No matter what Qi Tianming's intentions were, even if he had an agenda, Qi Zhenzhen felt it was for the best.
At least, the smile in Gu Sinian's eyes was genuine.
She was happy to be able to comfort him.
Meanwhile, at the Second Prince's estate.
As soon as Su Qingyue returned, she felt Lu Ruoyun's malice.
Her most trusted head maid, who served by her side, was dead.
The reason given was that the maid had ulterior motives while the Prince was drunk, and Lu Ruoyun caught her in the act. Lu Ruoyun was furious and punished her, resulting in the maid, who was overly sensitive, hanging herself.
Su Qingyue, who had known this maid for many years, knew the maid's character well.
Especially when she had been pressured by the Empress back then, she had asked the maid if she was willing to serve the Prince, and the maid had refused.
Shortly before her pregnancy, she had arranged a marriage for the maid and promised to return her deed of sale when she got married.
Under these circumstances, how could the maid have ulterior motives?
Especially since Feng Yin had examined the maid and found that she had been hung after death.
However, the physician and the constables who were called all stated that the maid had died by hanging.
The Prince could not clearly explain what had happened at the time.
Su Qingyue was currently only a concubine and could not directly confront Lu Ruoyun.
Fortunately, with Feng Yin around, Su Qingyue was not completely helpless.
As for the other maids from before, they had switched their allegiance and were now serving in Lu Ruoyun's courtyard.
"Madam Yue, you should choose a few maids. You are pregnant now, and you are extremely precious. With only two servants by your side, what does that look like? Our Princess Consort is benevolent and wants to assign you more people. You always refuse, is it because you are dissatisfied with the Princess Consort?" The wet nurse beside Lu Ruoyun's tone carried a hint of disdain.
"You are mistaken, wet nurse. How could I be dissatisfied with the Princess Consort? It's just that I've been accustomed to these two serving me during my time outside. If new people are assigned, I won't be used to them. Besides, I am merely a concubine, and two servants by my side are already enough." Su Qingyue did not budge. In any case, she had told the Prince that she preferred peace and quiet now and did not like too many people around her.
Even for food, to be safe, they prepared it themselves.
Lu Ruoyun said this was against the rules, but when Su Qingyue had just returned, the Second Prince doted on her so much that he would not go against Su Qingyue's wishes.
As a result, Lu Ruoyun had no opportunity to make any moves.
So, today, the wet nurse from Lu Ruoyun's side came again. This wet nurse was not only the head wet nurse managing Lu Ruoyun's affairs, but more importantly, she was from the Lu family and had served the Empress in the past. This old wet nurse had influence in the Lu family and also with the Empress.
She was from the Lu family and naturally sided with the Lu family, thus disliking Su Qingyue.
It was precisely because she relied on her seniority that she dared to be so arrogant.
"Since you are satisfied, then let them stay and serve. They are the ones Madam Yue used to be accustomed to," the wet nurse said forcefully, completely ignoring Su Qingyue's words. "This is the kind intention of the Empress and the Princess Consort. Madam Yue, do not be ungrateful by relying on the Prince's favor. The Princess Consort is thoughtful and has specifically chosen those who previously served in Madam Yue's courtyard."
Su Qingyue knew she could not refuse and could only agree.
She was well aware of Lu Ruoyun's intentions.
These maids were once her confidantes, but now they belonged to Lu Ruoyun. Sending them back was meant to disgust her.
Outsiders all said Lu Ruoyun was a generous and talented woman, a model of the ladies in the capital, but it was evident that she only used insidious methods behind the scenes.
After the wet nurse left, several maids knelt before Su Qingyue. "Madam, we were all forced. Now that we are finally back by your side, Madam, please forgive us!"