After seeing off the people from the palace, Qi Tianming waved his hand. The servants in the mansion rejoiced, as they would receive double their monthly wages this month. Everyone was beaming with joy, looking at Qi Zhenzhen with gratitude; their rewards were thanks to the second young lady.
This was also Qi Tianming’s way of building momentum for Qi Zhenzhen, letting everyone know how highly he valued her.
Jinghua Courtyard.
Madam Xiao Qin gritted her teeth, "A mere concubine-born daughter, yet she's so glorious. With the Marquis acting like this, where does that leave me and Mingzhu? If this continues, when people mention the Marquis's mansion in the future, they'll only know of the concubine-born daughter Qi Zhenzhen. Who will remember my Mingzhu? Nanny Qin, did you see how smug that little slut is smiling? And that old woman, she's practically beaming. No matter how outstanding Mingzhu is at the girls' school, she's never been this happy!"
Qi Mingzhu’s face was grim. She didn’t respond to Madam Xiao Qin. She had never considered Qi Zhenzhen a rival. Or rather, she felt Qi Zhenzhen wasn't worthy. Therefore, no matter how much the Old Madam doted on her, she didn't pay it any mind, as she was the legitimate daughter, an unassailable position. But now, she didn't think that way anymore. Qi Zhenzhen’s current prominence had pleased her father and the Old Madam greatly. What if her father, in a moment of impulse, elevated Yun Shi's status? Then Qi Zhenzhen would surpass her, not to mention that Qi Zhenzhen had a full brother as a backer.
"Mother, don't be angry. You're carrying the younger brother, you mustn't be upset by unimportant people. Right now, nothing else is as important as the younger brother. After the legitimate son is born, those country bumpkins naturally won't amount to anything. It's just that there's no legitimate son yet. Once there is, I don't believe Father will still value a concubine-born son. In families like ours, the legitimate son is of paramount importance," Qi Mingzhu suppressed her anger and comforted Madam Xiao Qin.
Madam Xiao Qin exchanged a look with Nanny Qin, a flicker of awkwardness in their eyes. "Mingzhu is right. Mother shouldn't get angry over those country folk. Mother will take good care of herself and wait to see. They'll eventually be put in their place. Enough about this, tell Mother, how are things between you and Lu Chen now?"
A blush of shyness appeared on Qi Mingzhu's face. "Naturally, they are very good. Ah Chen is refined and polite, and also gentle."
"Has he expressed his feelings for you? Or given you gifts? Has he held your hand? Or kissed you impulsively?" Madam Xiao Qin pressed.
Qi Mingzhu's face turned bright red, a little flustered. "Mother, what are you saying? Ah Chen isn't that kind of scoundrel, how could he do those things to your daughter?"
At their age, full of youthful vigor, Mingzhu was also attractive and renowned for her talent. They were a match made in heaven. Their initial encounters were marked by mutual respect, which indicated Lu Chen's good character. However, Lu Chen had been living in the mansion for several months now, and they had met many times, yet they remained respectful of each other. This made Madam Xiao Qin unable to help but overthink. She had also gone through this age and naturally knew what liking someone felt like.
"Mingzhu, listen to Mother. The Lu family is a good family, and Lu Chen is a suitable match for you in terms of background. But Mother also hopes that you and Lu Chen are mutually in love, so that your future life will be smooth and happy. If you remain respectful of each other your entire lives, is that the kind of life you want?" Madam Xiao Qin held Qi Mingzhu's hand and spoke earnestly, "After marriage, you will be the closest of couples!"
As Qi Mingzhu left Jinghua Courtyard, she seemed somewhat lost in thought. Her mother had said many things. At first hearing them, they seemed improper, but upon careful consideration, they made a lot of sense. She had always believed Lu Chen was infatuated with her, but now it seemed that wasn't the case at all. To be precise, to him, she was merely a wife chosen by the family that he couldn't refuse.