The months pass by with her family visiting her daily and Qi Fan together with the first and third branch of the Qi clan going in and out of her courtyard every other day. Xiuying continues to try to open her eyes to at least lessen the worries of her new family.
Xiuying found strength to open her eyes, seeing the familiar ceiling the fear of knowing she is back to her hell can be seen in her eyes and a chilling feeling penetrates from her skin down to her bones. She hastily tries to jump out of the bed but fails to do so as her body feels heavy like a barbell. As she tries to lift herself up she notices that she is wearing the same simple hospital gown that she hated so much. The gown doesn’t cover her gorgeous body as the fabric drapes around her body so well that it only leaves little to hide it from one’s imagination.
Xiuying frantically runs to the corner of the room after trying to open all french styled windows despite knowing that it is locked, her hope lessening by seconds.
‘No...no… I’m already dead here! Why am I back?!
No… this can’t be happening!
I am not here… not here… please not here...’
A knock on the door nudged Xiuying from her thoughts, numbing her more of the reality that she is back, back to the most hellish place she despised. Without waiting for her reply the culprits came inside her room and started their daily routine. They gently helped Xiuying back to the bed, however the gentleness they are showing isn't because of care but a care of a scientist to their specimen, a product who they needed to achieve the pinnacle of science and discoveries on improving human abilities with the help of science. Several pieces of equipment are instantly connected to her body, they have checked her vital signs before taking blood samples and injecting new chemicals to her body. During these series of steps the people didn’t care when Xiuying was wincing because of pain at the start nor at the end of the procedures her immaculate face is now not showing emotions back to the state she was in before she was taken care of by the Qi second branch’s family.
Xiuying didn’t know how many days had passed however she noticed that her body was slowly weakening, she could see the people around her tried all the best they could to keep her alive. She is content with what's happening, she is finally dying and only wishes to make her body deteriorate fast. Her existence means nothing to her, only if she can go back to her family in the Qi clan she will be happy to live otherwise it would be better to not exist at all.
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“Master! The Young Miss’ courtyard is…” A servant frantically runs towards Qi Chen’s study as he repeatedly shouts loudly hoping for his master to hear it despite the distance.
Hearing the shouts, Qi Chen followed by his aide immediately ran out of the room and held the shoulders of the servant as the latter gasped for air.
“What about Ying’er?” Qi Chen immediately asked while the servant winced in pain as his master’s hold on his shoulders tightened more.
“It.. it is on fire, the Young Miss’ courtyard is on fire Master!” Upon hearing what’s happening to his daughter’s courtyard Qi Chen rushes to its location the fastest he could, however his legs can’t help but soften and start to lose hope as he sees the huge fire engulfing most part of the place. However, hearing his wife’s cries and seeing his son and their trusted servants effort saving people and stopping the fire immediately woke him up from stupor and started to instruct the servants who came with him to start to help the others.
“My Ying’er, Ming’er your sister, save your sister!” Xi Hui’s cry as she tries to struggle out of her maidservants’ grasps to prevent her from rushing in the fire. Upon seeing her husband she immediately runs to his arms in tears.
“Husband, our daughter… You have to save our daughter!”
“I will, Hui’er be strong. This is no time to cry” Qi Chen firmly hugs his wife and whispers to her, however his voice is firm and determined. Xi Hui finally calmed down a little and nodded. Qi Chen let go of her and looked to his wife’s servants and the servants immediately approached and helped Xi Hui. After giving all the commands he immediately poured the water from the two buckets handed by his aide all over his body and poured more water into the two quilts. He covers himself in one of the quilts and carries the other before rushing to the burning courtyard while Qi Ming continues to instruct their servants who were in line to systematically pass the buckets of water from the well to Xiuying’s burning courtyard.
He sees her daughter in the arms of Xue whose hair has shortened due to the fire trying her best to protect Xiuying upon entering her daughter’s room. Xue feels someone’s presence and looks up, seeing it is Qi Chen she sees hope and tries to lift up Xiuying however she almost falls down. Thankfully Qi Chen immediately took her daughter and immediately covered the unconscious Xiuying in the quilt he carried and gave the one he used to Xue.
