boyutpedia Chapter 179 Why Didn't He Return?
Chapter 179 Why Didn't He Return?
Before the group left the palace, Qi Qing had already sent someone to inform the household of this joyous occasion. So when the group returned to the General's Mansion, everyone there had already heard the good news, and the place was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, creating a scene of jubilation.
Inside the main hall, red candles flickered, casting playful shadows on the exquisitely carved walls.
A faint floral fragrance filled the air, emanating from several potted rare flowers placed in the corner of the hall, seemingly adding a touch of sweetness to this moment of reunion.
Madam Qi was sitting in the main seat. She was thin and looked as if a gust of wind could easily blow her over.
She wore a plain brocade dress, which was slightly loose due to her thin figure. A light blue ribbon was tied around her waist, but it could hardly outline her former graceful figure.
His face was as pale as paper, devoid of any color, with only a slight, unnatural flush on his cheeks due to his illness.
His eyes were sunken, surrounded by deep dark circles and fine wrinkles—traces left by countless days and nights of worry and illness. Yet, deep within those cloudy eyes, a faint glimmer of longing and anticipation for the return of his loved ones still flickered.
His lips were dry and cracked, trembling slightly, as if silently telling of his inner excitement and unease. His once black hair had long lost its luster, falling messily over his shoulders, with a few strands of silver mixed in, adding to his haggard and weathered appearance.
She sat there like a withered flower that had been swaying in the wind and rain for a long time, about to wither but still struggling to survive, which made people feel pity and tenderness.
Just then, the maids rushed in like cheerful sparrows. The lead maid, her face flushed red and her eyes sparkling with excitement, shouted at the top of her lungs, "Madam, Madam, the General is back!!! Your granddaughter is back too!!! You have another adopted daughter! And two handsome grandsons!!!"
The sound was clear and loud, echoing in the courtyard and startling several birds perched on the branches.
Madam Qi was sitting by the window, staring blankly into the distance, like a puppet whose soul had been taken away.
Upon hearing the shout, her body jolted violently, as if she had been awakened from a long and desperate nightmare.
She slowly turned her head, her eyes initially filled with confusion and hesitation, as if she couldn't believe her ears.
Immediately afterwards, her empty eyes widened instantly, filled with a mixture of disbelief and surprise, as if a long-awaited ray of dawn had shone directly into her world, which had long been shrouded in darkness and despair.
Her lips parted slightly as she breathed rapidly, the wrinkles on her face deepening with the sudden excitement, yet she paid no heed to her disheveled appearance.
A faint blush rose on her pale, long-ill face, like a withered flower regaining its vitality.
Her gaze was fixed straight ahead, as if trying to see through everything to see her soon-to-return family. Her eyes were filled with burning longing and endless affection. She was immersed in immense joy and anticipation, and her body trembled slightly from excessive excitement. It was as if her soul had been awakened in that instant, and she was once again filled with passion and hope for life.
She stood up shakily, clutching her clothes tightly with both hands, her knuckles turning white from the force.
"You...are you telling the truth?" Madam Qi's voice trembled and choked with emotion. Her gaze swept anxiously across the maids' faces, as if trying to find confirmation in their expressions.
The maids nodded in unison, chattering, "Madam, it's absolutely true! The general and the others are already at the door!"
Madam Qi could no longer contain her excitement. She lifted her skirt and staggered toward the door.
Despite her physical weakness, her steps were unusually firm, as if an invisible force was supporting her.
Throughout the journey, her thoughts drifted back to the warm moments she shared with her daughter, and she silently murmured in her heart, "My dear family, you've finally returned..."
Seeing this, the maids quickly came forward to help her.
With the help of her maid, Madam Qi moved slowly and unsteadily, each step seemingly requiring all her strength, as if she were struggling against an invisible resistance.
Her arm rested limply on the maid's shoulder, her fingers slightly curled and trembling, the trembling coming through her sleeve as if it were an outward extension of her inner turmoil.
Her eyes were filled with expectation and fear, and her face, pale from a long illness, showed only a trace of her former spirit in her eyes.
