Li Weiyang was confident that once Old Madam drank this tea, she would never be able to drink tea prepared by anyone else, because back then Tuoba Zhen had been extremely fond of drinking tea. To make him happy, she had specifically sought out several famous teachers to learn this tea preparation skill. For a full eight years—she dared say that in this one skill of tea preparation alone, no one could surpass her! Moreover, she wasn’t afraid of the First Madam investigating anything, because the young misses of the Pingcheng Li family all knew how to prepare tea. Since she had stayed in Pingcheng for so long, learning tea preparation through daily exposure wasn’t anything strange.

Meng Shi was clearly very satisfied with this tea. Looking at Li Weiyang, her smile was much warmer than usual: “Your tea preparation is different from others. Who was your teacher?”

In her previous life, Li Weiyang, being an illegitimate daughter born in the second month, had always been cautious with her words and actions. At all occasions, she had almost always sat silently on the sidelines as an observer, and had never spoken with Old Madam so intimately. At this moment, she remained unhurried and smiled: “Reporting to Old Madam, when I was in Pingcheng, their household invited Madam Dong the Third to teach the young misses tea preparation. I also learned some along with them. I only fear my skills are shallow and can hardly grace an elegant hall.”

The First Madam’s expression became unpleasant, and even Li Changle lightly furrowed her brow. Learned some along with them? And could prepare tea like this? If she had studied seriously from the beginning, wouldn’t she be—

The third lady of the Dong family was a famous tea preparation master. Unfortunately, her legs were inconvenient, and she had never stepped outside Pingcheng even once. Li Changle had also thought of inviting her to come, but had never had such fortune. Hearing these words, for someone as proud and haughty as Li Changle, this was undoubtedly a provocation.

Li Weiyang observed the expressions of the mother and daughter, but revealed nothing, smiling as she said: “Old Madam, may I borrow your tea cup?”

Meng Shi nodded slightly. Li Weiyang walked forward, gently picked up the tea cup beside Meng Shi, and gently shook it. Then she lifted the lid. Old Madam looked and saw that in the tea soup she had just sipped from, a peony flower had brilliantly bloomed, carrying a dreamlike quality amid the rising steam.

Second Madam Wen Shi at the side was curious and also leaned over to look. Seeing this scene, she immediately said in amazement: “To be able to conjure flowers and plants—truly excellent skill!”

Li Changle’s expression changed. She rose abruptly, walked over to personally confirm that peony flower, and immediately lost her voice.

Li Weiyang smiled: “It’s merely an insignificant trick to bring a smile to Old Madam’s face. That Madam Dong the Third back then could conjure landscapes—that was truly breathtaking.”

An insignificant trick? Probably no one in all of the capital currently could conjure such a scene. Meng Shi stared at the tea soup, watching the peony flower gradually disappear, then let out a low, soft sigh.

Just at this moment, Wen Shi’s eyes suddenly narrowed slightly: “Third Miss, what happened to your sleeve?”

When Li Weiyang’s hands were hanging down, it couldn’t be seen, but when she had just shaken the tea cup, her outer robe flipped up, involuntarily revealing sleeves that were half a length too short. Li Weiyang had been waiting for exactly this question, but immediately lowered her sleeve, saying embarrassedly: “It’s nothing.”

“What do you mean nothing! Clearly the inner garment is too short!” Wen Shi’s daughter, Second Miss Li Changru, with her almond eyes and peach cheeks and watery appearance, deliberately exclaimed at this moment, as if discovering some incredible secret.

Hearing this, the First Madam’s eyes fixed on Li Weiyang. Suddenly she showed a smile sharp as a steel blade scraping bone, slowly saying: “Weiyang, what exactly happened?” Though she tried her best to conceal it, everyone could hear the stiffness in her tone.

Li Changru blinked excitedly: “First Aunt, can’t you tell? Weiyang is wearing clothes that don’t fit! Oh my, how pitiful—she doesn’t even have a single proper garment!”

