Every time Qi Yunting thought about how Qi Jin had been hastily sent to the manor, his heart ached unbearably.
He kicked Xuesong hard. “You useless thing! Why didn’t you come tell me at the time?”
Xuesong was extremely aggrieved. He climbed up from the ground, mumbling, “Oh my dear young master, how would I dare? The marquis personally instructed it. If I had come to tell you, wouldn’t I have been asking to be beaten?”
He sighed and moved closer to console him. “Young master, you should try to let it go. In the future, the eldest young miss probably won’t be leaving, and even the second young miss may not return…”
As soon as Qi Yunting heard this, his expression turned murderous, like he was ready to devour someone. He flared up on the spot and stared at Xuesong. “What did you say?! Who said she might not come back?!”
Being stared at like that, Xuesong trembled with fear and stammered, “Young master, I just heard it from the housemaids. They said the second young miss’s belongings had all been sent away. Maybe… maybe she won’t be coming back…”
Not coming back?!
No!
Qi Yunting kicked Xuesong over again. Thinking of his father’s ways, he grabbed a cloak and stormed out.
He knew Qi Zhen too well.
Qi Zhen was very likely to send Ah Jin away. His grandparents had never agreed with the idea of keeping twins in the first place, nor had they supported keeping Ah Jin at home.
Now that he had caused trouble, his father would surely pin all the blame on Ah Jin!
The gatekeepers were all shocked to see Qi Yunting.
But seeing him charge out on horseback, no one dared to stop him.
Even though the marquis had ordered him to be grounded, everyone knew Qi Yunting was the legitimate eldest son, the future head of the family. Who would dare to go against the future family master?
Qi Yunting rode out smoothly.
At this moment, Qi Jin was also in the carriage, tightly clutching her handkerchief, her gaze cold and terrifying.
The other maids were so scared they didn’t dare make a sound, afraid to provoke Qi Jin’s anger.
Only Yunyuan, who had served Qi Jin since childhood, dared to speak. Her mother was also a senior servant by Madam Wang’s side, so she had always been more favored than the other servants.
Yunyuan softly comforted her, “Second young miss, it’s alright. Madam said you’re only going to stay outside for a while, and they’ll bring you back soon.”
But Qi Jin didn’t believe it at all.
It was easy to leave, but not so easy to come back.
Her heart burned with rage, as if it were bleeding.
Madam Wang always claimed to love her, calling her a precious treasure. When the truth of her birth was revealed, Madam Wang had even fainted several times.
When the old master and old madam wanted to send her away, it was Madam Wang who had firmly refused, unwilling to part with her.
But now, it was also Madam Wang who wanted her to leave!
In the end, it was all a lie!
No matter how sweetly they spoke, they would always favor their own biological daughter. Otherwise, how could they send her away just because Qi Yunting had made a stupid mistake?!
Her head throbbed with sharp pain, her eyes bloodshot. Hearing Yunyuan’s words of comfort, she took a deep breath and lowered her gaze. “Yes, I’m not in a hurry.”
Why should she hurry?
The other Qi family members were indeed unreliable, but she had someone she could rely on!
Getting rid of her? It wouldn’t be that easy.
As long as she kept Qi Yunting firmly in her grasp, she would be holding Madam Wang and Qi Zhen’s lifeline.
The carriage stopped.
Before Madam Wang could speak, Qi Yuan got off the carriage first, then turned to help Madam Wang down.
Madam Wang looked at Qi Yuan with a complicated expression.
She had originally wanted to criticize Qi Yuan, thinking that Qi Yuan wouldn’t know the proper etiquette—that the junior should not get off the carriage before the elder.
But unexpectedly, Qi Yuan seemed to know this rule quite well!
Her right eyelid twitched. Seeing that Madam Xiang and Second Madam Xiang had already come to greet them at the decorated gate, she quickly forced a smile.
Madam Xiang and Second Madam Xiang greeted Madam Wang warmly, then turned to look at Qi Yuan, asking affectionately, “Is this the child you’ve just brought back?”
The Qi family’s lost child had been found again—this had already been announced to relatives and friends. Madam Wang smiled and nodded. “Yes, she just came back. We’ll have her meet her relatives soon. You must all come.”
She then turned to Qi Yuan. “Yuan’er, greet your aunts.”
Qi Yuan stepped forward and respectfully bowed. “Greetings, Aunt Xiang and Second Aunt Xiang. I wish you both good fortune and happiness.”
Madam Xiang immediately pulled her over with a smile. “Oh, what a good child!”
Second Madam Xiang also chatted warmly with Madam Wang. “Like begets like. This child is so well-mannered—it’s clear she is yours!”
Madam Wang felt a pang in her chest but still forced a smile. “Don’t praise her too much. She’s just come back, doesn’t know much yet, and will need slow guidance. Please take care of her in the future.”
Not wanting the topic to dwell too much on Qi Yuan, she quickly shifted the conversation. “By the way, where’s Rongrong? Why don’t I see her today?”
Xiang Rong was Qi Yunting’s fiancée.
This marriage was highly valued by both the Xiang and Qi families.
Madam Wang had long considered Xiang Rong her future daughter-in-law and was very satisfied with her.
Madam Xiang smiled and shook her head. “That girl, who knows what new hobby she’s busy with today? She’s inside keeping the old madam company.”
She looked at Qi Yuan. “You two are about the same age—you’ll surely get along well.”
After all, this would be her future sister-in-law, and Madam Xiang hoped Xiang Rong and Qi Yuan would become close.
Qi Yuan smiled sweetly and nodded. “Yes. I heard Older Sister Rongrong enjoys playing polo. I’ll have to ask her for guidance in the future.”
Who told her that Xiang Rong liked polo?
Madam Wang gave Qi Yuan a strange look, frowning slightly.
She had only been back for two days—how did she already know so much?
Was she spending all her time digging for such information?
But Madam Xiang laughed happily. “That would be great! That girl is obsessed with it. She loves horseback riding more than anything. What girl rides all day long like her? But she just loves it!”
She then instructed a maid, “Go call the fifth young miss and tell her we have distinguished guests.”
The maid left but soon returned, anxiously whispering something to Madam Xiang.
Madam Xiang’s expression immediately changed, disbelief on her face. “What?”
Madam Wang quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”
Madam Xiang coughed, cleared her throat, then shook her head. “That girl—so unruly. She must have heard something and rushed out of the house.”
She sighed. “Everyone in the household spoils her so much that she doesn’t know her limits anymore. Please excuse her behavior.”
What could Madam Wang say?
She replied, “Children are naturally playful. It’s quite normal. Don’t be too hard on her.”
