The old madam beckoned him to sit. "Has the Marquis not gone to the Ministry of Revenue today?"
Qi Tianming sat beside the old madam. "Your son was feeling unwell today and took a leave of absence."
"Have you asked the household physician to examine you?" the old madam asked, her face etched with worry.
"I have. It's nothing serious, just that I didn't sleep well last night," Qi Tianming replied.
The old madam's brows furrowed. She knew Qi Tianming had stayed in the main courtyard last night, and she also knew her daughter-in-law was still intent on having another child. She suspected there had been much commotion, and things were becoming increasingly improper. How often had Tianming stayed in the main courtyard these past two years? Yet, her daughter-in-law's belly remained barren. Not only could she not bear children herself, but she was also intolerant of others. In these years, there had not been a single descendant from the rear courtyard. Don't think she didn't know that it was this principal wife who was causing trouble behind the scenes. Every time the concubines finished serving, they would be taken to their confidantes to be given medicine. She personally oversaw this and watched for half an hour to ensure the medicine was not vomited out.
"You cannot indulge her too much. As the Marquis's wife, to have no tolerance for others, won't people laugh if this gets out?" the old madam said earnestly. In her eyes, it was her son's excessive indulgence of that woman that had led to this.
"She is, after all, the principal wife. I must give her the proper respect. Besides, my father-in-law also instructed me to treat her well," Qi Tianming sighed softly. No man would be happy if his wife's family held him in check. However, the Changping Marquis's estate was not doing well, and his brothers were all useless, spending their days bird-watching and dog-chasing. Although he had reached the position of Vice Minister, the Minister was still in his prime and unlikely to be replaced anytime soon. It was difficult for him to even shift his position. He currently had only one son, and he was not even raised by his side. His brothers, on the other hand, had many sons, but not a single one was promising.
Thinking of this, Qi Tianming felt a surge of vexation. His only son was being raised on the estate. Although Yun Shi was well-read, her education...
Qi Tianming could no longer beat around the bush and probed directly. "Mother, I want to bring Yi Ge'er back. Zhen Zhen is not young anymore. She is, after all, a young lady of the Marquis's estate. Her future marriage cannot be too poor. If she is always raised on the estate, her manners and etiquette will surely not be as good as if she were in the mansion. We mustn't shame the Marquis's estate then."
The old Madam Qi nodded repeatedly. "You've finally come to your senses. Mother opposed you back then because, firstly, the Yun family was implicated in a crime, and secondly, you doted on Yun Shi too much. After cold-shouldering her for these years, she should know how to behave now. It is indeed time to bring her back."
"What about Madam?"
"Mother will handle it for you," the old madam said magnanimously.
Qi Tianming breathed a sigh of relief. With that, he wouldn't have to worry about Madam causing a scene.
Returning to the front courtyard, Qi Tianming summoned his confidant and instructed him to arrange for someone to pick up the people from the estate.
"That estate is Madam's dowry estate. Should we inform Madam?"
Qi Tianming waved his hand. "Just go and bring them back. Madam has the old madam to handle her."
In less than half a day, the people Qi Tianming had sent out returned, and the news they brought back greatly shocked Qi Tianming.
"What? Concubine Yun and her two children are not on the estate?"
"What did the people at the estate say?"
"They said they fled not long after arriving," his confidant relayed the information he had gathered.
Because the estate belonged to Madam, the people on the estate were also Madam's dowry. He couldn't use force. He managed to elicit this piece of information through a mixture of truth and falsehood.
If they were not on the estate, Yun Lan was gentle and weak, Zhen Zhen was an ignorant little girl, and Yi Ge'er was only five years old. How would they survive after leaving the estate?
Qi Tianming's face was clouded with gloom. Had they left, or were they no more?
"Well done, Madam Qin!" Qi Tianming stormed into the rear courtyard in a rage.
Madam Qin, the Marquis's wife, lay on a chaise lounge, with two young maids kneeling at her feet, massaging her legs.
When Qi Tianming burst into the room and saw this scene, his anger intensified. He didn't know how Concubine Yun and her two children were faring, yet she was enjoying herself so much.
"Get out," Qi Tianming roared.
The two young maids were terrified and looked at Madam Qin. Madam Qin waved her hand, signaling them to leave. They then scrambled to their feet and retreated.
Seeing that he couldn't even get rid of two maids, Qi Tianming's anger reached its peak. He was the head of the household, and everyone in the family depended on him for their livelihood. He had no authority even in front of the maids, which was truly ironic.
Madam Qin slowly got up. "What is it, Marquis? Why are you so angry? Where have I displeased you? Has Ru Yan complained to you again? Madam is wronged in this matter. A few days ago, the Princess visited me to chat. She, a mere concubine, relying on the Marquis's favor, actually put on airs in front of the Princess. If I do nothing, won't the Princess think that our Marquis's estate favors concubines over wives? If this spreads, it will affect the Marquis's reputation."
After her speech, Qi Tianming's anger subsided considerably. The reason was simple: Yun Lan was also a concubine, and he had indeed doted on her greatly before, neglecting Madam Qin because of it.
"As for Ru Yan, Madam is naturally in charge. If she doesn't know the rules, teach her the rules well. I will never let this damage our relationship," Qi Tianming said patiently. "I have come to Madam's place to ask how Concubine Yun and her two children are doing on the estate?"
Madam Qin's heart skipped a beat, but her face maintained a serene smile. "What does the Marquis mean by saying that? They were sent there, and I didn't accompany them. You know I don't like her, so why would I bother managing her?"
With her frank admission of dislike, Qi Tianming couldn't quite gauge her reaction. He could only say, "Mother is getting old and has more worries. Today she told me she misses the two children. I've been thinking, Concubine Yun has been punished enough. I'm considering bringing them back. What does Madam think?"
Madam Qin turned her head. "Since the Marquis has already made up his mind, why are you asking me?"
"Then I'll send someone to pick them up?" Qi Tianming continued to feign ignorance. It would only delay things by half a day. If he admitted now that he had already sent someone, he would be at a disadvantage.
Madam Qin snorted, which was her response to the matter.
"It is, after all, your dowry estate. Do you think we should send someone over?" Qi Tianming tested.
"Madam Qin, you go on my behalf. Don't let the Marquis say I don't value Concubine Yun and the others," Madam Qin instructed.
From this, it seemed as if it had nothing to do with her.
Madam Qin did not overlook Qi Tianming's probing gaze. This matter truly had nothing to do with her. At most, the estate had reported to her, and she had stopped the messenger, preventing the Marquis and the old madam from knowing. Later, she could simply say that the estate staff feared punishment and concealed the news. All the staff on the estate were her people. No matter how unwilling the Marquis and the old madam were, they couldn't punish them.
Madam Qin was not worried at all that Concubine Yun and her children's return would affect her and her daughter's status. They had fled without permission, their reputation was ruined, and it was uncertain whether it could be restored.