Qi Zhenzhen and Gu Sinian had not expected Su Qingyue to agree to meet with the Second Prince and Lu Ruoyun.
"His Majesty said that if you are unwilling, no one can force you," Qi Zhenzhen said.
"Lu Ruoyun will not give up. His Highness proactively informed her that you knew my whereabouts, so whether it's the Lu family or the Empress, they will find out. You can guard against it for a while, but not forever," Su Qingyue said calmly.
If anything went wrong, it would also implicate Gu Sinian and Qi Zhenzhen.
The couple had saved her and her child, and she could not be ungrateful or bring them misfortune.
"Don't worry, I will return openly. If they want to do anything, they will have to think twice," Su Qingyue said. "Before I go back, I will ask His Majesty for two people. Don't worry, I will protect myself."
Su Qingyue's attitude was firm, and Qi Zhenzhen could not persuade her, so she could only let her have her way.
"If you need any help, just send someone to tell us. By the way, I'll have Ah Nian pick someone for you. When it's time to send messages, you can rely on her," Qi Zhenzhen said after thinking. Her own people would be more trustworthy, preventing any loopholes.
Su Qingyue did not refuse. "Then I won't be polite. I will remember your kindness and will not forget it if I have the chance to repay you in the future."
Qi Zhenzhen removed Su Qingyue's disguise and brought her directly back to the Duke's mansion. Afterward, she sent someone to deliver a message to the Second Prince's mansion.
The Second Prince and Lu Ruoyun rushed to the Duke's mansion immediately.
During her stay at the Gu mansion, Qi Zhenzhen had people take good care of Su Qingyue.
Before meeting the Second Prince and Lu Ruoyun, Qi Zhenzhen also had someone give Su Qingyue a good wash and tidy up.
The Su Qingyue the Second Prince saw was slightly plumper than before, but looked even more radiant and captivating.
"Qingyue!" the Second Prince exclaimed emotionally, tightly clasping Su Qingyue's hand and gazing at her affectionately. "You finally see me. You don't know how much I've missed you. I was always worried that you weren't living well outside. Now that I see you, I can finally rest assured."
Su Qingyue offered a faint smile, withdrew her hand, and bowed to the Second Prince and Lu Ruoyun. "This concubine greets Your Highness and the Princess Consort. It was this concubine's willfulness before that made Your Highness and the Princess Consort worry. I ask for your punishment."
"Qingyue, I know what kind of person you are. The matter before was not your fault," the Second Prince said. "Besides, it's all in the past, so let's not talk about it. I've come with Yunyun to pick you up. Don't worry, I will have people take good care of you."
"Yes, cousin-in-law. When you weren't in the mansion, cousin was very dejected. When he heard you were returning, he was like a different person," Lu Ruoyun said with a kind smile on her face.
Su Qingyue took a step back. "This concubine's status is humble and cannot be called cousin-in-law by the Princess Consort. The palace has already issued an imperial decree. This concubine is now His Highness's concubine. This concubine knows the rules for a concubine."
"It's just a title, Qingyue. I thought you knew that in my heart, you are all the same, with no distinction in status!" the Second Prince frowned slightly.
"Your Highness, rules are rules. The royal family values rules and etiquette the most. If this concubine does not know her place, it will cause trouble for Your Highness and the Princess Consort," Su Qingyue said.
If she became arrogant due to favor, wouldn't that give Lu Ruoyun an excuse to deal with her?
Since she had decided to return, she naturally had to do things in a way that left no room for criticism.
Only by doing so would the Second Prince, who was easily swayed, feel even deeper guilt towards her.
She could then make good use of this guilt.