Qi Mingzhu shook her head, "I still want to go and say something. It's what I should do, my duty. There's no need to make my aunt unhappy over this. Grandmother, I don't want to be presumptuous just because you dote on me."
The Princess Consort was somewhat surprised, but more so, she was relieved. In a family, someone always had to compromise, otherwise, the relationships would always be strained, which would give both her and Xuan'er a headache.
"Alright, your aunt is not inherently bad. If she says anything unpleasant, just bear with it. When the opportunity arises, your grandmother will stand up for you," the Princess Consort said.
"Okay."
"Then go ahead."
The Heir's wife was in her room whispering with her wet nurse. Now that the wet nurse assigned by the Princess Consort had left, she could speak without restraint. When a maid came in to announce that Qi Mingzhu had arrived, the Heir's wife paused for a moment before instructing for her to be invited in.
"Greetings, Aunt," Qi Mingzhu said, preparing to curtsy.
The Heir's wife gave her wet nurse a look, and the wet nurse, understanding, steadied Qi Mingzhu.
The Heir's wife motioned for Qi Mingzhu to sit beside her, and Qi Mingzhu felt a surge of flattered surprise.
"Mingzhu, I was upset before because I had some grievances. I've thought it through now, and don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you anymore," the Heir's wife said. "You don't resent me in your heart, do you?"
Qi Mingzhu was a little bewildered, but she hid it well and shook her head, "It was Mingzhu who was in the wrong, so it's only right for Aunt to resent me."
"Good child," the Heir's wife squeezed Qi Mingzhu's hand tightly. "Come visit me more often from now on. How have you been feeling these past few days? Is the baby behaving? Is it not causing you trouble?"
Qi Mingzhu answered the Heir's wife one by one.
"You should go back and see your Old Madam. I have a hundred-year-old ginseng root here; take it back for your grandmother to recuperate. Also, I have some fabrics that would suit your mother; take them back for her as well. Oh, and I'll have the steward arrange a carriage for you. You're pregnant now and shouldn't be jolted, so use the one your grandmother usually rides. It's the best in our mansion," the Heir's wife said.
"Aunt, I'll be going back with my second sister. She has a carriage," Qi Mingzhu replied.
"How can that be? If you do that, someone will have to bring our carriage back, which is too much trouble. We have our own," the Heir's wife insisted.
"But, but that's not proper," Qi Mingzhu hesitated.
"We're family, what rules are there to speak of? Besides, this is our mansion's business; what others say can't affect us," the Heir's wife said.
Under the Heir's wife's insistence, Qi Mingzhu had no choice but to ride in the mansion's carriage, laden with many gifts.
Qi Zhenzhen, pulled along by Qi Mingzhu, also had to board the Prince Consort's mansion's carriage.
"She was so warm, even warmer than before, it's all so confusing. What concubine has such a grand display? A hundred-year-old ginseng, fashionable fabrics from the palace, and some ancient books, which she said were for Father. I must be dreaming. Second sister, pinch me to see if it hurts." Qi Mingzhu sighed.
Qi Zhenzhen didn't hold back, and the pain brought tears to Qi Mingzhu's eyes.
"You're so heartless!" Qi Mingzhu glared at Qi Zhenzhen.
"If I don't pinch you hard, how will you know if it hurts? Are you relieved now? It's not a dream, the Heir's wife has had a change of heart. As long as you don't cause trouble, life will be much easier," Qi Zhenzhen said. "After you give birth, I'm thinking we should make you a co-wife."
Lu Jingning has made a grave mistake, and it will be difficult for her to recover in the Prince Consort's mansion. At that time, if Qi Mingzhu becomes a co-wife, she will be secure and worry-free.