strictlysupreme Chapter 87 Qin's Clever Words Resolve the Predicament
Chapter 87 Qin's Clever Words Resolve the Predicament
"My father wants to take me back? Now?"
Inside the Jingxin Garden of the Marquis of Haibo's residence, Chi Guiwan was somewhat incredulous upon hearing these words.
Perhaps because she had been living too comfortably after moving out, she gradually forgot that her home was still in the Vice Minister's residence. She became somewhat upset and even lost interest in the soft whip in her hand.
These days, she has found a good mentor.
She spends an hour every day learning and practicing whip-making. Although her progress is slow, she is much more serious about it than when she learns the so-called music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Just as He Lingyi said, doing what you love is something you can do tirelessly.
Therefore, she was thinking of adding another hour to her practice time in a few days. Now that her own father has come knocking on her door, it seems a bit unreasonable for her not to go back.
He looked at He Lingyi with some difficulty and said.
"What should I do? I don't want to go back. We're both happy here with my uncle. I'll feel out of place if I go back."
He Lingyi didn't have a good way to refuse at the moment, so she offered a few words of comfort.
"Don't worry, Sister Chi. Even if Minister Chi comes to ask you to go back, it's not certain that the Marquis and his wife will let you go. Let's wait and see. We can delay it as long as we can. Fortunately, it's almost October now. Even if you go back, you'll be getting married in less than two months. You won't see these people much."
“That’s true, but it’s been two whole months. You’re now your uncle and aunt’s goddaughter, so it’s perfectly legitimate for you to live in the Marquis’s mansion. It would be difficult to explain if you came back to the Chi family with me, but I don’t want to be separated from you.”
Chi Guiwan was slightly coquettish but unaware of it. He Lingyi rarely saw her mother relying on her like this, so she smiled and felt very warm inside.
"Don't worry, I'll go wherever you go, big sister."
"really?"
"It is true, of course. However, whether or not we go to the Vice Minister's residence is another matter. Don't rush, let's wait and see."
Hearing He Lingyi's comforting words, Chi Guiwan calmed down a little.
In the front hall of the Marquis's mansion, the Marquis of Haibo listened to Minister Chi's words about "deep love for his daughter," and his face was filled with disgust.
"Ah, I've troubled the Marquis's residence for so many days. It's time for Eldest Sister to go back. Mother's illness has also improved, and she can now eat three large bowls of rice in one meal. She also said that she wants to arrange a marriage for Eldest Sister. Otherwise, she'll keep working hard at the Marquis's residence. People who don't know might think that our Vice Minister's residence is not treating Eldest Sister well. So today, since her injury is better, I came here specifically to ask the Marquis and his wife to allow Eldest Sister to come home with me."
Chi Yunjing was jealous of the eldest son, Haijin, but he also knew that if he could get close to the Marquis's family, his promotion would be just as fast.
He hadn't maintained his position much before because he could see that His Majesty was intentionally neglecting these noble families. If he went to them, wouldn't that be hindering his career? But things are different now. The one in the Eastern Palace is becoming increasingly powerful. If he can take advantage of this opportunity, perhaps he can be promoted again from his long-held position as Vice Minister.
Therefore, when he thought of this, his expression was extremely sincere.
The Marquis of Haibo's mansion doesn't hit a smiling face, and besides, Chi Yunjing's request is perfectly reasonable in the eyes of outsiders. Therefore, if they refuse to release him, they need to find a suitable reason.
So Lady Qin, the wife of the Marquis, stopped the Marquis of Haibo, who was itching to refuse, and then said with a smile.
"It's quite a coincidence that my brother-in-law came to tell you about this today. We were just about to send someone to tell you that the girl probably won't be able to go back to the Vice Minister's residence tonight."
Hearing this blatant rejection, Chi Yunjing's smile became three parts hypocritical and cold.
"Oh? What's the reason?"
"Granny Zong used to teach girls at the Vice Minister's residence. But after many things happened, she could no longer stay there. She was originally going to return to her hometown, but I thought this marriage was no ordinary one, especially since Madam Qiao came from the prestigious Kong family. We couldn't let her look down on our Wan'er. So I invited Granny Zong to come and help teach the servants manners."
"I thought it was something serious. Don't worry, Madam. I fully approve of teaching etiquette. Just let Granny Zong come back to the Vice Minister's residence with us. Everyone here is doing their best."
Chi Yunjing shut down the conversation as soon as he opened his mouth.
However, Lady Qin, the wife of the Marquis, was not afraid and immediately said another sentence.
"If it were just Granny Zong, that would be fine, but there's another one in the manor. My son Haiyu specifically asked His Highness the Crown Prince for two maids to send to Wan'er. At that time, a group of people from the Eastern Palace were being released, and one of the nannies came out with them. She and Granny Zong have been friends since childhood, and now she's been invited to help Wan'er learn royal etiquette. I'm thinking that if General Qiao becomes capable in the future and gains prestige in front of the Emperor, Wan'er, as a family member, won't lose her manners when she enters the palace. Therefore, I'm afraid she won't be able to return to the Vice Minister's manor for a while."
"This... could it be just an excuse from the Lady of the Marquis? She's just a maid; surely my Vice Minister's residence can afford to support her?"
Chi Yunjing was repeatedly refuted, which naturally made him look bad.
Therefore, her tone became much firmer, but unfortunately, Lady Qin, the wife of the Marquis, did not buy it and continued to use a softer approach to add to the argument.
“The Vice Minister’s residence can certainly afford the expenses of a nanny, but the nanny may not be willing to go.”
"what for?"
"This old nanny was a capable old nanny who used to serve Empress Wen. Her surname was Nian. She was very resolute. Because of some trivial matters at home, she couldn't stand the practice of favoring concubines over wives. I don't know which servant was gossiping and she overheard it. So now she teaches Wan'er how to be a wife and how to manage concubines every day. She even said a few serious words to her."
Lady Qin, the wife of the Marquis, cleared her throat and began to imitate.
"The eldest daughter is kind and simple-minded, but you must know that the first rule of managing the household is to prevent concubines and maids from taking charge and bullying the principal wife. Such a family must be eradicated from the root. If it cannot be eradicated, the entire family will be ruined! I have heard that in the Vice Minister's mansion, the concubine is in charge of the household, and the seriously ill wife has been moved out of the mansion. It is truly a joke. If such rumors were to spread, it would not be good for the eldest daughter. Therefore, it is better to stay in the Marquis's mansion before the marriage, so that outsiders will not say that the eldest daughter was helped to get married by the concubine. This is not a pleasant thing to say, and it will also add to the bad reputation of her future husband's family, the General of the State!"
In just a few words, Chi Yunjing's argument became somewhat irrefutable.
It is a fact that Madam Guo has moved out of the mansion, and it is also a fact that Aunt Zhao is in charge. Although he may not admit it, since they have already said so much, he naturally has a way to deal with it.
If we don't bring our daughter home, it could worsen our relationship with the Marquis's household, and that would be a huge loss.