Tears, like a raging flood, broke through the dam, overflowing from her eyes and flowing freely down her pale and desperate face: "Grandmother, although Mother is gone, she lives on in my heart. Her voice, her smile, her every move, her very existence—I have never forgotten her for a moment. I will carry Mother's love with me, just as she once protected me, and steadfastly accompany you, never leaving you, forever."
Qi Ruyan was also enveloped by the heavy, impenetrable atmosphere of sorrow, and tears streamed down her face like pearls falling from a broken string.
She sobbed softly, saying, "Madam, we will all be with you, your strongest support during these difficult and sorrowful times, and we will stand by your side through every long and arduous day and night. No matter how fierce the storm, we will never leave your side."
The brothers Qi Yanshang and Qi Yanyun exchanged a glance. Although their eyes were also filled with grief and sorrow, deep within that grief, two flames burned that would never be extinguished.
The flames symbolized their steadfastness and determination. They stood silently to the side, their figures upright like evergreen pines and cypresses, proudly standing tall in the wind and rain, like loyal guardians protecting their homeland, quietly watching over their family members who were immersed in grief.
With their silent yet powerful companionship, they offered warmth and comfort to everyone, as if telling everyone that no matter what difficulties they encountered, they would face them together with their families and never back down.
After a long while, Madam Qi slowly recovered from the abyss of grief. She slowly raised her red and swollen eyes, her gaze filled with confusion and pain, and looked at Qi Ruyan and Feng Li.
"Ruyan, I want to know... what exactly did you experience at Yuanxing?" Her voice was hoarse and trembling, as if every word had taken all her strength.
Feng Li slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with pain and reminiscence, as if he had traveled through time and returned to that nightmarish journey.
She looked at Qi Ruyan, and only after receiving Qi Ruyan's affirmation and encouragement did she seem to muster immense courage, speaking in a hoarse and heavy voice: "Madam, that Yuanxing is simply a living hell. According to my foster mother, after being abducted there, she was locked in a dark and damp cell that resembled a tomb, filled with a nauseating stench. The walls were covered with damp moss and mottled stains. Every day, my mother suffered inhuman torture at the hands of those villains. The whips lashed her frail body like venomous snakes, leaving horrifying bloody welts that looked like hideous red centipedes crawling all over her body. Yet she gritted her teeth and never uttered a single word of begging for mercy."
Qi Ruyan recalled her unbearable experience at Yuanxing and couldn't help but sigh deeply, her sigh filled with endless pain and sorrow.
"They would also use red-hot branding irons to burn people's skin. The sizzling sound and the pungent smell of burning flesh still haunt my mind like a demon's curse. Every day there was darkness, as if the place was forever favored by the god of darkness. Not only were the bodies tortured, but people also had to endure immense humiliation that felt like being cut by a knife. The insults and laughter of those wicked people were like the roar of demons, incessant and never-ending. But the people there couldn't even commit suicide, as if their hands and feet were bound by an evil force."
Overwhelmed with grief and sorrow, Qi Qing's voice trembled as she said, "Just now in the carriage, Ru Yan and Xiao Li both told me. At that time, A Qi was pregnant with Xiao Li, yet she refused to yield to the torture and never considered giving up her life or Xiao Li. She always held onto the thought of Xiao Li and her family, clinging to life with an iron will. Even in dire straits, she fought desperately against the evil forces, trying to find even the faintest glimmer of hope. She also risked her life many times to deliver messages to those suffering alongside her, encouraging them not to give up hope, like a beacon in the darkness, bringing warmth and courage to everyone. However, ultimately, outnumbered, in a fierce battle that felt like a fight to the death, A Qi was tragically wounded by those heartless and inhuman villains while protecting others, and ultimately…"
Qi Qing's voice was choked with sobs, as if a huge rock was blocking her throat, and she could no longer speak. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment.
After listening to their brief but painful descriptions, Madam Qi learned that although their words were somewhat vague due to their reluctance to endure the torture, and none of them mentioned the specific and horrific tortures, she had still heard of this heinous incident.
That torture... was inhumane...
Just hearing them say that, chilling images involuntarily surfaced in her mind. She seemed to see with her own eyes the suffering of Aqi and Qi Ruyan. Waves of grief washed over her, almost drowning her.
After a long while, Madam Qi's crying gradually turned into sobs. As if she had used up her last bit of strength, she weakly waved her hand, signaling everyone to get up.
It took her a while to calm down before she managed to suppress the overwhelming sadness in her heart. She looked at Qi Ruyan and Feng Li with eyes full of pity and said, "Good children, you have suffered so much. From now on, we will live happily together as a family."
Her eyes were still filled with exhaustion and despair, but looking at Feng Li, Qi Ruyan and her two grandsons, she felt a glimmer of comfort, like the dawn in the darkness.
"Ah Qi... she's a good child, I know she'll protect her child." Madam Qi said, her voice choked with emotion, every word filled with deep love and longing for her daughter.
Feng Li got up and gently nestled beside Madam Qi, as if a wounded little bird had found a warm nest.
She gently reached out and softly wiped away Madam Qi's tears, her movements tender and full of love.
“Grandmother, Mother was thinking of you in her final days. She hoped you would live a long and healthy life and watch us grow up. Her longing for you is as bright as the stars and has never been extinguished.”
Madam Qi nodded slightly, knowing that she could not remain immersed in grief forever.
Although her daughter has passed away, she has left behind this lovely child, who has brought her new family.
She had to pull herself together, protect the Qi family, and safeguard A-Qi's bloodline. This was her responsibility as the matriarch of the Qi family, and also her final promise to her daughter.
At this moment, the old butler walked into the main hall and saw this sad scene. His eyes reddened and tears welled up in his eyes.
He tried to control his emotions and said softly, "Madam, the banquet is ready. Although everyone is grieving at this moment, the deceased are gone and the living must move on. This reunion dinner is also Miss's way of expressing her hopes for everyone."
After a moment of silence, Madam Qi slowly rose and, with the help of others, walked towards the dining room.
Each step felt like it weighed a ton, her legs were as heavy as if they were filled with lead, but her eyes gradually became firm.
The Qi family still has a future to go through. She must live well, carrying her longing for her daughter, for the sake of the Qi family and for the spirit of A-Qi in heaven.
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