"Yes, yes, you're right. Look at my brain, I was so happy to see Mingzhu that I didn't know what to do. Come, Mingzhu, let's go inside and talk." Madam Xiao Qin pulled Qi Mingzhu's hand and walked into the house. "Nanny Zhao, go make some pastries that Mingzhu likes. Oh, and bring a bowl of su lao. Mingzhu can't be hungry now!"
Nanny Zhao smiled and agreed, then turned to get busy. At this moment, it was best to leave the mother and daughter alone.
The two sat on the chaise lounge, looking at each other.
"Mother, you don't need to have them busy. I already had snacks at Grandmother's just now, it was my favorite peach blossom crisp," Qi Mingzhu said.
Madam Xiao Qin was stunned for a moment. "You went to your grandmother's? It's right to go to the old lady's place when you return. She seems like a cold person, but in fact, she cares deeply. The reason your father could argue logically and not back down in front of your uncle and aunt was mostly because the Old Madam gave him the courage."
"Mother, I know." Qi Mingzhu calmly replied, her eyes showing gratitude, clearly agreeing with Madam Xiao Qin's words.
Madam Xiao Qin was still thinking about how to persuade Qi Mingzhu. Even though she was a concubine, the Marquis of Changping's estate was her support. The Old Madam, the Marquis, Qi Yi, and even Qi Zhenzhen, all of them were. She thought it would take some effort to convince Qi Mingzhu, but she didn't expect Qi Mingzhu to have figured it out herself.
Madam Xiao Qin was very pleased and patted Qi Mingzhu's hand. "Those things I did before..."
She paused before continuing, "It wasn't because, as I told you before, I was the main wife and whatever I did was right. Madam Yun was brought in by your father's decision. Since she entered the household, she has always abided by her duties and never overstepped. Your father did not favor concubines over his wife. It was my own resentment that made me constantly clash with Madam Yun."
"I thought Madam Yun's children would take away your father's love for you, so I kept using schemes. Also, Madam Yun took her two children to the manor, and the people there were my dowry, so they naturally listened to me." Madam Xiao Qin felt a bit embarrassed as she spoke of this.
"So, Madam Yun and her two children suffered a lot on the manor back then. In the end, their wandering outside was also due to my neglect. Because at that time, I didn't want them to live. Based on my understanding of Madam Yun, with two children and no support, they would die." Madam Xiao Qin's face showed a look of guilt.
Qi Mingzhu squeezed Madam Xiao Qin's hand back. "Mother, it's all in the past."
"Yes, it's all in the past. It's just that Mother realized it a bit late." Madam Xiao Qin sighed. "But Mother is lucky. Whether it was Madam Yun or Qi Zhenzhen, neither of them held grudges like Mother did back then. If they had been like me back then, neither you nor I would be living well now." Da Feng Novel Network
"Mother, don't worry, I will remember their kindness," Qi Mingzhu said earnestly.
Madam Xiao Qin raised her hand and caressed Qi Mingzhu's cheek. "Mother knows, my child is kind-hearted. Mother also believes you, and you and Zhenzhen will get along well in the future."
"Madam, Eldest Miss, a young servant from the front courtyard has come with a message. The Marquis is almost done with his work and said he will come to Madam's place for tea later," Nanny Zhao said from outside the door.
"Mingzhu, your tea-making skills are also excellent. You can make tea for your father later," Madam Xiao Qin said. "I resented your father, but on your matter, he was a passable father."