Chapter 456

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

The moment Qi Xi stepped into the courtyard, she had not expected to meet such an enthusiastic Wei Shengsheng at all.

As soon as Wei Shengsheng saw Qi Xi, she was like someone reuniting with long-lost kin, smiling broadly as she came forward, muttering nonstop, "Xi Xi, Xi Xi!"

Facing Wei Shengsheng's such enthusiastic welcome, Qi Xi was somewhat at a loss.

She froze for a moment, then came back to her senses, quickly waving her hands and saying, "Second Aunt, how can this be? This is too much, I cannot accept it." Her voice carried a hint of panic and unease, clearly unable to handle Wei Shengsheng's enthusiasm.

Looking at the well-behaved and cute Qi Xi before her, Wei Shengsheng liked her immensely in her heart.

She couldn't help but secretly ponder: if Qianqian doesn't take a liking to her own son, and instead takes this little Xi Xi back to be her daughter-in-law, it seems like a pretty good choice too!

Thinking of this, Wei Shengsheng's enthusiasm surged even higher, and she said to Qi Xi, "You child, why are you still being so polite? We're all family, what can't be accepted? Don't be formal with Second Aunt!"

Qi Xi had originally wanted to politely decline, but Wei Shengsheng's strength was truly too great, and she simply could not break free.

Just as she was feeling embarrassed, Qianqian beside her also spoke up to persuade her: "Xi Xi, just accept it, it's nothing." Seeing this, Qi Xi had no choice but to helplessly accept the gift and thank Wei Shengsheng: "Thank you, Second Aunt."

Wei Shengsheng's impression of Qi Xi became increasingly good, and she began to actively ask about Qi Xi's family situation, such as how many people were in her family, what hobbies they had, and so on.

Qi Xi answered them all truthfully one by one; her attitude was humble and well-behaved, making people unable to help but feel fond of her.

After hearing this, Wei Shengsheng secretly calculated in her heart when she could let the two children meet. However, when she thought that she would be departing tomorrow, she couldn't help but feel worried.

Directly arranging for the two to meet seemed too rushed, but if she delayed any longer, she would be returning tomorrow herself, and there might be no chance then.

In the subsequent conversation, Wei Shengsheng was clearly absent-minded, her thoughts having already drifted to how to arrange for the two children to meet. It was only after Qi Xi rose to take her leave and depart that she came back to her senses.

An Wangfei noticed Wei Shengsheng's abnormality and asked with concern: "Shengsheng, what's wrong with you? Ever since Xi Xi came, you've been absent-minded."

Wei Shengsheng scratched her head somewhat shyly and said: "Oh, I was just thinking about taking little Xi Xi back to be our family's daughter-in-law, but thinking that I have to set off tomorrow, what can I do!"

An Wangfei, upon hearing this, smiled slightly and comforted her softly: "Shengsheng, children and grandchildren have their own blessings; some things cannot be forced.

Look, sometimes you painstakingly want to matchmake the two children, but if they don't have that inclination toward each other, even if forced together, they may not necessarily be happy.

Moreover, the children might, out of embarrassment at refusing your kindness, keep dragging it on; after three or five years, they might even blame you in their hearts—wouldn't that be a case of losing more than gaining?"

After hearing An Wangfei's words, Qi Xi nodded thoughtfully, feeling that what she said made a lot of sense.

An Wangfei then continued: "I think this child Yun Lan is quite good—smart, clever, lively, and cute. She definitely won't have trouble finding a good daughter-in-law in the future, so don't worry too much."

After hearing An Wangfei's words, Wei Shengsheng's mood lightened considerably, and she said with a smile: "Sister Wangfei is right; I was too anxious. If he has the ability to find a good daughter-in-law himself, that would naturally be best; if he doesn't have that ability, then he'll just remain a bachelor—I can't manage that much anyway!"

At this moment, Qianqian beside her suddenly "pfft" laughed out, teasing: "Second Aunt, Mother told you to open your mind, but not to open it this directly!"

Wei Shengsheng was teased by Qianqian and couldn't help but laugh too, scolding: "You little girl, all you do is tease me!"

For a time, the room was filled with laughter and voices, very lively.

Early the next morning, before the sun had risen, a hint of fish-belly white appeared on the horizon, and everyone got up early. After breakfast, everyone rested briefly, then prepared to set out on the journey home.

Just as when they came, Qianqian and Wei Shengsheng still chose to ride horses, while the others rode in carriages.

An Wangfei specially came to see them off; watching everyone gradually go farther away, a hint of loss inevitably surged in her heart. However, compared to last time, this feeling had improved considerably.

At this time, An Wang had long since gone to court session, and his figure was not seen at home. These past two days, aside from returning home at night to rest, An Wang was almost never home all day, and no one knew exactly what he was busy with.

Qianqian's group traveled along the familiar road, galloping toward the direction of Shenyi Gu.

After several days of long journey, they finally saw Wuyi Shan in the distance; its majestic peaks appeared and disappeared in the morning mist, as if welcoming their return.

Along the way, everyone did not encounter too much danger, and everything went relatively smoothly.

Qianqian had been watching the others enter Shenyi Gu all along; originally she had not intended to enter, but after Bai Yu said a few words to her, she thought for a moment and finally decided to enter together with them.

After entering Shenyi Gu, everyone returned to their own lodgings to tidy up their luggage. Meanwhile, Yan Jie stayed in Bai Yu's courtyard, keeping Bai Yu company.

Su Yan and Bai Yunzheng, who had received the news early, had been guarding the boundary, waiting quietly. Finally, they saw the long-awaited figures—Bai Yu, Yan Jie, and the others. This made both Su Yan and Bai Yunzheng feel somewhat surprised, because they had not expected Yan Jie to return together with them.

After seeing Bai Yunzheng, Bai Yu simply greeted him, then said to him: "After you're done with your tasks later, come to my place."

Bai Yunzheng readily agreed, then, together with Su Yan, exchanged a few pleasantries with the others, and left together with Bai Ziang.

At the same time, Wei Shengsheng, Bai Zihang, and Bai Yun Lan also took their leave one after another to go pack their things. Meanwhile, Qianqian followed closely behind Bai Yu and Yan Jie, returning together with them.

After returning to their lodgings, Bai Yu had Yan Jie go tidy up his luggage first, while he stayed behind to be alone with Qianqian. Although Yan Jie was somewhat curious, he did not ask further, and left the room very tactfully.

At this time, only Bai Yu and Qianqian remained in the room. Qianqian hesitated for a moment, then still asked: "Grandpa Bai, you mentioned a Human Skin Mask before—where is it?"

It turned out that Bai Yu had previously told Qianqian that he had a Human Skin Mask there, which would be convenient for Qianqian to use when going out. It was precisely because of these words that Qianqian had decided to follow them and enter together.