Qin’s eyes crinkled with a smile as she sat on the other side of the chaise lounge. "Sister County Princess, you’ve helped me look at a few families. Their character and background are all acceptable. There's the second son of the Marquis of Changle, the legitimate son of the General of the Nation, and the heir of the Prince of Jin’an."
"Forget the Prince of Jin’an's family," Qi Tianming said.
Qin dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and said slowly, "Yes, I've also ruled out the Prince of Jin’an's family. Although he's a prince, he's fallen on hard times."
Qi Tianming glared at her. "How dare you casually judge members of the royal family? I didn't ask you to consider their family because fortunes are unpredictable. The Prince of Jin’an was once a contender for the throne. Who knows if he still harbors such ambitions now? Wouldn't our daughter be implicated then?"
Qin was not foolish. She simply hadn't thought of it that way before. Hearing Qi Tianming's words now, she felt a chill of fear and also felt that Qi Tianming truly loved their daughter. Otherwise, why would he say such a thing?
"My Lord Husband is right. I was too shortsighted. Thank you for your guidance, my Lord Husband. I will remember it well," Qin said softly. "What do you think of the other two families?"
"The General of the Nation and his son are both military men. Wouldn't a military man be too rough?" Qi Tianming asked.
Qin nodded. "Our Mingzhu enjoys zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Looking at it this way, the General of the Nation's family is not suitable."
"As for the Marquis of Changle's family, although the second son is favored and is the legitimate son, his abilities are not as outstanding as the eldest son's. Currently, the heir to the Marquis of Changle's estate will definitely be the eldest son. This second son has no official title. In the future, he might not even be able to secure a leisurely post. Are you willing to marry our daughter into their family?"
Qin looked distressed. "I've gone through all the noble families in the capital. Do I have to lower my standards?"
Qi Tianming thought about it. Among those of marriageable age with good character, good family background, and promising futures, there were indeed only these few. It wasn't that only these three in the entire capital met the conditions, but rather that the remaining ones had this or that deficiency. They were all second choices. Now that they were starting to choose, let alone Qin, even he wanted to find a good family for Mingzhu.
"My Lord Husband..." Qin walked to Qi Tianming's side and placed her hands on his shoulders, her strength just right. Qi Tianming felt so comfortable he wanted to hum.
"It's still you who massages most comfortably. Those maids can't compare to you, my lady," Qi Tianming praised.
"What should we do about Mingzhu's marriage? There are many girls her age who have reached their coming-of-age ceremony. Which family doesn't want to find a good husband for their daughter? If we're this picky, I'm afraid all the suitable ones will be taken by others," Qin said. "Won't our daughter have to settle for second best then?"
Qi Tianming thought about it and realized it was indeed the case. "Then you must hurry."
"My Lord Husband, you say that as if Mingzhu were my daughter alone. I am a woman of the inner chambers, and my knowledge cannot compare to yours. My Lord Husband walks outside every day and hasn't found anyone suitable. How could I have?" Qin complained. "I don't mind if you're lazy about other things, but when it comes to this matter, you absolutely cannot let me worry about it."
Her words carried a hint of coquetry. Her eyes flickered, and she gave Qi Tianming a reproachful glance.
The couple had once shared a passionate and intimate time. However, later, Qi Tianming had more women around him, Qin was busy managing the large Marquis's estate, and then there was the matter of Madam Yun. Their relationship had cooled. Now, discussing Qi Mingzhu's marriage brought back a spark of desire in Qi Tianming.
Qin was not old and was in her prime. If she wanted to keep Qi Tianming, it wouldn't be difficult.
The servants attending them saw this and quietly withdrew.
Qi Tianming reached out and pulled her closer, and Qin naturally sat on his lap.
"You can't let me worry about you. I not only have to manage Mingzhu's marriage, but I also have to manage you, my enchantress." With that, he swept Qin into his arms and walked towards the inner chamber.
The green silk curtains fell, and the steps bed began to emit faint, intermittent creaking sounds. After a quarter of an hour, the sounds gradually subsided.
Inside the tent, Qin lay on Qi Tianming's chest, her slender white fingers drawing circles, causing Qi Tianming to groan softly a few more times.
"My Lord Husband, I've thought of someone," Qin said, her voice laced with a hint of languor.
"Who?" Qi Tianming’s hand paused as he idly played with Qin's long hair and asked casually.
"Lu Chen from the Lu family," Qin said softly.
Qi Tianming’s hand movements stopped. "Lu Chen was the one I betrothed to Zhenzhen back then. It's not appropriate, not appropriate. If this matter gets out, it will be bad for Mingzhu's reputation. Wouldn't it be like snatching her own sister's marriage? What would people think of her?"
"The Lu family has been distinguished for a hundred years, and Lu Chen is a handsome gentleman with good character. What's rare is that he's also ambitious. He seems to be the most suitable match for our Mingzhu. It's not that I, as the legitimate mother, am biased. Zhenzhen grew up in the countryside and was raised by Concubine Yun. She probably has none of the demeanor of a young lady from a good family. We can hire governesses to teach her after she returns, but are some things learnable on demand? If Zhenzhen marries Lu Chen and loses her manners in the Lu family, how will the Lu family view our Marquis's estate?" Qin said slowly, still resting on Qi Tianming.
Qi Tianming was silent for a long time, pondering Qin's words. They were not baseless nonsense. If Zhenzhen had grown up in the estate, there would be no fault to find. But now... after more than three years without seeing her, Qi Tianming didn't even know what she looked like. Was she as delicate as Concubine Yun, or had she become as rough as a country girl? If she were a rough girl, this marriage with the Lu family would need careful consideration.
The Qi and Lu families were close. This marriage should not ruin their friendship.
"I understand this matter. Let me think about it," Qi Tianming said. "By the way, in a few days, I will bring Madam Yun and her son back. You can arrange for the necessary preparations these days. As for Madam Yun, she can never surpass you. As for the two children, you are their legitimate mother. Show the magnanimity befitting a legitimate mother. Don't let outsiders mock us."
Qin was stunned but quickly reacted. "My Lord Husband has found their whereabouts. Concubine Yun is truly something. A weak woman raising two children outside for so many years... how difficult must their lives have been? She has always been a proud person. It's all my fault. If I hadn't argued with her, how could the two children have suffered outside with her? They say a mother becomes strong. Someone like Concubine Yun must have humbled herself for her children."
These words seemed innocuous, but upon careful consideration, they were subtly slandering Qi Tianming.
Concubine Yun, a weak woman with no relatives, wandering outside with two children, her life's hardships were imaginable. The world was difficult, and it was not easy for them to survive. She would inevitably seek support. What else could a woman do to seek support? Indeed, Qi Tianming's fist unconsciously clenched. Qin's long hair was still wrapped around his fingers, and it was hurting her now, but she endured the pain, thinking coldly. What of their return? Men were all suspicious. Did she really think she could return to the days of exclusive favor?