Yu shi, though eloquent, found herself at a loss for words to comfort Yun shi. "First, tell my father-in-law. Once the Young Lord finds you, have him arrange another place for him to stay," she suggested.
Yun shi nodded, and Yu shi accompanied her to find Song Li zheng.
Upon hearing Yun shi's request, Song Li zheng quickly waved his hands. "Zhen Zhen's mother, it's not that I won't help you. But he's someone from the capital. Wherever he wants to stay, he just needs to say the word, and it's merely a formality. How about this, if you find it inconvenient, you and Zhen Zhen can come stay at our house."
The look of terror on Song Li zheng's face made Yun shi realize that not only Xinghua Village, but even the county magistrate, was powerless against the Young Lord of the Duke's mansion. If she were to move out with Zhen Zhen, wouldn't that be going against Gu Si nian? Angering Gu Si nian could even implicate the Song family.
After thanking Song Li zheng, Yun shi left his home, resolving to keep a close eye on Zhen Zhen.
Seeing Yun shi's dejected state, Yu shi pulled her back into the house for a talk. Meanwhile, Song Ming yue quietly slipped out of the house. She had overheard her mother speaking with Auntie Qi earlier and needed to quickly find out what Zhen Zhen planned to do.
Song Ming yue bustled into the Qi family's home and pulled Qi Zhen Zhen inside. After closing the door, she even bolted it, looking quite secretive.
"What are you doing?" Qi Zhen Zhen asked, bewildered.
"You still won't admit it, the Young Lord fancies you," Song Ming yue whispered. "But your mother doesn't seem to want him to fancy you. Earlier, she came to my house and was talking about this with my mother when I overheard. Tell me, what are your plans? So I can help."
Her mother had spoken with Gu Si nian earlier. Judging by her mother's reaction, Qi Zhen Zhen had a general idea of what Gu Si nian had said. They had reached an agreement, and Gu Si nian was merely putting on a show. However, this was Gu Si nian's secret, and she couldn't reveal it all to ease her mother's worries. This was truly…
"Hurry up and tell me, what is your attitude towards Gu Si nian?"
Qi Zhen Zhen couldn't deny or admit anything at this moment, so she remained silent. Seeing her silence, Song Ming yue naturally assumed that Qi Zhen Zhen also liked Gu Si nian. Auntie Qi was unwilling, so what could be done? Song Ming yue sighed, wondering what was going on.
"Let's not talk about this for now. Perhaps the Young Lord is just acting on a whim," Qi Zhen Zhen said. "We shouldn't be worrying ourselves here. Alright, let's not talk about this, let's talk about something else. Your cousin..."
Song Ming yue's attention was immediately diverted. She had a lot she wanted to tell Qi Zhen Zhen, which had been delayed by Qi Zhen Zhen's illness, and now her attention was drawn to Gu Si nian. When Qi Zhen Zhen asked, all her pent-up grievances poured out. With reddened eyes, she recounted everything Ge Yu sheng had said, finally declaring fiercely, "Ungrateful wretch, how can there be such a shameless person."
The plans of the Ge family mother and son, and Ge Yu sheng's demeanor, truly opened Qi Zhen Zhen's eyes. It was inevitable for people to scheme against each other, but it was rare to encounter such blatant greed, especially from blood relatives. It was truly despicable.
"Listen to me. You need to confess everything to your mother, without omitting any detail. You need to hear what your mother thinks. You are her treasure, and even if she values Ge Yu sheng, you are still the most important person in her heart," Qi Zhen Zhen said calmly.
Song Ming yue drooped her face. "How could I not know that I'm the most important to my mother? I'm worried that she'll be heartbroken when she knows all this, after all, she truly cared for my aunt and cousin."
"Don't worry, your mother is a very discerning person. If she knows these things early, she'll have ways to deal with them," Qi Zhen Zhen said.
Song Ming yue found Qi Zhen Zhen's words convincing. After hearing her, she made up her mind to tell her mother as soon as she got back.
"What about you and the Young Lord?"
"Go, go, go. Stop worrying about that. Let nature take its course," Qi Zhen Zhen opened the door and pushed Song Ming yue out. "You should focus on your own matters first."
Song Ming yue knew she couldn't come up with any good ideas to help Qi Zhen Zhen, and Qi Zhen Zhen had always been a person with a plan. Nothing should be able to stump her, right?
As Song Ming yue left, she bumped into Yun shi returning. Feeling a little guilty, she greeted Yun shi and hurried away. Yun shi didn't think much of it; in her eyes, Song Ming yue had always been carefree and impetuous. Yu shi had said a lot to her earlier. Now, this matter truly couldn't be forcefully stopped, lest it backfire.
Yun shi went to Qi Zhen Zhen's room, and the mother and daughter sat on the edge of the kang.
"Zhen Zhen, I spoke with the Young Lord today, about you. You've always been sensible, and I don't want to hide anything from you. The Young Lord was frank with me, saying he fancies you. Tell me, to what extent does he fancy you?" Yun shi tried her best to control her emotions and soften her tone.
"How would I know the extent of his fancy?"
"Then tell me, what is your attitude towards him?"
"He's very good to me and has helped me a lot over time."
Although she hadn't directly admitted it, Qi Zhen Zhen had indirectly confirmed that she also fancied Gu Si nian.
"Yesterday you told me you knew what you should do, and it's only been a day..."
Qi Zhen Zhen was also helpless. Gu Si nian hadn't revealed his feelings to her yesterday, nor had they reached an agreement. She couldn't be blamed for this, but she couldn't say these words to Yun shi, which was truly vexing.
"Mother, I don't know what to say. Although I have a betrothal, you know that betrothal is likely invalid. Given the Marquis's wife's intentions, how could she watch us prosper? Now that Gu Si nian fancies me, if this marriage can be realized, the Changping Marquis's mansion can no longer mistreat the three of us. Then I'll have a good future, you can live in peace, and my brother will have support."
"How do you know the Young Lord truly cares for you? Even if he does, how can you be sure you can be his principal wife?" Yun shi asked, her face full of worry.
"Mother, how about this: I will maintain a distance from him in public and private, so no one can gossip. He will soon receive official documents, and once the village elder announces it, no one will dare to spread rumors. We will pretend nothing happened and observe the situation. If Gu Si nian is merely acting on a whim, or if he wants to take a concubine, I would rather die than comply."
Hearing "rather die than comply," Yun shi's face turned pale. "Zhen Zhen, no matter when, your safety is the most important."
After saying this, she felt even more distressed. She hugged Qi Zhen Zhen and cried for a while before stopping. Qi Zhen Zhen stayed with her and said comforting words for a while longer, finally managing to soothe Yun shi's emotions.
On the Song family's side, Yu shi's face was ashen, her eyes seemed to spew fire, and her fingers were clenched into fists. Her knuckles were white and protruding from the force. "Are they treating us like fools?"