The worst part was that the elders thought she was right.
In the future, even if he did nothing, he would be a郡王 (county prince), which was enough to bring glory to the family, wasn't it?
Even if he studied, he didn't need to hang his head and prick his thigh, did he?
In the honeymoon period, shouldn't there be romance?
Unfortunately, these were all Cheng Xuan's extravagant hopes.
Madam Lu constantly urged him on, transforming into a female scholar and pushing him to study day and night. He felt his life becoming increasingly painful.
Later, he met his cousin. He had admired her since childhood, and she was also well-read. In comparison, his cousin was far better than Madam Lu. After some back and forth, his cousin agreed to his advances.
Cheng Xuan felt that a true man should dare to do and dare to bear.
"Mother, your son not only met with his cousin, but he also held her hand, and..." Cheng Xuan couldn't say the rest in front of so many elders.
The 世子夫人 (wife of the heir apparent) felt a jolt, a bad premonition, and her words trembled, "And what?"
Cheng Xuan stammered, unable to articulate anything.
Old Madam Qin felt the time was ripe and sighed heavily, "Mingzhu is pregnant, nearly two months along."
This was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, leaving everyone in the郡王府 (county prince's mansion) in a daze.
Of course, except for Cheng Xuan, who grinned foolishly.
The 世子 (heir apparent) of the郡王府, having recovered, kicked Cheng Xuan, "You little beast, what have you done? Do you know you're married? Your wife has only been married for half a year, and she has been diligently serving and urging you on. How can you do something like this? Are you worthy of your wife, your father-in-law, your grandparents?"
Cheng Xuan stumbled from the kick. If Qi Tianming hadn't supported him, he would have fallen to the ground.
"Brother-in-law, the child is already this big, how can you hit him? Let's sit down and talk. Any problem can be discussed and a solution can be found," Qi Tianming said slowly.
"This was consensual, so you can't blame our Cheng Xuan," the 世子夫人 said angrily.
A clap doesn't make a sound. My son is at fault, but your daughter is not entirely innocent either.
This was the 世子夫人's sentiment.
Qi Tianming was not angered. "That's why we've come to discuss this with you, sister-in-law. After all, if it weren't for the family ties, our Marquis's mansion would have already reported it to the authorities. The eldest daughter of a dignified Marquis's mansion was molested by a scoundrel, and this matter can't just be let go?"
"Report it to the authorities, go ahead! Why don't you go? Why are you here at the prince's mansion?" the 世子夫人 said arrogantly.
"Sister-in-law, saying that is unnecessary. We came to resolve the matter, not to argue with you. If you refuse to acknowledge this, I have also considered it. We will report it to the authorities, have Mingzhu abort the child, and then our Marquis's mansion will support her for life. We'll just consider it as encountering an unworthy person!" Qi Tianming said calmly.
"Do you think Qi Mingzhu will fare well this way? The gossip outside will drown her," the 世子夫人 scoffed.
"That's simple. I just won't let Mingzhu go out and hear such things," Old Madam Qin said, having wiped her tears and her tongue now nimble.
"I don't believe you're willing to sacrifice the Marquis's mansion's reputation," the 世子 of the郡王府 glared resentfully at Qi Tianming.
"We are a bit reluctant, but our Marquis's mansion has few children. Zhenzhen is married, Xuanyuan is engaged, and as for Yi ge'er, in a few years, fewer people will think about this matter. Yi ge'er is knowledgeable and may even become the top scholar in the imperial examinations in the future. Then, won't it be easy to find a good marriage for him?" Qi Tianming said calmly.