"I know the Marquis's temperament best. If the Duke's estate insists on proposing, he won't offend them. Although they are both his daughters, he can always distinguish between closeness and distance. If we keep it from the Duke's estate, and the marriage is successful, and they want to make trouble, we can say they forced it. I don't think this is very likely, after all, given Gu Sinian's reputation, no aristocratic family in the capital would want to marry their daughter to him. That little wretch, though a concubine's daughter, is still a concubine's daughter of the Marquis's estate!" said the Princess of Qin Commandery.
The Princess of Qin, who had been a little anxious, felt reassured after hearing her mother's words.
"By the way, what's going on with your mother-in-law's family? They look so petty!" Princess of Qin Commandery asked with disdain. "At the end of the banquet today, they kept trying to get close to me. If it weren't for the sake of the Marquis's estate, I would have had them chased away long ago."
"Aren't they just hoping to find a wealthy husband in the capital? To let their daughters fly up the branches and become phoenixes!" Qin Shi said helplessly.
"Madam, Princess, Madam Lu is outside with the young cousin," Qin Momo reported as she entered.
"You can't speak ill of people, and here she is as soon as we mention her," Qin Shi rubbed her temples. "Mother, after all, she is my mother-in-law's family, it's not good to leave them out. Should I ask someone to invite them in?"
Princess of Qin Commandery waved her hand, "This is your courtyard, I can't control it."
Qin Momo led them in, and Madam Lu's expression was somewhat fawning.
"Greetings, Princess, I wish the Princess good health."
Li Qing, who followed, also quickly paid her respects to Princess of Qin Commandery.
"Such a delicate and shy young girl, like a flower. I didn't get a proper chance to greet you at the birthday banquet, come closer, let me have a look," Princess of Qin Commandery beckoned to Li Qing.
Li Qing appeared flattered and took small steps towards Princess of Qin Commandery.
"You are truly beautiful, not inferior to my Mingzhu. Here, take this bracelet, consider it a见面礼 (meeting gift)," Princess of Qin Commandery said with a kind smile, her acting skills were remarkable, given how disdainful she had been just moments ago.
"Thank you, Princess. Princess, you are so kind," Li Qing said joyfully. "I've never seen such a beautiful bracelet before!"
It was a jade bracelet from Qing Shui, with wisps of green, not a particularly valuable item, but beautiful nonetheless.
"Look at how sweet-mouthed this young girl is, like she's been smeared with honey," Princess of Qin Commandery said with a smile.
Li Qing was overjoyed. Had she really won over the Princess with such ease? She knew she was charming and cute; who wouldn't like her? Her grandmother had been worrying about this and that.
"I've been here for quite some time, it's time for me to go back. Regarding what I told you earlier, you must take it to heart, after all, the Duke's estate has entrusted this matter to me," Princess of Qin Commandery said.
Qin Shi was a little confused, not understanding her mother's intentions, but she still replied, "Mother, please rest assured."
"You must choose a girl with good character, after all, it's for the Heir Apparent," Princess of Qin Commandery added. "Mingzhu, come, go back with your maternal grandmother and stay for a couple of days, your maternal grandfather misses you dearly."
After Princess of Qin Commandery left, Madam Lu became more casual. "Nephew's wife, tell me about this matter of the Duke's estate that your mother mentioned. Is the Heir Apparent getting married?"
Qin Shi now understood her mother's intentions and nodded. "Yes, the Heir Apparent has reached the age of marriage, so the Duke's estate has asked my mother to look for a few suitable girls. My mother thinks the girls in our household are good. That's why she specifically stayed to discuss this matter with me. You've seen the Heir Apparent, haven't you? He's handsome and comes from a good family. How many young ladies from prominent families are vying for him!"
Madam Lu certainly knew. She clearly remembered everyone who introduced themselves at the birthday banquet.
That Heir Apparent was truly a man of distinguished appearance.
"Nephew's wife, what do you think of our Qing girl? You know her appearance and talent, she's no less than those young ladies from prominent families," Madam Lu said excitedly.
Qin Shi's tone was hesitant. "Doesn't Qing girl have to return to Yun Gui with you?"
Madam Lu waved her hand. "What's there to be nostalgic about in that poor rural area? I won't hide it from you, nephew's wife. I brought the sisters here to the capital precisely to find good families for them, to marry them into the capital. Then, they can help the Li family, and perhaps there will be a chance to move to the capital. Wouldn't it be good for us to support each other then!"
Qin Shi inwardly scoffed, she had never seen Madam Lu so shameless.
"Aunt, I won't hide it from you, we have two girls of suitable age in our household," Qin Shi said with a look of difficulty.
"A girl as good as Mingzhu could even be a principal consort to a prince, there's no need to insist on this Heir Apparent. As for that girl Zhenzhen, how could a concubine's daughter dare to aspire to the Heir Apparent? Listen to your aunt, what kind of family is the Duke's estate? If you try to fob them off with a concubine's daughter, the marriage might not happen and instead turn into enmity. Why bother? Our Qing girl is a legitimate嫡女 (daughter of the principal wife)!" Madam Lu said with great animation. "Moreover, once this matter is settled, won't Qing girl remember your kindness? She'll surely be filial to you, her aunt."
For a嫡女 from a family like the Li family, although she disliked Qi Zhenzhen, Qi Zhenzhen was still a thousand times better than her.
Qin Shi forced a smile. "Aunt, this matter is not something I can decide alone. We must discuss it with the Marquis. Also, we cannot hide it from my mother-in-law."
"You child, you are too honest. Your mother-in-law is so old, how can she have the energy to worry about this? You, as the嫡母 (principal wife), are in charge," Madam Lu said. "Besides, your mother-in-law is my own sister, and Qing girl is her grandniece. Doesn't she also hope that Qing girl will have a good future?"
"Aunt is right," Qin Shi nodded in agreement. "Alright, I will discuss it with the Marquis first."
Madam Lu and her granddaughter left happily after receiving the news.
"Does Madam mean to cause trouble for the second young lady later?" Qin Momo asked.
Qin Shi nodded. "My mother's thinking is indeed thorough. First, we'll keep Madam Lu and her granddaughter close. If that little wretch successfully marries into the Duke's estate, this grandmother and granddaughter will surely be troublesome. Then, I'll make an effort to send this girl over, so that little wretch doesn't have an easy life. If it doesn't go smoothly, we'll find an opportunity to send this girl to the Heir Apparent's bed! Although Gu Sinian is fond of men, if medicine is used, he will have no choice."
Qin Momo smiled knowingly, this plan was indeed good.
Madam Lu was very proud, extremely proud. This birthday celebration was not in vain; her pampered granddaughter was about to become the Heir Apparent's wife.
After the wedding, she would ask the Duke's estate to help her son get a promotion. Their whole family could then leave Yun Gui and move to the prosperous capital. Just thinking about it made her ecstatic!
"Grandmother, is what you said to my aunt just now true? I, I can marry into the Duke's estate?" Li Qing was still in a daze, feeling a bit lightheaded, but she couldn't believe it was true.