The Zhong family.
"Second Miss, this courtyard is closest to the eldest young master's courtyard. Our eldest young master is the most doting on his younger sister." Zhong Lian'er listened to the maid's words and looked at her head full of jewels in the bronze mirror.
"I heard that my eldest sister was very much loved by Father and my brother. Tell me the details."
Zhong Lian'er reached out and touched her face. It turned out that she looked quite beautiful even after being dressed up so carefully.
Just as Zhong Lian'er was getting ready, Zhong Min arrived.
"Second Sister."
Looking at Zhong Lian'er in front of her, Zhong Min forced a smile. "Father asked me to see if you need anything. Are you comfortable living in this courtyard?"
"Brother, staying here last night already feels like a dream."
Zhong Lian'er lowered her eyes. "Brother, do these things really belong to Lian'er? I'm afraid that one day you and Father will abandon Lian'er again."
“How could that be?” Zhong Min stepped forward and patted Zhong Lian’er on the shoulder. “At today’s banquet, Father will write your name into the family tree in front of all the guests. From now on, you will be the rightful Second Miss Zhong.”
Upon hearing this, Zhong Lian'er's eyes reddened slightly. "It is truly an honor for Lian'er to return to the Zhong family. It's just that I can't see my elder sister greet her in person today."
“You and Qi’er are one. If you are doing well, Qi’er will naturally be doing well too.”
Hearing Zhong Min say this, Zhong Lian'er finally let down her guard and allowed the maid to put the necklace on her. "Alright, Second Miss, you can head to the front courtyard now."
"Second sister, your brother will take you there."
Walking along the path in the Zhong residence, Zhong Lian'er looked at the strikingly beautiful courtyard; that must be Zhong Qi'er's courtyard.
A smile slowly appeared on Zhong Lian'er's face. "Zhong Qi'er, from this day forward, I will be your shadow."
I will take good care of your father and brothers.
And the Zhong family will also be mine in the future.
......
Perhaps because Kui Ruo had been invited, almost half of the court officials had come to the Zhong family today, and everyone was curiously looking at the Second Miss Zhong in front of them.
She looked like she had received an education, and she wasn't shy at all; she didn't seem like a girl who had grown up in the outside world.
"I am honored to have my colleagues grace me with their presence at my daughter's banquet today." Zhong Wuyi appeared before everyone looking sickly. "Someone, bring the family genealogy."
"Father doesn't seem to be feeling well. Actually, since the Second Miss has already returned to the Zhong residence, the banquet can be held whenever it's scheduled. Why force yourself to endure this illness?"
As soon as Wei Ruo finished speaking, Zhong Lian'er began to scrutinize Wei Ruo.
“My daughter has been wandering for many years, and my health is due to her illness. Now that I’m officially welcoming her back, my health will be better in a few days.”
Zhong Wuyi's protectiveness of Zhong Lian'er caught everyone's attention, giving them a new understanding of how much the second young lady of the Zhong family favored her.
"Then I must remind my godfather to prevent him from raising another Zhong Qi'er."
Kui Ruo's blunt words brought tears to Zhong Lian'er's eyes, making her look truly pitiful.
Just as Zhong Wuyi opened the family genealogy and picked up his brush to write Zhong Lian'er's name, Wan Ji's voice rang out. Upon seeing this, Zhong Wuyi quickly put down his brush.
He put down his pen and announced, "Eunuch Wan is here."
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager heard that there is a great celebration at the Zhong residence today, and specially sent this servant to deliver some small gifts."
As soon as Wanji finished speaking, the little eunuch behind him walked up to Zhong Lian'er with a tray, "Second Miss, this is a special gift from the Empress Dowager."
"Lian'er, why don't you kneel down and thank the emperor?"
Seeing that Zhong Lian'er was standing there in a daze, Zhong Wuyi quickly spoke up to remind her.
"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your generous gift."
Lifting the red cloth covering it, a jade hairpin lay prominently on the tray. The hairpin radiated a lustrous sheen and appeared particularly serene under the sunlight.
"Alright, then let's not delay the banquet any longer."
Wanji spoke with a forced smile, walking up to Wei Ruo, "Lord Wei, the Emperor summons you to the Hall of Supreme Harmony."
Only after Wei Ruo and Wan Ji left did everyone show expressions of confusion.
The Empress Dowager's reward shows her regard for the Zhong family. The Emperor's summoning of Prime Minister Kui was also to prevent Prime Minister Kui from getting involved with the Zhong family.
Only Zhong Wuyi showed a bitter smile.
When Zhong Lian'er's name was written on the family tree, Zhong Wuyi could barely maintain his smile. Even Zhong Lian'er was a little puzzled, "Brother, what's wrong with Father?"
"Lian'er, I'm afraid it must be hard for your father to bear that Prime Minister Kui left halfway through the competition."
Zhong Lian'er was relieved and helped Zhong Wuyi up, saying, "Father, I will take good care of you in the future."
"good."
......
"Did you hear that the Zhong family is having a family reunion today?"
Ling Mo looked at Zhong Qi'er, who was meticulously reviewing the statements, and spoke softly.
"Recognize relatives?" Zhong Qi'er paused. "What relatives could the Zhong family possibly recognize?"
"I adopted a concubine's daughter."
"Heh—" Zhong Qi'er laughed out loud, looking straight at Ling Mo, "Are you afraid I can't accept it?"
"I just felt I needed to share this information with you, so that you wouldn't be influenced by it at a crucial moment in the future." Ling Mo was a secret guard from Lingxiao Pavilion, so he naturally wouldn't get too emotionally involved in the matter.
"Even if the Zhong family has recognized an ancestor, it has absolutely no relation to me now."
Although Zhong Qi'er was smiling, one could inexplicably sense the sadness within her.
"Yes, you are Ahui now."
That night, the light in Zhong Qi'er's room stayed on for a long time. Then there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?"
"Miss Ahui, it's me," He Ling's voice rang out. "May I come in?"
He Ling looked at Zhong Qi'er and nervously tugged at the hem of her clothes. "Ah Hui, are you unhappy today?"
Why do you say that?
Seeing this, He Ling pursed her lips. "I've been learning to paint since I was little, and I'm very good at reading people's expressions. It's so late and you're still not asleep."
"You can draw?" Zhong Qi'er's eyes lit up. "I've always admired people who are good at drawing since I was little. He Ling, can I see your paintings?"
He Ling paused upon hearing this, then gave Zhong Qi'er a deep look.
Half an hour later, Zhong Qi'er looked at the painting in front of her and was somewhat speechless, "You painted me?"
“I think Ah Hui must look like this when she’s happy.”
In the painting, Zhong Qi'er is dressed in a chivalrous outfit, holding a sword in her hand, and laughing loudly.
"You're making me look like a female general." Zhong Qi'er's eyes were a little moist. "Actually, I'm weak and can't even kill a chicken. I don't know anything about swords."
"You saved me, that's how I see you."
He Ling's voice was very soft, but exceptionally firm, "Ah Hui is my savior, don't be unhappy."
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