Mrs. Zhan rose and said, "General Xiang, as a general, you spend little time in the Capital City. With such a vast estate and no one to truly run the household, can you really rest easy leaving a child there?"
Xiang Minghou faltered for a moment.
"And as for you, Qian Fanji," Mrs. Zhan added, "you are a Buddhist disciple and won't be in the Capital City for long. Minister Qian has never married either, so he wouldn't know how to care for a child."
Qian Fanji frowned. "Zhan Chi has never married either. He's even less suited to look after a child."
"My son might not know how, but my husband and I do. When Pangtuan comes to the Zhan family, we will dedicate ourselves to caring for her and teaching her the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting." Mrs. Zhan felt confident she would prevail.
Qian Fanji's frown deepened.
"Now, Mrs. Zhan, that's not right," Qian Fu said unhappily.
"But I'm speaking the truth. A child needs someone with them at all times."
