Qi Zhenzhen remained silent for a moment. “If your struggles do not involve Tinglan Courtyard, I will not interfere. However, I advise you, even setting aside the Prince of Qin’s Mansion behind her, the inner court of this Marquis’s mansion is also under her control. If you are careless, you will be the one to suffer in the end.”
“But if I do nothing, will she tolerate me? Not to mention what you, Second Miss, and others have experienced, just look at Concubine Xiang. What kind of life is she living now? She hardly shows her face all year round. The few times I’ve seen her, she’s so gaunt it’s hard to believe she’s only in her twenties, looking much older.” Ru Yan said resentfully. “Isn’t it all because she’s been worn down?”
Qi Zhenzhen had a vague impression of Concubine Xiang, only knowing that her life was truly difficult. Otherwise, how could a mother truly neglect her own flesh and blood?
“As I said, although you are pregnant and have a reliance, you are no match for the Marquis’s Madam. The most important thing now is not how you bring her down, but how you safely give birth to your child,” Qi Zhenzhen advised.
Ru Yan clearly realized this as well and nodded. “Thank you, Second Miss, for your reminder. Ru Yan understands.”
As for Ru Yan, Qi Zhenzhen was not so foolish as to believe she genuinely wanted to befriend them and their child. At best, it was a matter of mutual utilization.
Therefore, Qi Zhenzhen had no patience for her. Having said what needed to be said, she did not wish to keep her talking and found an excuse to dismiss her.
“Feixu, do you think what Ru Yan said is credible?” Qi Zhenzhen asked.
“This servant believes it is credible,” Feixu replied. “Erxi has been keeping an eye on Jinghua Courtyard. The only person still serving inside Jinghua Courtyard is Madam Qin. The people who previously served the Madam closely have all been sent away. Under normal circumstances, when a woman is pregnant, the number of servants should increase, not decrease. Jinghua Courtyard’s rules have become even stricter now. Without the Madam’s orders, no one in the courtyard can move around freely. Even meals are now prepared by the small kitchen in the courtyard. Previously, the maids had to collect meals from the main kitchen, but now that’s all stopped. Isn’t that strange?”
It was indeed strange.
It was merely a concubine’s pregnancy, yet Madam Qin’s reaction seemed excessive.
When something is abnormal, there is usually a reason.
“Tell Erxi to continue watching closely and see what actions she takes. If it doesn’t affect us, we can just watch the spectacle. If they are plotting against Tinglan Courtyard and Longxiang Courtyard, we can prepare early and not be in a passive state,” Qi Zhenzhen ordered.
Besides this, she should also find Qian Yuanbao. Although she had people serving her, apart from Erxi and Feixu, the rest were of no use if something truly happened. Secondly, Tinglan Courtyard needed a reliable person to look after Madam Yun, to prevent any incidents from occurring before she could rush back.
Qi Zhenzhen rubbed her forehead. She had never liked these scheming matters, but ever since returning to the mansion, one thing after another had been like this, truly giving her a headache.
Wouldn’t it be better to be simple and direct? If something could be solved by action, why use schemes?
“Second Sister, what are you thinking about so intently?” Qi Xuanyuan asked, holding Qi Zhenzhen’s hand.
“Do I need to ask? The Heir is leaving the capital for the border. Second Sister must be missing her beloved,” Li Rou teased.