Seeing Qi Mingzhu so happy, Qin Xuan's lips also curved into a smile. "Then I'll often accompany you back to the Marquis's mansion from now on."
"That won't do. Mingzhu knows that cousin dotes on me, but rules are rules. I'm already very happy to be back today," Qi Mingzhu said. "Oh, right, Father also asked me to bring you some of his reading notes from back then. Father was the top scholar back then, and he was very accomplished."
"Father-in-law is naturally accomplished. Mingzhu, don't worry, I'll read them carefully when I get back," Qin Xuan said. "I will definitely study hard and earn a title for myself, and in the future, I'll also request an imperial title for you." Da Feng Novel Network
"Cousin is joking again. Mingzhu is a concubine, what does an imperial title have to do with Mingzhu?" The light in Qi Mingzhu's eyes dimmed. "But cousin should indeed study hard and not let down the expectations of grandmother, grandfather, uncle, and aunt."
"Mingzhu, you know, my heart is only for you. That Lu Jingning is vicious and has caused a great disaster this time!" Qin Xuan frowned. "Although I don't want to distance myself from her at such a critical juncture and be an unfeeling person, grandmother and grandfather will certainly not tolerate such a person as a wife for our Qin family."
"Cousin..." Qi Mingzhu stopped speaking.
"Cousin, say whatever you want to say. There's nothing we can't talk about between us," Qin Xuan said.
"I can probably understand Madam a little," Qi Mingzhu said, choosing her words carefully.
"What?" Qin Xuan asked, confused.
"Madam is the principal wife and should have enjoyed cousin's affection exclusively. But... as a woman, who would want to share her husband with others? Madam must naturally harbor resentment. My status is not that of an ordinary concubine, so if Madam deals with me lightly, she's unwilling, but if she deals with me harshly, grandmother and grandfather would have grounds to criticize. Over time, her resentment naturally accumulates. In the end, driven by jealousy, she might do some wrong things," Qi Mingzhu said.
Her words were three parts truth and seven parts pretense.
But Qin Xuan heard them as Qi Mingzhu being kind-hearted. In the past, Lu Jingning had not treated her well, and now that Lu Jingning had made a big mistake, Qi Mingzhu not only didn't add insult to injury but also spoke up for her, which could be considered repaying resentment with kindness.
"What Mingzhu says is partly right and partly wrong. Grandfather and grandmother protect you, but Mother has also protected her in every way since she entered the family. Moreover, Mother has rebuked you several times because of her. Yet, you haven't harbored resentment towards her because of this and done irreparable wrong. Therefore, in the final analysis, it's her character that's problematic," Qin Xuan said.
"But..."
Qin Xuan interrupted Qi Mingzhu. "Mingzhu, you don't need to speak for her. Grandfather and grandmother are not heartless people. Grandfather was busy with her affairs today. Regarding her, grandfather and grandmother said they will do their best, but the outcome depends on her fate."
Qi Mingzhu sighed softly. Qin Xuan patted her hand. "Don't worry about this matter anymore. Your most important task now is to eat well, sleep well, and be happy. Don't forget, you have our child in your belly. If you are happy, our child will be happy too. As for unrelated people, you don't need to trouble yourself over her."
"I'll listen to cousin," Qi Mingzhu said.
Meanwhile, Lu Jingning, accompanied by her wet nurse, knelt in the backyard of the Hundred Herbs Hall.
The key lay with Luo Wanqing. She had no other recourse but to beg Luo Wanqing. Only if Luo Wanqing relented would her family stop pursuing responsibility for her actions.