At Chaohui Hall, the Old Madam summoned Qi Tianming to speak about the day's palace visit.
As he listened to the events in the palace, a smile never left Qi Tianming's face. While the Emperor's praise for Qi Zhenzhen made him very happy, what pleased him most was that Zhenzhen had gained the favor of Consort An. Consort An held considerable influence within the Gu family, and her favor towards Zhenzhen was a great assurance for her. It was also a rare honor for the Marquis's mansion.
"Zhenzhen truly lived up to expectations," Qi Tianming couldn't help but praise. "She was always intelligent as a child. Although she spent a few years away, Lan'er raised her very well. Good, good."
The Old Madam raised an eyebrow slightly, not missing Qi Tianming's address for Yun Shi. Had they put aside their past grievances? In the beginning, her son was infatuated with Yun Shi, and at that time, she was unwilling to see this happen. Therefore, she did not stop the actions of Madam Qin. But things were different now, and coupled with her affection for Qi Yi and Qi Zhenzhen, the Old Madam sincerely hoped her son and Yun Shi would reconcile.
Furthermore, after her years away and her return, she had seen Yun Shi's character clearly. Her temperament was neither hot nor cold. When she had something, she didn't flaunt it. When she didn't, she didn't fight for it. As a concubine, this was excellent. Earlier, she had even guided Qi Zhenzhen, passing messages to Yun Shi through her. She had thought that with Yun Shi's proud nature, she wouldn't compromise, but now it seemed things were developing exactly as she had intended.
"The Yun family's foundation is indeed not to be underestimated," the Old Madam said. "If not for the Yun family's misfortune, how could Yun Lan, as the sole daughter of the Yun family, have lowered her status to become a concubine? If she wished, she could have been the matriarch of a clan."
Qi Tianming thought of past events, a flicker of discomfort in his eyes. He knew best what had happened between them.
"Mother, although this palace visit went smoothly, I still have doubts. I feel that this matter is all too strange. The appointment of the governess, shouldn't that have been done when the engagement was just settled? With less than two months until the wedding, why this move now? What does it mean?" Qi Tianming changed the subject.
The Old Madam shook her head. She also couldn't figure it out. She had initially thought Consort An would make things difficult, but after entering the palace, Consort An's attitude was very cordial.
This point was utterly baffling.
At the same moment, in the Yan Nian Courtyard of the Protector Duke's Mansion.
The Old Madam Gu sat on a soft couch, her face filled with anger. Xu Miaoniang stood beside her, gently placating her.
What had provoked the Old Madam's anger was none other than Madam Gu, who served Consort An. She had been sitting on an embroidered stool, but when the Old Madam's expression changed drastically, she immediately stood up.
"Did A'le really say that?" the Old Madam asked incredulously.
Madam Gu nodded heavily. "Old Madam, you know the Consort's personality best. She is extremely decisive in her actions and not someone whose thoughts can be swayed by others. Furthermore, the Consort and I saw the second daughter of the Qi family at the same time, and what she told Old Madam differs. Both the Consort and I feel she is worthy of the Heir. Oh, and even the Emperor praised her highly."
"Swayed by others? In the Consort's eyes, I have become an outsider?" The Old Madam's face grew even more displeased. "Has the Consort forgotten my status? I carried her for ten months, raised her, and sent her to this position. Does she not have even a shred of gratitude? She is merely a concubine's daughter; no matter how good she is, how good can she truly be? Without her, A'nian will find a better marriage!"