She was momentarily lost in thought.
But such a lapse was extremely rare for her.
So much so that not only did Madam Xie feel a bit uneasy, even Old Madam Qi noticed and couldn’t help but softly call out, “Ah Yuan?”
Only then did Qi Yuan come back to herself. Calmly, she said to Old Madam Qi, “Grandmother, I’d like to go see Young Master Xie.”
Old Madam Qi immediately understood and smiled. “Go ahead.”
At the same time, she began chatting with Madam Xie with a gentle smile, talking about sights along the journey, managing homes in the capital, and Xie Ying’s studies—quickly putting Madam Xie at ease.
Qi Yuan, meanwhile, went straight to the Old Marquis’s study.
The Old Marquis knew Qi Yuan cared about the Xie family, but he hadn’t expected her to come straight to his study, and he couldn’t help but overthink a little.
So the reason she didn’t care for Qi Wang or the Imperial Grandson… was all because of Xie Ying?
He scrutinized Xie Ying again.
Not that Xie Ying was unworthy—compared to ordinary men, he was certainly outstanding.
But whether it was looks, abilities, or connections with Qi Yuan, wasn’t Xiao Yunting even more exceptional?
Of course, he could only think that privately. He quickly got up and said, “I’ll go check the training grounds, see if those young rascals are slacking off. You youngsters go ahead and talk.”
Xie Ying stood up and finally saw the young lady Madam Xie had spoken of countless times—Miss Qi.
She was nothing like he’d imagined.
Madam Xie had said Qi Yuan was decisive and fierce, how she had boldly struck down the Zhuque who injured Xie Qiniang. So he had pictured someone with sharp, imposing features.
But she looked nothing like that. Just based on her appearance, she was more like an orchid blooming quietly in a secluded valley.
Only her eyes—those eyes clearly belonged to someone with unwavering resolve.
Snapping out of his thoughts, he cupped his hands and said in a clear voice, “I haven’t had the chance to thank you, Miss Qi. If not for you, our family would’ve been destroyed.”
Qi Yuan stared at him steadily and suddenly asked, “Do you like azaleas?”
It was such a sudden and jarring question.
Xie Ying didn’t know how to respond.
But Qi Yuan had already recalled many things.
In her past life, she had thought the Celestial Master from Mount Longhu was invited by Xie Ying to treat her.
But judging from Madam Xie’s reaction, that likely wasn’t the case.
After all, if Xie Ying truly had connections with Mount Longhu, they would’ve prioritized saving Xie Yuan.
But in that lifetime, Xie Yuan never got the chance.
She wasn’t one to deceive herself. If she noticed something was off, she wouldn’t pretend otherwise.
That was her way—she would rather die standing in clarity than live muddled in delusion.
So she remembered: the people from Mount Longhu came to treat her after Xiao Yunting had visited Jiangxi.
At that time, he’d been tasked with managing the floods in Xunyang, and had taken a short detour to visit the Xie family—supposedly to see Xie Ying.
As for those flowers—in her past life, it was Xiao Yunting who’d said that while he was on Mount Longhu, he was often scared and missed his mother deeply.
Especially when the mountains were covered in blooming azaleas.
So he had once dried a bunch of azaleas and sent them, along with a letter, to the Crown Princess in the capital.
The room suddenly fell silent.
Xie Ying felt a bit helpless. He saw with his own eyes how the light in the girl’s gaze faded, little by little.
But he had no idea what had just happened.
Miss Qi had only asked him one question after entering.
But Qi Yuan no longer needed his answer. She looked at Xie Ying and softly asked, “Young Master Xie is close with His Highness, aren’t you?”
There were many people in the capital who could be referred to as “His Highness,” but the two of them knew exactly who she meant.
Xie Ying nodded. “Naturally. We studied under the same teacher.”
Qi Yuan said nothing more. She simply nodded. “I understand. Thank you, Young Master Xie.”
…
Xie Ying was utterly confused. He had no idea what she meant.
Qi Yuan’s head was buzzing.
So many things were not the way she remembered them.
No wonder, even after Xie Ying’s death in her past life, she still received a bouquet of azaleas every year.
No matter where she was.
Because the one who had sent them had never been Xie Ying.
She leaned against the doorframe, suddenly feeling the sunlight a little too bright.
After pausing for a moment, she turned and walked away without hesitation.
Madam Xie and Xie Ying stayed at the Qi residence until after dinner. Old Madam Qi repeatedly held Madam Xie’s hand, saying she felt a special bond with her and hoped she would visit often.
Old Madam Qi had already given plenty of advice about handling things in the capital, which Madam Xie was deeply grateful for. Hearing this, she immediately agreed with a nod.
On the way home, she couldn’t help but sigh, “The Qi family has truly treated us with great kindness.”
They had brought a carriage full of gifts when they came, yet on the way back, it was even more packed.
The reception they received—the banquet, the hosts—all showed how seriously the Qi family took them.
Madam Xie was full of emotion. “I wonder what good deeds we did in a past life to be blessed with meeting Miss Qi and the Qi family.”
Xie Ying suddenly chuckled. “Maybe it’s not what we did, but the light we’ve basked in from someone else’s virtue.”
Madam Xie looked at him in confusion.
But Xie Ying said nothing more.
He had a vague sense that something had been misunderstood—something surely involving His Highness.
But it was just a hunch. And since Miss Qi hadn’t said anything herself, he had no right to speak further.
So he simply smiled at his mother and said, “I meant, since we have a good relationship with His Highness, and the Qi family also stands with the Imperial Grandson, that’s probably why they’ve looked after us so kindly.”
Madam Xie thought for a moment and couldn’t help but smile. “That’s true. His Highness is a good man. If only Ah Yuan could really recover, I could die with no regrets.”
Back at the Qi residence, Qi Yuan told Old Madam Qi, “Grandmother, there’s no need to refuse Zhou Wang’s spring outing invitation. I want to go.”
Old Madam Qi’s right eyelid twitched violently.
She had a gut feeling—something important was going to happen.
But she also knew that once Qi Yuan had made up her mind, she would go.
So she quickly replied, “I’ll have the steward send a reply, and your second aunt can accompany you on the day.”
Old Madam Qi was old and usually didn’t attend such gatherings.
So if someone had to accompany Qi Yuan, Second Madam Qi was the most appropriate.
Qi Yuan gave a neutral response.
To her, it didn’t matter who went with her.
But to Second Madam Qi, it very much did. She gasped, and her heart skipped a beat. “Me, again? Going with Ah Yuan?”
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