"You two stop your clamoring here. Quickly prepare gifts and make a trip to the Grand Scholar's mansion. Once there, do not utter any nonsense. Only say that Xuan'er was momentarily confused, and then mention the Marquis's pressure on Xuan'er. If the Grand Scholar's mansion holds any resentment, it should be directed at the Marquis. The Marquis's pressure was too intense, and for Xuan'er's future, as well as the young couple's future, we had no choice but to compromise," the County Princess Consort instructed calmly.
This way, they would not have to face the Grand Scholar's mansion's wrath directly, nor would they be entirely in the wrong.
"Mother!" the Heir's wife stomped her foot.
"If you are unwilling, then come up with a good solution that will satisfy the Marquis's mansion and also leave the Grand Scholar's mansion with no fault to find," the County Princess Consort said coldly, looking at her daughter-in-law. She hadn't settled accounts with her yet. If she had discovered the signs earlier, would the County Prince's mansion have fallen into such a predicament?
How could the Heir's wife possibly think of a good solution?
Despite her reluctance, she could only compromise in the end.
"Xuan'er, don't just stand there blankly. We cannot keep this from Madam Lu. For your cousin to enter the household, she needs her consent. You are in the wrong here, so be a bit more careful. If necessary, tell her that the child will be raised under her knees. The County Princess Consort said, "In short, no matter what method you use, you cannot let your wife cause trouble. You must make her stand on your side. Only then can the Grand Scholar's mansion vent less of its anger on you."
Thinking that if he appeased his wife, his cousin could enter the household, Qin Xuan was very happy and immediately hurried back to his courtyard.
"Jianning." Qin Xuan grabbed Lu Shi's hand upon seeing her.
Lu Jianning tried to pull her hand back but failed, so she gave up. "Have your uncle and aunt left?"
Lu Jianning knew that the Marquis of Changping and his wife had come. She had wanted to accompany them earlier, but the servant who delivered the message had said only her husband was to go.
"They have already left," Qin Xuan said.
"Then, husband, you shouldn't linger in the room. Go to the study and study. In learning, one must persevere," Lu Jianning urged Qin Xuan to read.
Qin Xuan found this annoying. No matter what she said, she would bring it back to studying.
Qin Xuan once thought that she was not suited for marriage, but rather for books.
After taking a few deep breaths, Qin Xuan suppressed the annoyance in his heart. "I will study, but can we talk properly now?"
"What does husband wish to say to me?" Lu Jianning asked calmly.
"I want to bring my cousin into the household," Qin Xuan stated directly.
"Does husband mean what I understand him to mean?" Lu Jianning asked expressionlessly.
For some reason, Qin Xuan felt a little uneasy and a little guilty.
"You are still the principal wife, and she will enter as a concubine. If she is not allowed to enter, she will shave her head and become a nun. I cannot bear it!" Qin Xuan said urgently.
Lu Jianning gave Qin Xuan a strange look. "So you can bear to tell me to share my husband with my cousin?"
"I have wronged my cousin."
"Qin Xuan, then have you treated me right? You married me at the beginning of the year, and it's only been half a year. In half a year, for others, it's a honeymoon period. For me, it's that my husband wants to take a concubine. And it's a cousin with noble status, who has looks and talent, and can find any good family. Why would she willingly degrade herself to be a concubine?" Lu Jianning questioned him word by word.
"So, you disagree?" Qin Xuan was annoyed.
"As a wife, one must not be jealous. On the first day of my marriage, my mother told me this. Moreover, you coming to me now must mean that the elders have already agreed. If I disagree, it would be filial impiety." Lu Jianning gave a wry smile. "Do I have the right to disagree?"