Li Weiyang lowered her eyes, her face full of unease and guilt. In her heart, however, she sneered coldly. The First Madam valued face before Old Madam and her sisters-in-law most of all. Since she didn’t plan to let her have an easy time, why should she preserve face for her? No matter how much she disliked her, if word spread of mistreating an illegitimate daughter, it would be greatly detrimental to Father, Prime Minister Li’s official reputation. How could Old Madam just watch idly?

At this moment, Wen Shi laughed aloud with a “ha,” saying loudly: “Elder Sister-in-law, you haven’t even made a single garment for Weiyang! She’s been back for a whole month!”

Old Madam Meng Shi glanced lightly at the First Madam, her eyes showing a trace of impatience.

No matter how well-bred the First Madam was, at this moment her face turned the color of liver, thoroughly red. Li Changle at her side quickly stood up: “Mother said long ago she had four sets of clothes made for Weiyang. Why haven’t they been sent over yet! The servants must have delayed!” As she spoke, Li Changle looked at Weiyang, her tone carrying three parts reproach and seven parts pity, as if looking at her most beloved little sister. Yet the depths of her eyes were ice-cold: “Third Sister, you should have come to tell me if you didn’t have enough clothes. Wearing such clothes out—aren’t you making Mother lose face too?”

Li Weiyang curved her lips, showing no fear: “Elder Sister is right. It’s just that Weiyang and Elder Sister have different figures and really cannot wear Elder Sister’s old clothes. Otherwise I would have come to disturb you long ago.”

The dignified daughter of the Prime Minister’s household, though illegitimate, was still a young miss. How could she wear her sister’s old clothes? Li Weiyang clearly knew Li Changle didn’t mean for her to wear old clothes, but deliberately used these words to block her mouth. This trapped Li Changle with a breath stuck in her chest, so painful it provoked tremendous anger. Which illegitimate sister in the household didn’t speak to her fearfully and respectfully? Had this Li Weiyang gone mad?

The First Madam naturally could not show anger. Even when extremely angry, she would never raise her voice—this was aristocratic dignity. She came from noble birth, so naturally she needed to demonstrate authority without anger to reflect her nobility. Today, Li Weiyang wearing such small clothes on her body was no different from slapping her face!

In the room, it suddenly became quiet—so quiet everyone could hear their own heartbeats.

Li Weiyang knew that opposing the First Madam now was unwise. But then again, in her previous life she had been dutiful and well-behaved, only to end up as a chess piece. Better to fight for it! She was gambling—gambling that Old Madam would protect the Li household’s dignity!

Ziyan, who had come with Li Weiyang, clenched her hands into fists in her sleeves. Her fingers were as white as snow from the force, her body trembling uncontrollably. Yet Li Weiyang was smiling, showing not the slightest hint of timidity.

Meng Shi looked at the First Madam and said lightly: “Wife of the eldest son, you’ve been too negligent!”

Old Madam never managed household affairs and had never reprimanded her before. Though this was just one sentence, it was already equivalent to acknowledging Li Weiyang’s grievance. The First Madam’s anger raged chaotically in her belly. Her face became increasingly flushed, her breathing somewhat rapid. She suddenly stood up. She was furious, extremely furious. Though she was the managing mistress of the Li household, the Master served as Prime Minister at court and valued propriety and rules most of all. Old Madam absolutely could not be offended! The second branch was also constantly watching like tigers! So, some things she could only endure.

She was, and must be, the fair and just First Madam of the Li household, a dignified and tolerant legitimate mother! Li Weiyang was merely an illegitimate daughter. To deal with Li Weiyang and teach her to recognize her place—there was no rush now. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future. So she composed her face and suddenly sternly shouted at her trusted confidant Nanny Lin beside her: “Kneel down!”

Nanny Lin was stunned at once. Everyone in the entire room was stunned!