The maids and servants in the hall stood neatly on both sides, their eyes eagerly fixed on the doorway. Their faces were filled with joyful smiles, and their eyes sparkled with anticipation and blessings for the family reunion.
Several young maids whispered among themselves, excitedly sharing their imaginations of the young lady they had never met, as well as the young master and young lady. Their chattering voices echoed in the hall, but instead of being noisy, they added to the festive atmosphere.
The moment Madam Qi saw Feng Li and Qi Ruyan step into the main hall, her body trembled violently, and tears that had been welling up in her eyes burst forth and streamed down her face.
Those tears were filled with the hope of seeing again after years of sorrow, and also with the complex emotions of finding solace in the endless longing for loved ones.
As she approached Feng Li and Qi Ruyan, she struggled to raise her hand. Her hand paused in mid-air, as if gathering strength, before slowly and hesitantly reaching forward to touch the loved ones she had longed for day and night.
The moment her fingers lightly touched Feng Li, her body stiffened abruptly, then slowly relaxed, a relaxation filled with the solace of their reunion. Her shoulders trembled slightly, her breathing became rapid and erratic, her chest heaved, as if she were being swept away by a surging tide of emotions, unable to control herself.
Upon seeing this, Feng Li hurriedly stepped forward, her steps light and urgent, her skirt fluttering in the wind.
Approaching Madam Qi, Feng Li gently grasped her withered and slightly trembling hand, his voice tender yet tinged with emotion: "Grandmother, please don't be sad anymore, we're back. Look, I am Feng Li. Although the journey has been arduous, being able to stand before you now makes it all worthwhile."
Madam Qi's lips trembled as she tried to speak, but her throat tightened with emotion. She could only nod repeatedly, her tears flowing even more profusely.
After a long silence, she managed to utter a few words with difficulty: "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..."
A long-lost smile, full of love and contentment, had blossomed on her face, and the traces of time seemed to have faded somewhat in that smile.
The maids standing nearby were also moved by this touching scene.
The maids who were talking in hushed tones fell silent instantly. One of them, who was the most sensitive, had her eyes red and brimming with tears. With a blink of an eye, the tears slid down her cheeks and dripped onto her brand-new clothes.
The slightly older maidservant beside her quickly reached out and gently patted her back, but she herself couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat, and could only bite her lower lip tightly, trying her best not to cry out loud.
The rough maid standing on the outermost side unconsciously clutched the hem of her clothes with her large, calloused hands, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force. She tilted her head back, blinking frantically, trying to suppress the bittersweet feeling, but the emotion and relief in her eyes were impossible to hide.
Qi Ruyan also walked up gracefully, her gaze fixed on Madam Qi's haggard face, her heart filled with pity and guilt.
"Madam...you've suffered so much these years," Qi Ruyan said softly, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze, filled with endless care and tenderness.
Madam Qi slowly shook her head, and with her still trembling hands, she tightly grasped Feng Li and Qi Ruyan's hands. She held them so tightly, as if she were using all her strength, afraid that if she let go, they would disappear again and fall back into that endless longing and pain.
Qi Yanshang and Qi Yanyun respectfully walked to Madam Qi, knelt down together, and performed a solemn salute.
Qi Yanshang raised his head and said sincerely, "Grandmother, your grandson Yanshang greets you and wishes you good health and longevity."
Qi Yanyun then added, "Grandmother, Yanyun is here too. I will definitely stay by your side from now on."
Looking at her two handsome, well-mannered grandsons, Madam Qi felt a surge of joy and satisfaction. She gently raised her hand, her withered fingers stroking their heads, her eyes filled with love and expectation, as if she saw the future hope and legacy of the family.
At this moment, the old butler, standing in the corner, also quietly wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve. He had been in the mansion for many years and had witnessed the ups and downs of the Qi family. This scene of reunion made him feel deeply gratified. He silently thought to himself, "The master's family is finally reunited. It's truly a blessing from heaven."
His slightly hunched back seemed to straighten a bit, as if he had put down a long-standing heavy burden, and his whole being exuded a sense of ease and joy.
Qi Qing strode into the main hall, his eyes filled with both eagerness and relief.
