As Qin Shi wished, Qi Tianming took her words to heart. He planned to thoroughly investigate after Yun Shi returned. If Yun Shi had indeed done such a thing, for the sake of their two children, he would not take her life, but he certainly would not keep her by his side. He would send her to the Qi family's ancestral temple to live out her days.
Qi Tianming rested for a while longer, but his mind was in turmoil, and he could not lie still. He decided to get up.
Qin Shi called for servants to bring water and personally attended to Qi Tianming as he tidied himself. After seeing him out, she returned to her room to clean herself up from the sweat and grime.
"Does Madam have something on her mind?" Qin Momo asked as she served by Qin Shi's side, noticing the furrow in Qin Shi's brow.
"That vixen Yun Shi and those two little brats, His Lordship has found their whereabouts," Qin Shi said calmly.
Qin Momo's heart tightened. Their own people had also been searching for Yun Shi, but His Lordship had gotten there first.
"Madam, this old servant was negligent. What should we do now?" Qin Momo asked.
"It's no use trying to stop them now. Have someone follow His Lordship's people. There's no need to snatch them or intercept them. After they leave, find out thoroughly where they stayed, who they are friendly with, and who they are not. I need to know everything, without missing a single detail," Qin Shi said.
Qin Momo nodded in agreement. "This old servant will pass down the instructions."
"Let them return. Three living people, not returning would mean they are still out there, and His Lordship and the Old Madam would always be concerned. Proximity breeds familiarity, distance breeds contempt. If they return, it will be more convenient to act."
"Has the Lu family been contacted?" Qin Shi asked again.
"They have been contacted. It is my fellow villager, and she is now a嬷嬷 in the Lu family, holding a respectable position," Qin Momo replied.
"Find a suitable time to tell her about Yun Shi and the two children being stranded outside."
"Very well, this old servant will handle this matter as soon as possible."
Qin Shi allowed Qin Momo to help her dress. She then reclined lazily on the chaise lounge. "Qin Momo, you instruct them to tidy up the courtyard where Concubine Yun used to live. Make sure it is meticulously prepared. Furthermore, the furnishings and decorations should be grand and exquisite; we must not be negligent. There are countless eyes watching in the manor, so this matter cannot afford any mistakes. After all, she is the one His Lordship dotes on!"
Qin Momo acknowledged the instructions and went out to assign tasks.
Not long after Qin Momo left, Qin Shi's head maid entered. "Madam, Concubine Ru is waiting outside, saying she wishes to pay her respects to Madam."
"Not at the usual time, and she wishes to pay respects?" Qin Shi sneered. "She probably heard some rumors and has come to confirm them with me? Fine, since she's here, invite her in."
The maid soon led in a graceful woman. She wore a water-red long dress. Although she wore no makeup, her skin was fair and rosy, giving her a more spirited look than if she had applied powder. The corners of her eyes were slightly upturned, and even a casual glance from her was captivating.
"Your concubine pays her respects to Madam." Ru Yan curtsied slightly, bending her knees and clasping her hands together to her right side.
"Bring an embroidery stool for Concubine Ru Yi," Qin Shi nodded and instructed the maid beside her.
Being offered a seat by the main wife was a matter of great honor. Usually, she stood the entire time when paying her respects. Today, such politeness suggested an attempt to win her over? Ru Yi Niang thought this secretly but did not show it on her face. She merely thanked Qin Shi with joy and sat down obediently.
"Have the people in the courtyard been obedient these days? If there are any who are disobedient, feel free to send someone to tell me. Our Marquis's manor is never short of servants," Qin Shi said.
Ru Yan felt a jolt. Was she speaking of disobedient servants, or was she hinting at those who served the Marquis? She had been very careful lately and had made no mistakes. What did this jealous woman mean?
While Ru Yan was still lost in thought, Qin Shi had already ordered the jewelry box to be brought. She personally picked out a hairpin inlaid with a ruby pomegranate, on which a lifelike bat was also depicted. "Ru Yan, come here."
The hairpin was placed in Ru Yan's hair. Qin Shi observed it for a moment. "Indeed, such a vibrant hairpin suits a lovely person like you with such bright coloring."
Qin Momo walked in at this moment and, upon seeing the hairpin, exclaimed, "Madam, this pomegranate hairpin was a gift from the Princess!"
"My mother gave it to me not for it to lie in a box, hidden from the sun," Qin Shi said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "Ru Yan's coloring is just right now. Momo, look, how well they match."
Ru Yan felt humbled and apprehensive. "Madam, how can someone of my status be worthy of such a precious item?"
"If I give it to you, you are worthy of it. I hope this hairpin, with its good omen of many children and blessings, will protect you in bearing offspring for His Lordship soon. Our Marquis's descendants are still too few! I only have daughter Ming Zhu, Concubine Xiang also has a daughter, and Concubine Yun has a daughter and a son," Qin Shi said with a worried expression.
Ru Yan did not know what Qin Shi's intentions were, so she could only respond cautiously. "His Lordship and Madam are still young. What is meant to be will come."
Qin Shi gave her a playful glare. "Don't try to comfort me. Having children is not something you can have just by wanting it. Perhaps His Lordship and I are destined to have only Ming Zhu. It all depends on you. You are young, gentle, well-behaved, and have a good foundation. You will surely have a chance."
Ru Yan was overjoyed. Did this mean she was permitted to have children?
Before, whenever the Marquis visited her courtyard, Qin Momo would personally watch her drink the contraceptive soup afterward and keep an eye on her for half an hour to prevent her from spitting it out. As a result, she still had no children. Now, with the Marquis's favor, but in a few more years, when her beauty faded, someone more beautiful would appear, and she would be forgotten in a corner, growing old alone.
"In the future, if Madam needs anything, please tell me, and I will spare no effort," Ru Yan said excitedly.
"Momo, look at this girl, she's so emotional. I haven't done anything," Qin Shi said softly. "You are favored by His Lordship, and bearing offspring for him is your duty. However, you know, His Lordship was very devoted to Concubine Yun in the past. For the past few years, since she has not been in our Marquis's manor, His Lordship has favored you. Now that Concubine Yun is returning, I fear His Lordship's heart will be drawn to her again."
After speaking, Qin Shi sighed. "Whether you can conceive and whether you can capture His Lordship's heart depends on fate."
Ru Yan had never met Yun Shi, but she had heard from the servants in the manor that Concubine Yun had been the sole favorite when she was in the manor, even outranking the main wife who came from a princely family. If Concubine Yun had not been low-key and uncontested, there would surely have been talk of the Marquis favoring concubines over his wife.
She had also heard rumors that Concubine Yun was returning to the manor. It was only then that she had eagerly come to Qin Shi's place to gather information, and she was surprised to find that it was true.
"Ru Yan will do her best. Ru Yan will also remember Madam's kindness," Ru Yan said respectfully.