Qi Tianming nodded absently, "I still have official duties in my study. I won't keep Madam company."
Old Madam Qi nodded and sent someone to see Qi Tianming out.
"Granny Fang, keep a closer eye on Madam," Old Madam Qi instructed. "I suspect Madam knows something."
"I've already given orders. Ziyan, a new maid in Madam's courtyard, can now serve Madam closely. She should be able to send more messages," Granny Fang said while massaging Old Madam Qi's head.
"You've worked hard all these years. If you hadn't been by my side to help me keep an eye on things, my life wouldn't be so easy. It's just that you've suffered, not having a companion by your side in your old age," Old Madam Qi said with some sadness. "I originally wanted you to follow the Marquis, but you were too proud and refused, offending the Marquis and making him unwilling..."
"It's all in the past. Why bring it up, Old Madam? This old servant has never regretted it! It only led to a big argument between Old Madam and the Marquis!" A dim, inexplicable glint flashed in Granny Fang's eyes. "I, I don't think about anything now except staying by your side and enjoying your blessings. Do you look at me as old and dislike me?"
"I'm a year older than you. If I'm old, what am I?" Old Madam Qi said with a smile. "We must live well and not admit to being old. After taking over the household management from Madam Qin, I'll still need your help. Are you saying you're old now, wanting to slack off?"
"You've seen through me. Now I can't slack off," Granny Fang said with a distressed and helpless expression.
In Madam Qin's chambers, many of the ornaments had been smashed. Madam Qin's beautiful face was contorted with rage. "Old woman, she actually brought up the matter of the manor and asked me to hand over the household management. She's half in the grave, yet she's still so restless."
"Oh, my dear young mistress, can you speak such words so casually? She is your proper mother-in-law. If these words get out, it's great unfilial piety," Granny Qin said, so anxious she wanted to cover Madam Qin's mouth. "Old Madam is not simple. The late Marquis was a philanderer, with constant romantic entanglements in his rear courtyard. If Old Madam were incompetent, do you think he could have protected our Marquis as he grew up? Could she have held her position as the legal wife? She may look old now, but she's not muddled."
"What does the wet nurse say we should do? I, the dignified legal wife, cannot manage the household. If this spreads, where will my face be?" Madam Qin said indignantly. "Furthermore, although Yun Shi and her two children haven't been found yet, judging by the demeanor of those two, they won't stop until they find them. I truly regret being soft-hearted at the time and not dealing with them, only to create trouble for myself. Although they haven't been found yet, there will come a day when they are..."
"That's not certain. When that little girl was found earlier, wasn't it said that Yun Shi was gravely ill? Perhaps she has already passed away. To take a step back, even if she is fine and returns, you are the legal wife and she is a concubine. She can never surpass you. Just for her escaping from the manor, can Old Madam and the Marquis tolerate her? A young, beautiful, and foolish woman trying to live well with two children outside, what can she rely on?"
Madam Qin pondered for a moment, her eyes filled with surprise. That's right, a concubine who escaped years ago, even if she were innocent, would no longer be considered innocent by Old Madam and the Marquis. Even if she were lucky enough to return to the manor, she would never receive any favor. Then, in the rear courtyard, wouldn't she be at her mercy?
"Wet nurse, it's so good to have you by my side." Madam Qin leaned her head on Granny Qin's shoulder dependently. "I was almost driven mad just now. After what you said, my anger has dissipated. As for the household management, if Old Madam wants it, I'll give it to her. I'll consider it a vacation for myself and have a good rest. After toiling all year round, it's normal for me to fall ill from exhaustion."
By recuperating due to illness, she would hand over the household management. Who would be able to criticize her then? Madam Qin's gloom lifted, and her mood improved considerably.
"Just take this opportunity to look for a suitable match for Mingzhu. We must choose someone from a reputable family with promising prospects," Madam Qin said. "I don't want her to experience what I've been through. She's spirited and naive; how can she handle these things?"
"The eldest young lady is outstanding in appearance. When she comes of age, those who seek her hand in marriage will likely flood the Marquis's mansion," Granny Qin said.
"Precisely because of this, I must choose carefully. Family background, character – nothing can be overlooked," Madam Qin said earnestly.
"Then Madam will have plenty to do," Granny Qin teased.
...
Qi Zhenzhen looked at the person standing at the door in surprise, her tongue getting tied.
"Zhenzhen, why are you stunned? The young lord and I have been riding horses for a long time. We're almost frozen. Aren't you going to invite us in to warm up?" Zhang Xiaoniu waved his hand in front of Qi Zhenzhen.
Gu Sinian pursed his lips and said nothing, but his eyes were fixed intently on Qi Zhenzhen.
"Oh, oh, oh, please come in, please come in." Qi Zhenzhen moved aside and let them into the courtyard. "There's space in the back. Tie the horses there. If you leave them outside, they might get stolen."
The dark red steed snorted and nudged Qi Zhenzhen's shoulder.
Zhang Xiaoniu's mouth fell open, and he rubbed his eyes. "Am I seeing things? When did Zhuifeng become so docile? I almost got kicked to death by it when I tried to pet it."
Qi Zhenzhen recognized the horse as the one that had brought her back. She happily stroked its mane and glared at Zhang Xiaoniu. "You're too ugly."
Zhang Xiaoniu touched his nose, looking embarrassed. He thought he looked quite good.
"Xiaoniu, go tie the horses," Gu Sinian said. "Also, buy some grain from Miss Qi to feed the horses."
Zhang Xiaoniu responded, led the two horses to the back courtyard.
Seeing his familiar movements, Gu Sinian felt an inexplicable displeasure.
"Young Lord, please come inside. This is a rural place with simple conditions. Please bear with it," Qi Zhenzhen politely invited him into the house.
"No, it's very good," Gu Sinian said faintly. "The conditions in the army are nothing compared to this. I went to the army at ten years old and stayed for six years."
"Indeed. The army's conditions are harsh. If it's marching and fighting, the conditions will only be harsher. It's admirable that Young Lord could endure hardship at such a young age," Qi Zhenzhen said casually.
Gu Sinian's brows twitched almost imperceptibly. Hearing this, she seemed to know a lot about the army's conditions?
Gu Sinian asked calmly, "Miss Qi, do you know a lot about the army situation of our Great Feng?"
How could a young lady possibly know? Qi Zhenzhen realized she had let slip something she shouldn't have and quickly smiled. "How would I know? Zhang Xiaoniu's second brother joined the army, and I heard him talk about some situations in the army."
Gu Sinian nodded. He had heard about this from Zhang Xiaoniu. The two families were close, so it was possible that Zhang Erniu had told her about battlefield matters.