"Speak, where is Madam Qin?" Princess Qin asked, her face grim and her eyes sinister.
"She's locked up," Qi Zhenzhen said innocently, blinking her eyes.
"How dare you! She is the most capable person by your mother's side!" Princess Qin exclaimed in exasperation. "Even your father gives her some respect. You, a mere concubine's daughter, how dare you!"
"No matter how much respect she is given, she is still a servant of my Marquis's estate," Qi Zhenzhen said slowly. "Unless you expect me to honor someone who harmed the masters of the Marquis's estate? Princess Qin, you know very well what purpose Madam Ruyan had when she sent Qin Momo to her. There's no need to hide what's obvious."
Princess Qin narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Whatever Princess Qin thinks I mean is what I mean," Qi Zhenzhen said, as if she had nothing left to lose.
"Presumptuous! Guards, slap her!" Princess Qin commanded.
"Oh, who is this with such airs? Slap her? Slap whose mouth?" Old Madam Qian arrived just in time.
Princess Qin was stunned for a moment and stood up. "Old Madam Qian, why are you here?"
"My old friend is ill, and I came to check on her. What's wrong with that? These servants are becoming more and more unruly. They can't even find a imperial physician when needed, delaying my old friend's treatment. Don't let this old woman find out what happened!" Old Madam Qian said indignantly.
Princess Qin was taken aback, her expression becoming unnatural. "Is the Old Madam ill?"
"Didn't your daughter send people to see my old friend? How come you don't know? Oh, right, Madam Fang, you just told me that the person sent by the Marchioness didn't treat my old friend? Is that true or false? If so, I must ask Princess Qin, what does your daughter mean by this? Is she trying to harm her mother-in-law's life?" Old Madam Qian said sternly.
Princess Qin was startled. "How did it become harming the Old Madam?"
Madam Fang bowed to Princess Qin. "The physician is still here, but they haven't administered acupuncture or medicine to the Old Madam. If it weren't for the Second Miss sending someone to fetch a physician from Baicaotang, who knows what the Old Madam's condition would be now."
"You old hag, what nonsense are you spouting? If that physician was inactive, that's their problem," Princess Qin glared at Madam Fang. "Besides, the Old Madam has always been in good health. For this to happen suddenly, it's possible you, this old hag, didn't serve her well. Now that something has happened, you're saying anything to clear yourself."
Madam Fang trembled with anger. "Princess Qin, you cannot slander me!"
Old Madam Qian glanced at Princess Qin. "Enough, don't try to argue here. What happened will be clear once my old friend wakes up and I ask her. That physician will also be detained for now. Then we can confront them and the truth will be revealed."
"Release Madam Qin!" Princess Qin ordered Qi Zhenzhen.
"That won't do. The incident at Madam Ruyan's place hasn't been clarified yet. This matter must be decided after my father returns. After all, he values the child in Madam Ruyan's womb greatly," Qi Zhenzhen refused.
"Nonsense, your mother gave birth to the legitimate son. How could your father value a son born of a concubine?" Princess Qin said angrily.
"What legitimate son or concubine's son, they are all Tianming's children. The palm and the back of the hand are both flesh," Old Madam Qian said slowly. "Princess Qin, this is the Marquis's family matter after all. Although you are the mother-in-law, it's not appropriate to interfere in your son-in-law's family affairs, is it? Zhenzhen is right. Whether it's right or wrong, let Tianming decide when he returns! You shouldn't be causing trouble here now. As you said, your daughter has also given birth, so you, as a mother, should hurry back and look after her."