The mother and son discussed this matter, and the more they thought about it, the more they felt that marrying into the Lu family did not necessarily have to be between Qi Mingzhu and Lu Chen. Instead, it would be more beneficial for the Marquis's mansion if Qi Yi married a daughter from the Lu family.
Once a daughter is married off, she becomes part of another family.
When a son takes a wife, he brings new people into the family.
"Mother, please do not worry about these matters. Your son has his own plans. If Mingzhu knows what's good for her, as her father, I naturally wish her well. If she continues to make such a fuss, then she certainly cannot be allowed to harm another family." Qi Tianming said with a cupped fist. "Your son will not trouble Mother any longer!"
After seeing Qi Tianming off, the Old Madam squinted and leaned back against the large bolster, sighing. "Even in my old age, I still have to worry. Life is truly uncomfortable. It's still that Zhenzhen girl who is good, knowing when to advance and retreat, and not losing her original intentions. Yun shi appears to be a cold person, yet she raised two excellent children. Fang Momo, please select some suitable fabrics for her, and a box of jewelry to send over. Her family background... Remind me to look after her more in the future, so that the two children can remember my kindness."
Fang Momo nodded in agreement, but her admiration for Qi Zhenzhen grew even deeper.
When she first returned to the mansion, the second young lady had resolutely befriended the Old Madam. Without anyone noticing, the Old Madam had come to value her more and more, valuing her even more than Qi Mingzhu, who was the legitimate daughter. Moreover, the second young lady's initial wishes had all been fulfilled. With the Old Madam protecting Concubine Yun, even if the Madam wanted to do something, it would not be easy. Although at the very beginning she had ulterior motives, now, judging by her ability to assess people, the second young lady was also sincere towards the Old Madam.
In this way, it was very good.
After Qi Mingzhu returned to her courtyard, she smashed many things and cried bitterly.
Those serving her were kept outside. She made a scene for a full half hour before calming down.
During this time, she also thought clearly. Regardless of whether she wanted to hear it or not, the Old Madam's words today were indeed for her own good.
However, regarding Xiao Qin shi, she still couldn't let go of it. That was her mother; shouldn't she always stand with her? But now, her mother's eyes were only on the unborn child in her belly.
Qi Mingzhu shook her head fiercely, refusing to think about Xiao Qin shi's attitude.
Regarding the marriage with the Lu family, Qi Mingzhu frowned. If she hadn't seen Lu Chen before, she wouldn't have had any feelings about whether this marriage would happen or not. But the brief glimpse she caught at the垂花门 that day, his graceful and elegant demeanor, had been imprinted in her heart, lingering in her dreams, unforgettable.
That was exactly how she imagined him.
She even imagined the scene of their wedding in the future, with red sleeves and fragrant ink, the most beautiful thing in the world.
If her future husband was not him, the mere thought of it would twist Qi Mingzhu's heart with pain.
She absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen.
Therefore, she couldn't ignore what her grandmother had said.
Her beloved was capable and would be the future head of the Lu family. If she were to stand by his side, she couldn't be a mere dodder that depended on him.
"Fu Su." Qi Mingzhu regained her usual cool demeanor and called out to someone outside.
Fu Su pushed the door open and saw the mess, her heart startled, but her expression remained unchanged. "Young lady."
"Have someone clean this up, and then do my hair and makeup. We are going to Zhaohui Hall," Qi Mingzhu said calmly. "Does the small kitchen have red bean cakes prepared? If so, bring some."
"They were just baked, perfect to take over."
A quarter of an hour later, no trace of crying could be seen on Qi Mingzhu's face.
The mistress and servant carried the food box towards Zhaohui Hall.
Someone outside announced Qi Mingzhu's arrival. The Old Madam was stunned for a moment, then nodded and asked for her to be let in.
As soon as she entered, she knelt before the Old Madam. "Grandmother, it was my granddaughter's foolishness earlier that led me to talk back to you. My granddaughter knows she was wrong and has come to apologize. This is the red bean cake my granddaughter made herself after returning. The temperature is just right now."
The arrogance in her eyes was gone, and her expression was very sincere.
The Old Madam even thought she was seeing things and blinked in disbelief.
"Get up and speak. What is this kneeling?" The Old Madam waved at Qi Mingzhu.
Qi Mingzhu rose as instructed, opened the food box, and personally placed a red bean cake on the small table beside the couch. "Grandmother, please try it and see how it compares to second sister's."
The Old Madam opened her mouth but couldn't speak. She took a piece of cake as Qi Mingzhu suggested.
Sweet and rich.
In the past, the Old Madam would have found it delicious; she had a craving for sweets. But after being disciplined by that Zhenzhen girl these past few days, she found it a bit hard to accept such sweetness.
"It's acceptable." She couldn't directly negate her granddaughter's good intentions.
"Grandmother, I would like to ask you to accompany me to apologize to Madam Wang, the wife of Minister Wang." Qi Mingzhu said sincerely.
At least, the Old Madam could not detect any perfunctory in her expression.
"Apologizing might not change the Minister's wife's opinion of you."
"At least she will know that your granddaughter sincerely realizes her mistake and is willing to correct it. Grandmother said she is a woman of great understanding, so I believe she will see my sincerity and believe that I am truly changing." Qi Mingzhu spoke neither servilely nor arrogantly.
"You've figured it out in just an hour?" the Old Madam asked.
She could take Qi Mingzhu to apologize, but she needed to understand Qi Mingzhu's thoughts, lest any further mishaps occur, making it difficult to resolve.
"Your granddaughter does not want to lose the marriage with the Lu family!" Qi Mingzhu said, word by word. "Young Master Lu will be the one to shoulder the Lu family's responsibilities in the future. Your granddaughter wants to be someone who stands shoulder to shoulder with him. No matter how much your granddaughter dislikes these social obligations, for his sake, your granddaughter is willing to learn and accept them."
The Old Madam fell silent after hearing this. After a long pause, she spoke, "Do you think it's worth it? If you don't marry into the Lu family, you don't need to change your personality at all; you can live entirely according to your own preferences. You can arrange a marriage with a family of lower status than the Marquis's mansion, without having to bear the responsibility of being the matriarch. You could live a much lighter and more comfortable life. But if you become the matriarch of the Lu family, you will have to bear many responsibilities, and even at my age, you cannot relax. Do you truly have the courage to sacrifice?"
Qi Mingzhu nodded heavily, "For him, I am willing to endure any hardship."
That young master of the Lu family, with his proper demeanor and handsome appearance, had received praise since childhood, appearing almost flawless.
Previously, the Old Madam had felt somewhat indignant due to Xiao Qin shi's actions, regretting that Qi Zhenzhen had missed out on the Lu family's young master. However, after the marriage to the Duke's mansion was arranged, she gradually changed her mind. A man like Lu Chen was someone an ordinary woman couldn't capture his heart. Marrying such a man would likely result in a lifetime of respectful but distant relations.
"I hope the choice you've made will not be regretted in the future," the Old Madam sighed. Some things are destined by fate; it depends on whether Mingzhu is fortunate enough.