This is no easy feat. Unlike those large families who simultaneously train a group of people for their heirs, Qi Yi has to cultivate such people himself. The hardships involved are unimaginable.
Qi Yi's expression gradually became firm, "Sister, you have to believe me."
The spirit and determination emanating from the young boy's eyes made Qi Zhenzhen willing to believe he would do very well. She had promised to protect Qi Yi and the Yun family. Even if her protection was thorough, it was not as good as the two of them having their own capital and strength. Before absolute strength, those ghosts and phantoms would have nowhere to hide.
Regarding the selection of people, Qi Zhenzhen wrote to Zhang Erniu. Before returning to the Marquis's mansion, she had an agreement with Zhang Erniu that besides managing the noodle shop business, his main task was to help her scout for candidates and cultivate her own strength.
The siblings quickly discussed this matter and decided to find a suitable excuse to act on it after the New Year.
As for Lin Hu, Qi Zhenzhen did not intend to give up. Setting aside the child's innate talent, she would not abandon him for the sake of Lin Ruixue. Previously, the incident between Song Mingze and Xun Wanniang had put Song Mingze in a difficult situation. He had since recovered in the capital, so Qi Zhenzhen wanted to send Lin Hu to Bai Cao Tang for treatment.
However, she was not familiar with Bai Cao Tang, and this matter would require troubling Gu Sinian.
At that time, she heard from Zhang Xiaoniu that it was Gu Sinian who intervened, and Bai Cao Tang agreed to help. Qi Zhenzhen immediately wrote a letter seeking Gu Sinian's assistance.
The New Year passed very uneventfully. Emperor Chongwen had decreed that the expenses normally used for the New Year would be saved and converted into clothing and food to be distributed to the disaster victims, ensuring that the homeless disaster victims would have a prosperous New Year. With the dignified Emperor making such a move, how could the officials below act contrary to it? That would be like willingly handing over leverage to the Emperor and seeking their own demise.
As the acting Minister of Revenue, Marquis Changping naturally had to lead by example.
Apart from ancestral worship, which was the same as in previous years, everything else could not compare. Household decorations, firecrackers, and the like were all canceled.
Qi Yi stayed up with Qi Tianming to see the New Year in. Qi Zhenzhen first spent some time with the Old Madam, then went to Yun's place, and the mother and daughter celebrated the New Year together.
Qi Zhenzhen told Yun's about Qi Yi being framed. Yun's was speechless for a long time. Her son had visited her after returning, but he had not revealed any of these matters.
"Mother, Brother Yi chose to keep this from you to avoid worrying you. I disagree with him; I think you should know about such things. At least, you will be informed and aware of our situation. It looks peaceful on the surface, but it is turbulent underneath. With the slightest carelessness, we could be doomed." Qi Zhenzhen spoke slowly.
Yun's was stunned for a while before slowly coming back to her senses, "I will try my best not to be a burden to you two."
At that moment, Qi Zhenzhen did not think much of the meaning behind Yun's words, only believing that she had taken her words to heart.
It was only later, when Yun's became pregnant, that Qi Zhenzhen understood what she meant by "not being a burden."
On the morning of the fourth day of the first lunar month, an envoy arrived from the palace. It was Noble Consort An who sent a governess to the Marquis Changping's mansion, specifically for Qi Zhenzhen. She stated that since Qi Zhenzhen had not attended a girls' school before, she did not want to inconvenience Gu Sinian and had therefore specially sent a governess who taught princesses.
Regardless of Noble Consort An's intentions, to outsiders, this showed importance placed upon the Marquis Changping's mansion and also upon Qi Zhenzhen. A governess who taught princesses was someone other families could not even invite.