For some reason, Ye Xi let out a slight sigh of relief. She tidied her clothes and got up to greet the guests.
Ling Yan had returned a few days ago. She hugged Ye Xi and shed some tears. Now, since Saixing was busy, only she accompanied Ye Xi to go out and welcome the guests.
Only Lu Qiong accompanied Liu Jingyue, and there was no sign of Yun Qianying.
A mischievous smile flashed through Ye Xi's mind, but her expression remained unchanged. She greeted Liu Jingyue with a beaming smile and invited her in.
The feast had already been prepared. The men were in the front yard, while the female relatives were in the back - yard hall. There were also some young friends of Yi Yaofeng, so they set up a children's table in the side - hall next door. The servants were there to watch over them, allowing them to play around.
Ye Xi led the guests into the waiting hall. Her voice hoarse, she introduced Liu Jingyue to everyone one by one.
Liu Mengxian naturally knew her. She happily came up and called "Auntie" repeatedly.
Just then, Yi Yaofeng came running in a hurry from the side - hall, followed by Lian Yi, who was looking for her mother.
"Sister Xi, Sister Xi..."
The young heir's voice came before he did. One wondered if he had learned this from Hunyuan.
"I heard there's an auntie as beautiful as you. Where is she? I want to take a look too."
"Pfft..."
Everyone in the hall couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Ye Xi's fair cheeks flushed. Before she could smooth things over for Yi Yaofeng, two children ran in through the side door one after another.
"Oh, you,"
Ye Xi said helplessly yet amusedly as she pinched Yi Yaofeng's chubby cheek.
"Who did you learn to be so disrespectful from? Go quickly and greet Lady Yun."
Yi Yaofeng had seen Liu Jingyue as soon as he entered the door. For some reason, he felt an immediate sense of closeness to her.
Thinking of what he had just said, he felt a bit embarrassed. He scratched his still - chubby face and stepped forward politely to pay his respects to Liu Jingyue.
Since ancient times, no one, whether male or female, dislikes being praised.
Especially children, who are straightforward and sincere.
Moreover, this was a child carefully taught and loved by his beloved daughter. Loving the daughter, Liu Jingyue also loved the child. With a beaming smile, she pulled Yi Yaofeng and praised him non - stop.
Ye Xi stood by with a smile. But then she noticed Lian Yi standing still on the spot.
"What's wrong, Lian Yi?"
Ye Xi stepped forward and naturally took her hand.
"Did you come to find your mother?"
Lian Yi nodded. Her big, black eyes blinked as she looked back and forth between Ye Xi and Liu Jingyue.
[Yes, I came to find my mother.]
[But Sister Xi, the mother you've been looking for for so long is here too.]
Buzz—
Ye Xi's mind went blank for a moment. She suddenly opened her eyes wide.
Here? Her biological mother was here!?
The person she had been desperately searching for had appeared beside her without any warning.
But... who was it?
Ye Xi's hand that was holding Lian Yi's trembled involuntarily. The answer in her heart was almost obvious.
But at this moment, she was too timid to admit it.
Taking a few deep breaths, Ye Xi tried her best to maintain her composure. She crouched down, pretending to whisper to Lian Yi, and asked in a low voice:
"Are you sure, Lian Yi? Who is it? My mother is..."
She wanted to ask if it was Lady Yun, but the words suddenly got stuck in her throat.
Thankfully, Lian Yi had already answered her in her heart:
[It's Lady Yun, Sister Xi. You and Lady Yun have a special color that only exists between a mother and her child.]
[In this world, no two people have exactly the same color. Only between a mother and her own children is there a strange and identical color. I can't describe it. And this color only exists between each mother and her children; even fathers don't have it.]
[You and Lady Yun have this color. I'm absolutely sure I'm not mistaken.]
The news came so suddenly.
Ye Xi's mind was in a complete mess. She didn't know how to react.
She was actually a daughter of the Yun family! No wonder she felt a sense of closeness when she first met Yun Qi, and she got along so well with Liu Mengxian. Then... wasn't Yun Qianying her own sister!?
Did Liu Jingyue know about this? Ye Xi was on the verge of a breakdown.
Back then, why was she sent away by Nanny Xi? The Yun family had never mentioned this matter in the past decade, and there was no news of them looking for the child.
Liu Mengxian once said that the third - wife of the Liu family was on very good terms with Liu Jingyue. Could it be that Liu Jingyue deliberately asked Nanny Xi to take her away?
Why? Did her parents not like her so much?
The people around noticed Ye Xi's uneasiness and gathered around.
Su Xin playfully patted Lian Yi's head and said:
"What are you and Sister Xi whispering about? We're all craving the Guanghan Cakes from the prince's mansion. Sister Xi can't give you special treatment just because she loves you."
Ye Xi suddenly came back to her senses. She glanced at Liu Jingyue with a complex look in her eyes. Temporarily suppressing the chaos in her heart, she forced a smile and said:
"Of course, everyone will have some. It's just the right time. Let's start the feast."
She quietly told Lian Yi to keep it a secret for her first. Then she turned to Liu Jingyue:
"Lady Yun,"
Her voice trembled. Ye Xi paused, steadied herself, and then continued:
"You're an elder and have been very kind to me. Please sit with me."
Liu Jingyue was naturally delighted to sit with her dear Yingying.
She had thought about it for a long time and finally decided to come because she missed Ye Xi. She wanted to see the place where her daughter, whom she hadn't seen for more than a decade, would live after marriage.
Hearing Ye Xi's invitation, she immediately agreed.
However, Ye Xi's expression clearly showed that she had something on her mind. Liu Mengxian leaned over with concern and asked:
"Why do you look so pale? Has something happened?"
Ye Xi didn't know how to answer for a moment. Her mind was in a complete mess. There were all kinds of speculations swirling in her head, and she was afraid that the final answer would be the one she least wanted.
She mumbled a few perfunctory words. Then they walked into the hall where the feast was set.
Ye Xi greeted everyone to take their seats. Her voice hoarse, she said a few polite words and then quickly started the feast.
During the meal, Liu Jingyue took very good care of Ye Xi. She secretly and carefully noted down the things Ye Xi liked and disliked.
But Ye Xi ate without tasting the food.
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back after going around in her mind a dozen times.
As the feast was coming to an end, Ye Xi had finally gathered enough courage. She casually leaned towards Liu Jingyue and tentatively said:
"I've heard since I was a child that General Yun is a heroic and valiant warrior on the border. I've always admired the loyalty and courage of the Yun family. Later, when I met you, Lady, I found you both talented and beautiful. Somehow, I felt a strong affinity with you and wanted to get closer to you."
"I've already met General Yun and Miss Yun of your esteemed family. I wonder if you two have any other children? I really want to get to know them."
Liu Jingyue's body visibly stiffened for a moment.
But only for a moment, she immediately returned to normal.
"No,"
Liu Jingyue denied it very firmly, but her eyes unconsciously avoided Ye Xi's.
"I only have two children. There are no others."
Ye Xi's heart ached. The next moment, she heard Liu Jingyue's inner voice in her mind:
[Silly child, you and Xiao Qi are the only two children in my life. How could there be any other children?]