Though her heart felt uneasy, believing her daughter had come too late, Song Mingyue finally saw a glimmer of hope.
For her daughter's sake, she would reluctantly bear another child.
However, when she nearly died during childbirth with her seventh and eighth children, Zhang Xiaoniu secretly sought out Luo Wanqing to concoct a medicine that would prevent further pregnancies. He already had eight sons, a unique distinction in the capital, and didn't want any more. Later, when Song Mingyue couldn't conceive, she wondered why. Hadn't the master said she would have a daughter after bearing sons? Seeing her obsession, Zhang Xiaoniu confessed that he had taken a sterilization drug. Enraged, Song Mingyue had her sons throw him out. These are matters for another time.
Compared to the liveliness at Taihe Temple, the Marquis's mansion was quiet.
Qi Mingzhu's hand had improved, and she was able to leave her courtyard.
What Yun Shi couldn't understand was that Qi Mingzhu came to pay her respects every day.
Her attitude was exceptionally respectful, which made Qi Tianming very happy, believing she had finally become sensible.
Yun Shi, wanting to see what she was up to, didn't stop her. If she wanted to play a game, Yun Shi would play along.
"Madam Yun, I wish to go out for a stroll," Qi Mingzhu said one day after paying her respects.
"Of course, Eldest Miss can go out. I will inform the Marquis later and ask him to arrange some people for you," Yun Shi said with a smile. "After all, you only have Fusu with you now. It's fine within the mansion, but not enough when you go out."
Qi Mingzhu's face showed gratitude. "Madam Yun is truly thoughtful."
Did having more people mean they could keep an eye on what she wanted to do?
Qi Tianming readily agreed and personally assigned several people to accompany Qi Mingzhu.
Upon their return, those people reported to Qi Tianming that the Eldest Miss had only visited clothing and jewelry shops. She had returned promptly and only took half a day. Throughout the outing, she had been very well-behaved.
After a few such instances, Qi Tianming felt reassured. Although he still sent people to follow her, he didn't inquire much.
Qi Mingzhu had always behaved normally.
The servants in the mansion all said that the Eldest Miss had finally realized her situation, knew she had no one to rely on, and had become completely compliant.
But Yun Shi always had a premonition that she was plotting something. With a mother like Qin Shi, how could she compromise so easily? Someone accustomed to being in a high position wouldn't accept a bad situation so readily.
Yet, Qi Mingzhu was so quiet that no fault could be found.
After going out for a period, Qi Mingzhu became reclusive again.
Except for occasionally visiting Yun Shi or paying respects to the Old Madam, she stayed in her courtyard.
This continued until two months later, when a meticulous old woman discovered something.
"The Eldest Miss did not change her clothes this month."
Yun Shi, being a woman who had been through childbirth, naturally knew what it meant not to change clothes.
Qi Mingzhu's menstrual cycle had always been regular. This sudden irregularity either indicated a health problem or pregnancy.
For an unmarried girl to be pregnant was a scandal.
However, it couldn't be confirmed yet. Yun Shi didn't make a fuss, deciding to first see if Qi Mingzhu's body was unwell, causing this. After much thought, Yun Shi personally went to Qi Mingzhu's courtyard.
Qi Mingzhu seemed to have anticipated Yun Shi's visit, smiling and inviting her to sit for tea.
Yun Shi kept staring at Qi Mingzhu's figure, but she was wearing a loose sleeping gown, making it impossible to discern anything. Moreover, two months was not enough to show a pregnancy unless one was very experienced.
"Does Madam Yun have something she wishes to ask me?" Qi Mingzhu slowly sipped some honey dew. "Are you here to ask if I am feeling unwell, otherwise why would my period be irregular?"