After returning to the capital, Wang Chan was one of the very few people who, upon meeting her for the first time, showed her kindness. To Qi Yuan, Wang Chan and Xiang Rong were already her good friends.
Precisely because of this, she also knew how much the Wang family valued Wang Chan.
Madam Lu was gentle and compliant by nature, and Eldest Master Wang was also broad-minded in all things.
With such parents, and a fair grandmother like Old Madam Wang, Wang Chan had always lived carefree and without worry. How could she, for no reason at all, go and commit suicide?
Qi Zhen looked at Qi Yuan with difficulty written on his face. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “The night before yesterday… wasn’t it the Buddha Mother Festival? Many people went out to see the lantern festival, and then… then Ah Chan went missing!”
Went missing?
Second Madam Qi widened her eyes, finding it rather inconceivable. “Went missing? The Wang family isn’t some small household. Didn’t elders accompany her when she went out? Didn’t the younger members of the family follow along? With so many maids and old women servants, how could they lose her?”
And the one lost was a young lady!
This was truly too absurd.
But Qi Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.
Her reaction was even faster, she went missing the night before yesterday, and tonight Wang Chan hanged herself…
Something must have happened.
Old Madam Qi reacted at once as well and looked at Qi Zhen. “What exactly happened?”
Qi Zhen sighed repeatedly. “She was found the very same night she went missing, but outside, the talk has been very unpleasant…”
This world was already harsh toward women. Even when nothing happened, people would still wish to splash dirty water on you.
Let alone a matter like a young noble lady going missing.
Even though the Wang family had been extremely careful and cautious, rumors and gossip still spread uncontrollably, with all sorts of things being said.
He did not need to continue; everyone present already understood what he meant.
Qi Yuan stood up. “I’ll change into another set of clothes and go over with Father to take a look.”
Such a major incident had occurred. It was the child of an in-law family and also Qi Yuan’s playmate. Old Madam Qi and Old Marquis Qi had no reason to stop her. Old Madam Qi directly said, “I’ll go with you.”
Just in time to ask Old Madam Wang what exactly had happened.
Speaking of which, these past days they had all been focused on Qi Changting’s matter and did not even know what had happened outside.
Even less did they know that such a major event had occurred in the Wang family.
By sentiment and by reason, they should lend a hand.
At this time, the Wang family was already in chaos.
Old Madam Wang had fainted several times. Madam Lu forced herself to stay composed, having the maids and old women servants watch over Old Madam Wang, while she herself did not dare blink as she guarded Wang Chan, afraid that Wang Chan might do something rash.
Wang Chan’s eyes were lifeless, no longer holding their usual brightness. She lay on her side facing inward. No matter what Madam Lu said, she showed no reaction.
Eldest Master Wang seemed to have aged more than ten years overnight. Hearing that the Qi family had come again, he originally thought Qi Zhen had come alone and merely went out wearily.
But when he saw Qi Yuan stepping down from the carriage, his eyes immediately brightened. “Yuan Jie’er has returned?”
Earlier Qi Zhen had told outsiders that Qi Yuan had returned to her hometown to recuperate for a while, so he immediately followed up smoothly, “Yes, she just happened to return from her hometown today. I thought she and Ah Chan are close, so I hurriedly brought her over.”
Qi Yuan helped Old Madam Qi down from the carriage. Eldest Master Wang hurried forward to greet Old Madam Qi with courtesy, saying bitterly, “The household is unsettled. Such a major incident has occurred and has alarmed you, Old Madam. Truly…”
“One family need not speak as two,” Old Madam Qi waved her hand. “No need for such politeness. Take me to see your mother first.”
Eldest Master Wang hurriedly agreed and had the managing mama lead Qi Yuan to Wang Chan’s courtyard.
Seeing Qi Yuan about to leave, Eldest Master Wang quickly took a few steps to catch up. He pursed his lips as he looked at her. “Yuan Jie’er, I truly must trouble you. Ah Chan usually listens to you the most. Please help us persuade her well…”
Qi Yuan nodded without saying more and walked briskly toward Wang Chan’s courtyard.
When Madam Lu saw Qi Yuan, it was as though she had seen a savior. Choking up, she called out, “Yuan Jie’er!” and grabbed Qi Yuan’s hand. “Ah Chan! Quickly look, quickly see who has come back?!”
Wang Chan still did not respond. She lay motionless, as if asleep.
Qi Yuan comforted Madam Lu with a few words, stepped forward, lifted Wang Chan’s quilt, and grasped her hand. “Ah Chan, I’ve come back. Don’t you want to see me?”
At the side, Madam Lu’s tears fell in drops.
The lamplight in the room flickered as the wind blew. Qi Yuan gently patted Wang Chan’s back and said softly, “Whatever it is will pass. What seems very difficult to you now will also pass in the end.”
She sat at the edge of Wang Chan’s bed. “Ah Chan, a person only has one life. No matter what happens, it is not worth you giving up your own life, understand?”
It felt as though they had not seen each other for a very long time, but upon hearing Qi Yuan’s voice again, Wang Chan endured for a long while and finally could not hold back the collapse and grievance in her heart. She suddenly burst into loud sobs.
Madam Lu’s eyes reddened as well. Clenching her hands tightly, she still instinctively dismissed all the attendants.
In the dim candlelight, Wang Chan sat up in bed, feeling as though she could hardly breathe. Clutching her collar tightly, she looked at Qi Yuan. “Yuan Jie’er, I’m finished! Everything is finished for me!”
In front of Qi Yuan, the words Wang Chan could not speak and the emotions she had no outlet for finally found release.
She cried uncontrollably, utterly broken. “At the Buddha Mother Festival I was taken away! Although Father and Mother had a maid dress up as me and said I had gone home early, that’s not true! Many people still know, many people know I went missing!”
Because she was too tense and overwhelmed, Wang Chan’s words were incoherent.
But Qi Yuan could understand her collapse.
She grasped Wang Chan’s hand. “Speak slowly.”
Wang Chan’s palm was covered in cold sweat, slick to the touch. She looked at Qi Yuan in terror. “Someone wanted to sell me, Yuan Jie’er. I… what should I do?”
Her words were jumbled and disordered. Qi Yuan frowned and softly soothed her. “I know, I know. Speak slowly. It’s all right. Speak slowly.”
As she spoke, she suddenly reached out and struck lightly at the back of Wang Chan’s neck. Wang Chan immediately went limp and fell into her arms.
Madam Lu had been crying, but seeing this, she was startled. “Yuan Jie’er!”
Qi Yuan carefully settled Wang Chan back onto the bed, then pried open Wang Chan’s hand to show Madam Lu. “Aunt, her emotions are too agitated. Let her rest first, otherwise her condition will only worsen.”
Wang Chan’s palm was already torn and bloody.
Madam Lu’s tears flowed again at once. Looking at Qi Yuan, tears suddenly streamed down like a spring.
Qi Yuan tucked the quilt around Wang Chan, rubbed her own brow, and asked, “Aunt, what exactly happened?”
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 20+ chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
