Qi Mingzhu sat in the room, carefully recalling everything Qi Zhenzhen had said. She smiled, a smile tinged with bitterness and determination. She didn't know what had gotten into her before; she had been so muddled. Qi Zhenzhen's visit was like a thunderclap, clearing her head considerably.
Yes, she was not alone. She had her child and her mother.
Whether for her child or for her mother, she had to pull herself together.
When Fusu returned, Qi Zhenzhen asked her to accompany her to the Princess Consort's residence.
Fusu hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and knelt before Qi Mingzhu.
"What is the meaning of this?" Qi Mingzhu asked, confused.
"This servant has done wrong, and I hope Miss can forgive me."
"What wrong have you done?" Qi Mingzhu asked her calmly.
"Madam has privately sought me out several times, asking me to become an姨娘 for the young master," Fusu echoed Qi Zhenzhen's words in her mind, revealing everything without reservation about how Lu Jingning had approached her and what she had said.
"Did you agree?" Qi Mingzhu remained very calm.
"This servant did not agree," Fusu replied.
"Then will you agree in the future?" Qi Mingzhu asked.
"This servant only wishes to serve Miss well," Fusu declared her loyalty.
"Let's go, to Grandmother's courtyard," Qi Mingzhu gestured for Fusu to rise.
This meant she wouldn't pursue the matter further, and Fusu breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly stood up and, supporting Qi Mingzhu, they walked towards the Qin County Princess Consort's courtyard.
The Qin County Princess Consort was somewhat surprised to see Qi Mingzhu. Since entering the household, apart from the morning and evening greetings, this girl had never voluntarily come to her. This was the first time she had come of her own accord.
"Mingzhu," the Princess Consort beckoned Qi Mingzhu to sit beside her. "Did the wife of the Protector Duke's heir give you any trouble? If she did, your grandmother will seek justice for you."
Mingzhu was now Xuan'er's concubine, so it was appropriate for her to call the Princess Consort grandmother, following Xuan'er's lead.
"Grandmother," Qi Mingzhu called out to the Princess Consort. "May your granddaughter continue to call you Grandmother in the future?"
"Yes, yes, whatever you wish."
Qi Mingzhu affectionately nuzzled the Princess Consort's shoulder, her voice catching slightly. "Grandmother, it was Mingzhu who was wrong. Please don't be angry with Mingzhu anymore, okay?"
"Good child, you are the child your grandmother has doted on since you were little. How could your grandmother stay angry with you?" The Princess Consort embraced Qi Mingzhu, gently patting her shoulder. "Good child, you are pregnant, so you mustn't cry. Be good, wipe your tears. What's past is past. From now on, you will do well, and we are a family. We will not mistreat you. Xuan'er truly likes you. You two will have a good life together."
"Mmm," Qi Mingzhu responded with a thick nasal tone. "Second sister came and scolded me, not holding back at all. After she scolded me, I realized how ridiculously wrong I had been."
"You?" The Qin County Princess Consort was not unaware of the poor relationship between Qi Mingzhu and Qi Zhenzhen.
"Second sister didn't come on her own; my mother begged her to. She spoke impolitely and even provoked Madam. Before leaving, she also said not to think that all the past matters between us were erased. If it weren't for my mother, she wouldn't have bothered with me."
"Provoked Jingning?" The Qin County Princess Consort inquired.
"Mmm, I went to pay my respects to Madam, and Second Sister accompanied me. Second Sister held a noble status, so Madam naturally had to receive her well. Therefore, she focused on receiving Second Sister and forgot about me. It wasn't much, just having to bow for a bit longer. My etiquette was taught by the嬷嬷 by your side. Let alone standing for a while in a bowing posture, I could stand for half an hour." Qi Mingzhu's tone carried a hint of pride.