“Master, please cover yourself with the quilt. This servant can take care of herself.” Xue immediately rejected Qi Chen which he ignored and ran outside. Seeing her master’s actions, Xue hurriedly covers herself with the wet quilt and follows Qi Chen out of the room.
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Outside the people, though tired and starting to lose hope, still tried their best to continue in passing the buckets of water and stop the remaining fire. Few of the servants started to clean the place and check for dead bodies and survivors. However they suddenly heard something collapse. Seeing that the direction is Xiuying’s room, Xi Hui immediately fainted. Her maidservants immediately called the doctor who was helping the injured servants.
“How is mother?” Qi Ming asked the doctor right after the latter lifted his fingers from Xi Hui’s wrist covered in thin fabric.
“Second Madam is exhausted and needs to rest for a week. I’ll prescribe a calming medicine” The doctor calmly stated and gave what he wrote to Xi Hui’s servant.
“Take care of my mother, I’ll check what happened to my sister and father.” Qi Ming said his thanks to the doctor before leaving instructions to the servants and to prevent anyone from visiting his mother in any case that the first branch had any plans to make things worse for their family. He runs toward his sister’s room with the servants following behind, seeing the destroyed courtyard getting worse as they come near the main room the grimmer his expression becomes.
“Removed all debris, make sure to check for any survivors that need to be treated and dead bodies to bury.” Qi Ming started to give instructions again upon reaching the destroyed room of Xiuying.
“Yes, young master!”
“Father! Yingying!” Qi Ming repeatedly called out in a shout, his voice can be heard by all servants who also pray that their master and young miss are okay while cleaning at the same time searching for bodies.
Hours pass by and although they found survivors there are more dead bodies found. Few of the servants even started to lose hope as it nears evening, the fire broke in the middle of the night and they have been searching since that time.
“Young master.. Let’s have the others rest for a while.” Qi Ming’s aide reminded his master.
“Alright… You go with me.” Qi Ming walks towards Xiuying’s bedroom only with his aide leaving the other two trusted guards with the servants who are resting.
Hack...hack...hack… Xiuying coughs as she opens her eyes however she can’t see anything but only feels being hugged by a pair of strong arms and hard chest hinders her eyesight. She tries to get up and remove the arms hugging her but the person wakes up due to her movements. “Ying-er? Daughter?” Qi Chen's hoarse voice reached her ears and it seems he is in pain. “Fa-father?” As her oriole like voice is heard she can feel droplets pour onto her back realizing it isn’t raining but the father she only heard during her coma who is always strong and determined is now crying silently while hugging her more tightly. “I thought we would lose you… I thought I coul
Qi Ming was waiting in the dining hall and seeing his father coming back he immediately got up from his seat before sitting again after Qi Chen went to his seat. “Is Ying-er awake, Father?” Not hearing his father talk, Qi Ming immediately asks as he is still worried about his sister. “Yes, she’ll come here with your mother.” Hearing a sigh from his father after answering he guessed that his mother will be sleeping with his sister again tonight. He subconsciously chuckles, earning a glare from Qi Chen. Qi Ming uncomfortably coughs hiding his embarrassment from being caught. “Physician Li will arrive this afternoon as we requested, Father. Are you still worried about any sequelae that my sister might suffer in the future?”
