Xiao Qin shi was still grumbling, complaining that Lu Jingning was too vicious and her mother, the Princess of Nanchang, was too soft-hearted. If it were her, she would never let Lu Jingning off the hook. Not to mention the matter with the Crown Princess of Nanchang, just the fact that she had almost harmed Qi Mingzhu and her child's life was enough reason not to forgive her.
"The Princess Consort must consider the Lu family. Grand Scholar Lu holds a transcendent position among scholars. If things get too extreme, and Grand Scholar Lu decides to go all out, the County Prince's mansion will inevitably face trouble. Therefore, to sever ties more quickly, concessions are inevitable. After all, the benefits gained from severing ties far outweigh the concessions," Qi Zhenzhen said calmly. "If ties are not severed promptly, and Lu Jingning goes berserk, Eldest Sister will be constantly on guard! After all, there are a thousand days to catch a thief, but not a thousand days to guard against one."
Xiao Qin shi suddenly understood. Qi Tianming also shot Xiao Qin shi a look. "You've lived half your life, yet you're not as insightful as Zhenzhen. In this situation, the Lu family is in the wrong, whether towards the County Prince's mansion or us. The Lu family owes us. Although we don't care for it, in this life, no one can speak with absolute certainty. Leave a little room for maneuver, and you might meet again."
Scoffed at by Qi Tianming, Xiao Qin shi was not angered. "You were also very angry just now! Clearly, you hadn't thought of what Zhenzhen said, so you don't need to say anything to me now."
Qi Tianming was almost angered to the point of spitting blood. He wanted to retort a few more words to Xiao Qin shi, but with his two daughters present, he held back to maintain his fatherly dignity.
"Later, I'll talk to your maternal grandmother and urge her to make arrangements quickly," Xiao Qin shi said mysteriously. "Then, you can return to your maternal home with your head held high."
Qi Zhenzhen and Qi Mingzhu immediately understood Xiao Qin shi's intention.
"Mother, please don't bring this up. Grandmother surely has her own plans for how to proceed. If you speak of it, and she cannot immediately agree, wouldn't that damage your mother-daughter relationship? Moreover, to be officially recognized so soon after the divorce would surely lead outsiders to say that my cousin doted on his concubine and neglected his wife, which is why Lu Jingning divorced him. Originally, it was Lu Jingning's fault, but then it would all become my fault, wouldn't that be a grave injustice?" Qi Mingzhu said.
"What Mingzhu said is true. This matter cannot be rushed. For now, we must remain steady, say little, and not interfere. Mother-in-law has always been clear-headed, and she will have already made plans for how to arrange things," Qi Tianming also said.
With two out of the three expressing their opinions, Xiao Qin shi turned her gaze to Qi Zhenzhen.
Qi Zhenzhen nodded slightly, indicating her agreement with Qi Mingzhu.
Official recognition was certain, but the timing and who proposed it were crucial. In a word, one could not be hasty.
Xiao Qin shi sighed. "You all think so clearly, and I am the muddled one. Fine, fine. Since you are not in a hurry, I will not be either. Marquis, you promised that as long as Mingzhu behaves herself, the Marquis's mansion will be her support. You must not go back on your word."
Qi Tianming glared at her. "If I were to go back on my word, would I have dropped everything I was doing to come to the County Prince's mansion with you?"
What right did a concubine have to maintain a good relationship with her maternal family? How could a dignified Marquis rush around for his daughter who was a concubine?
Only then did Xiao Qin shi smile with satisfaction. "Mingzhu, take good care of yourself. Now that the poisonous woman Lu Jingning has left the County Prince's mansion, I don't have to worry about her causing trouble anymore. Your maternal grandmother also said she would assign you a few reliable people. You must not neglect this!"