She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 359 - 358 No Manners

Chapter 359: Chapter 358 No Manners

Qi Younian probably also disdained Qi Yougui’s hypocritically kind demeanor as he got up and asked Nanny Liu, "How are things coming along? If it’s almost done, let’s head back."

Nanny Liu continuously replied, "It’s ready, it’s ready, it’s all set now." While responding, Nanny Liu instructed the old woman servant and the guards to carry the heavy food boxes and baskets, telling them to go ahead first.

Watching the large baskets and food boxes being carried away, Qi Yourong’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. He almost followed them out, taking half a step before realizing it wasn’t appropriate and promptly stopping himself, staring as the others left one after the other.

So much food that had been at arm’s reach was just taken away. All those fine dishes, more than these people could eat, by tradition, the leftovers were to be picked through with the best portions taken home by their own family. The food they were taking away was essentially the best of his own family’s meals.

Qi Yougui glanced at Qi Yourong when he took that half step forward. Seeing that Qi Yourong made no further movement, he stopped paying attention to him and continued speaking with Qi Younian, accompanying a few people from the Second Branch family outside to see off the guests.

Qi Yougui and Lady Wang’s family saw out everyone from the Second Branch family from the house. Qi Yourong and Madam Song, resenting the Second Branch family’s ruthlessness, merely stood briefly at the entrance to the main room, watching as the group exited. They then turned back, picked up the packed-up empty plates, and began sorting through the remaining food.

By then, the sky outside was already pitch black. Although littered with stars, they shed little light. The village homes nearby emitted some faint glows, but these were just extremely pale halos unable to penetrate the deep inkiness of the night. This bit of glow was present only during the New Year. Without the candlelight of Chinese New Year’s Eve, one had to navigate by starlight and memory alone.

After escorting the people from the Second Branch family to the courtyard entrance, Qi Younian said, "Let’s head back, it’s New Year’s, mealtime. If we keep seeing guests off, it might invite idle talk. No need to see us further, head back."

Lady Wang sighed helplessly and said, "It’s New Year’s, and my second brother sent over plenty of ingredients early on, even bringing over fine dishes, yet barely tasted a whole meal. We have truly wronged you all. Even without this round of farewells, with Lady Zhang’s earlier wailing, I fear those inclined to gossip might already be doing so. It’s alright, once we’ve seen you out of the yard, we’ll return."

Qi Younian, looking apologetic, said, "We’re the ones who caused trouble for big brother and sister-in-law, alas, it really is... Please accept our apologies on behalf of your younger brother and his wife." As he spoke, he bowed and made a gesture of apology, and Ye Xinyan, leading Qi Jiaer, also followed suit with a bow.

Qi Yougui hurriedly helped them up, and Lady Wang waved her hand, saying, "Don’t talk like that, even a clay figure has some earthly qualities. It was bound to come to this sooner or later with our third brother’s family. Go on, the hour is getting late, especially for the two nannies who have been busy since they entered and are still on an empty stomach."

Nanny Liu and the others had a rule about not dining with the main family, so after busying themselves for so long and with the Qi family members having eaten some dishes, they stood by after their tasks were finished.

With a smile, Nanny Liu said to Lady Wang, "The matriarch of the main branch has such a generous spirit and vision. As long as the matriarch is not upset with us, that’s all that matters. A little earlier or later for our meal—what’s the hurry?"

Qi Jiaer probably hadn’t recovered from the shock and still looked wilted.

Qi Sanshun stepped forward, touched his hair bun, and said, "It’s all right now. After New Year’s, I’ll corner Qi Congwu in some nook and give him a good beating to retaliate for you." Then, he changed the subject and asked, "Do we still have to get up early for practice tomorrow?"

Qi Jiaer looked up at Qi Sanshun, and while still aware of the propriety, he replied listlessly, "Yes, we do. Uncle Guan says that whatever you do, the key is perseverance."

Qi Sanshun laughed heartily and said, "I thought you’d forget it in a huff, but you still remember, huh?"

Qi Jiaer said, "I’m not angry, it’s just, just..."

Ye Xinyan chimed in, "Our Qi Jia hasn’t gotten angry, it’s just that what they said reminded him of things from the past, and it made him feel bad. Isn’t that right, Brother Jia?"

"Yes," Qi Jiaer replied without much emotion. It seemed he wasn’t exactly feeling down; he just couldn’t muster any joy, but as to the specifics, he couldn’t articulate them.

Ye Xinyan said to Qi Sanshun, "It’s okay, Qi Jia has been at your Third Great Uncle’s ancestral home for such a long time, and it’s only been a few months since he left. Remembering past events, it’s natural to feel scared and sad. Tomorrow, remember to practice martial arts with Qi Jia. With Uncle Guan, such a ruthless person, taking care of you guys, Qi Jia won’t remember those useless things anymore."

"What are you talking about?" Qi Sanshun quickly defended Guan He, "Uncle Guan is just strict with us. Great Uncle says that strict teachers produce outstanding students. Big Sister often makes us stand by the wall until our legs go weak."

"Don’t spout nonsense during the New Year, when did I ever make you stand by the wall?" Ye Xinyan flatly denied.

Qi Sanshun pouted and said, "Yes, after it got cold, we just switched to standing in the corner of the house." The biggest problem with Big Sister is that she sometimes takes advantage of being the eldest, refusing to admit to things she’s done.

"You..." Ye Xinyan gritted her teeth at Qi Sanshun.

Qi Sanshun lifted his chin and turned slightly to bow to Qi Jiaer, "Don’t worry, we’re not afraid. Brother didn’t know they treated you that way; he thought you didn’t like playing with us. Now that we know, even if Big Sister and Sister Zi Ning aren’t here, with me around, I won’t let anyone bully you again. Once my martial arts are good enough, I’ll beat up that wicked woman from the Third Great Uncle’s home so badly she’ll look like a pig’s head, and you can watch."

While saying this, Qi Sanshun also raised his fist in the air. His fist was still in the air when Qi Yougui sternly scolded him, "What do you mean ’that woman’? Have you no manners at all?"

"Exactly, what Great Uncle said is completely true." Ye Xinyan also admonished Qi Sanshun, "Sanshun, that’s seriously lacking in manners, no politeness at all. That’s our Fourth Aunt; even if it comes to giving her a beating, you need to find the right moment and a reason, consider the surroundings, whether to call her ’Fourth Aunt,’ and then decide to act. How can you just call her ’that woman’, ’that woman’ in front of your own elders? Don’t you have any sense?"

"..." Qi Yougui promptly turned and sought out Qi Younian, "Your Ye Zi is also..."

Qi Younian spread his hands helplessly, "Ye Zi is... not wrong, though, how else would you suggest teaching the child?"

Lady Wang and the others watched as Qi Younian and his family walked away, disappearing into the night after just a few steps before turning to head back to their own courtyard.

As Lady Wang walked back, she sighed, "Third Brother-in-law and his wife are definitely sorting through the food they’re taking home. Sigh, with this going on, when will it ever end?"

Qi Yougui paused. He wanted to defend his brother, but he just didn’t know what to say. Mainly because his third brother and sister-in-law were certainly picking out the tastier dishes to take home.

"We’re doing well this year, better than his family. Let him take it, we’ll just make do with something else for now, and make some more food in a bit. At the Zi Hour along with the dumplings, we’ll have a good meal to stay up for the New Year’s Eve." Finally, Qi Younian found an excuse.