She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 155 - 154: What Needs to Be Said Must Be Said

Chapter 155: Chapter 154: What Needs to Be Said Must Be Said

The second branch of the Qi family caused quite a stir today. Although the autumn harvest was approaching and the villagers were busy in the fields, there were still some people living nearby who noticed that many unfamiliar faces had suddenly appeared at the second branch’s residence. A few farmwives had even peeked over from a distance.

At Nanny Zhou’s gesture, Nanny Jin went to look at the entrance of the courtyard before turning back inside.

Nanny Liu and the others were still tidying up the outer room, so Qi Younian and his two comrades could only sit and talk in the courtyard.

As a new round of tea and refreshments were served, Nanny Jin asked Qi Younian, "Great Uncle, since Old Master Cheung and Mr. Wong are visiting, should we prepare a few more dishes as a welcome? Do you think we should invite the masters from the Main Branch and the Third Branch over to sit and chat together?"

"Yes, yes, we will be spending more time together in the future. It’s a good opportunity for Big Brother and Yourong to meet the fourth brother and Ah Qiao," Qi Younian said eagerly.

However, Cheung Wusi declined, "Second Brother, we’re not outsiders. There’s no need for a formal welcome. It’s fine for us to just sit together and have a meal. We don’t need special dishes. The usual large pot of stew and pancakes are quite good—simple and honest food."

Qi Younian chuckled, "If our family were struggling, that would be one thing, but thanks to my granddaughter’s blessings, we are doing quite well. It’s been many years since we brothers have seen each other, and since you and Ah Qiao have come from afar, we should at least have a good meal and a couple of drinks to celebrate."

Nanny Jin replied with a smile, "Then I’ll summon the two masters. It’s nearly noon; they should be returning from the fields by now."

Once the outer room of the Second Branch house was cleared out, Qi Younian and Cheung Wusi entered along with the third person. Just as they sat down on the heated brick bed, Qi Yourong and Qi Yougui arrived.

Qi Yourong brought two of his grandsons with him.

Qi Yourong hadn’t had the chance to take a close look at the bustling women in the courtyard before Nanny Jin ushered him inside. Upon entering the room, he saw two strangers seated on the brick bed. He had heard from villagers on his way over that a lot of unfamiliar faces had turned up at the second branch’s place, indeed quite a few.

The two grandsons he’d brought, who seldom had the chance to approach the Second Branch courtyard, had long been drooling over the riches of the Great Uncle’s food. Upon entering, their eyes immediately searched for food, fixating on the plates of cheese and refreshments on the cupboard in the corner.

When Qi Younian saw Qi Yourong come in, he grabbed Cheung Wusi, who was about to get up, and greeted his younger brother with a smile, "Yourong, come up, let’s talk on the brick bed."

Wong Qiao was already sitting at the edge of the brick bed. Seeing Qi Yourong come in, he had already stood up on the ground early. As Qi Yourong glanced over at him, Wong Qiao greeted him with a respectful bow and a smile.

Qi Yourong didn’t stand on ceremony. As he climbed onto the bed, he asked, "Second Brother, what’s all this about? I don’t recognize these two gents. Are they new acquaintances of yours?"

Qi Younian smiled and replied, "New acquaintances? In fact, we are all family. This is my sworn brother from years ago, Cheung Wusi." Then, turning to Wong Qiao, he said, "Ah Qiao, this is my younger brother; you should call him Third Great Uncle."

Wong Qiao stepped forward to pay his respects. Qi Younian introduced him to Qi Yourong, "This is the son of my seventh sworn brother, Ah Qiao, who has come with Wusi to help me out."

Standing at the foot of the brick bed, Wong Qiao greeted, "Young nephew Wong Qiao, meets Third Great Uncle."

Just as Qi Yourong was about to express his displeasure with Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao for offering to help with chores, Qi Congwu, the second son of Qi Dong, already began to act. He reached out and grabbed at the cheese and refreshments on the cupboard, shoving them into his own pockets. In his haste, the small pieces of cheese and snacks fell inside and outside the pockets.

