As she spoke, her expression suddenly turned stern. She grabbed Song Yiqiu's hand, staring at the red liquid seeping through the bandage on her palm.
Dropping her playful demeanor, her tone carried a note of disbelief:
"Tsk tsk, to think someone actually managed to injure you? The waters in the capital seem far deeper than the roaming bandits of Longnan. Danger lurks everywhere, General!"
Song Yiqiu was amused by her antics and withdrew her hand:
"Always with the clever remarks. When did you enter the estate?"
Baimei proudly lifted her chin:
"I've been undercover for almost half a month! If I hadn't seen you soon, with my skills, I'd have nearly become the head maid of the firewood room!"
She casually picked up the broom she had earlier thrown at Matron Wang, but her gaze drifted toward Qingzhu, who had been quietly standing to the side. Lowering her voice, she said:
"General, this young lady by your side… is she normal? Those two moves earlier—the timing, strength, and accuracy—didn't seem like something a true madwoman could pull off."
Song Yiqiu felt a slight shock:
"How could you tell?"
Baimei raised an eyebrow, a hint of pride in her expression:
"In the military camps, I've interrogated plenty of spies and those feigning madness to dodge conscription. Such petty tricks might fool the women in the inner quarters, but it's not easy to deceive these eyes trained among piles of corpses."
Standing nearby, Qingzhu listened to their familiar banter, an involuntary pang of bitterness welling up in her heart.
Seven years… Had her young lady already found someone she could trust completely?
Song Yiqiu didn't notice Qingzhu's subtle shift in mood. She pulled Qingzhu forward and solemnly said to Baimei:
"This is Qingzhu, the maid my grandmother left me. We are as close as sisters, and she is absolutely trustworthy."
She then turned to Qingzhu, her expression growing more serious:
"Qingzhu, Baimei makes a valid point. When pretending to be mad in front of others, you must be even more cautious from now on. Don't leave any traces of pretense in the details."
"Don't worry, I will find a suitable opportunity for you to 'naturally' regain your senses, but now is not the time. The enemy is in the shadows while we are in the light. We must avoid alerting them and giving my mother or others another chance to harm us."
Baimei immediately thumped her chest, assuming a bossy demeanor:
"Don't worry, Sister Qingzhu! From now on, with me here, let's see who dares to bully you or the General! I am Deputy General Bai, undefeated across Longnan!"
Song Yiqiu massaged her temples and corrected her helplessly:
"It's 'Young Lady.'"
"Oh right, Young Lady, Young Lady!"
Baimei grinned cheekily, without a hint of seriousness.
Suppressing the complicated emotions in her heart, Qingzhu politely greeted Baimei and then spoke softly:
"Young Lady… Young Master Fu… came to break off the engagement. You…"
No one understood better than her the genuine affection her young lady had secretly harbored for that Brother Langxing in their youth.
Childhood sweethearts, innocent companionship, a betrothal arranged by their grandmother…
All of it had once been one of the few bright spots in her young lady's bleak childhood.
Hearing this, Song Yiqiu's movements paused almost imperceptibly.
Her mind flashed with scenes from her past life—her humiliation, her abandonment, and Fu Langxing standing coldly by Song Sangyu's side.
That faint, youthful fondness had long since been eroded by the despair of her past life and the clarity of her present one.
After only a moment's hesitation, a relaxed smile appeared on her face. She patted Qingzhu's hand comfortingly.
"Nothing serious. I'm merely going to meet an 'old friend.' Coincidentally, I also wish to see how much this Langxing brother of mine has accomplished over the past seven years."
Her tone was calm and even, as if discussing a trivial matter that had nothing to do with her.
"Baimei," she instructed,
"You've just arrived, so stay by my side for now. Observe more and speak less. Qingzhu, you come with me as well. Continue 'being ill,' but do not act recklessly as you did today."
She adjusted the golden hairpin in her hair, took a deep breath, and said:
"Let's go to the main hall. We mustn't keep our guest waiting."
…
The moment Song Yiqiu stepped across the threshold of the main hall, an exquisite blue-and-white porcelain cup shattered at her feet, nearly grazing her ankle.
From inside the hall came the furious roar of a young man:
"I refuse to marry that filthy woman who's been intimate with a groom! What arranged marriage from birth? I don't care for it! This engagement must be called off!"
Following the voice, Song Yiqiu saw Fu Langxing, the heir of the Yongyu Count Manor, standing in the center of the hall, his face contorted with rage.
Meanwhile, Song Sangyu was gently holding his arm, her voice dripping with sweetness:
"Langxing brother, please don't speak of sister that way… Sister must have her difficulties, she was forced into it… Blame that audacious groom, it has nothing to do with sister…"
Fu Langxing's gaze softened instantly when he looked at Song Sangyu, and his tone eased:
"Sangyu, you're too kind-hearted. That shrew Song Yiqiu spent seven years in the borderlands—she must have been desperate with desire. The moment she returned, her true nature emerged. That groom was probably seduced by her!"
His attendant quickly whispered in warning:
"Young master! Be careful with your words! After all, she is the legitimate daughter of the Song family…"
"Legitimate daughter?"
Fu Langxing snorted coldly, casting a disdainful glance at the awkward-looking Song parents seated at the head of the hall.
"Isn't Sangyu also a legitimate daughter? How can there be such a difference between one legitimate daughter and another? I'd like to see how shameless Song Yiqiu can be, still clinging desperately to this engagement!"
"Who said I'm clinging desperately to it?"
A cool voice suddenly cut through the air.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Song Yiqiu walked gracefully into the hall from outside. Sunlight spilled over her hair, casting a soft halo around her.
After seven years apart, she seemed to have simply grown proportionally taller, her childish roundness not entirely faded, though the contours of her brows and eyes had deepened.
There was a newfound resilience honed by hardship, and her figure appeared slimmer, exuding authority without any display of anger.
Fu Langxing's gaze fixed on her, and for a moment, he was spellbound.
The woman before him was utterly different from the timid little girl he remembered. An aggressive beauty made his heart skip a beat.
"Langxing brother…"
Song Sangyu, sensitive to his distraction, uneasily tugged at his sleeve.
Fu Langxing snapped back to reality, his cheeks flushing unbecomingly.
To cover his embarrassment, he deliberately turned away, his tone turning even more hostile:
"It seems the borderlands weren't so harsh after all! Look at your delicate skin and tender flesh—you were probably treated like a young lady even in the military camp, weren't you?"
Song Yiqiu acted as if she hadn't heard his sarcasm. She casually pulled out a chair and sat down with composure.
Baimei immediately positioned herself alertly behind her, scanning the room with wary eyes, while Qingzhu stood further away, head bowed and eyes downcast, maintaining her facade of foolishness.
After sitting down, she leisurely picked up the tea that the maid had just served, gently blowing on it.
The entire front hall fell into an eerie silence as everyone exchanged uneasy glances.
She could feel Fu Langxing's scorching gaze fixed intently upon her.
After a long moment, she finally lifted her eyes and looked calmly at Fu Langxing:
"What? After all these years apart, does Langxing no longer recognize Yi Qiu?"