Qi Tianming was silent for a moment. "No change."
Yun Shi responded and personally went to prepare refreshments and brew tea.
Qi Tianming surveyed the furnishings in the room, which were much more opulent than before.
He didn't need to think to know this was undoubtedly Madam Qin's doing. Given Yun Shi's disposition, she wouldn't favor such lavish decorations. She had always been proud and elegant, preferring refined things.
Yun Shi returned shortly, carrying a tray with a cup of Biluochun tea and a plate of mille-feuille.
"Please enjoy, Marquis."
"Sit down, let's talk," Qi Tianming said. "How have you been all these years you were away?"
Yun Shi was taken aback. She hadn't expected Qi Tianming to inquire about this.
"I've been well. Granny Fang came to pick us up. We had a large house to live in, and no worries about food or clothing. Zhenzhen even hired someone to serve me. Although Yige'er's education started a bit late, he has a talent for learning, so nothing was truly delayed," Yun Shi said calmly.
"While you were away, did… did anyone…"
Yun Shi's face paled. "What do you mean by that, Marquis? Are you doubting my chastity?"
"How did you, someone who has never suffered hardship, manage to live while taking two children astray?" Qi Tianming decided to be more explicit. "It's not that I doubt you, but the circumstances make me have to suspect."
Yun Shi let out a cold laugh. "Since Marquis already suspects, why ask me? You already have your conclusion, so nothing I say will matter. I have no objections to whatever the Marquis wishes to do with me. It's only the two children; because of my impulsiveness, they had to suffer hardships with me. Especially Zhenzhen, a young lady, who endured much to protect Yige'er and me. I hope the Marquis will compensate her properly!"
"Zhenzhen is this Marquis's daughter. This Marquis will naturally not mistreat her," Qi Tianming said. "Although I have my suspicions, I am still willing to hear your explanation. I believe what you say. You are my woman, and you can confide in me, instead of gritting your teeth and enduring everything alone. If it weren't for your doing so, how could Madam have exploited the loophole to send you to the estate?"
"I've known the Marquis for many years. Doesn't the Marquis know my character?" Yun Shi, agitated, no longer referred to herself as a concubine.
"In front of this Marquis, you've always been cold, like a block of wood. But when you were with Qin Lang, you were full of laughter and smiles, so lively that one couldn't look away," Qi Tianming growled. "Do you still have feelings for Qin Lang? I am your man, I am your man."
Qi Tianming's eyes were bloodshot, his expression terrifying.
Yun Shi was frightened and stood up, wanting to retreat.
Qi Tianming suddenly pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips as if venting his frustration.
His movements were wild and forceful. Tears streamed from Yun Shi's eyes. She couldn't break free and could only endure it.
When Qi Tianming had vented enough and saw Yun Shi silently weeping, he felt a pang of panic. He couldn't bear to see her cry.
"Don't cry. I was wrong just now. I shouldn't have been so rough. You know my feelings. You and Qin Lang were childhood sweethearts, but you ended up with me. I feel insecure…" Qi Tianming stammered.
Yun Shi lowered her head, remaining silent.
"Scold me, defend yourself, call me a scoundrel," Qi Tianming pulled her into his embrace again. "You know my heart. I wish to live a simple, happy life with you, sharing laughter and arguments, walking through life together."
"Marquis, you are the Marquis, and I am merely your concubine. The one who should walk through life with you is the Madam, not a concubine," Yun Shi said softly. "Returning to the Marquis's mansion, I wish to provoke no one. I only want to shrink into a corner, watch Zhenzhen get married, and watch Yige'er marry and have children."
Qi Tianming deflated. "I just want you to respond to me."
"Why must the Marquis be so persistent? Originally, I was not meant to be alive. When the Yun family was annihilated, I should have died with them," Yun Shi's voice grew colder. "But I lived, and I followed the Marquis, and I had Zhenzhen and Yige'er. Now, I can't bear to die. I will continue to strive to live, for my two children."
"Is it only for them? What about me?"
"There are many who care for the Marquis. I am not the only one."
Qi Tianming found that with Yun Shi, she could always easily provoke his anger.
He took several deep breaths, finally calming his emotions. Qi Tianming did not want to argue with Yun Shi about certain matters. He had come to see her today to discuss something.
"Zhenzhen's engagement is canceled," Qi Tianming stated plainly.
Yun Shi's eyes first showed disbelief, then anger. "Why? You personally set it years ago, and you promised me. How can it not count now?"
"You have raised Zhenzhen very well, but she was, after all, living astray for several years. This is a fatal blemish for a young lady of a noble family," Qi Tianming sighed. "Rather than letting the Lu family bring this up later, it's better to proactively abandon this engagement. Don't worry, I will find a suitable match for Zhenzhen and prepare a generous dowry for her! With the Marquis's mansion as her backing, her life will not be difficult."
"Is this engagement canceled, or is the groom being replaced?" Yun Shi recalled what Qi Zhenzhen had told her. The Lu family would be picky about Qi Zhenzhen, but they wouldn't break off the engagement. The best way to maintain the good relationship between the Marquis's mansion and the Lu family was to replace the groom. This would be Qi Mingzhu, who, in the eyes of outsiders, had an impeccable reputation.
"Mingzhu is the legitimate daughter, and her status matches Lu Chen. One is a talented woman, and the other is a talented man," Qi Tianming said.
"It's Madam and the eldest daughter who fancied the Lu family's legitimate son. That's why Zhenzhen's marriage couldn't be kept, right?" Yun Shi stared intently at Qi Tianming, asking word by word.
The facts were as she said, but Mingzhu was also his daughter, and he couldn't let Mingzhu bear the sin of snatching a concubine's daughter's engagement.
"It was the Lu family who first expressed this intention. If we disagree to the change, Zhenzhen can still marry into the family, but will her life be good then?" Qi Tianming said patiently.
Actually, Qi Zhenzhen had told Yun Shi all of this, but Yun Shi refused to believe it. She always felt that a noble family like the Lu family wouldn't be so conventional. Her Zhenzhen was so outstanding; why would the Lu family disdain her?
The facts proved that her previous thoughts were all wrong.
"Don't be like this. Zhenzhen is my daughter, and I will not mistreat her. There are many young men from noble families in the capital; how can we not find someone suitable for her?" Qi Tianming saw Yun Shi's displeased expression and lowered his voice to comfort her.
"Marquis says the Lu family disdains Zhenzhen for living astray, but will other families not disdain her? If this matter cannot be hidden from the Lu family, can it be hidden from others?" Yun Shi looked full of regret. "If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have brought Zhenzhen back. The Marquis's mansion and the Marquis need Yige'er. Whether we two mothers and daughters return or not has no impact."