When they emerged from the Wang family compound, the night was already very late. The half-grown children who had originally surrounded the Wang family gate were all gone without a trace. The night wind swept past the quiet and peaceful entrance, as if nothing had ever happened.
Returning to the Marquis Dingxi estate, everyone was anxiously waiting at the gate. The steward had even summoned all the guards in full armor. When they saw Marquis Dingxi’s group appear at the street corner, they couldn’t help but stir with excitement.
“What are you all standing here for?” Marquis Dingxi held his head high, trying hard to be serious and composed, but his mouth involuntarily splitting into a grin simply couldn’t be suppressed, ruining his affected calm and nonchalance.
Aside from what he said, every gesture and expression was wildly shouting: Come worship me and welcome me—I’m so proud!
The steward naturally understood his master’s intentions and rushed over in a few steps.
“My lord, you were too impulsive! How could you do such a thing…” he shouted loudly, as if Marquis Dingxi had gone to slay demons and monsters.
At the same time, he gestured to those behind him.
Immediately all the servants and guards started shouting in confusion—nothing more than “My lord, you’re too amazing,” “My lord, this was too dangerous,” “My lord, please don’t do such things in the future.”
“My lord, in the future let us handle such matters. You are the head of the family—just by standing here, you shield us from wind and rain. If we let you come forward personally again, it would be the death of us,” the steward said chokingly.
“What are you saying? I just went to negotiate with the Wang family. What does the Wang family amount to? They’re not some fierce tigers or savage beasts, hahahaha…”
Marquis Dingxi waved his hands and finally couldn’t suppress his loud laughter as he swayed inside.
Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue, following behind, couldn’t help but lower their heads.
Madam Xie stood in the courtyard watching them enter, her feelings complex. Her son was safe, the marquis estate was unharmed—these were what she had prayed for while chanting Buddha’s name. But that woman…
Why did that troublemaking woman always have to be tied together with her son and the marquis estate!
That’s why they could always turn danger into safety!
Madam Xie clenched her fists tightly and went toward Chang Yuncheng.
“Eat first,” she said with concern.
Marquis Dingxi laughed heartily.
“No need—we already ate at Master Wang’s house,” he said with some boasting.
Madam Xie and the others were even more shocked to hear this. After such a commotion, the Wang family had still provided a meal?
Marquis Dingxi was waiting to see everyone’s surprised expressions, his entire body’s pores opening with contentment.
So the feeling of standing out and showing off was this good!
Qi Yue stood behind, and for the first time seeing Marquis Dingxi’s comical pride, she didn’t want to laugh. She turned to look at Chang Yuncheng being pulled by Madam Xie. When Chang Yuncheng arrived and Marquis Dingxi suddenly appeared too, she had felt equally shocked. Beyond the shock was a kind of bitter feeling. This bitter feeling wasn’t unpleasant but rather very warm…
Here, finally there were people who would stand up for her, who would risk everything for her?
This time, the people of this family wouldn’t hide but would stand out to protect her.
Did they consider her family?
Did she also have family here?
“Father,” Chang Yuncheng suddenly called out.
Marquis Dingxi, who was enjoying the comfort of the pretty concubines who had come upon hearing the news, was startled by his son’s call.
Of course, Chang Yuncheng calling him father wasn’t strange—it was just that today this “father” felt somewhat odd.
But Chang Yuncheng said nothing more, just lowered his head in a bow.
“Father has worked hard. Please rest early,” he said quietly.
Marquis Dingxi was busy enjoying the beauties’ compliments and waved his hand casually, indicating he could withdraw.
“Father.”
Another person called out “father.”
This time it was Qi Yue.
Chang Yuncheng, who had just raised his head, looked over with a slightly stunned expression.
This woman—since that doctors’ betting incident, this was the first time she’d used the address “father”…
Marquis Dingxi looked over. He hadn’t paid attention to changes in how his daughter-in-law addressed him. He was stern with his son but couldn’t put on a sour face with his daughter-in-law.
“You should also go rest quickly. The injury on your face…” he said with concern.
“Thank you, father,” Qi Yue smiled at him, though at this moment her smile could hardly be called captivating.
“What are you saying?” Marquis Dingxi laughed heartily. “We’re family—what’s there to thank? Go quickly, go quickly.”
Qi Yue bowed again, then also bowed to Madam Xie.
“Do you know your error?” Madam Xie didn’t let her rise but asked coldly.
Chang Yuncheng opened his mouth to say something, but Qi Yue spoke first.
“I know I was wrong,” she replied.
This answer left Madam Xie, who had accumulated countless scolding words, breathless.
Chang Yuncheng looked at Qi Yue with an even more softened expression.
“I shouldn’t have acted rashly on my own. I should have come back to find father, mother, and Lord first. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have escalated like this,” Qi Yue added.
Madam Xie had to swallow back her prepared “What exactly were you wrong about?”