Guided by Silver Bracelet, Qi Huan brought Ruo Lan and Ruo Zhu along to the dining hall.
It wasn't that she didn't want to bring Yan Qing and Tao Su, but Nanny Xu had earnestly requested to keep the two behind for a "special meal."
In winter, the days were short and nights long. Just after the hour of You, darkness had already fallen.
The maids carried lanterns, leading Qi Huan through twists and turns until they quickly arrived at the dining hall.
Once everyone was seated, Old Master Song was the first to pick up his chopsticks, signaling for the others to begin eating. Both Old Master Song and Elder Master Song's gazes fell intentionally yet casually on Qi Huan, their eyes filled with the care and affection of elders.
Following the custom of not speaking while eating or resting, they didn't say anything during the meal.
After rinsing their mouths post-dinner, Old Master Song looked towards Qi Huan, but the words he had prepared before the meal were suddenly forgotten...
However, as the family's eyes had already turned to him, he stiffly lifted the corners of his mouth, trying to appear less severe and spoke kindly: "Huan'er, did you enjoy the food?"
Qi Huan nodded obediently: "Thank you for your concern, Grandfather. It was delicious."
Old Master Song gazed lovingly at his daughter's only flesh and blood, asking after her welfare in an extremely gentle tone.
Beside him, Elder Master Song enviously rubbed the back of his head.
He knew that when his father spoke to him, eight out of ten sentences were about how useless he was.
Usually, at the Censorate, his father didn't get along with the other officials either, earning him the nickname "Song the Contradictor."
Who would have thought, there's always something to humble even the mightiest.
In front of his granddaughter, Old Master Song was as benevolent as a kidnapper trying to lure a child.
During a lull in Old Master Song's conversation, it was finally Elder Master Song's turn to show concern for his niece. When he spoke, his tone was even gentler than Old Master Song's.
Qi Huan's mother, Song Zhibai, was his only sister, who had grown up following him around.
When he got beaten for climbing over walls and up trees, it was his sister who pleaded for him.
When he wrote articles that were utter nonsense, it was his sister who polished them for him.
His sister's death in a foreign land was an eternal pain in his heart. He desperately searched for traces of his sister's youth in Qi Huan's features, and as soon as he opened his mouth, he began to sob.
Old Master Song reprimanded him with disgust: "A man shouldn't shed tears so easily. How did I end up with such a useless thing like you?"
"Wuu, a man shouldn't shed tears easily, but it's just that the moment of heartbreak hasn't arrived yet. Wuu, I miss Little White..."
With these words, the room fell silent.
Song Zhibai was a shared wound in the hearts of the Song family.
Eventually, it was Elder Madam Song who broke the oppressive atmosphere.
She skillfully wiped her husband's tears, then feigned sadness and said: "Alas, on this day of family reunion, it's a pity that my Che'er is still confined in Qingfeng Court, all alone..."
Young Madam Song, quick-witted, immediately followed up to change the subject: "Mother, since we're all here today, why don't we go see Second Brother?"
Song Jingcheng followed his wife's lead: "Yes, Cousin hasn't met Second Brother yet. Let's all go see him!"
Finally, Old Lady Song gave the order: "Let's go!"
Qi Huan followed beside them, her mind full of doubts.
Isn't tuberculosis contagious? How come they're not afraid?
If no one else is afraid, she couldn't stop them either.
Don't panic, stay calm.
Just follow along and see.
When they arrived at the entrance of Qingfeng Court, everyone stopped.
Nanny Wu, who was by Old Lady Song's side, went to knock on the door. After a servant inside responded, they waited a while longer before taking turns to speak, each rambling on.
Ignoring etiquette, they raised their voices over the courtyard wall, expressing concern for Song Jingche, who had lived alone in Qingfeng Court since childhood.
As they were speaking, Ruo Lan leaned close to Qi Huan's ear and explained in a low voice:
"Every month when the Master and Elder Master have their day off, the whole family comes to Qingfeng Court to chat with Second Young Master across the wall. They comfort him, telling him to take his medicine properly, study well, and everyone believes that Second Young Master will surely get better..."
