Originally, Qi Zhen had been thinking that whenever Qi Yuan went out, she would probably come back with a few more lives on her hands.
After all, that had practically become the norm.
But this time, Qi Yuan was genuinely just going out for a visit.
The place she was going wasn’t anywhere special, it was the Xiang family residence.
The moment Old Madam Qi heard where she was going, she knew exactly why.
The Xiang and Gao families had already finalized the marriage alliance. Gao Xiang had completed the formal betrothal rites, and now he was preparing to take Xiang Rong back to his hometown for the wedding.
After returning to the capital, Qi Yuan had, rather unusually, become quite close friends with Wang Chan and Xiang Rong.
Now that Xiang Rong was getting married, opportunities for them to spend time together in the future would become increasingly rare.
Thinking of this, Old Madam Qi felt a sigh rising in her chest.
Once these lovely young women married, they would never again enjoy the carefree days of meeting and playing together as they did now.
She glanced at Chen Mama.
Understanding immediately, Chen Mama went inside and brought out a box.
Old Madam Qi said to Qi Yuan, “Inside is a pair of jade ruyi. Consider it my contribution to Rong Jie’er’s dowry. You girls have shared a sisterly bond, so spend some time together. Once she marries and moves so far away, who knows when you’ll meet again?”
Qi Yuan immediately understood what she meant.
Taking the box, she answered, “Yes, Grandmother.”
When she arrived at the Xiang residence, Wang Chan was clinging to Xiang Rong and crying her heart out.
Madam Xiang stood nearby, both amused and exasperated.
Madam Lu looked even more embarrassed and scolded her daughter: “Enough! It’s a joyous occasion. What are you doing?”
Anyone who didn’t know better would think something terrible had happened.
Madam Xiang merely smiled and shook her head. “It’s fine, it’s fine. The girls are close friends. Being separated so suddenly is naturally upsetting.”
As she spoke, she noticed Qi Yuan stepping through the doorway.
The sunlight outside was bright. As it fell upon Qi Yuan, it seemed to cover her with a golden glow, making her look as beautiful and ethereal as a wisp of mist.
But Madam Xiang knew very well that appearances were the last thing one should focus on when it came to Qi Yuan.
This excessively beautiful girl was clever through and through. She had never known failure.
The fall of Duke Cheng’s estate still gave Madam Xiang lingering chills.
Then again, Qi Yuan was her daughter’s friend. At that thought, Madam Xiang couldn’t help secretly feeling fortunate.
With a friend like this, what was there to worry about in the future?
At that moment, Madam Lu also spotted Qi Yuan. “Yuan Jie’er?”
Qi Yuan stepped forward and offered her greetings.
Madam Lu immediately helped her up. “I was just saying we’d invite you over in a few days. Your grandmother thinks about you every day.”
Qi Yuan smiled.
Wang Chan was already sobbing as she grabbed Qi Yuan’s hand. “Rong Jie’er is leaving tomorrow.”
Xiang Rong had lost her usual composure and calmness.
People often said that marriage was a woman’s second rebirth.
That wasn’t an exaggeration at all.
Xiang Rong was intelligent.
And because she was intelligent, the thought of leaving her parents and family behind, relying on a complete stranger, and integrating into an entirely unfamiliar household filled her with fear.
Even though she had always known this day would come.
The terror she felt now was entirely real.
She bent over and pressed a hand against her lower abdomen.
Her face turned pale.
Madam Xiang noticed first and hurriedly asked, “Rong Jie’er, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Xiang Rong pressed her lips together and shook her head weakly. “It’s nothing. Maybe I ate something bad this morning. My stomach hurts terribly.”
Everyone immediately started urging servants to fetch a physician.
The commotion inside became so loud that people outside heard it as well.
When Xiang Jie heard that his sister was unwell, he hurried inside with Gao Xiang to check on her.
This was the second time Qi Yuan had met Gao Xiang.
The first had been at the Xiang family’s country estate and horse pasture.
Back then, he had left no impression on her whatsoever.
Looking at him now, she could see that he had fair skin, bright eyes, and handsome features, the very image of a refined young scholar.
She then turned her gaze toward Xiang Rong.
Xiang Rong seemed to be feeling somewhat better. When she saw Gao Xiang enter, she couldn’t help blushing.
Gao Xiang hurriedly said, “I, I heard you weren’t feeling well. Are you feeling any better now?”
He still looked very much like a child.
Yet Madam Xiang had no complaints.
Young men had their own advantages.
Gao Xiang was the youngest son in his family. He wasn’t responsible for inheriting the family business. As long as he lived well and steadily, his future would be secure.
There wasn’t much pressure on him.
As a mother, those were exactly the qualities she wanted in a son-in-law.
Smiling, she said, “It’s nothing serious. We’ve already sent for a physician.”
Only then did Gao Xiang relax.
The room was filled entirely with women.
Being inside made Gao Xiang feel awkward from head to toe.
Especially because that homicidal maniac was also present.
He secretly glanced at Qi Yuan.
Unfortunately, Qi Yuan happened to be looking at him at that exact moment. He immediately straightened up in fright. For a moment, he barely dared breathe.
Qi Yuan knew very little about the Gao family. She knew even less about Gao Xiang.
From what she could see now, he seemed to be nothing more than a shy young man.
And shyness wasn’t a bad trait.
She looked away.
Gao Xiang, however, had broken out in a cold sweat. The moment he left the room with Xiang Jie, he couldn’t help asking: “Um… why is Miss Qi here too?”
Xiang Jie burst out laughing. “What nonsense are you talking about? She’s been close friends with my sister all this time. How could she not come to see her off before her wedding?”
Gao Xiang sighed.
Xiang Jie gave him a strange look. “What are you sighing for?”
What was there to sigh about?
“Nothing, nothing.” Gao Xiang scratched his head and quickly changed the subject. “Let’s go outside. Aren’t there still lots of guests arriving?”
After thinking for a moment, Xiang Jie added: “You don’t need to be afraid of Miss Qi. She has a clear sense of right and wrong. She’s not nearly as terrifying as people make her out to be.”
Whether she was terrifying or not, Gao Xiang merely responded with a quiet, “Oh.”
Inside the room, the atmosphere was entirely different.
To give the girls time to talk among themselves, Madam Xiang, Madam Lu, and the other elders all left, leaving the space to the younger women.
As soon as they were gone, Wang Chan choked back tears and said, “What’s so great about getting married? It would be wonderful if we never had to marry at all.”
Of course, she knew that was impossible. Her previous match with Ling Chuhan had fallen through. To this day, Madam Lu still regretted it.
She had exhausted herself worrying over Wang Chan’s marriage prospects.
If Wang Chan truly never married, her mother would probably worry herself sick.
She turned to Xiang Rong. “Rong Jie’er, are you scared?”
“Of course I am.” Xiang Rong sighed softly in front of her friends. “How could I not be? I’m terrified. Leaving my father, mother, brothers, and grandmother behind, I’m frightened to death inside.”
With a bitter smile, she glanced at Wang Chan before reaching out and taking Qi Yuan’s hand. “But every girl has to get married eventually. What can fear accomplish? Even if you’re afraid, you still have to get married.”
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