Qi Changting’s confidence surged.
If someone else had told him, “It’s not a serious injury; it can be healed quickly,” he would’ve probably spat in their face, thinking they were completely out of their mind.
But the one who said it was Qi Yuan, so the words felt especially trustworthy.
He nodded firmly and responded loudly, “Alright! I’ll do my best to listen to Father and Mother and wait for Big Sister to come back!”
Second Master Qi, who had been overwhelmed with worry all this time, finally felt some relief and patted his chest in comfort.
Then, carefully and a bit sheepishly, he said to Qi Yuan, “Yuanyuan, I was too agitated earlier. If I offended you in any way… please be magnanimous…”
Qi Yuan just shook her head. She had no interest in intimidating her second uncle.
After all, whether in this life or the last, Qi Yin and Qi Changting had always treated her kindly.
And there was her second aunt too, always following her around outside, constantly encountering strange situations. For her aunt’s sake, she had to let some things go.
Second Madam Qi sniffled. She clearly wanted to smile, but the tears still fell all at once. She sat down beside Changting and, teary-eyed, said, “Alright, it’s all alright now. From now on, our fortunes will finally turn.”
Once they’d comforted Qi Changting, Second Madam Qi pulled Qi Yuan aside, wanting to speak with her.
Qi Yuan was about to leave the capital again, this time for Jiangxi.
That was where Qi Wang resided!
If Qi Wang made any move, it’d be impossible to guard against.
She thought Qi Yuan should reconsider carefully, and besides, the Imperial Grandson was also in Jiangxi. If she had to go, maybe she should notify him first, so she’d at least have some protection.
As they spoke, Baizhi appeared at the door with an uneasy look: “Second Master, Second Madam, Eldest Miss, Miss Feng is outside. She says she wants to see Young Master Changting.”
Feng Caiyin again?
Qi Yuan raised her eyebrows.
Second Master Qi was about to say, “What’s the point? You people nearly got him killed.”
But knowing Qi Yuan seemed to regard Feng Caiyin differently, he merely let out a cold snort.
Unexpectedly, Second Madam Qi said, “Let her in.”
Qi Yuan glanced at her. “Second Aunt, you want her to come in?”
Second Madam Qi nodded, lowering her gaze. “Yuanyuan, I’m not someone with great wisdom. After marrying into the Qi family, I’ve had a good life thanks to a kind mother-in-law and an honest husband. But I do believe, when possible, let others off.”
If even Feng Yuzhang, head of the Feng family, had been scared into such a state, how could a mere child like Feng Caiyin be spared?
Putting herself in another’s shoes, if it were her own daughter, Second Madam Qi would be heartbroken.
Qi Yuan couldn’t help but laugh softly and nodded to Baizhi, “Go, bring her in.”
When Feng Caiyin entered, she bit her lip and bowed respectfully to the three of them.
Second Madam Qi quickly helped her up and sighed, “Child, this matter wasn’t your fault. You’re just one of the younger generation, you’re a victim too.”
Back then, Feng Caiyin had been drugged and passed out behind the shrubbery. Qi Yuan had been the one to discover her.
But if she hadn’t been found?
Who knew what might’ve happened?
Feng Caiyin took a deep breath and repeated her earlier words: “Second Madam, I want to marry Qi Changting.”
…
This stubborn girl, why was she so dead set?
Second Madam Qi anxiously looked at Qi Yuan and quickly shook her head. “You, why don’t you understand? The two families have already come to blows. Besides, you were only here to meet and get to know each other, it was never guaranteed. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, then let it go, understand?”
Qi Yuan stood silently to the side, not speaking.
Even if, in the end, Feng Caiyin didn’t marry Qi Changting, she would never allow her to marry that man from her past life who betrayed his country to the Japanese pirates and abandoned her.
Feng Caiyin took a deep breath and shook her head: “No. I want to marry Third Young Master Qi, not out of guilt, not to mend relations between our families. But because… he said the scenery in the Hexi Corridor is beautiful, and the desert sunsets are breathtaking. I want to go see it all with him.”
What is love?
Does one need a reason to fall in love with someone?
Sometimes, it’s enough if the two of you simply look toward the same future.
Qi Yuan suddenly thought of someone and lowered her head with a soft laugh.
Second Master Qi, on the other hand, was completely confused and impatient. “His leg’s broken. He can’t go anywhere!”
Feng Caiyin pressed her lips together and, in a tone far firmer than her delicate appearance suggested, declared: “No. As long as his heart isn’t broken, then he can go. I’ll take him. I’ll go with him.”
Second Madam Qi was deeply shaken.
She hadn’t expected there’d be such a girl.
This arranged meeting had truly brought the right person.
If not for Madam Feng stirring up trouble, if not for all the chaos and backstabbing, then today, this match might have already been made.
She really liked this girl.
But… there was still deep blood hatred between the two families.
Second Madam Qi held back her hesitation and said solemnly: “Let it go, Miss Feng. This just… wouldn’t be appropriate.”
But just then, from behind the curtain came Qi Changting’s voice: “Father, Mother… could Miss Feng come in for a moment?”
Ah?
Second Master Qi was shocked.
Second Madam Qi immediately nodded. Her son’s leg was broken, he was emotionally fragile. If he was willing to talk to someone, that was the best thing possible.
She quickly replied, “Yes, yes,” and then turned to Feng Caiyin and nodded, “Miss Feng, go ahead.”
Feng Caiyin gave a polite bow and entered. She walked straight to the chair by Qi Changting’s bedside and sat down.
The two looked at each other, a bit surprised.
Then Feng Caiyin suddenly smiled: “So this is what Third Young Master Qi looks like. If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have hesitated. I’d push your wheelchair all the way to see the solitary smoke of the desert and the setting sun over the long river. And I’d see the ancient temples, walk the old Silk Road with you.”
Qi Changting looked at her. She was poised, confident, not at all like other shy noble ladies. She spoke with sincerity and real interest in the desert, with real knowledge behind her words.
He couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
He tilted his head to look at her and muttered, perhaps to himself, perhaps to her: “If my leg can really be healed… I’ll definitely go with you to see all those places you described.”
The two quickly fell into lively conversation.
It was something Second Master and Second Madam Qi could hardly believe even in their dreams.
They exchanged glances, eyes full of surprise and emotion.
No matter how many reasons, no matter how many obstacles, Nothing could compete with a son’s genuine affection. Nothing could compare to a good-hearted girl.
Feng Caiyin was truly a gem, her name said “gentle and obedient,” and she was exactly that: calm, open, and full of depth.
No wonder.
No wonder Qi Yuan had said Feng Caiyin was truly a good person.
So this… was what she meant.
