Chapter 6

Qi Ming was waiting in the dining hall and seeing his father coming back he immediately got up from his seat before sitting again after Qi Chen went to his seat.

“Is Ying-er awake, Father?” Not hearing his father talk, Qi Ming immediately asks as he is still worried about his sister.

“Yes, she’ll come here with your mother.” Hearing a sigh from his father after answering he guessed that his mother will be sleeping with his sister again tonight. He subconsciously chuckles, earning a glare from Qi Chen. Qi Ming uncomfortably coughs hiding his embarrassment from being caught.

“Physician Li will arrive this afternoon as we requested, Father. Are you still worried about any sequelae that my sister might suffer in the future?”

“Yes, it is better to have her checked and be treated right away.” 

“That’s true… Father, since she’s awake, should we…” Qi Ming's expression turned serious as he asked Qi Chen of what was going on in his mind, however before he finished his question they were interrupted by Xiuying’s gleeful voice.

“We are here Father, Brother!” Xiuying greeted them with a smile as she was being carried by two strong maidservants. Qi Chen and Qi Ming can see the distress on Xi Hui’s face as the latter walks behind Xiuying so that her daughter can’t see her expressions, both men sigh inwardly but smile right away before Xiuying notices their expressions.

“You’re finally here… I thought you would take a while because of choosing what to wear again.” Qi Ming grumbly said as he pats Xiuying’s head but his eyes showed happiness of seeing their family finally complete for meal time. Xiuying tries to dodge her brother’s claws unfortunately because her body is still weak she can only resign to her fate of having her hair disarranged.

“Mother! Look at Brother…”  Xiuying puffs her cheeks like a hamster earning chuckles from the servants.

“Ming-er don’t destroy your sister’s hair arrangement.” Xi Hui finally sits beside Qi Chen after making sure that Xiuying is seated comfortably. Seeing her husband slightly dazed seeing this scene she gently pats Qi Chen’s hands.

“It is good you’re awake now Ying-er.” Qi Chen smiled gently at his daughter.

“Yes…” Xi Hui looks lovingly at her husband before looking at their children.

“Don't always make us worried about you, alright?” Qi Chen pinches Xiuying’s cheeks but hearing her brother’s question she smiled gently while nodding shyly.

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The news that all members of the second branch are safe was delivered to all clan members the very same day. Only the third branch have visited the second branch while the first have sent a few tonics with regrets of not being able to visit due to Qi Fan being sick and being taken care of by her mother.

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It has been two months now since the day I woke up and fully started living as Qi's third young miss, Qi Xiuying. I adapt quite well though I know my parents in this world wished to have 'my' memories back. They have accepted what the doctor said two weeks ago that I might never remember the past. It serves as a great excuse for me whenever I need to ask about the original owner's character and for them to accept my current behavior.

However, because I don't remember anything my mother has sent tutors to teach me everything from etiquette, four arts and I also requested for Father to teach me how to manage our businesses so that way they won't be shocked if I did something new in the future.

He is happy that I'm interested in learning under him unlike my brother who is always travelling. I already met my brother Qi Ming, though he only stayed for a week before travelling again. I felt his love for his only sister and he is quite a nagger too.

I found out from Xue'er that my father's uncle is the current patriarch. There are three branches in the clan here in the capital of Great Yan as most of our relatives reside in our South province where our ancestral home is. The first and second elders are both sons of the Patriarch. My first uncle, Qi Chang, has one main wife named Fang Fei and a concubine, he has two children, the second young miss Qi Fan and sixth young master Qi Lei. While my second uncle Qi Bai, only has one wife named Ji Huan and they have twins, the fourth young master Qi Jie and fifth young miss Qi Lian. As for my father, I am glad that he doesn't have any concubine and I noticed how much he loves my mother.

The plans to separate our family from the main branch are going well since father has connections. We were able to get the doc.u.ment needed to be signed by the family head once father confronted them.

"Urghhh... Xue'er can we go outside?" She asked as she sits up in bed, she is really bored to death. Because of the palace's banquet and her tutors are invited she doesn't haven't anything to do.

"Young miss, I'll go to Third Madam's courtyard to ask permission."

"Okay, go and please tell Mother that she doesn't need to worry we will disguise ourselves as young servants so others won't discover that I have recovered." Xue'er nodded and left.

After half an hour she came back with two servant men's outfits. "Young miss, Third Madam has permitted us however we need to return before the sun sets."

Xiuying with Xue'er, decided to roam around the market and sometimes they would stop in a few food stalls to buy two pieces of the desserts that Xiuying liked. Xue'er sighing inwardly as she noticed how most women admiring look at her young miss who is currently disguised as a young man while the men are openly glaring at them.

They bought meat buns and apple candies before deciding to go to the other side of the bridge as there are trees that will shade them from the sun where they can stay and eat while enjoying the view of the lake. As they walk in the bridge they have noticed the commotion nearing them, a young girl that was beaten black and blue is struggling to run. As the child turned her head to look at the middle aged rugged man chasing her she suddenly felt two arms that warmly embraced her and started to panic and struggled to free herself. "Hush now little girl, I won't let him get you..." she looked up to see the face of the gentle voice's owner and was stunned to see a beautiful young woman with doe shaped blackest eyes she had seen. She noticed that the owner of the voice was a woman when she whispered to her ear while she was struggling.

"Thank you young man for catching that slave..." the rugged man politely said as he came near the two young men while catching his breath. He noticed that even though their attire are of servants it was from Qi manor so he didn't dare lash out in front of them.

"I'll buy her how much do you need?" he frowned when the man who caught that brat interrupted him but when he heard about them buying the slave he immediately changed his expression and widely smiled showing his yellowish teeth.

"You are a lucky young man, she's the last one, you can buy her for 3 silvers."

Xiuying glanced at Xue who gave 3 silvers to the slave merchant who immediately grabbed it as if afraid that his buyer would change their mind and bowed to give thanks before hurriedly running back to his group.

"Young mi.." the child who was silent suddenly calls their attention, however before she finishes her sentence she sees Xiuying signals her to stop and winks at her causing the child to blush.

Xue who observes her young miss making a mere child blush inwardly shakes her head.

Ahh young miss though the child already noticed you are a woman she still blushes, really a calamitous being...

If Xiuying would know what the Xue is thinking she would smack the back of the young maid's head.

Realizing that her young miss with the child is already walking back to the manor, Xue started to walk faster to catch up to them.

Meanwhile at the side of the road near the bridge, two young men are quietly observing what happened, when Xiuying whispered to the child to calm down, her gentle yet alluring voice was heard by the two cultivators.

The other man wearing white hanfu with black lion emblem at the back noticed that his usually cold friend suddenly showed interest, so he started to pity the lady earlier.