After the noble lady was reborn, the whole mansion begged her for forgiveness

Finally, after a long period of silence, Qi Qiyuan slowly opened his lips and spoke in a low and firm voice.

"When the situation over there has calmed down, let her go. Remember to remind her to be careful with her words to avoid bringing disaster. At the same time, secretly place spies to keep a close eye on her whereabouts, just in case she accidentally reveals secrets that should not be known to others."

After he finished speaking, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, as if he was helpless about the past, but also seemed to be looking forward to the future.

Shen Ling stood aside. After hearing the words, he did not react immediately. He just stood there quietly, as if he was deliberately slowing down his breathing for fear of disturbing the heavy atmosphere.

It was not until Qi Qiyuan's eyes gently passed over him that he nodded slightly in a nearly silent manner to indicate his agreement: "...I understand."

Then, he slowly closed the heavy book in his hand, each step seemed unusually heavy, and slowly walked out of the room.

When he reached the door, Shen Ling suddenly stopped, his body slightly stiffened, as if he was pulled by an invisible force, and he involuntarily looked back at the man who was still buried in official documents.

The moonlight filtered through the window, sprinkling mottled light onto the table. The two pieces of paper looked even more mysterious in the dim light.

Although Shen Ling did not look closely, he had already vaguely guessed that one was a secret note, and the other was the fascinating portrait.

Why did Qingxin send the portrait?

He already had some guesses about the deeper meaning behind this.

It was a common thing for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to draw a portrait, but Qi Qiyuan's cautiousness in treating the portrait made Shen Ling feel inexplicable doubts.

He recalled the gentle look on Qi Qiyuan's face as he stroked the portrait. The tenderness and depth in his eyes were very different from his usual cold and decisive image.

Shen Ling's heart tightened involuntarily, and an indescribable uneasiness quietly spread.

"Qi Qiyuan..."

He finally couldn't help but call out softly, his voice trembling and hoarse in a way he hadn't noticed, as if even the name carried too much emotion and struggle.

"What's the matter?"

Qi Qiyuan looked up when he heard the voice, a trace of concern flashing in his eyes, as if he could see into people's hearts.

Shen Ling stared at him, thousands of words rising to his throat, but when they met those deep eyes, they turned into silent sighs.

He hesitated to speak, and finally just shook his head and made a lame excuse: "...It's okay, maybe I've been too tired these days and my mind is wandering."

As he spoke, he reached out and gently rubbed the bridge of his nose, his brows filled with unresolved worry. He turned and left, his back looking particularly lonely.

Looking at Shen Ling's departing back, Qi Qiyuan was confused but did not ask any more questions.

He then told the servant: "Go to the kitchen and prepare a bowl of ginseng soup for him to nourish his body."

The servant left in response, leaving Qi Qiyuan alone to continue immersing himself in official documents.

After all matters were settled and the ink had dried, Qi Qiyuan finally had a moment of peace.

He slowly leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes and let the moonlight shine on his handsome face, adding a touch of softness and tranquility to him.

Although the hard work in recent days left a faint blue shadow under his eyes, it did not detract from his natural elegance.

The nose is straight, the lips are thin, the phoenix eyes are stern but not revealing, and the long eyebrows slant into the temples.

He had long since shed his youthful frivolity, replaced by a mature, steady and noble temperament.

The servant walked in quietly and reminded: "Master, it's late at night, it's time to rest."

Qi Qiyuan didn't really fall asleep, he just responded softly in a hoarse and tired voice.

He closed his eyes, stood up, and was about to leave, but his eyes inadvertently swept across the two pieces of paper on the table.

Normally, it would be best to burn the portrait after reading it, but looking at the gentle woman in the portrait, an indescribable emotion surged in his heart. After a little hesitation, he decided to keep the portrait, folded it carefully, and hid it in a secret place, as if he was guarding a secret that he did not want others to know.

After Qin Suling and Qi Qiyuan returned to Beijing, they had some free time for a while.

