Lord Lu looked embarrassed. What good idea could he possibly have? If he had one, he wouldn't be here asking Lord Sun for help.
"Replying to Your Highness, this junior has none," Lord Lu said. "May I ask if Your Highness could offer some advice?"
"If I had any ideas, would I have to humble myself and come here?" Prince Qin snorted.
"What shall we do then?" Lord Lu appeared anxious.
"You don't need to put on an act for me. Anything I can think of, you can surely think of too." Prince Qin finished speaking and entered his princely carriage, departing.
Lord Lu also got into his own carriage, pondering how to help his daughter overcome this hurdle.
News of Prince Qin's fruitless return reached Lu Jingning quickly. As she had been mentally prepared, Lu Jingning was not overly saddened by the news.
"Sun Consort went to see that family," Lu Jingning stated.
"Foolish," Prince Qin snorted. "The crux of the matter lies with the Crown Princess of Nanchang. What use is it for you to go to that family? Last time, if you had been sincere, this matter might have been resolved. You were outwardly respectful but inwardly disdainful, and your mother is utterly foolish. Do you think they are ordinary people? Anyone who can become a Crown Princess must have some means."
"Then..." Lu Jingning had indeed considered this point.
"Figure out what needs to be done yourself. Remember this: the Princely Estate has done all it can and all it should. Therefore, do not expect us to cover for you again. Whether you can handle it or not depends on your own fortune." Prince Qin uttered these words and left with a flick of his sleeve.
As the head of the household, he shouldn't have had to intervene in the instruction of his granddaughter-in-law, yet...
"Lu Jingning, the Princely Estate cannot have someone guilty as its future matriarch," the Princess Consort also said coldly.
Therefore, for this matter to leave no indelible stain meant she would either be divorced by the Princely Estate or lose her position as the primary wife. Qi Mingzhu was pregnant, and once she gave birth, wouldn't she have to make way for her? As the Princess Consort's granddaughter, she was already favored by her grandmother. If that time came, where would she, Lu Jingning, have any place in this Princely Estate?
Lu Jingning's heart turned cold. Her husband already favored Qi Mingzhu more; what then...
"This Sun Consort will certainly beg for the Crown Princess's forgiveness and not tarnish the Princely Estate," Lu Jingning declared with resolve.
The Princess Consort made no move. Whether she could obtain forgiveness was not her primary concern. It was said that it's easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one's nature. Lu Jingning was not as tolerant and magnanimous as she appeared. If such a person found an excuse to distance herself, the Princess Consort would be pleased.
—
Qi Mingzhu was very happy. Although her mother no longer managed affairs, she had come to terms with things herself. Her father, though outwardly indifferent, could not hide his concern for her. And her grandmother, Qi Zhenzhen, and Xuanxuan.
It was wonderful.
When she returned, the Marquis's estate had prepared ample return gifts, enough at least to prevent the Heir's wife from finding fault.
As the carriage was about to depart, Qin Xuan arrived.
Seeing his solicitous care for Qi Mingzhu, Qi Tianming's smile widened slightly. He gave Qin Xuan a few words of advice to prioritize his studies before returning to his estate. For a concubine to be able to return to her maiden home and be fetched by her husband upon departure was a great honor.
"Are you tired?" Qin Xuan asked with concern.
"The carriage is comfortable, and Fusu served me well. Grandmother, Father, Mother, and my sisters all treated me very well. How could I be tired? I am very happy, exceptionally happy." Qi Mingzhu's eyes sparkled, and a smile constantly bloomed on her lips.