***Xiuying/ Raine's POV*** I ordered Xue to take the child to the nearest inn and help her clean up. I watch Xue'er preparing the bath with the help of one of inn's servants while the little girl blankly stares at me. I just let her be and sit on the chair near the window and look outside I can't help but recall when I hugged the child earlier after all I was once like her... Headmistress where are we going? an eight year old girl asked as their orphanage's headmistress hastily held her hand and walk through the busy street. The little girl looks back worriedly at the direction where they came from, there are times when she almost stumbles but the headmistress just held her hand and walk. She didn't hear any answer from the headmistress and only hears her choking up her sobs as they walk. When they arrived in front of a big house she stopped and look at the child's face. "Little Raine...our..our orphanage will be closed if we don't do what they want..." "Ummm
It is the day of the family's annual meeting. I have heard from mother that according to the spies planted by father in first uncle's courtyard the old patriach and first uncle plans to announce the change of Long's eldest son's fiance to my cousin Qi Fan. I really don't care about them but since the former Xiuying died because of them I'd gladly and slowly play them. I'm excited as it will be today that father plans to execute our plan to separate our family, they really don't deserve father's efforts in flourishing businesses. Xue and Hua helped me prepare and I just let them choose whatever dress and accessories to wear, it was tiring even though I only need to stand or sit as they help me. They wake me up earlier than the usual just to bath, dress and fixed my hair. I noticed that they even added more rose petals and rose essence than the usual in my bath.
As we walk towards the main hall they passed the garden Xiuying noticed something in the pavilion. She hurriedly whispered something to her father and that she won't attend the banquet, he was about to object and narrowed his eyes as if he see right through her. Xiuyung smiled at him mischievously though Qi Chen didn't know what's going on in her daughter's mind he nodded. Noticing that her daughter went to a different direction, "The banquet will start soon where is she going?" Xi Hui asks her husband. "She'll just catch up don't worry too much." Xi Hui nodded after hearing Qi Chen's reply and the couple started to walk again towards the main hall. Once Xiuying got her father's permission she urge Xue'er to go the kitchen so they could eat and afterwards take a walk in the garden while waiting for meeting to start, She simply don't want to mingle with her cousins and their families. Most of the servants are shocked to see their third young miss enter
Xiuying cries as she run and 'bumped' to few servants in the main hall's pathway. Some of the servants who are aware of the affair between the Long clan's eldest young master and their second young miss can only sigh inwardly and throw pity looks to Xiuying. All of them have the same thought as they saw the place where their third young miss came from, that is where the two couple are staying instead of attending the banquet. After few minutes they see Xue run after her young miss with worry in her eyes and thought that she is sad for Xiuying if only they knew that Xue is currently worrying how to fix her young miss' ruined dress as it was personally ordered to be made by their Third Madam, Xiuying's mother. Meanwhile in the main hall seven people are discussing the current year issues and plans of the clan while their servants are serving drinks and snacks. "Cousin I heard that your new business is doing well and since your only son is always travelling why
Noticing the glances between the patriach and her first uncle and they're about to speak to control the situation, Xiuying cries more louder which makes Fang Fei grew more annoyed as she feel the uneasiness in her heart. "Ying'er calm down you aren't a little child anymore and as a family we are here for you, am I right Uncle?" Qi Chen chided Xiuying though his voice sounded strict Xiuying can only feel warmth in her heart. "Yes as a family we are here for you." Immediately seconded by the Patriach, Qi Bao. "Chen'er why you didn't tell us that Xiuying have recovered? We could have prepared more dishes earlier in the banquet to celebrate." He voiced out his grievances though it sounded stiff due to shock of Xiuying appearance. He look at his nephew trying to see through his intention by hiding the news but he can't as Qi Chen have long mastered in concealing his thoughts. Qi Chen was about to speak but Xiuying interrupted him.
Your sleepy shameless adorable author: Thank you for supporting me and Xiuying! Here's my first 1000+ words chapter, enjoy reading! 🥰😍💋 Now I can go dreamland with Ying'er! 😴 In another place.... ML: 👿 . . . . After making sure that Xiuying, Xue and Xi Hui went to the side hall, Qi Chen finally look at his uncle. The Patriach was about to speak but Qi Chen beat him to it. "Uncle I know that you favor first cousin's daughter the most and I fully understand that however if such favor would result to this I need you to turn them to the authorities for them to be punished. If you just want to replace my Ying'er with Qi Fan you could have told us and we would gave way but instead you let Young Master Long and Fan'er to have an affair and hurt my daughter!" "Chen'er I know you are angry however you didn't inform me that Ying'er have recovered I could h