Ling Qingwan looked like an adult, calm and reserved, even Ling Xiao couldn't help but be surprised.
What she said made sense. Ling Xiao was only concerned with guilt, but he didn't expect that in such a large family like the Marquis of Yangyang, there would be intrigue and conspiracy.
Ling Xiao had been a disciple of General Shen for a long time. He was simple-minded and could be called a reckless man. He had only heard about the intrigues in the backyard before, but today it actually happened to his closest relatives.
"I grew up in the countryside. As the saying goes, children from poor families grow up early, so they naturally think more when they encounter things." Ling Qingwan's mouth corners raised slightly.
Her complexion was much rosier than when she was first poisoned. When she and Ling Xiao looked into each other's eyes, Ling Qingwan's nose suddenly felt sore.
She was not welcomed back home. If her grandfather and brother were not here today, Ling Feng would have tried to get Ling Long off the hook with all the evidence before him. Her grandfather was very strict about family rules and etiquette, and her brother really loved her.
"Don't worry, I will be more careful in the future. After this incident, Qiao'er and Mingyue will probably take better care of me. Nothing will happen to me again." Ling Qingwan comforted Ling Xiao instead.
Ling Xiao was speechless.
He really couldn't imagine what Ling Qingwan had experienced over the years. She was only fifteen or sixteen years old, but she was so sensible and well-behaved.
"It's getting late, brother should go to bed early." Ling Qingwan didn't want Ling Xiao to keep thinking about this matter and feel guilty about her. She had discovered the silver needle a long time ago, and it was half her intention that caused such a mess.
Ling Xiao covered Ling Qingwan with a blanket, blew out the candle, and closed the doors and windows before leaving.
"Take good care of the young lady."
"I understand."
Outside the house, Ling Xiao gave Ming Yue some instructions.
After Ling Xiao walked away, Ling Qingwan called Mingyue into the room.
"Miss, why aren't you asleep yet?" Mingyue was worried. Ling Qingwan had gotten into trouble, and she was also responsible. Mingyue was feeling guilty when Ling Qingwan called her in.
"Help me with something."
The huge living room was empty. Ling Long threw herself into the Third Madam's arms and cried bitterly. The faint crying filled the air, and the mother and daughter were inseparable.
Ye Yun tried to drag Ling Long out several times, but was stopped by the Third Madam every time.
"Madam, you and Miss Fifth have said everything you needed to say. Now it's time for me to escort Miss Fifth out." Ye Yun kindly persuaded Madam Third to let go.
He waited for a full half hour. Ye Yun had done his best.
"Long'er won't leave. If you want to go out, go out by yourself." After saying that, the third lady hugged Linglong even tighter.
"This is the master's order. If I don't do it well, I will be punished by the master. You can't make things difficult for me." Ye Yun was helpless.
"The master was just anxious at the moment, and he said those words in anger. Long'er is his daughter, the legitimate fifth lady of the Marquis's Mansion. You, a servant, dare to disobey me and Long'er. Believe it or not, I will make sure you can't get a place in the mansion in the future." The Third Madam glared at Ye Yun unhappily.
Perhaps these words angered Ye Yun, and he immediately called the servants to come forward and forcibly pull Ling Long and the Third Madam apart.
"Third Madam, Fifth Miss, I'm sorry." Ye Yun put his hands forward, bent down and bowed, respectfully saluted the Third Madam, turned around and left.
It was late at night and the streets were completely silent.
Ling Long knew that she couldn't break free, so she allowed the servant to drag her away and throw her to the gate of the mansion.
A gust of cold wind blew by, and Linglong felt cold and shivered several times.
Feeling a warmth on her back, Ling Long looked up and saw Ye Yun putting clothes on her. Before she could come to her senses, Ye Yun squatted down and stuffed the hand-warming stove into Ling Long's arms.
"It's getting cold at night, Miss Fifth, please take care of yourself." Ye Yun spoke slowly.
After saying that, he stood up, and when he turned around, Linglong hugged his legs.
"Ye Yun, you have stayed in the Marquis' Mansion for more than ten years, and you and I can be said to have grown up together. I am homeless now, and you will not have the heart to watch me die without helping me." Tears welled up in Ling Long's eyes, and in the blink of an eye, the tears burst out.
She raised her head and begged Ye Yun pitifully to find a way out for her. How could she still be the arrogant and domineering Fifth Miss of the Marquis' Mansion when she was so humble
Ye Yun thought for a moment, took out a bunch of keys from his waist and handed it to Ling Long.
"Go into the second alley on Frost Leaf Street in the south of the city, and find the innermost room. Miss Fifth, please be patient for a while and ask for a place to stay there." Ye Yun said in a gentle voice.
Ling Long was delighted and hurriedly took the key, fearing that Ye Yun would change his mind at the last minute.
Frost Leaf Street is not very close to the Marquis' Mansion, so Ling Long hurriedly headed straight for the place Ye Yun mentioned.
Passing through a deep alley, the surroundings were quiet and only the sound of Linglong's footsteps could be heard.
"ah!"
Suddenly, a figure appeared in Linglong's eyes, blocking her way. Linglong was shocked, but she couldn't see the person's face in the dim light.
"You... who are you?" Ling Long was scared and swallowed nervously, stepping back subconsciously.
The figure approached, raised his sword and swung it down, Linglong fell to the ground, and the strong smell of blood immediately filled the entire alley.
When the Seventh Prince and the Crown Prince returned to the capital, the Emperor held a grand banquet in the palace, inviting all the ministers and their families to drink and enjoy music together to welcome them.
Everyone in the capital knew that the Marquis' Mansion had found the long-missing legitimate daughter, so Ling Qingwan had to attend this palace banquet.
Ling Qingwan pleaded with Ling Feng on the grounds of fear and took Ling Chuchu with her. The two of them had been busy choosing clothes to wear at the palace banquet these days and had long forgotten the previous incident.
Taking Ling Long as a warning, from that day on, the young masters and young ladies in the backyard became much more polite to Ling Qingwan.
"Miss, this dress suits you very well."
Ling Qingwan had just changed her clothes and came out from behind the screen. Qiao'er's eyes lit up and she hurriedly praised her.
She was wearing a long moon-soft forged skirt embroidered with peonies and a honey-colored jacket. She was not wearing any makeup, but she was already a beauty that could topple a country.
Ling Shen was also a famous beauty in Tokyo City when she was young. Ling Qingwan had similar features to her, so naturally they were not much different.
"You, stop talking and help Wanwan dress up quickly. I just passed by the North Courtyard and Grandfather has already packed everything. Don't keep them waiting."
Ling Chuchu walked straight into the room, smiling and joking with Qiao'er.
"I understand!" Qiao'er quickly agreed. Then she quickly helped Ling Qingwan walk to the dressing table and sat down.
The woman in the mirror had bright eyes and white teeth, and was very charming and beautiful. Even if Ling Qingwan didn't smile, her curved eyebrows were enough to attract people's attention.
"Sister, why did you come to see me at this time?" Ling Qingwan asked with a smile.
Less than a month after returning to the mansion, she and Ling Chuchu had become very close. The two were inseparable, like real sisters.
Old Madam Ling and Ling Shen saw this and were very pleased.
"Of course I'm here to bring you something good."
Ling Chuchu took out a square sandalwood box from her sleeve and handed it to Qiao'er.
Qiao'er was also curious about what Ling Chuchu brought. Seeing Ling Qingwan nod, she opened the box and found two hairpins inside.