Baizhi responded with a smiling “yes,” then turned and helped Wang Chan down from the carriage.
Qi Yuan, meanwhile, lightly jumped down by herself.
The Wang family had already prepared a sumptuous breakfast. Seeing Qi Yuan and Wang Chan return, Old Madam Wang was overjoyed. She held Qi Yuan with one hand and Wang Chan with the other, yet she was so happy that she couldn’t speak. After quite a while, she finally choked up and said to Wang Chan, “Ah Chan, it was Grandmother who wronged you, Grandmother let the wolf into the house…”
The strangulation marks on Wang Chan’s neck were still shocking to see.
But her spirits were much better than before.
Hearing this, her eyes brightened as she shook her head: “It’s alright, Grandmother. I’m fine now! Evil people have received their retribution, it has nothing to do with me anymore.”
She clearly understood Qi Yuan’s intention in taking her out.
Especially after hearing the townspeople begin discussing what happened on the night of the Buddha Mother gathering, and naturally assuming that the person who disappeared that night was Wei Qingyang.
Only then did she fully understand why Qi Yuan had urged He Shengchang to go propose marriage to the Wei family.
Everything followed naturally, seamless and flawless, completely washing away the dirty water thrown onto her name.
From today onward, no one would connect the disappearance at the Buddha Mother gathering with her again.
She could still walk openly and honorably in this world!
Old Madam Wang choked with emotion as she thanked Qi Yuan: “Yuan Jie’er, thank you so much, truly, thank you.”
She didn’t say the rest aloud.
But Qi Yuan understood what she meant and smiled as she shook her head. “It’s nothing serious. The sky isn’t going to fall.”
Old Madam Wang could not speak for a moment.
But last night, the sky really had almost fallen.
And if the marriage with the He family had gone through, if Wang Chan learned the truth in the future, who knew what might have happened.
By that calculation, what Qi Yuan had done was certainly no small favor.
She held Qi Yuan’s hand, unable to speak.
When Madam Lu and Old Master Wang returned after paying respects to the ancestors, they were even more delighted upon seeing Wang Chan.
Wang Chan rushed straight into Madam Lu’s arms and burst into tears.
Madam Lu stroked her head and finally set down the heavy stone in her heart.
It was good that she could cry, good that she could cry!
Master Wang hurriedly called everyone to sit down and eat.
During the meal, Master Wang couldn’t help asking Qi Yuan, “Then… shall they be allowed to marry?”
But if the Wei family really married Wei Qingyang to He Shengchang, wouldn’t the He and Wei families become allied?
Wei Qingyang had already come up with such a vicious scheme for no reason before, who knew what she might do after this incident?
Qi Yuan lowered her eyes and laughed softly. “The proposal has succeeded, but the marriage will never happen.”
Someone as proud as Wei Qingyang, how could she possibly look up to a merchant-born man like He Shengchang?
Not to mention a match arranged in such a humiliating way.
Qi Yuan yawned. “Just wait a bit longer. There’s still more excitement to watch.”
More excitement?
Master Wang glanced at Qi Zhen.
Qi Zhen, however, felt a bit distressed for Qi Yuan. She had rushed back without even getting a full night’s sleep, and then came straight to the Wang residence to stay busy until now.
Thinking of this, he stood to take his leave. “Yuan Jie’er has just returned, let her go back and rest first. We can talk about the rest later.”
Old Madam Wang quickly added, “Stay here for a few days! I’ll have someone prepare a courtyard, Yuan Jie’er can stay at her maternal family’s home!”
“No need.” Qi Yuan shook her head and stood up. “I haven’t seen Shen Jialang and Qi Yunzheng yet. They haven’t seen me for a long time, they must miss me. Besides, there are still matters at home to handle.”
She had already sent Liujin and Beize and the others ahead, and they would likely come to find her soon.
Besides, Lai Chenglong would probably come as well.
Staying at the Wang residence wouldn’t be very convenient.
A smile appeared on Qi Zhen’s face.
Old Madam Qi also stood. “Yes, Yunzheng and Jialang think about their elder sister every day. They go to Miss Yuan’s courtyard daily to do their lessons while waiting for her, let the siblings meet first.”
Old Madam Wang and Madam Lu both felt somewhat regretful. “Then tonight, bring Yunzheng and Jialang, let the whole family come for dinner. We’ll consider it a welcome feast for Miss Yuan.”
Wang Chan also clung eagerly to Qi Yuan’s arm.
Qi Yuan smiled and pinched her nose. “Alright, alright, I’ll come again tonight.”
Only then did Wang Chan smile.
Qi Yuan then turned to Old Madam Wang. “Please send a few people to escort Madam He back to the He residence. Also, it would be best to send more people to take care of Madam He.”
She spoke with a hidden meaning. Old Madam Wang narrowed her eyes slightly and nodded gently. “Alright. I understand.”
Only then did Qi Yuan accompany Old Madam Qi onto the carriage.
Old Madam Qi held Qi Yuan’s hand and patted it. “You’ve worked hard, no time to even catch your breath after returning.”
Qi Yuan was indeed a little sleepy. She yawned and shook her head. “It’s fine. I’m just glad I came back in time.”
Wang Chan had treated her very well. If she hadn’t returned by chance, Wang Chan would either have been married off to He Shengchang, or taken her own life.
Neither outcome was something Qi Yuan wanted to see.
She was grateful she had returned before irreversible consequences occurred.
Old Madam Qi looked at her and smiled, her eyes full of tenderness. “Miss Yuan, you’ve become better and better.”
The Qi Yuan of the past had also been good, but she carried far more hostility.
But the current Qi Yuan had gained much more gentleness.
A person cannot live entirely alone, living alone is not truly living.
Old Madam Qi hoped more than anything that Qi Yuan could live a normal life. Now it seemed that Xiao Yunting must have given her complete sincerity and love, allowing her to grow increasingly calm and composed.
She stroked Qi Yuan’s hair. “That’s wonderful. Grandmother is happy for you.”
After returning to Mingyue Pavilion, Qi Yuan fell asleep immediately.
When she woke again, it was already afternoon. Light streamed in from the western window and fell across her face, leaving her momentarily unsure where she was.
After blinking, a hand suddenly appeared in front of her, waving.
Only then did she turn her head and see two people sitting on stools beside the bed.
Qi Yunzheng and Shen Jialang saw she was awake and rushed forward with smiles. “Elder sister!”
The two little ones had grown taller after not seeing her for some time. The sickly look on Qi Yunzheng’s face had faded greatly, he looked stronger and more optimistic than before.
Qi Yuan couldn’t help but smile sincerely and rubbed their heads. “While I was away, did you cause any trouble?”
Qi Yunzheng and Shen Jialang hurriedly shook their heads. “No! We were very obedient!”
Then they scrambled to bring their homework for their elder sister to check.
Baizhi said half exasperated, half amused, “Third Young Master, Seventh Young Master, wait until Miss has washed up before coming back. Later you still have to hurry to your maternal grandparents’ home for dinner!”
For a moment, Mingyue Pavilion became lively once again.
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