His gaze swept quickly across everyone in the hall. He first saw Madam Qi embracing and weeping with Feng Li and Qi Ruyan. Tears welled up in his eyes as well, but a deep smile played on his lips, his satisfaction evident.
Seeing Qi Yanshang and Qi Yanyun kneeling respectfully before Madam Qi, he nodded slightly, his eyes full of approval for his two grandsons.
He strode over to the group and gently patted Madam Qi's shoulder, a tender and caring gesture that seemed to be silently comforting her.
Then, he looked at Feng Li and Qi Ruyan, and said in a slightly hoarse but happy voice, "Our Qi family is finally reunited."
Madam Qi gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, looked up at Qi Qing, and said with a hint of reproach in her eyes, "You old man, you've finally brought them back. Over the years, it's been like a piece of my heart is missing, but now it's finally whole again."
Qi Qing pulled up a chair and sat down next to Madam Qi, holding her hand tightly as he said, "Madam, these past ten years have indeed been difficult, but fortunately, heaven rewards those who persevere. Xiao Li is intelligent and brave, Ru Yan is gentle and kind, and Yan Shang and Yan Yun are also very talented. Our Qi family will definitely get better and better in the future."
Feng Li smiled and nestled close to Madam Qi, saying, "Grandfather is right. From now on, we will stay with Grandmother and make you happy every day."
Qi Ruyan nodded slightly and said, "Madam, the hardships of the past are over. Let's enjoy this time of reunion."
Madam Qi had tears on her face, but a happy smile appeared on her face. She gently stroked Feng Li's hair and said, "Xiao Li, you must have suffered a lot these years. Your grandmother wants to hear your story."
Feng Li then began to recount her experiences, from the interesting things she encountered with her adoptive parents in the mountains to the little skills she accidentally learned. She told the story vividly, and everyone listened intently.
Qi Qing nodded at times, and at other times showed an expression of amazement. Madam Qi held her hand tightly, her eyes full of tenderness and love.
Qi Yanshang added from the side, "Grandmother, you don't know how brave Li'er is when facing difficulties. Once..."
He recounted Feng Li's heroic deeds at length, drawing praise from everyone.
Qi Ruyan was quietly talking with Madam Qi about her longing for A Qi over the years. When they got emotional, their eyes welled up with tears, but they were quickly moved by the laughter and joy around them.
Watching this joyous scene, the old butler quietly withdrew. He was going to instruct the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous dinner to celebrate the Qi family's happy reunion.
But just as the atmosphere of family reunion was gradually spreading, Madam Qi's thoughts were suddenly pulled back to reality as if by a cold wind.
She was slightly taken aback, her smile instantly freezing as the words the maid had reported flashed through her mind.
The maid wasn't talking about her Aqi returning; she was talking about Aqi's daughter...
And then there's Qi Qingxin's adopted daughter... So... what about A-Qi?
Her heart sank suddenly, and an ominous premonition overwhelmed her like a surging tide.
Madam Qi's eyes were filled with fear, her lips began to tremble involuntarily, and the faint blush that had appeared on her face due to the reunion quickly faded, replaced by a deathly paleness.
Her hands gripped her clothes tightly at her chest, her knuckles turning white from the force, as if she could grasp at the fading hope.
"Ah Qi... why hasn't Ah Qi returned?" Madam Qi's voice was as weak as a candle flickering in the wind, yet it carried endless sorrow and fear, sounding particularly abrupt in the main hall that was originally filled with laughter.
Her gaze darted anxiously between Qi Qing, Feng Li, and the others, trying to find a sliver of comfort in their expressions, or even just a tiny bit of news about A Qi.
However, all she saw were the slightly astonished faces of the crowd at her reaction.
Feng Li noticed her grandmother's unusual behavior and felt a pang of pain in her heart. She gently held Madam Qi's hand, wanting to speak but not knowing how to begin.
Qi Ruyan approached Madam Qi with a worried expression, but was speechless for a moment.
Qi Qing sighed softly, a trace of sorrow and helplessness flashing in his eyes, and slowly lowered his head.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze at that moment. The festive atmosphere that had just been there was shattered by the sudden sadness and fear, leaving only a suffocating silence.