Qi Yanshang stood upright, as steadfast as a pine or cypress. His expression was solemn and respectful as he gave Madam Qi and Qi Qing a standard bow.
Then, he looked firmly at the two elders and spoke earnestly, each word seemingly coming from the deepest part of his heart, saying with resounding force: "Grandmother, Grandfather, Yan Shang will devote himself to Guangling and make meticulous preparations to ensure everything is arranged properly so that we can welcome you with the most thorough preparations."
He paused, then said with a hint of embarrassment, "From now on, our family will be united in Guangling, supporting each other. Whether the weather is fine or dark, we will work together to protect the honor and dignity of the Qi family, so that the Qi family's reputation will spread far and wide like a bright star, shining with an indelible brilliance in the long river of time."
His words made everyone laugh.
At this moment, Qi Yanyun stood quietly to the side, like a solitary tree standing alone, listening to their conversation.
A faint sense of loss quietly appeared on his originally handsome face, as if a thin veil was gently covering it.
Those slightly lowered eyes seemed to conceal a deep, unfathomable pool, within which flowed a barely perceptible sense of loneliness and reluctance, as if filled with endless sorrow for the impending separation.
As the chatter subsided, he slowly raised his head and said softly, "Grandmother, Grandfather, I am currently serving in the capital, shouldering heavy responsibilities and missions for the court, and I truly cannot return to Guangling to live with you. Your journey is long, so please be careful, act cautiously, and always be mindful of your safety. With Mother, Elder Brother, and Sister-in-law by your side in Guangling, I feel somewhat comforted and at ease. However…"
At this point, his voice paused slightly, as if something was stuck in his throat. "I really can't let go of this family bond. I miss you all deeply every day and night while I'm in the capital."
After speaking, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, forming a somewhat bitter smile, a smile that seemed to be trying to conceal the surging sense of loss and reluctance deep in his heart.
Madam Qi's eyes, like a calm lake surface tossed with a pebble, once again showed a hint of surprise.
Her long, slender eyebrows furrowed slightly, like two crescent moons intertwined, her face full of confusion. She asked softly, "What? Yan Yun also holds an important position? And what you called your elder brother and sister-in-law... do you mean Xiao Li and Yan Shang?"
Madam Qi had always lived a secluded life, and usually only had a superficial understanding of major events in the outside world. She knew very little about the complicated matters such as the appointment, removal, and transfer of officials in the imperial court.
Moreover, she was so heartbroken and distracted that she hadn't noticed the feelings between Feng Li and Qi Yanshang, completely unaware that the two were already a loving couple.
Seeing this, Qi Qing shook his head helplessly, a slightly apologetic bitter smile appearing on his lips, and said, "Look at my memory, it seems I was so overwhelmed with joy that I was dizzy with happiness because so many relatives have suddenly been added to the family, and I actually forgot to tell you these important things."
As he spoke, Qi Qing began to explain in detail to Madam Qi, just like a composed storyteller.
Lady Qi suddenly realized, as if waking from a dream, that Qi Yanshang and Qi Yanyun were the sons of Qi Yuan, who played an important role in the kite incident, and that the two had also been His Majesty's concubines.
Qi Ruyan was Qi Yuan's first wife, while Feng Li was Qi Yuan's second wife.
Qi Yanyun also has another special identity. He is the adopted son of Grand Princess Qianyun and the elder brother of Princess Yuanyin. He currently resides in the Grand Princess's residence.
After dealing with Qi Yuan, His Majesty, perhaps out of consideration for past relationships or for other reasons, granted permission for the two brothers, Yan Shang and Yan Yun, to leave the inner palace and bestowed upon them official positions, giving them a new foothold in the court.
During his narration, Qi Qing also mentioned that the position of Prefect of Guangling was originally intended for Feng Li, but Feng Li had reservations, so it eventually fell to Qi Yanshang.
As for Qi Yanyun, since there were not many suitable vacant positions in the officialdom at the moment, he was temporarily appointed as the registrar of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
When Qi Qing mentioned the relationship between Yan Shang and Feng Li, he paused slightly, as he didn't know much about it. He simply mentioned that the two were preparing to get married.
This long passage was like a bomb dropped on a calm lake, creating ripples.
Madam Qi listened quietly to Qi Qing's long explanation, clearly taken aback by the sudden influx of information. As if struck by lightning, she was momentarily stunned.
She seemed frozen in place, like an ancient sculpture, lost in a long silence, her heart churning with a thousand thoughts.
Meanwhile, Qi Ruyan and the others standing to the side felt as if they were tightly bound by an invisible net, filled with unease.
They knew perfectly well that Madam Qi and Qi Qing came from a prominent family in the capital, and their class consciousness and traditional ideas were like an ancient city wall, deeply rooted and difficult to shake after years of sedimentation.
They were afraid that Madam Qi might harbor resentment towards Feng Li's past identity, which would affect the hard-won reunion and harmony of the family.
The group's gazes darted cautiously across Madam Qi's face, trying to catch the slightest change in her expression, which was filled with tension and anticipation.
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