Qi Congwen watched from the side with a chuckle, making no move to stop him.

Zi Ning, unable to stand idly by, stepped forward and whispered, "Young Master, please take it easy. Which one would you like? Let me help you get it."

Qi Congwen was focused solely on watching his younger brother stash things into his pockets, worrying about what they would do if Congwu’s pockets wouldn’t fit everything. He didn’t hear what Zi Ning had said about the Young Master and only saw a girl approaching as if she was about to gather up the tasty morsels from the plate.

He took a step forward and pushed Zi Ning with force, "This is my Great Uncle’s home. Who are you to meddle in our affairs? Get away from here!"

Qi Congwen, being just a child, didn’t have the strength to move Zi Ning. Zi Ning paused and stood her ground, silently watching Qi Congwen and Qi Congwu.

Qi Yourong, sitting on the heated brick bed, saw his grandson being blocked and didn’t have time to express his dissatisfaction with Wong Qiao. He chastised Zi Ning, "You woman! This is the children’s Great Uncle’s home; shouldn’t they be allowed to have some food?"

As he spoke, he turned back to Qi Younian, "Second brother, what’s going on in your home? How come there are suddenly so many unrelated people? And they dare to bully our children in front of the adults."

Cheung Wusi and Qi Younian had been brothers in life and death for many years and didn’t take Qi Yourong’s words to heart. Wong Qiao, having heard Qi Yourong, felt somewhat embarrassed.

Before Qi Younian could open his mouth, Ye Xinyan heard and came in. By this time, Qi Congwen still had a fierce look on his face, and with his grandfather taking his side, he felt even more justified in shoving Zi Ning.

As soon as Ye Xinyan entered, she said nothing, grabbed Qi Congwen by the collar and started walking out, instructing Zi Ning, "Zi Ning, tidy up those dishes with food, and empty the little one’s pockets. Pack everything up. Send these two kids, along with everything, back to the Third Branch. I’ll find someone to take you there."

Probably because Ye Xinyan had never been friendly towards the Third Branch, aside from Qi Congwen’s unwilling shouts, "Let me go, let me go!" Qi Congwu didn’t make a peep. Even Qi Yourong only muttered, "That’s no way for a cousin to behave."

Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao, having never seen such a sight, were stunned. The granddaughter of the Great Uncle, they thought, was so fierce? Although those two children were indeed unruly, she carried off her own cousin, the Great Uncle’s grandson, without a word in front of him, who was also her Third Great Uncle.

Cheung Wusi looked at Qi Younian, who seemed slightly embarrassed, but only slightly, and said with a chuckle, "Ye Zi is straightforward."

Qi Yourong complained in a low voice, "How come Ye Zi’s straightforwardness is always aimed at my family? Second brother, you shouldn’t indulge the child too much. There are things that need to be said."

So only other people’s children should not be spoiled? Cheung Wusi and Wong Qiao exchanged glances, seemingly understanding the reason behind Ye Xinyan’s actions just now.

Qi Yougui had brought Meizi with him. The Old Master left Meizi in the courtyard with the instruction, "Help the nannies and your cousin with the chores." With another glance at the courtyard, he entered the house.

As he walked inside, he asked, "Second brother, how come there are suddenly so many strangers in your house?" As he stepped through the door, he noticed several people sitting on the brick bed and felt somewhat awkward for his question.

Now Qi Younian also got ready to get off the bed, "Big brother is here, come, have a seat on the bed." Cheung Wusi also rose to his feet.

Qi Yougui, taking a few steps over and slipping off his shoes to climb onto the bed, stopped Qi Younian and Cheung Wusi, "We country folks aren’t so formal. Everyone, please sit down."

Once seated on the bed, Qi Yougui looked at Cheung Wusi and asked, "This brother looks unfamiliar, are you an old friend of Younian’s?"

Qi Younian was busy with a flurry of introductions.