With a tight frown, Liu Jingyue shook her head and said,
"After You Shang took Yingying away all those years ago, there was no news. We didn't dare to look for her openly in these ten-odd years. What happened later and what kind of things occurred, only Yingying herself knows."
"But to her, I'm just an outsider now..."
Liu Jingyue's eyes turned red.
"I'm a... a strange lady. She won't open her heart to me and talk about those private matters."
Lu Qiong gently stroked Liu Jingyue's back and comforted her softly,
"Then... Madam, why don't you recognize the young lady back? After all, back then..."
"No way!"
Before Lu Qiong could finish her words, Liu Jingyue cut her off firmly.
"Have you forgotten why we didn't dare to look for Yingying all these years? We must never recognize her!"
"At least..."
Liu Jingyue lowered her eyelids, as if sighing and whispering,
"We can't recognize her for now."
Lu Qiong sighed too and finally didn't persuade her anymore. She just comforted Liu Jingyue a few more words. Then the mistress and the maid washed up and went to bed.
On this side, Yi Yuan finally found Ye Xi with great difficulty. He didn't dare to let her out of his sight for a moment.
He circled Ye Xi in his arms. The two lay down with their clothes on, their necks touching. While whispering sweet nothings, they almost lost control.
It was thanks to Yi Yuan's strong self - control. Otherwise, with a beauty in his arms, her hair in disarray, showing a bit of charm and gasping for breath, at such a passionate age, who else could hold back?
The winter night was long. It was cold outside, but warm inside the room.
One talked and the other listened. They poured out their affection and longing for a long time.
The news that Yi Yuan had found Ye Xi quickly spread back to the capital.
On the way there, because they were looking for someone, they searched all the way, afraid of missing any clues and even encountered many assassinations. It took them more than half a month.
Now on their way back to the capital, everything suddenly became smooth. Moreover, although Ye Xi's body was no longer weak and had returned to normal, for some reason, she still couldn't speak.
Both Yi Yuan and Liu Jingyue were very worried. They didn't dare to delay for a moment on the way back.
The group rushed on their journey in a hurry. They returned to the capital in about ten days.
It was now the beginning of the twelfth lunar month. Red paper, firecrackers, candies and preserved fruits were everywhere on the street. The whole place was filled with the joyful atmosphere of the approaching New Year.
As soon as the carriage passed through the Yuhua Gate, they heard several extremely happy voices from outside:
"Miss! Miss!"
"Xiaoxi!"
Saixing excitedly pulled Jiang Ning and rushed over. It was supposed to be a happy thing, but the moment she saw Ye Xi, she couldn't help but want to cry.
"The prince has brought the miss back..."
Saixing held Ye Xi's hand tightly and couldn't let go. She laughed and cried at the same time.
"That's great. The prince is really capable. Are you hungry, miss? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? I..."
"Mother! Mother!"
Yun Qianying's happy voice interrupted Saixing's following words. Several people subconsciously turned their heads and saw Yun Qianying skipping like a little sparrow to Liu Jingyue's carriage. She affectionately leaned on Liu Jingyue and started to act coquettishly.
A hint of disappointment flashed across Ye Xi's almond eyes.
On this journey, Liu Jingyue had been very kind to her. She had cared about her and showed her concern in every possible way. It always made Ye Xi feel as if her own mother was by her side.
However, no matter how much Liu Jingyue cared about her, she still didn't want to get close to Ye Xi.
She always casually avoided Ye Xi when she got closer.
Ye Xi always comforted herself that maybe Liu Jingyue didn't like people getting too close. After all, the concern and love in her eyes were real. Even when Ye Xi was accidentally splashed by hot soup, Liu Jingyue's subconscious reaction couldn't be faked at all.
But now seeing Yun Qianying throwing herself on Liu Jingyue without any scruples and acting coquettishly like a little girl, Ye Xi finally woke up from the self - deception and hope of these dozens of days.
This was not her mother. This was Yun Qianying's mother.
She had nothing to do with her.
Ye Xi lowered her eyelashes. The envy in her heart couldn't be suppressed at all.
Yi Yuan knew exactly what was on Ye Xi's mind. Ye Xi had also told him that Liu Jingyue knew her nickname was Yingying.
Strangely enough, when Yi Yuan faced Liu Jingyue, he always had a feeling of facing his future mother - in - law. He often unconsciously became much more well - behaved, which made him feel quite confused.
Now seeing Ye Xi looking so disappointed, Yi Yuan naturally knew how she felt. He stretched out his long arm and pulled her into his arms to comfort her silently.
On the other side, Liu Jingyue naturally noticed what was going on with Ye Xi. Her heart was filled with pain, but she still had to force a smile on her face.
Yun Qianying didn't notice anything wrong with Liu Jingyue. She only saw her mother looking in Ye Xi's direction. She couldn't help but let out a disdainful snort from her nose and said,
"Mother, don't get too close to that Miss Xi. She has a bad character. She's a flirt and a jinx. She causes trouble all the time and even drags others down..."
"Shut up!"
Liu Jingyue's eyebrows suddenly sharpened. Her smiling face just now turned as cold as the ice in winter.
"When did you start talking so harshly, Xiaoying? Gossiping about others right to their faces. You've only been back in the capital for a few days. How could you forget all the things I've taught you!?"
Yun Qianying had never seen her mother so angry before. She was so scared that she looked at Liu Jingyue timidly and didn't dare to say a word.
After all, Yun Qianying was the daughter she had brought up with her own hands. Seeing her look like a frightened little animal in the forest, Liu Jingyue couldn't bear it.
But then she thought about what she had learned about Yingying's opinion of Yun Qianying through some indirect inquiries on the way. Yingying either avoided the topic by saying she couldn't speak or changed the subject. It was obvious that she didn't have much affection for her daughter.
And as soon as she came back, Yun Qianying started speaking ill of Ye Xi. The relationship between the two was obvious.
Both were her dear ones. Naturally, Liu Jingyue wanted them to get along well. But comparing Yun Qianying's words just now with the fact that Yingying had never said a single bad word about Yun Qianying on this journey.
Liu Jingyue hardened her heart again and planned to teach Yun Qianying a few more words.
Just then, Mianxiao drove the carriage closer. Yi Yuan and Ye Xi came over to bid farewell.
Liu Jingyue still didn't want Yun Qianying to be embarrassed. She glanced at her and softened her expression, then started chatting with Yi Yuan.
Before they left, she carefully told Ye Xi to take good care of herself. No matter what the result of her throat problem was, she must send someone to tell her. Only after Ye Xi nodded in agreement did she reluctantly let her go.
Seeing her mother caring so much about someone she disliked so much, Yun Qianying was jealous. She secretly glared at Ye Xi with dissatisfaction and thought to herself: Why didn't she just die outside!
It didn't matter. Anyway, her mother had returned to the capital, and her father would probably arrive soon.
The Shen family had already told her their plan. They were going to come and propose marriage on a good day after her father came back. Her Azhou hadn't left the Shen family's house for days. He didn't see any outsiders except her and was just whole - heartedly preparing for the proposal and other important matters at home.
Yun Qianying smiled sweetly.
She thought that as long as that bitch Ye Xi was gone, her Azhou would only love her whole - heartedly.
But Ye Xi had come back!
A hint of panic flashed across her eyes. Yun Qianying unconsciously clenched her fists.
It didn't matter. She was just a commoner. She had plenty of ways to stop Ye Xi from disturbing Azhou's mind. She would never let Ye Xi ruin her good thing at such a crucial moment!
Adjusting her expression, Yun Qianying wrapped her arm around Liu Jingyue's again and got into the carriage to go back.