Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life Chapter 1448 - 1437: The Lady Who Doesn’t Seek Status

The small side courtyard offers a picturesque view, with a small pond that connects directly to the mansion’s lake, though both banks are concealed by willows, rendering the interior unseen from the outside.

Currently, in the height of summer, the lotus flowers in the small pond bloom splendidly. As a gentle breeze sweeps by, Zhang Yanjing feels a pleasant sense of ease, surprisingly finding herself somewhat envious of her cousin.

Although her courtyard is larger than this small side courtyard, it has no pond, and its arrangement lacks such elegance, being much more conventional. Even the choice of flowers requires her mother’s approval, since she is a legitimate daughter, the future Princess Consort, each action representing the demeanor of both families, with no room for indulgence.

Zhang Yanjing’s favorite place to visit is her grandmother’s courtyard, as her grandmother never imposes such rules on them, remarking that once a girl marries, she becomes more constrained, so she should be freer when at home.

However, her mother doesn’t share this view and even looks down on her grandmother, considering her rural background making her ignorant. Since childhood, apart from paying respects or when grandmother’s people come to invite, her mother does not allow them to visit their grandmother freely, fearing that grandmother might lead them astray.

Zhang Yanjing knows her mother means well for them, but her grandmother’s sincere affection for them as grandchildren sometimes leaves her at a loss.

"Cousin." Already informed by the servant girl, Ye Qiu knew Zhang Yanjing would come and waited at the door to meet her, considering herself just an unsupported orphan. In contrast, Zhang Yanjing is the Mansion’s legitimate daughter and future Princess Consort. If Ye Qiu were to sit inside without moving, it might seem arrogant and improper.

"Cousin." Zhang Yanjing stepped forward and grabbed Ye Qiu’s hand to prevent her from bowing, her expression warm as she said, "We are cousins, and this is our family home, not bound by so many formalities."

Ye Qiu smiled slightly, not insisting: "Cousin, please sit inside."

Zhang Yanjing held Ye Qiu’s hand, leading her inside, smiling as she asked, "Cousin, are you accustomed to living here? Are the servants attending to you well?"

Ye Qiu modestly bowed her head: "How could there be anything lacking? I used to handle everything personally, and ever since arriving at Great-great-grandmother’s, even washing my face is attended by servant girls. I feel quite overwhelmed."

Listening to this, Zhang Yanjing felt no disdain, knowing Ye Qiu’s prior circumstances, and Ye Qiu’s candidness surprised her somewhat.

She patted Ye Qiu’s hand, saying, "You are grandmother’s dear grandniece, having servants to attend to you is only proper, don’t worry excessively, grandmother cherishes you dearly!"

"Precisely because Great-great-grandmother cherishes me that I feel uneasy. I am nothing but an orphan and cannot stay long in this mansion. One day, I will have to leave. If I grow accustomed to such luxury, I’m afraid I won’t adjust to life outside in the future."

Zhang Yanjing was taken aback by her words: "Why would cousin think that? Grandmother cherishes you dearly, she wouldn’t send you away."

Ye Qiu, however, smiled serenely as if unaware of her probing: "Cousin, you jest. Although Great-great-grandmother cherishes me, I am, after all, a Ye. One day, I will have to marry. With my status, how could I marry into a wealthy family?"

"Why not? Grandmother is the Old Lady of our Marquis Mansion; who can refuse her matchmaking? Even without marrying an outsider, you have several cousin brothers in this mansion..."

"Cousin, don’t jest." Ye Qiu interrupted her, her smile cold, "Though of humble origin, I possess self-awareness. In light of Great-great-grandmother’s efforts to pair us, I know I am unworthy. Your brothers of noble birth, even a Princess would be a fitting match. To be their concubine would still be overreaching, but while I am an orphan, I still hold pride and would not wish Great-great-grandmother to be criticized because of me. Even if marrying a farmer, I wouldn’t wish to marry any cousin brother from this mansion."

Ye Qiu’s earnest words left Zhang Yanjing somewhat embarrassed and at a loss, regretting her mother’s suggestion to probe her cousin, who was open-hearted while they viewed her with ulterior motives.

"Cousin, forgive me; it was I who was abrupt." Zhang Yanjing, being someone who dared to admit faults, immediately gave a slight bow.

Ye Qiu hurriedly supported her, panicking a bit: "What are you doing, cousin? Isn’t it right for sisters to talk heart-to-heart?"

With Ye Qiu’s words, Zhang Yanjing knew her cousin was intentionally conveying her feelings, unbothered by her probing, which made her feel guilty and increased her goodwill towards Ye Qiu.

She smoothly took Ye Qiu’s words and smiled broadly at her: "Yes, it’s natural for sisters to talk heart-to-heart. It was I who overthought. There’s no need for you to be overly modest. You are the grandniece of our Old Lady and also the Lady of our Marquis Mansion. How could you marry a mere commoner?"

"The status isn’t a concern, as long as he treats me well in the future."

"That’s right; cousin, come and see, these fabrics and jewelry are the latest fashions in the capital. I guess grandmother also prepared for you, but this is an expression of goodwill from my mother and me. Please, take them. A girl’s clothes and jewelry can never be too much."

Ye Qiu didn’t pretend, glancing slightly, then genuinely thanked Zhang Yanjing: "Thanks to cousin and Aunt."

Speaking of which, Ye Qiu greatly benefited, not to mention the clothes, merely the jewelry was of considerable value. Marquis Zhongyong Mansion had followed the late Emperor in conquering the world, and not only looted treasures along the way but later received many rewards from the late Emperor. Although the Mansion didn’t bear the renown of an aristocratic family, financially, it surpasses them.

Thus, ordinary jewelry was beneath the ladies of the Mansion, so what Zhang Yanjing gifted to Ye Qiu were all of excellent quality. Even one hairpin could match all the belongings she sold before coming to the capital.

But what Zhang Yanjing brought still couldn’t compare to what Great-great-grandmother gave her. As the only relative of the Old Lady’s maternal family and an orphan, the Old Lady’s compassion led her to gift three treasure chests last night, filled with rare jewels, including a gemstone bonsai with scarlet coral adorned with South Pearl, blue gems, rubies, tourmaline, crystals, and other gemstones, fearing to display them openly lest it provoke envy and resentment from within the mansion.

The Old Lady once followed the late Marquis, her tastes rather common, favoring whatever was extravagant and valuable. Her private collection contained items even the current head Madam eyed covetously. What Ye Qiu received was more than what a legitimate daughter of an ordinary official’s family might have as a dowry.

The Old Lady’s compassion was embraced by Ye Qiu, who thought, perishing wrongly in this mansion in her past life, who bore no responsibility? For this life, taking some silver coin to secure her well-being seemed reasonable, especially since it was willingly given.