They didn't have the leisure to serve her tea.
Those with ill intentions deserved only cold tea.
"Is she waiting for the Prince to return?"
"You could guess that with your toes. She's definitely waiting for the Prince to return."
"How can she compare to the Second Miss Yun? She actually dares to covet our Prince."
"It's useless to covet the Prince. Have you ever seen the Prince look at her directly? Not once!"
"You're right. We'll keep an eye on her. I have a feeling she's plotting something malicious."
"You're thinking the same as me!"
"..."
Several servants hid in the shadows, conversing in low voices.
Jiang Luoxi's ears seemed to twitch slightly, her face in the night becoming exceptionally cryptic.
Actually, what they said was true. Zhan Tianye had indeed never looked at her directly.
So what?
...
Qin Manor.
At this hour on ordinary days, the Qin Manor would already be dark, everyone inside undoubtedly asleep.
But now.
The entire Qin Manor was brightly lit.
Old Master Qin was eating.
Warm porridge.
Simple side dishes.
It looked like Old Master Qin was extremely hungry.
The servants attending him, seeing him so famished, had red eyes, filled with distress.
"Old Master, eat slowly. The porridge is still hot. Is it enough? Shall this old servant instruct the kitchen to prepare more?"
Old Master Qin waved his hand. "No need, no need. Eating too much is bad for the body. At this hour, porridge is sufficient. If I weren't so hungry, I wouldn't even have porridge."
"The Prince and the Second Miss Yun are on their way back, they'll be here soon. Should this old servant order more hot soup and noodles to be prepared for them?"
Old Master Qin was about to nod, but then seemed to think of something and said with a furrowed brow and a stern face, "Not yet."
The servant was taken aback. The Old Master had been very concerned about Prince Ye and the Second Miss Yun before, especially the Second Miss Yun. Why wouldn't he even allow hot soup and noodles to be prepared now?
He found it rather peculiar.
But he didn't ask further.
Perhaps the Old Master felt that Prince Ye and the Second Miss Yun would have already eaten by this hour, and even if hot soup and noodles were prepared, they might not eat them.
A moment later.
Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye arrived at the Qin Manor.
The servants at the gate of the Qin Manor, upon seeing them, quickly said, "The Old Master is safe and sound. After drinking some porridge, he said he was tired and has already gone to sleep. Before sleeping, he instructed this servant that if Prince Ye and the Second Miss Yun arrived, they should rest first."
"Are you sure he's alright?" Zhan Tianye asked, his gaze deep.
The servant smiled and said, "The Old Master just drank two bowls of porridge, and he bathed as soon as he returned. There are no injuries. A doctor was also called. The Old Master is fine, just exhausted from the day's events. He usually sleeps at this hour."
Yun Shu's heart stirred, and she pressed, "Did the Old Master say who abducted him?"
The servant blinked, looking confused. "This servant is unclear. The Old Master said it's not too late to tell when Prince Ye arrives tomorrow."
Zhan Tianye was still somewhat uneasy. "I'll go and see him."
Yun Shu accompanied Zhan Tianye.
As they reached the door of Old Master Qin's room, they heard the steady breathing of Old Master Qin within.
He was indeed sound asleep.
However, to ensure there were no unexpected occurrences, they both entered.
Yun Shu tiptoed to the bedside and felt his pulse.
Excellent.
Based on his pulse, Old Master Qin was fine, just like before. His deep sleep was indeed due to extreme exhaustion.
She nodded to Zhan Tianye, indicating that Old Master Qin was alright.
Seeing this, Zhan Tianye's heart finally settled.
They quietly left the room. Before departing, Zhan Tianye instructed the Qin Manor servants to take good care of Old Master Qin, and then he and Yun Shu left the manor.
Seeing that it was late.
Zhan Tianye first escorted Yun Shu back to the General's Manor.
After watching Zhan Tianye's carriage disappear into the night, Yun Shu turned and entered the manor.
Because of his concern, Yun Changfeng, upon learning that Old Master Qin was safe, did not go to rest immediately but waited for Yun Shu's return.
Upon seeing Yun Shu return, he yawned and asked, "Did you go see Old Master Qin?"
"Father, why haven't you gone to rest?" Yun Shu asked gently, noticing the fatigue in Yun Changfeng's eyes.
Since the recent artificial landslide, Yun Changfeng had lost a large portion of his inner strength and was now very weak. Even though he seemed fine, he needed much more rest to recover.
"It's not a matter of urgency. I couldn't sleep with you not back, my heart heavy with worry. Now that you're back, I can rest with peace of mind. It's late, Shu'er, you should also rest early. By the way, did Old Master Qin say who abducted him? And what was the abductor's motive?" Yun Changfeng paid little attention to his own health. He was accustomed to going days without sleep on the battlefield. It was only in recent years that he had been recuperating in the capital, becoming too pampered.
Yun Shu shook her head. "When Prince Ye and I arrived at the Qin Manor, Old Master Qin was already asleep. He was probably too tired from the day's ordeal. We'll ask more clearly tomorrow."
"As long as the person is safe, it's good. Old Master Qin has seen many storms, he's encountered all sorts of situations. Then I'll go to sleep." Yun Changfeng was slightly surprised but didn't think much of it. Saying it tomorrow would be the same.
It's not a matter of urgency.
"Alright, goodnight, Father."
"I'm off."
Yun Shu stood at the doorway, watching Yun Changfeng's slightly hunched back. In the original owner's memories, Yun Changfeng had always stood tall and straight.
It seemed that no one could escape the passage of time.
The burdens carried by Yun Changfeng were indeed too heavy.
Suddenly, a hint of unease surfaced in her heart.
She felt that Old Master Qin being abducted today and returning safe and sound seemed somewhat peculiar.
But she couldn't pinpoint where the peculiarity lay. She would likely find the answer when she saw Old Master Qin tomorrow.
...
The next day.
After breakfast, Yun Shu took the three little ones to the Qin Manor.
The three little ones, upon learning that Old Master Qin had been abducted yesterday, all believed that Old Master Qin had been frightened.
"When we go, we'll ask who dared to kidnap our great-great-grandfather. Hmph, great-great-grandfather must have been terrified." Yun Xiaojing gritted his teeth in anger.
Great-great-grandfather was so kind, always smiling at everyone. Such a good elder was still bullied!
Zhan Xiaoli also furrowed his small brows.
"I brought plenty of poison for great-great-grandfather to defend himself. Anyone who dares to bully great-great-grandfather in the future will be punished!" Zhan Xiaofeng held several small porcelain bottles in his hand.
Those small bottles contained his treasures.
These treasures could protect him from bad guys.
Yun Shu looked at her three thoughtful and sensible darlings, smiling in her heart. When they grew a little older, if anyone dared to bully Old Master Qin, they would truly have to prepare for unimaginable retaliation.