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

Qin Suling's eyes lit up instantly, like the brightest stars in the night sky, surprise and excitement intertwined on her face: "'Dongyue Zhi'? Of course I know it. My grandfather often mentioned it to me when he was alive. The author has great ambitions and has traveled all over the world. His writing is as gorgeous as a blooming flower. He has portrayed the beautiful mountains and rivers of the Central Plains and the complicated human relationships in depth. Each part contains a unique charm, which makes people feel as if they are there and imagine it endlessly."

Seeing her enthusiasm, Qi Qiyuan felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his eyes sparkled with anticipation. He continued, "I heard that the author is no longer content with the limitations of the Central Plains, and has set sail to pursue a more distant and unknown world. I wonder if he will be able to return with strange stories from overseas, so that we can experience the customs and practices of foreign lands and appreciate that different world together."

The two looked at each other and smiled. That smile seemed to contain thousands of words, or like a tacit understanding deep in their hearts, which merged into a river at this moment, as if their hearts had crossed the boundaries of time and space along with the words between the pages of the book, and were traveling in the boundless universe.

Qi Qiyuan's mouth drew up a gentle smile, and his tone was soft but firm: "The world is like a chess game, and who can tell what will happen in the future? But maybe, it will be as you wish, who knows." After that, his eyes gently lingered on Qin Suling, and he saw that her eyes were flashing with expectation and curiosity. Her red lips slightly parted, and her voice was as thin as a gossamer, but it was clearly transmitted to his ears: "I dare to ask the general for permission to let me borrow a few volumes of your collection to comfort my heart that is thirsty for knowledge."

Qi Qiyuan couldn't help but burst out laughing when he heard that. There was both doting and helplessness in his laughter: "The ocean of books is vast. It's a treasure shared by people all over the world. Why can't you do that? You can read it at will. No need to be polite." After that, he raised his hand lightly, and his fingertips inadvertently brushed the black hair hanging in front of Qin Suling's forehead. His movements were so gentle, as if he was afraid to disturb the tranquility and beauty of this moment.

Qin Suling felt a warm current in her heart, but her face remained gentle and indifferent. Only the joy in her eyes was as bright and vivid as a flower blooming in spring.

She was intoxicated by the fragrance of books in the room, as if the whole world had quieted down and only her dialogue with wisdom remained, flowing in silence.

Just at this moment, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the door, breaking the silence.

Qingdai walked in holding a food box, her steps light and steady, Xiaocui followed closely behind her. The two had different looks in their eyes, Qingdai's eyes were as clear as water, while Xiaocui's expression was complicated. She stared at Qi Qiyuan and Qin Suling, her eyes seemed to have thousands of words to say, which eventually turned into a silent sorrow.

Qi Qiyuan did not notice the subtle change in Xiao Cui's mood. His attention was attracted by the food box in Qingdai's hand.

He carefully examined the dishes in the food box, his expression suddenly changed, and his tone became a little colder: "Where did these meals come from?"

Qingdai was startled by the sudden question and her body trembled. Her face turned pale as paper in an instant. She replied in a trembling voice: "General, I took it from the kitchen at the order of Madam Xu. Madam Xu said that this is the daily meal for the Madam." After that, she lowered her head, not daring to look Qi Qiyuan in the eye again.

Hearing this, Qi Qiyuan's brows seemed to be covered by heavy clouds, condensing deep and inexplicable worries. The anger in his heart was like a flame blown up by a strong wind, burning fiercely, almost breaking through the restraints in his chest.

He knew very well that Qin Suling was particular about food, which was an indispensable touch of refinement and elegance in her life. However, the dishes before him were dull in color and bland in taste, like leftovers forgotten in the corner. It was clearly a great contempt and disregard for her taste and identity.

He turned sideways and stared at Qin Suling with deep eyes. He saw that she was examining the dishes on the table one by one in an almost picky manner. There was an indescribable indifference and disappointment in her bright eyes, like the last fallen leaf in autumn, gently falling, but carrying endless desolation.

"Perhaps this was just a momentary negligence of the servants, not an intentional act."

Qin Suling's words were gentle, like a spring breeze, but they carried a firmness and strength that could not be ignored.

She was very clear in her mind and knew that what happened today was not accidental, but was deliberately done by someone to test her status and dignity in the Shen family mansion.

So, she chose to endure, to be patient, to wait for the opportunity, and to respond accordingly.

Seeing this, Qing Dai was furious and angrily interrupted, "Madam, the general was by your side yesterday, so the servants naturally did not dare to be negligent. But today, I went to get the meal alone, but in return I got these crudely made things. It is actually my fault for not being able to protect you properly."

There was a hint of self-blame in her voice, but more of it was indignation at the unfair treatment.

Xiao Cui, who was standing by, felt mixed emotions when she heard this. She wanted to defend her mother and clear her name, but she was also secretly saddened by the fact that her position in Qi Qiyuan's heart was so insignificant.

She gritted her teeth and retorted angrily: "Don't slander me! My mother is loyal to General Qi, how could she do such a disrespectful thing? It is clearly you servants who are secretly making trouble and trying to alienate people!" Although her voice was trembling, every word was sonorous and powerful, revealing her unyielding tenacity.

The atmosphere in the study suddenly became tense, as if even the air had frozen.

Qi Qiyuan, Qin Suling, Qingdai and Xiao Cui, each of them has their own ulterior motives, and an invisible game quietly unfolds, like an intricate chess game on a chessboard, with mysteries hidden in every move.

Outside the window, the breeze blows gently, and the leaves sway in the wind, making a rustling sound, as if it is nature's gentle sigh for the complicated entanglements of human nature.

The sunlight shines through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled shadows, adding a touch of softness and warmth to the tense atmosphere.

A sneer appeared on Qingdai's lips, and that smile was as cold as frost flowers in the early morning of winter, bringing a biting chill.

She said slowly: "It is true that your mother and daughter's loyalty to General Qi is as solid as a rock, but the edges of this loyalty have inadvertently touched the lady's heartstrings and made her feel threatened." Her tone was calm and cold, and every word was like a sharp blade, piercing people's hearts.

When Xiao Cui heard this, her eyes turned red and tears welled up in her eyes, but she held back the tears and did not let them fall.

Her gaze was as sharp as a torch, like a steel blade baptized by fire, piercing Qin Suling's heart.

"It turns out that the Madam has condescended to come to this sacred place of study today with such a deep calculation in mind, intending to impose the crime on us."

Although her voice was trembling, it revealed unquestionable determination and courage.

Qin Suling had never expected that this trip would develop to such a situation, and she had never expected that Aunt Xu would dare to be so presumptuous under her nose.

She shook her head gently, her tone calm but sharp: "You accuse me of instructing Madam Xu? Such absurd words are really unheard of. If I really meant this, why would I come here in person and humiliate myself? I, Qin Suling, act uprightly and never disdain to use such despicable means."

Qi Qiyuan's rage intensified when he heard this. He stood up suddenly and shouted angrily, "Qi Si!"

The sound was like thunder in a clear summer sky, making the air in the entire study tremble.

Qi Si responded and appeared at the door of the study room silently like a ghost, bowing and waiting.

"What's your order, General?"

His voice was low and powerful, revealing his absolute loyalty and obedience to his master.

A storm is coming, and the mastermind behind all this is hiding in the dark, watching this contest of humanity with cold eyes.