Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

Before even meeting the person, they already acted like elders.

A-Qing frowned in displeasure, her expression indifferent, and said, "Madam Ji, with your excellent information network, didn't you find out that your niece has passed away?"

The woman was stunned by what she heard. She was so shocked that she lost her grip on the teacup and spilled the scalding tea all over herself, which made her jump up from her chair.

She hurriedly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe her face, then exclaimed, "What did you say? That brat is dead?!"

A-Qing's eyes turned cold, and the woman immediately realized she had misspoke, quickly correcting herself, "I meant, how could Ji Mingyi, that girl, just suddenly disappear like that? Are you trying to lie to me?"

Before A-Qing could speak, the woman's expression changed. Realizing she had guessed correctly, she became furious and embarrassed.

"She must have known I was coming beforehand and refused to see me, so she deliberately sent you to trick me! Humph, I'm not that easy to fool; I won't bring that unfilial daughter out!"

The woman was bossy and loud in the hall.

Ah Qing had reached her limit, her voice cold and clear: "Who would try to fool people with matters of life and death? My aunt has long since passed away at Tianchi Mountain, and the Second Master buried her with the rites due to a wife; everyone in the household knows this!"

"She is now of noble status, not the maid you speak of. Watch your words, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

The woman was startled by her imposing aura and instinctively shrank back. It seemed that Ji Mingyi was really dead!

Her eyes darted around; she couldn't have come all this way for nothing!

The woman immediately changed her tune, pretending to wipe away non-existent tears with a handkerchief, and then said, "My aunt was beautiful but died young, she left before she could enjoy her life. As her aunt, I am heartbroken. However, she was a member of the Ji family after all, and her belongings and dowry should be returned to her family."

As she spoke, she glanced at A-Qing's face and then said in a feigned tone, "I suppose the Zong family is very wealthy and wouldn't keep all of a concubine's belongings to themselves."

They are so greedy!

Ah Qing finally understood why Mingyi had preferred to live under someone else's roof rather than seek refuge with these relatives.

It turns out these people weren't her close relatives at all, but a pack of wolves. Even after she died, they still tried to squeeze every last drop of value out of her!

Aqing felt sad and angry for Mingyi. Just as she was about to speak, a delicate voice came from outside the door.

"Mingyi has no aunt! Guards, throw this greedy, ugly woman out!"

The person who came was Zong Ying.

She listened to the whole thing from outside the door, and could no longer contain her anger.

"You can't treat me like this! I'm Ji Mingyi's elder! Let me go! I won't leave!"

The woman struggled violently and was dragged out in a undignified manner.

She had a very loud voice, and when she threw a tantrum, she was like a boar that couldn't be restrained. Several servants were unable to control her for a while, and the scene was chaotic.

The incident alerted Madam Liu, who was entertaining guests in the flower hall; several noble ladies from the capital were present.

Fearing that this farce would become a laughing stock if it continued, Madam Liu decisively ordered, "Aqing, go and inventory all of Aunt's valuable belongings and give them to her."

It's better to offend a gentleman than a petty person.

If we don't give this woman some benefits, I'm afraid she'll harbor resentment and gossip outside, damaging the reputation of the clan.

Moreover, the Zong family didn't care about the wealth left behind by Ji Mingyi.

Upon hearing this, the woman immediately stopped her tantrum, put on a smug smile, and glanced at A-Qing and Zong Ying with great satisfaction.

"Madam Zong is indeed reasonable. I will wait here."

Ah Qing had no choice but to obey orders.

Zong Ying glared fiercely at the greedy woman, then turned and angrily went to find Zong Xian.

"Third Miss, what brings you here? Second Master has ordered that you are not receiving guests..."

"Get out of my way!"

Zong Ying was furious, and the servants looked at each other, not daring to actually stop her.

Zong Ying lifted her skirt with both hands, climbed the steps, and stood outside the door, banging loudly on the door.

"Second brother, how long are you going to stay so down? Do you think she'll come back to life like this?"

"You failed to protect her while she was alive, and now that she's gone, the Ji family is still coming to humiliate her. Are you just going to stand by and watch her die without finding peace?"

-

On the other side, the servant, driving the carriage, wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and called out joyfully to those behind him.

