most hoped-for granddaughter-in-law is you. Don't disappoint this old woman. These days, my taste has been spoiled by your cooking. If I can't eat it in the future, won't this old woman miss it terribly?" Lan Shi said with a gentle smile.
"Old Madam, please rest assured. No matter how things develop, as long as Old Madam is willing to eat what I make, Miaoniang guarantees she will not refuse."
"Don't say such things. I prefer my granddaughter-in-law to be filial to me."
Meanwhile, after Qin Shi returned to her own courtyard, she sent for Gu Sinian.
"Your grandmother's intention is to favor Xu Miaoniang." Qin Shi relayed Lan Shi's attitude to Gu Sinian. "Mother has also considered what your grandmother said, and her words are not without reason. You like that girl, so let her be a noble concubine. Mother will also protect her for you, and it wouldn't be mistreating her."
"Mother, she might not even care for the position of main wife, and you suggest a noble concubine?" Gu Sinian pursed his lips, his face cold. "Mother, I do not wish for the person I love to be wronged. If you and Grandmother do not agree to her entering the manor as the main wife, then I would rather not marry, and of course, I will not marry anyone else."
This meant he was determined to have that girl.
Qin Shi was in a difficult position. Her son's reputation was not good, and she hoped that his marriage would dispel those rumors. If he didn't marry, wouldn't it further solidify those rumors?
"My child, why are you like this? What can Mother say to you?" Qin Shi was helpless.
"Mother, son is not joking." Gu Sinian said seriously.
"But your grandmother... A Nian, you know, once your grandmother decides on something, she will never easily give up." Qin Shi was very worried. From the time she went to the Qin family to propose marriage on behalf of Gu Changwei, it could be seen that she would not easily abandon what she had decided.
"Mother, you don't need to worry about this matter. I will speak to Grandmother myself. As for Xu Miaoniang, Mother, she is not simple."
If she were simple, how could an orphaned girl gain such favor from his grandmother? Seeing her not competing or snatching, with a calm and indifferent demeanor, yet earning his grandmother's utmost protection, what kind of methods were these that an ordinary person could possess?
Qin Shi, after hearing Gu Sinian's words, thought deeply. It was true, her mother-in-law was not someone who could be easily pleased. Although the direct line of the Duke's manor only had Gu Changwei's branch, there were still many collateral branches, with a large number of young ladies and gentlemen. Each of them earnestly tried to please her mother-in-law, but none of them had caught her eye. How did Xu Miaoniang, an orphaned girl with no one to rely on, so easily catch her eye?
It was indeed peculiar.
Thinking further, Xu Miaoniang's help in regulating her body also had a purpose.
At this point, Qin Shi couldn't say anything more. She said, "A Nian, you have always been a person with foresight. Although marriage is a major event, it is subject to the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. But Mother does not want to make the decision for you. Two people are going to spend their lives together, so your choice is naturally more appropriate."
Gu Sinian was very grateful for Qin Shi's understanding. "Mother, thank you. Please rest assured, the girl I choose will definitely be an exceptionally good one, and she will, like me, be filial to you and keep you in her heart."
As the son grew up, he was no longer controlled by his mother, but she couldn't hinder him either. Qin Shi felt a strange sensation, yet she felt that her son's judgment would not be wrong. Perhaps that country girl truly had extraordinary qualities.
Gu Sinian came out of Lan Zhi Courtyard and went directly to Yan Nian Courtyard, where he happened to run into Xu Miaoniang.
Xu Miaoniang bowed to Gu Sinian. Gu Sinian did not stop his steps, walking past Xu Miaoniang and entering the room.
If someone with a thin skin encountered such a situation, wouldn't they be ashamed and angry? But Xu Miaoniang's expression did not change, and she left with her maid.
"A Nian is here?" Lan Shi greeted him happily. "You met Miaoniang? She is truly a filial girl, stewing soup for this old woman and massaging my shoulders and legs. Such a girl is truly hard to find even with a lantern."
"Grandmother, what are you saying? These things, none of the maids by your side do them any less. At most, there are differences in skill. Grandmother praises Miss Xu so highly, and these servants attending you in your room should be ashamed." Gu Sinian swept his gaze over the maids in the room and said in a deep voice.
The maids in the room, though outwardly showing nothing, all heartily agreed with Gu Sinian's words.
The cousin had done the things they usually did, making all of them in the room seem like mere decorations. Moreover, the Old Madam doted on her service, so they dared not have any objections. The praise and rewards the Old Madam usually gave them now went to the cousin, leaving them to suffer in silence with no way to express their bitterness.
Lan Shi chided, "Their service to me is their duty. Miaoniang is different; she uses her true heart."
This Xu Miaoniang is truly capable, to have so thoroughly charmed the grandmother. Gu Sinian mused, such a person has too much depth.
"Grandmother, I just went to see Mother, and she told me. I know Grandmother is doing this for my own good..."
"If you know it's for your own good, then listen to Grandmother. Grandmother sees that no one is more suited for you than Miaoniang. Miaoniang is a good girl, and she will surely be a capable helper to you." Lan Shi interrupted Gu Sinian, saying with a smile.
"Grandmother, I can listen to you on other matters, but on this one, your grandson will disobey you. Regarding Xu Miaoniang, if it weren't for her filial piety towards Grandmother, your grandson wouldn't even glance at her. Of course, I am also very grateful for her helping my mother regulate her body, and I am willing to repay her. But this repayment is not to be made with my marriage! Moreover, if we delve deeper, I would rather place this gratitude upon Grandmother. If it weren't for Grandmother, Miss Xu wouldn't have helped my mother regulate her body. In short, I can give gold, jewelry, and favors. But as for the person, absolutely not."