Chunsheng vividly and animatedly recounted the entire process of how Qi Yuan killed Gao Qing and the others, displaying great might.
Especially when he spoke of how she later led them to kill Fang Yuanping, Chunsheng grew so excited that he flushed from his face all the way to the base of his neck.
Old Madam Qi, however, listened with trepidation, her heart nearly stopping from fright.
Yuan Jie’er truly was…
Leaving that aside, when Chunsheng spoke of how Qi Yuan killed Eunuch Xu and was then taken into Qi Wang’s residence, even Old Marquis Qi could not help clenching his fists and subconsciously asking, “Then, how did she deceive Divine Physician Xue?”
At that time, Divine Physician Xue had still been Qi Wang’s man!
At that very moment, Divine Physician Xue, who was at Qi Changting’s side, sneezed and subconsciously wiped his nose.
Chunsheng then told the rest of the story as well.
He could not help but secretly glance at Lai Chenglong.
Since he had mentioned Qi Wang, he inevitably had to bring up the Imperial Grandson as well.
Was his own lord doing alright?
Lai Chenglong shot him a cold glance. “Go on. Why have you stopped?”
Chunsheng scratched his head awkwardly. Urged on by Lai Chenglong, he immediately began to stammer, “La-later on, I’m not too clear about what happened. I escorted Divine Physician Xue back to the capital. On the road, we were delayed a few days because we lost the medicine chest. When we entered the city, we even ran into the eight-hundred-li express military report.”
That must have been the news of Qi Wang’s death.
As for Qi Wang dying, Chunsheng truly was not surprised in the least.
After all, if Qi Yuan said she would kill someone, she would truly kill them. In Jiangxi, Chunsheng had already witnessed this countless times.
Lai Chenglong then looked at Old Marquis Qi and the others. “What our Embroidered Uniform Guard knows is actually about the same as what was written in the memorial.”
After all, the Jiangxi branch of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had previously been little more than decoration.
After Xiao Yunting went there, he had certainly dealt with those people as well.
Any news that could be sent out must have been what Xiao Yunting was willing to disclose.
Thinking of this, he slowly let out a breath.
He was not particularly distressed. After all, with Xiao Yunting at Qi Yuan’s side, that meant Qi Yuan was absolutely safe.
He rose and took his leave of Old Marquis Qi and the others.
Qi Zhen immediately said, “Regarding this matter, we truly must thank Lord Lai and Chunsheng for your help! Our marquis manor is deeply grateful. Another day we will certainly invite you to drink wine!”
Lai Chenglong smiled. “It’s nothing. The one I helped was Miss Qi, so the one who owes me a favor is also Miss Qi.”
Qi Zhen gave an inward snort.
This one clearly still harbored those thoughts!
He would not agree to anything at a time like this. At once he burst into hearty laughter to gloss it over.
But inwardly he began to worry, his daughter owed such a great favor. How was she going to repay it?
Qi Yuan had no idea that Qi Zhen was worrying on her behalf. Sitting astride her horse, she smiled and waved at Xiao Yunting. “I’m off!”
It was already dusk. The setting sun spilled over Qi Yuan, gilding her entire body in a layer of golden light.
Her horse snorted restlessly, repeatedly pawing at its nose with its forehoof.
Xiao Yunting chased forward a few steps, pressed his lips together, and looked at her. “I really want to go back with you.”
Qi Yuan let out a light laugh. Seeing Xiao Yunting looking pitiful, she could not help but think of Little Yellow at home.
Little Yellow was probably waiting for her just as eagerly.
She leaned down, cupped Xiao Yunting’s face, and swiftly planted a kiss on his forehead. “I’ll wait for you to come back quickly, and then marry me!”
Liujin’s eyes widened at the side.
Was this something he could watch?!
Was this something he could hear?!
Besides, wasn’t this usually something a man did to a woman?!
Miss Qi was teasing their own Highness!
He secretly turned his head away and coughed a few times, then glanced at Xiao Yunting’s reaction.
He could not help rolling his eyes.
Truly unbearable to watch, his own Highness looked so utterly worthless, completely wrapped around Miss Qi’s finger.
Sure enough, flowers seemed almost ready to bloom in Xiao Yunting’s eyes. Standing there firmly, he said, “Alright, wait for me. I’ll be back very soon, and I will marry you in grand style!”
As he spoke, he looked at Liujin and Beize, along with Handing and Lin Yu, the four of them. “Protect Miss Qi as you would protect me.”
Liujin hurriedly suppressed his grin and, together with the other three, solemnly responded in acknowledgment before quickly mounting their horses.
Qi Yuan had already flicked her whip and ridden a considerable distance. As if sensing something, she turned back at just that moment and met Xiao Yunting’s gaze.
He was still standing where he was, watching her.
She smiled, waved her riding crop, and galloped swiftly away.
Xiao Yunting withdrew his gaze and turned around, letting out a soft laugh. “Very soon.”
Very soon they would meet again; very soon they could stand together openly and honorably.
Qi Yuan, meanwhile, hurried along the road and returned to the capital at the fastest speed.
By the time she reached the capital, news of Qi Wang’s death had already been circulating for quite some time. The city’s interest in the Jiangxi floods and epidemic had long since faded.
Old Marquis Qi was counting the days, calculating that it had already been nearly twenty days since Divine Physician Xue returned, and wondering when Qi Yuan would come back.
Just as he was muttering to himself, Li Zhong lifted his robe and came running all the way in. As he entered the courtyard, he even stumbled and fell. “Old Marquis! Old Marquis!”
Old Marquis Qi frowned. “So rash, what sort of behavior is that?”
Li Zhong scrambled to his feet at once. “Old Marquis, the eldest miss has returned! She just went back to Mingyue Pavilion!”
What?!
Old Marquis Qi threw down the book in his hand and, to his own surprise, ran even faster than Li Zhong, dashing off at full speed.
Li Zhong stood there, subconsciously rubbing his knee. “Well, doesn’t the Old Marquis himself look just as rash?”
And it was not only Old Marquis Qi who was rash.
Upon hearing that Qi Yuan had returned, Old Madam Qi could not even be bothered to continue keeping watch over Qi Changting. Supporting herself on a maid’s arm, she hurried over.
The first thing Qi Yuan did upon returning home was take a bath and change clothes.
Baizhi could not help sniffing. “Miss has grown much thinner!”
She must have endured quite a bit of hardship.
Seeing Qi Yuan rise, Lianqiao hurried over, wanting to help dry her hair. After all, the weather had already turned cold.
Qi Yuan waved her hand and said with a smile, “No need. The floor heating is burning in the room; my hair will dry on its own in a while. Go to the kitchen and bring me something to eat.”
Shen Mama had long since prepared everything and quickly said, “Miss, the kitchen has already sent it over. Come quickly and drink a bowl of hot soup to warm yourself.”
As soon as the door opened, Little Yellow dashed in, jumping up and down around Qi Yuan, barking from time to time and constantly licking her hand.
Qi Yuan laughed and picked it up, unable to help sighing, “Home is still the best.”
In this life, she had finally gained a place she could call home.
As she was thinking this, the door was knocked upon. Old Madam Qi called out “Yuan Jie’er” in a trembling voice. When the door opened, she hurried in and seized Qi Yuan’s hand.
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