"My lord, we've arrived in Qingzhou City!"

Upon hearing this, Mingyi, who was inside the carriage, immediately lifted the curtain of the carriage window and looked out. Sure enough, she saw the gray city gate and her eyes lit up.

Qingzhou City.

She's back.

As the carriage approached the city gate, the soldiers guarding the city stopped them. "Do you have any travel documents?"

The servant immediately handed the prepared travel documents to the other party. The soldier glanced at them and saw no problem.

He then looked up at the carriage and asked routinely, "Who's sitting inside?"

Just as he was about to step forward to check, a slender, jade-like hand lifted the carriage curtain.

Xie Huaiyu deliberately shielded Mingyi with his body and said, "I am the magistrate of Lin'an County."

The soldier recognized his face and immediately stepped aside, bowing and saying, "So it's Lord Xie."

He then raised his voice again, "Let them through!"

The carriage entered the city smoothly.

After several days of travel, Xie Huaiyu looked at Mingyi with concern, "Are you alright?"

Mingyi's face was a little pale, but she was in good spirits. She nodded and said, "I'm fine. How much longer until we reach Lin'an Town?"

Xie Huaiyu said, "We should arrive before sunset at the latest."

It was just the two of them. Mingyi had already removed her veil, and she said with some emotion, "I never thought I would actually escape. Thank you, Brother Huaiyu."

The man looked at her intently and tenderly. "You never need to thank me. It's what I should do."

You were always mine.

Coming back to me is the right thing to do.

Mingyi met his gaze, and without any formality, smiled and said, "Mm."

Before long, the carriage stopped in front of a house.

Xie Huaiyu helped her out of the car, and immediately heard a familiar voice.

"girl!"

Laurel greeted him with a joyful expression, her eyes still a little red.

Mingyi laughed and said, "Silly girl, why are you crying? I'm perfectly fine, aren't I? By the way, where's A-Zhe?"

Yuegui forced back her tears and said, "Young Master is studying inside. I didn't tell you I was back."

She didn't dare tell him; she was afraid she wouldn't be able to wait any longer, so she didn't tell Ji Mingzhe. Thankfully, she returned safely!

Perhaps it was a sibling bond, but Ji Mingzhe sensed something, closed his book, and hurriedly came out to read.

"Big sister!!"

He practically sprinted and pounced on Mingyi, holding her tightly in his arms.

The ten-year-old boy had grown much taller in the blink of an eye, and was now as tall as her shoulder.

Xie Huaiyu frowned almost imperceptibly as he watched this scene.

He hasn't even properly hugged Mingyi since she came back...

"Sister, you're finally back."

Ji Mingzhe rarely acts so erratically.

Mingyi's heart softened, and she gently stroked the top of his head, noticing that the boy had become much thinner. She said guiltily, "It's all my fault, I've made you suffer along with me."

Ji Mingzhe hurriedly shook his head, his dark eyes moist, looking pitiful: "Sister has no faults! It's my fault, I couldn't protect her, and instead kept dragging her down..."

Tears were about to fall.

Mingyi flicked his forehead lightly with her finger, "Silly boy, a man doesn't easily shed tears."

Ji Mingzhe barely managed to hold it in.

Xie Huaiyu had official duties to attend to and couldn't stay any longer. Before leaving, she told Mingyi, "It's very safe here. You can stay here without worry. I'll come to see you again later."

Mingyi nodded.

After Xie Huaiyu left, the three of them went inside and talked for a while, discussing their future plans.

Yuegui laid all her belongings on the table and said to Mingyi, "Miss, the land deeds and silver notes you gave me are all here. I've kept them safe, and not a single coin is missing!"

...

"How could that girl only have a few dozen taels of silver left!"

Aqing put all of Ji Mingyi's belongings into a wooden box, which contained eighty taels of silver and several exquisite and valuable pieces of jewelry.

But the woman didn't even bother to look at the jewelry; she just buried her head in the wooden box, rummaging through it haphazardly.

After searching around without finding what she wanted, the woman looked up again, her face full of displeasure.

"That cunning girl secretly stole all the land deeds from the Ji family, worth over a thousand taels! Do you really think I'm easy to fool, trying to fob me off with this junk?!"