Qi Zhenzhen escorted the Princess of Qin to the manor gates. The Princess of Qin stared at her with a venomous glare; if looks could kill, Qi Zhenzhen felt she would have been dismembered a thousand times over.
"Grandmother, travel safely," Qi Zhenzhen said with a beaming smile.
"You little vixen, I truly underestimated you. Raised in the countryside, yet you possess quite the cunning mind," the Princess of Qin said, her face grim.
Qi Zhenzhen continued to smile, "I've heard a saying: you see others as you see yourself."
The Princess of Qin was momentarily speechless, then let out a cold snort. She got into her carriage and departed in a flourish.
Qi Zhenzhen sauntered back to Qinghua Courtyard. Qi Tianming happened to be coming out. He expressionlessly instructed his subordinates, "The Madam is weak after childbirth and requires rest. She is not to go out. Furthermore, without my permission, no one is to disturb the Madam in Qinghua Courtyard. Inform everyone that household affairs will temporarily be managed by Concubine Yun."
Was this house arrest and a promotion?
Qi Tianming glanced at Qi Zhenzhen and slowly spoke, "Zhenzhen, I apologize for the past. I apologize to your mother, and to you and Yi Ge'er. It won't happen again."
Qi Zhenzhen instinctively wanted to clean her ears, suspecting they might be blocked, otherwise how could she have heard Qi Tianming say such a thing?
"Come, go with me to see Ru Yan's newborn son," Qi Tianming invited Qi Zhenzhen.
Qi Zhenzhen obediently followed Qi Tianming. Halfway there, she couldn't help herself.
"Father, Mother..."
"You heard me, I've placed her under house arrest," Qi Tianming said in a level tone, not trying to deceive. "Your grandmother is ill now, and Ru Yan has just given birth. Even if she hadn't given birth, this household cannot be managed by her. She only sees immediate gain. Therefore, your mother must bear the burden."
He paused, then added, "It is too much of an injustice for your mother to be a concubine. Recently, I've handled several matters well, and the Emperor asked what reward I desired."
Qi Tianming looked deeply at Qi Zhenzhen, "I intend to elevate your mother to the status of a co-wife. The Madam is, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Prince's manor and a member of the imperial family. As long as her crimes are not unpardonable, she will always be the main mistress of my Marquis manor."
Qi Zhenzhen had anticipated that the current affair would wound the Xiao Qin family, but she hadn't expected her father to elevate her mother to the status of a co-wife.
"What? You're not happy?" Qi Tianming furrowed his brow slightly.
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head, a smile spreading across her face, "No, I'm not unhappy, just surprised."
Qi Tianming stared at her for a long time, and after confirming she had no objections to his handling of Xiao Qin, he breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, Yun Shi was skilled at raising children; both daughter and son were outstanding. Thinking of Qi Mingzhu, Qi Tianming felt a pang of regret. She was the legitimate daughter, and once a praised young lady, how had she become like this?
Qi Tianming's confusion didn't last long, as they arrived at Ru Yan's courtyard.
"Marquis," Ru Yan struggled to rise from the bed.
"Don't move, lie down and rest. I've come to see you," Qi Tianming said in a gentle voice.
Ru Yan's eyes were filled with joy. She looked at Qi Tianming, then at Qi Zhenzhen, "Marquis, the Second Miss was a great help in this matter."
"I know, Zhenzhen is a good girl," Qi Tianming affirmed.
Shunyi brought the child over and placed it beside Ru Yan. Qi Tianming carefully examined the little one wrapped in swaddling clothes, "Looking at his appearance, he resembles Zhenzhen when she was just born."
Ru Yan pursed her lips and smiled, "It's good if he resembles the Second Miss. The Second Miss is a fortunate person. I don't ask for him to be rich or noble, only for a smooth life. I believe he will surely have it, with the Second Miss as his elder sister and Young Master Yi as his elder brother..."
As Ru Yan spoke, her expression was peaceful. Qi Zhenzhen could tell she spoke from the heart. She recalled that in the beginning, Ru Yan had been ambitious. It seemed people truly could change.
Not only Ru Yan, but also her father.