Fortunately, the scenarios imagined by the three ladies did not come to pass. Ming Sheng led Ming Wei in, and after stuttering through his explanation, all three were stunned. The Third Lady Ming stared at her daughter for a long time without speaking. These days, her daughter had become exceptionally silent. She had noticed the anomaly but thought it was just extreme fright.
From Little Qi’s childhood, she and her husband had sought out famous doctors, but they all said it was an incurable disease. Over the years, they had given up hope. They never imagined that one day, they would see the clouds part and the moon shine through.
“Third sister-in-law, third sister-in-law!” The Second Lady’s hand, clutching her sleeve, trembled, “Do you remember, when Little Qi was young, we once encountered Divine Doctor Zhong. He said that Little Qi’s illness couldn’t be cured because she wasn’t sick, but had lost her soul! A person has three souls and seven spirits, and her lack of a complete soul and spirit made her naturally foolish. Third sister-in-law!”
The Third Lady was in tears, murmuring, “Remember, how could I not remember…”
She clutched the front of her dress, overwhelmed with happiness. She had kept every medical record from their visits to doctors as her daughter grew. Every so often, she would take them out to read carefully, remembering every word.
They remembered, when Little Qi was three, they encountered the world-renowned Divine Doctor Zhong Yue. He had said from the first glance that her condition was incurable because she had lost her soul, and only by finding her complete soul and spirit could she possibly recover. But this claim was not verified. Gradually, it was mentioned no more.
The scene described by Ming Sheng was clearly Little Qi with her soul and spirit wandering outside. The words of Divine Doctor Zhong were actually true! She… her lost soul and spirit had returned! So, Little Qi… is well?
The Third Lady suddenly grasped Ming Wei’s shoulders: “Little Qi, who am I?” Ming Wei looked up: “Mother.” The Third Lady thought again, that wasn’t right; Little Qi was only mentally like a young child and did not fail to recognize people. Overwhelmed with emotion, she momentarily couldn’t think of what else to ask.
It was Ming Sheng who reacted, asking Ming Wei: “Little Qi, the words you said to your Fourth Brother earlier, can you repeat them?” “Okay.” Ming Wei repeated her earlier words. Hearing her articulate clearly, her tone indistinguishable from that of a normal person, what doubt could there be?
Immediately, the Third Lady burst into tears of joy. The Second Lady sent someone to inform the Old Lady while comforting her: “After waiting so many years, now such good fortune has arrived; don’t be too overwhelmed. Quickly dry your tears, don’t scare the child.” “Yes!” The Fourth Lady also said, “After so many years of hardship, it’s finally over, Third Sister-in-law, don’t be sad.”
Beside them, Ming Xiang was confused and asked Ming Hao: “Brother Six, does this mean Sister Seven is no longer foolish?” “Seems like it.” “I wonder what Sister Seven, who is not foolish, is like…” Just as he finished speaking, Ming Sheng flicked him on the forehead: “What nonsense are you spouting? From now on, don’t let that word come out of your mouth.” “Ow!” Being scolded by his brother, Ming Xiang covered his head and dared not speak further.
After the Third Lady finished crying, the Old Lady’s messenger arrived, saying she would come to see Ming Wei. It wouldn’t be right for the elder to accommodate the younger, so everyone cleaned up to meet the Old Lady.
…
As Ming Wei entered, she was brought before an old lady. She looked up to see Old Lady Ming, in her sixties, dressed simply, with a gentle appearance, seeming easy to get along with. “Great Aunt.” She bowed respectfully, “I have caused you worry during my illness.” Old Lady Ming burst into tears at the sight of Ming Wei, repeatedly saying how good it was. Her crying made everyone inside and outside join in, even the mischievous Ming Xiang and Ming Hao pretended to wipe away tears.
However, Ming Wei, the person directly involved, did not shed a single tear, appearing out of place. But no one blamed her. Because it was said before, she was still in a daze and had not fully recovered. As the house was filled with sorrow, suddenly a voice rang out: “What’s all this? Why is everyone crying like this, what happened?” Seeing the man who entered, the Old Lady, halfway through her crying, became furious and threw a fruit at him: “What nonsense are you talking about? At my age, mentioning accidents, aren’t you afraid of bad luck?”
The man who entered was in his thirties, bearing some resemblance to Ming Four Lords but with a completely different temperament. Where Ming Four Lords was scholarly and refined, this man was tall and rugged, without a hint of scholarly air. The man touched his head where the fruit hit and grinned: “Aren’t you well? Look at this energy, you could live another twenty or thirty years without issue! It might be me who ends up in a coffin first, and you still thriving.”
Seeing Old Lady Ming turning blue with anger, the woman who came in with him quickly intervened: “Lord! Please, say less!” Then she apologized to Old Lady Ming, “Mother, don’t take it to heart with him, he’s had too much to drink today…” “If you can’t drink, then don’t guzzle!” Old Lady Ming couldn’t calm her anger at once, pointing at the woman, “You should keep him in check too! Look at the children all grown up, what kind of example is this!”
Seeing the topic drift, Old Lady Ming got angry again, and the Second Lady quickly stepped in to mediate: “Alright, alright, let’s discuss your matters later. Mother, Little Qi has just recovered, let’s not scare her.” This reminder brought Old Lady Ming back to her senses, quickly pulling Ming Wei close to ask: “Little Qi, were you scared? Don’t worry, I was scolding your good-for-nothing Sixth Uncle, it has nothing to do with you.” Ming Wei shook her head: “I’m fine, Great Aunt, don’t worry.” Old Lady Ming hugged her affectionately: “Little Qi is so good.”
Sixth Lord was surprised: “Little Qi… is well?” Old Lady Ming glared at him, annoyed: “You just realized! Enough, go rest if you’re drunk, don’t cause trouble here.” Sixth Lord forced a smile: “What are you saying? I’m also Little Qi’s uncle, her recovery is a great joy, we should celebrate. Third Sister-in-law, don’t you agree?” The Third Lady looked down: “Thank you, Sixth Uncle, but let the Great Aunt decide.” Sixth Lord stroked his chin: “Third Sister-in-law is too polite. I think our family hasn’t hosted a feast in a long time, how about… Ow!” Another fruit came flying, Old Lady Ming angrily
pointed: “Little Qi is well, and all you think about as her uncle is finding an excuse to drink! Get out, don’t be an eyesore!” “Alright, alright.” Sixth Lord raised his hands, “I’m going, don’t be angry, if you get sick, it’ll be blamed on me.” “Go!” Sixth Lord pouted and turned to leave. “Lord!” Sixth Lady was at a loss for what to do. Old Lady Ming frowned: “What are you standing there for? We don’t need you here, take care of him first!”
