Madam Fang, seeing that Qi Zhenzhen’s complexion was as usual and showed no signs of concealment, finally relaxed.
“It was this old servant who worried too much. Second Miss, please go quickly.”
Madam Fang escorted Qi Zhenzhen and Gu Sinian out of Chaohui Hall. After watching the two walk away, she turned back.
Tinglan Courtyard had already received the news. Yun Shi and Hong Dou were waiting at the courtyard entrance.
Yun Shi’s joy was uncontainable. It was evident she was in an excellent mood, and she and Hong Dou got along very well. Hong Dou’s face was much rounder than before, and she also looked delighted. The two, with one on each side, gently supported Qi Zhenzhen, as if afraid she might stumble.
Gu Sinian paid his respects to Yun Shi. As it was not appropriate to stay as he had in Chaohui Hall, he said, “I will go to the front courtyard to see if Father-in-law has returned.”
After entering the house, Yun Shi dismissed the servants and pulled Qi Zhenzhen to sit down. As usual, she inquired about Qi Zhenzhen’s current physical condition. Upon receiving Qi Zhenzhen’s affirmative answer, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Before the child is born, you cannot afford to be careless. Have Er Xi and Liu Xu stay by your side at all times, lest others take advantage of the situation.” Yun Shi had recently done extensive research on the Duke of Huguo’s estate, fearing that some ill-intentioned individuals might target Qi Zhenzhen’s pregnancy.
“I will be moving out soon. No matter how far their reach, they cannot extend to my side,” Qi Zhenzhen reassured Yun Shi. “So please don’t worry. Once I move, you and Hong Dou can come over to visit. It’s just across the street, very convenient.”
“Moving out is feasible? It is said that children should not separate from their parents. Will this affect the reputation of the Crown Prince?” Yun Shi was somewhat worried.
“The residence was bestowed by His Majesty. Not residing in a house granted by His Majesty would be disrespectful to him,” Qi Zhenzhen smiled. “When comparing the two, respecting His Majesty is naturally more important.”
Yun Shi deeply agreed. “That’s true, we must not slight His Majesty’s intentions.”
With a few words, Yun Shi was soothed and had no more worries.
Hong Dou rested her chin on her hands, watching the two converse. She did not miss the slyness in her second sister’s eyes, so these words were meant to appease her mother?
Putting that aside, Yun Shi’s topic shifted to Hong Dou. “Zhenzhen, persuade her to stop practicing martial arts every day.”
Yun Shi was somewhat troubled. Her daughter had been found, and after the initial excitement and surprise, she had to consider her future marriage. Keeping her for two or three years was acceptable, but if she stayed longer, she would become an old maid. She couldn’t keep the girl by her side forever. Even though Hong Dou had expressed that she had no intention of marrying for the time being, as a mother, she couldn’t indulge her daughter’s whims.
Hong Dou was helpless. “Mother, if I hadn’t practiced martial arts, I probably wouldn’t be alive now, let alone have met you. So, what’s wrong with practicing martial arts? Over the years, martial arts have become a very important part of my life, and I cannot give it up. As for needlework, I really can’t learn it, and I don’t want to compromise myself to learn it just to please someone in the future.”
Before she became Hong Dou, she believed that girls, as Yun Shi said, should learn good needlework, which would make them highly regarded by a prospective in-laws. Therefore, she had diligently learned from Yun Shi. But what happened later? Hong Dou felt that while good needlework could add a touch of elegance during times of prosperity, it was far less useful than a bit of martial skill during times of hardship. Martial skills could protect oneself, but what about needlework? If she exchanged it for money, she couldn’t protect it at all. Her hard work might very well be for someone else’s benefit.
From then on, Hong Dou never picked up a needle again. She discovered that once she had the ability to protect herself, no one dared to compete with her. As she gradually accumulated some money, she could buy all her clothes and shoes. Thus, why should she pick up that thin needle again?