In the deepest part of the mansion of Marquis Yongyi, although the spring sunshine is bright and golden, it seems to be lightly covered by an invisible veil, making the spring scenery in the garden also stained with a subtle sadness.

The sunlight shines through the sparse clouds, dappling onto the stone path. The dead leaves spin leisurely in the wind, each one seeming to whisper, telling the secrets of the past and the future, adding a bit of inexplicable sadness and expectation.

Qin Suling stood quietly in front of the carved wooden window, her posture upright yet weak, the fine lines between her brows were like flower buds that had not yet bloomed in spring, hiding a hint of worry and expectation.

Her eyes would occasionally glance out the window, as if they could penetrate through all the obstacles and reach far away. In her heart, she silently prayed for Qi Qiyuan's safe return. That desire was like the endless yearning for rain in a long-dry land.

At this moment, in the hall, Qin Zhinan's appearance was like a breeze, blowing away the solemn atmosphere.

He sat leisurely on the main seat, playing with a blue and white porcelain teacup in his hand. The pattern on the teacup was delicate and vivid, as if the fragrance could slowly flow out as he sipped it.

There was a faint and mysterious smile on his lips, and his eyes wandered, taking in every detail of the mansion. His calmness and confidence made people involuntarily respect him, and even make people mistakenly think that he was the real owner of the mansion.

"Little sister, you seem to have a lot of problems in your heart. Can you talk to me about them?"

Qin Zhinan's voice was low and magnetic. There was some concern and insight in his words, and he easily captured the subtle changes in Qin Suling's heart.

Qin Suling sighed softly, her eyes gently swept across the door, and there was a barely perceptible tremor in her voice: "My husband left home to find a way to return as soon as possible. Although I am worried, I am also full of hope."

Qin Zhinan nodded slightly when he heard this, and a complex light flashed in his eyes, as if he had a deep understanding of Qi Qiyuan's absence from home for five years, and also seemed to be a faint worry about the uncertain future.

He changed the subject, with a tentative tone: "Will General Shen visit the Qin Mansion frequently in the future? After all, things are unpredictable."

Qin Suling's heart tightened when she heard this. She pondered for a moment, and finally shook her head slowly, revealing a kind of helplessness and indifference in her voice: "The world is like a new chess game, I'm afraid it will be difficult to get together as frequently as before."

Just as the two were talking, a sudden cool breeze blew through the hall, bringing with it a bit of early spring chill and an uninvited guest.

The figure was as light as the wind, leaping over the wall silently. When everyone came to their senses, he was standing in the middle of the hall like a ghost.

Qin Zhinan's guards were about to take action, but were easily subdued by the newcomer at lightning speed. The scene became subtle and tense for a moment.

"Qi Qiyuan?"

Qin Zhinan's voice was full of surprise and confusion. He had never expected that Qi Qiyuan would suddenly return in such a way.

Qin Suling was also shocked and looked at Qi Qiyuan with complicated eyes, puzzled and resentful. Why did he choose such a rash way?

Qi Qiyuan walked into the hall, his eyes moving between Qin Zhinan and Qin Suling, and finally sat down next to Qin Suling naturally, as if all this was within his expectations.

Qin Suling glared at him and wanted to get up and avoid him, but he gently held her shoulders. His gentleness revealed an irresistible power.

"Climbing over the wall and trespassing is not what a gentleman does, but this house is where my mother used to live. I climbed over the wall and entered only out of habit. I hope you can forgive me, brother."

Qi Qiyuan's smile was warm and cunning, and his words revealed an unquestionable majesty, which forced people to re-examine this long-lost general.

Qin Zhinan looked at Qi Qiyuan and was secretly surprised.

After not seeing each other for more than half a year, Qi Qiyuan's skills have recovered as before. He can climb over the wall smoothly and freely, just like before.

Could it be that... the deadly poison really couldn't do anything to him?

Countless questions surged in Qin Zhinan's mind, but he never asked them. He just looked at the returning old friend quietly, feeling mixed emotions.