Hong Tao, though somewhat reluctant, looked at the silver in her hand and thought of the Old Madam’s affection for the second young lady. She obediently followed Fei Xu to the side room to wait.
“Mother, Aunt Yu asked me to tell you that she and Uncle Song Er are planning to settle down in the capital,” Qi Zhenzhen said. “I was thinking, I’ll mention it to the Old Madam, and then when we go out to see them, you can come along.”
Madam Yun shook her head. “Don’t bother the Old Madam with such trivial matters. One shouldn’t be too greedy. I’m used to staying in the manor. Aren’t other people’s concubines living like this?”
Qi Zhenzhen frowned. She didn’t quite understand Madam Yun. Why did she have no aspirations for her life?
“Mother, going out for a walk often can also help relax your mood,” Qi Zhenzhen said. “You’re only in your early thirties, and I don’t want you to live like an old woman, devoid of desires. If you don’t want to live in this manor, I’ll find a way to help you leave and start a new life.”
Madam Yun looked startled and stood up abruptly. She walked to the doorway and peeked out. Seeing no one nearby, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and glared at Qi Zhenzhen with some annoyance. “Child, how can you say anything you want? Is this something a young lady like you can say casually? If someone overhears this and reports it to the Marquis, what will you do? I have no such intentions. As long as I can see you and Brother Yi doing well, I am content. As for anything else, it doesn’t matter. Don’t say such things again, understand?”
Qi Zhenzhen suddenly remembered Qin Lang and the words he spoke when he found her in Apricot Blossom Village.
Over the years, Qin Lang had been diligently collecting evidence to clear the Yun family’s name. It was evident that he hoped Madam Yun would be like him. Moreover, Qi Zhenzhen was certain that although Madam Yun had become Qi Tianming’s woman, her heart still belonged to Qin Lang.
Qi Zhenzhen was not fixated on clearing their name or seeking revenge. She had no particular feelings for the Yun family, so she hadn’t considered doing anything for them. If it were easy, she wouldn’t mind helping. However, it was clear that this matter was deeply entangled and not something that could be easily overturned. Otherwise, Qin Lang wouldn’t have to go through so much trouble.
She wished Qin Lang would not be so persistent and would let go when he should. Only then would she be at ease entrusting Madam Yun to him.
“What are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought,” Madam Yun asked, surprised by Qi Zhenzhen’s silence.
“Mother, if Uncle Qin Lang came to find you and asked you to leave with him, what would you choose?” Qi Zhenzhen asked. “It’s clear that you’re very important to him, and he holds a significant place in your heart. Don’t consider me and Brother Yi first; trust me, we’ll take good care of ourselves.”
Madam Yun’s gaze drifted, as if lost in thought. After a long moment, she slowly began to speak.
“He was your maternal grandfather’s student. He began studying under your maternal grandfather at the age of six and was known as a child prodigy due to his exceptional talent. I first met him when I was five. Your maternal grandfather had started teaching me when I was three, and I learned everything very quickly. Your maternal grandfather often praised me. But after he arrived, his brilliance shone so brightly that all my own talents were completely overshadowed. At that time, I was proud and naturally resentful. The other students in the academy also had opinions about him, so we banded together and often played tricks on him.”
Speaking of this, Madam Yun suddenly smiled, her eyes and brows filled with mirth. It was evident that these memories were all beautiful to her.
“And then?”