But Ruo Lan didn't believe it.
Tuberculosis was basically incurable once contracted. Everyone said it was a disease of the wealthy; the poor died quickly from it, while someone like Second Young Master, born into an official family, could barely prolong his life for a few years with money and precious medicines...
However, over the years, to get medicine, treatments, and famous doctors for Second Young Master, the already frugal Song family had been emptied out.
How much longer could Second Young Master live?
Ruo Lan felt somewhat melancholic.
After hearing her words, Qi Huan's heart was also unsettled.
To be honest, so far, the Song family had treated her well, allowing her to experience familial affection she had never felt in her previous life or this one.
Human relationships should be reciprocal.
When others extend kindness, she is willing to repay it within her means.
Now, she was living and eating at the Song family's expense, and they showered her with love. She decided that when she returned to her room at night, she would look through her delivery storage again and think of a way to help.
Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by Young Madam Song's voice.
"Huan'er?"
"Yes, Sister-in-law?"
Young Madam Song smiled: "It's nothing, I just noticed you were lost in thought and wanted to ask if you were tired?"
"...Usually, Second Brother lives alone in Qingfeng Court, and we can't conveniently visit him. Fearing he might be lonely, we tend to talk at length when we speak to him, hoping to make him feel that his family cares about him and give him strength to persevere."
Qi Huan nodded and agreed: "Second Cousin is blessed by heaven, he will surely recover."
"Alright, Huan'er, your Elder Cousin has finished speaking, it's your turn now." Young Madam Song gently pushed her forward.
She had no choice but to clear her throat and call out loudly: "Hello, Second Cousin!"
As the voice traveled into the courtyard, Song Jingche, who was drinking wine and eating roast chicken, paused and exchanged a glance with his only servant. Why did that voice sound familiar?
Song Jingche's eyes lost their mirth as he listened carefully to the voice outside.
"I wish you a speedy recovery."
Qi Huan finished speaking, her expression unchanged.
As long as she didn't feel awkward, the awkwardness would be left to others.
Although shouting to someone she had never met across a wall was a bit silly, since everyone was doing it, she wouldn't stand out as the only foolish one.
After visiting Song Jingche, Old Lady Song gave a few more instructions to Ruo Lan and Ruo Zhu before everyone dispersed.
After bathing, Qi Huan lay in bed, thinking a little about Li Shuchen.
Before entering the capital, she had left Li Shuchen at the last inn where they had stayed. She wondered if Yan Qinghe and the others had managed to meet up with him in time?
Qi Huan used to count sheep to fall asleep, but tonight, missing Li Shuchen, she started counting "one Shu, two Shu, three Shu..."
After she fell asleep, two stealthy shadows climbed in through the window.
Ximen Ye walked to Qi Huan's bedside and took out a night pearl the size of his palm, shining it on her face.
"Hiss, it really is her."
Ximen Ye gritted his teeth, his gaze falling ominously on her legs.
After Mi Mountain was ambushed, his little brother had been in pain for a long time. At that moment, he had sworn: when he caught this woman, he would definitely chop her feet to pieces and feed them to the dogs! Otherwise, he would be a dog himself!
Seeing his gaze linger on Qi Huan's legs for too long, Zhu Yan understood and lowered his voice, "Master, please wait. I'll go find an axe right away."
"Stop!"
Ximen Ye inwardly barked twice, then turned away with a complex, indecipherable look in his eyes.
He had promised Jingche that he would protect all of his loved ones.
Killing this troublesome cousin would be easy, but he didn't want the Song family to be heartbroken...
Old Lady Song's health was poor and couldn't withstand such a shock.
He dared not take the risk.
Ximen Ye walked out of the room, his voice turning cold, "Find out everyone Mi Mountain has met her with. Kill them all without exception, regardless of the cost."
As soon as he finished speaking, a cold glint flashed.
Yan Qing, wielding a long sword, glared at them with anger in his eyes. His swordplay was fierce as he lunged straight at the two unexpected guests in black clothes and masked faces.
As they engaged in combat, two other pairs of eyes in the dark night watched them nervously, waiting to reveal themselves only if Miss Qi was in danger.
