The wet nurse, holding the baby, walked to Qi Tianming's side and said with joy, "My Lord, look at his eyes, his nose, his mouth – he's a perfect replica of my Lord."
Qi Tianming glanced at the small, wrinkled face, unable to discern any resemblance to himself. Nevertheless, the child was his flesh and blood. Though he currently disliked Madam Qin, he did not take his anger out on the child. He stared intently for a moment, then reached out and took the baby, holding him for a while.
Madam Qin felt triumphant. With this legitimate son, no matter what happened, her position would remain unshaken.
Qi Tianming looked up at Madam Qin and asked, "Madam, is this child mine?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Qin froze, as did Princess Qin.
Qi Zhenzhen, still with her head bowed, was also shocked. She and Granny Fang knew about this matter, and even her grandmother had not been informed. She hadn't expected her supposed father to know.
After the shock, Madam Qin's face turned ashen. "My Lord, what are you saying? If this child isn't yours, whose could he be? I have done nothing to betray you."
"My Lord, you cannot speak carelessly. I know my Fang'er's character best; she is not someone shameless or brazen," Princess Qin said sternly.
"Yes, I know Madam is not a casual person. Otherwise, do you think I would still be standing here calmly speaking with you?" Qi Tianming said unhurriedly. "I am patient and willing to discuss this with you precisely because Madam has not cuckolded me. Do you truly believe I am unaware of your little schemes behind my back?"
Qi Zhenzhen's heart tightened. That was right; her supposed father was not a muddle-headed man manipulated at will. He appeared to pay no attention to the affairs of the inner court, but in reality, the entire Marquis's estate was his. What could truly be hidden from him?
"In the past, I believed that a man should not be burdened by the matters of his inner court, so I trusted Madam implicitly, thinking she would manage the household well on my behalf. But how did Madam repay my trust? First, when Concubine Yun erred, she and her two children were sent to the estate. At the time, I thought that as the principal wife, you must have had your reasons. And the result? Concubine Yun and her two children have been living in hardship for years. And that girl Xuanxuan, though a concubine's daughter, is still my blood. A young lady of the prestigious Marquis's estate lived a life worse than a servant. Don't rush to defend yourself. You are in charge of the inner court. If it wasn't with your instruction, those under you, no matter how bold, would not dare to defy their master. Am I right, my dear Madam?"
Madam Qin's face turned as pale as gold paper; she was truly faltering now. The Marquis bringing up these past events could not simply be casual talk.
"My Lord!" Princess Qin called out with a grim expression.
"If my esteemed mother-in-law intends to take her back to the Prince's mansion, then anything my mother-in-law says goes," Qi Tianming stated calmly.
Take her back!
How could Princess Qin not understand what he meant? This was a warning: if she interfered further, he would send them back to the Prince's mansion. For families of their status, for the principal wife to be sent back to her maiden home – wouldn't that be a spectacle for others to mock?
"Good, very good!" Princess Qin said, furious.
Qi Tianming's expression remained unchanged. "Esteemed mother-in-law, please take your leave. Your son-in-law has family matters to attend to and cannot see you off. Zhenzhen, you will accompany your maternal grandmother for me."
Qi Zhenzhen curtsied. "Grandmother, please."