The Prince's heir and his wife reluctantly agreed to a demand that, in their eyes, was utterly unreasonable. Only then did Qi Tianming agree to let Qi Mingzhu become a concubine to Qin Xuan.
How could they not feel wronged?
It was clearly their daughter who had behaved improperly, committing an act that was a disgrace to public morals. Yet, in the end, it was they who were eagerly begging.
The heir's wife vowed revenge, determined to vent her anger once their daughter was settled in.
After seeing them off, Qi Tianming let out a long sigh. As a father, this was the strongest position he could secure for Qi Mingzhu.
For a fleeting moment, Madam Qin felt a touch of emotion.
But then she remembered that if it weren't for this man, she wouldn't be in this predicament. If she were still the mistress managing the Marquis's household, her daughter wouldn't have ended up on this path.
"Don't worry, after Mingzhu leaves, I will stay honestly in my own courtyard and won't cause you any trouble. I only hope you can look after Mingzhu a little. If she can return to the household and move around, will you allow my daughter and me to see each other?" Madam Qin asked.
This was not an excessive request, and Qi Tianming nodded, "As you wish."
"Then, can I go see Mingzhu before I leave?"
Considering Madam Qin's good behavior this time, Qi Tianming nodded, "Alright, you can talk to her."
Upon seeing Qi Mingzhu, Madam Qin's eyes welled up again. This was her child, born after ten months of pregnancy, a child who could have had a happy marriage but now faced such a fate.
"Mother, don't cry. Endure it here for a while, and wait for me. I will definitely be able to give you a life of contentment in the future," Qi Mingzhu comforted Madam Qin.
Once the Prince's household was entirely under her control, she would ensure her mother had no further connection to this Marquis's household.
"Alas, don't worry about me. You must take good care of yourself. Your father has prepared a dowry for you and also requested betrothal gifts from the Prince's household. Although it's not very dignified, it's practical. My dowry will also be given to you," Madam Qin said.
"Mother, keep your dowry for your own security. I have enough with what I have," Qi Mingzhu said. "If you have your dowry to rely on, I can be more at ease."
Madam Qin insisted on giving it, but Qi Mingzhu firmly refused.
"Then Mother, you keep it for now. If you need anything, just send me a message," Madam Qin said.
"Okay."
"People from the Prince's household will arrive in a few days. Mother will come to see you off then. Remember, prioritize the child in your belly above all else. It is your guarantee for a stable life in the Prince's household," Madam Qin instructed.
Qi Mingzhu stroked her belly, "Mother, don't worry. I will give birth to him well, and I will protect him well."
Madam Qin gave further detailed instructions on what to pay attention to during pregnancy before reluctantly leaving.
Meanwhile, Qi Tianming sat in his study for a while before going to see Madam Yun. He told her about Qi Mingzhu's situation and instructed her to start preparing Qi Mingzhu's dowry.
"Should I give you more?" Madam Yun asked.
Less than ten thousand taels of silver, two shops, and a manor. Compared to Zhenzhen's dowry when she married, it was less than one-tenth.
"No need. She is becoming a concubine. Having this much is because I cherish our father-daughter relationship and cannot bear to see her too miserable," Qi Tianming said indifferently. "The property in the household will all be left to Yi Ge'er in the future. Even Yan Ge'er will only receive a small portion."
Yan Ge'er was Ru Yan's son. He was now five months old. Qi Tianming visited him every few days but did not show excessive enthusiasm. As for Ru Yan, perhaps because Qi Zhenzhen had saved her and her son's lives during childbirth, she was very respectful to Madam Yun. She lived a simple life, focusing on her child, and did not become arrogant because she had given birth to a son. Madam Yun, in her free time, was willing to chat with Ru Yan and even made a few small clothes for Yan Ge'er. Overall, their relationship was quite good.