"You’re such a sweet talker, little one. But I’m not your big sister—you should call me Grandma." Madam Zhan’s heart relaxed a little. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"But you’re too young to be a grandma. Calling you that would make you sound old."

’You can often tell if a person is good or bad just by looking at them.’ Madam Zhan had the gentle grace of an orchid, exuding a calm and comforting aura. Because of this, Ye Qianning didn’t feel any aversion to her.

"Haha, everyone gets old eventually," Madam Zhan said, though she was secretly delighted. "But calling me ’sister’ would mix up the generations. You really should call me Grandma."

Ye Qianning thought for a moment before saying, "Alright then, Pretty Grandma."

Madam Zhan froze for a second. The tip of her nose tingled, and with a trembling hand, she stroked the girl’s head. "Oh, you... you sweet child."

A pang of emotion struck Zhan Chi as he watched. ’She called her Grandma... Does that mean she accepts us?’

"Little one, what about me? What about me?" Zhan Yi chimed in cheerfully, leaning closer.

Ye Qianning tilted her head up, studying him for a long moment before replying, "Grandpa Black Beard."

"Pfft..."

Zhan Chi nearly burst out laughing.

Zhan Yi’s face scrunched up in displeasure. "What do you mean, ’Grandpa Black Beard’?"

"Anyone with a long beard is an old grandpa."

Zhan Yi stroked his beard, glancing down at it. His face puckered like a bitter melon.

"Hehe." Madam Zhan chuckled softly behind her hand.

"Young Miss, the General is awake," Luo Wen announced, stepping out of the room.

Hearing this, Ye Qianning scrambled to her feet and ran toward the room.

Only then did Zhan Yi and Madam Zhan remember the purpose of their visit. They exchanged a look and followed her toward the room.

With the Xiang family’s old matriarch being so ruthless, they couldn’t bear the thought of leaving their granddaughter in the General’s manor.

Inside the room, much of the color had returned to Xiang Minghou’s face. Aside from being unable to get out of bed, he seemed fine. A deafening clamor mixed with angry shouts reached his ears, and for a moment, he thought he was dreaming.

"Father!" Ye Qianning cried, running into the room.

"What’s happening outside? Why is it so noisy?" Worry filled Xiang Minghou’s eyes.

"Word about what happened in the manor got out. The commoners have surrounded our gates."

"Surrounded the gates... COUGH, COUGH..."

"Don’t worry, Father. They’re not here to cause trouble. The Emperor ordered you to lead the campaign in the north, right? But how can you go when you’re injured like this? With no one to defend the border, we might lose a city. The people found out that the old matriarch was the one who stabbed you, and now they’re all here, demanding justice for you." Ye Qianning gently patted his chest to soothe him.

Xiang Minghou’s expression darkened at her words. Losing a city was a grave matter for the nation. For this to happen right before his departure... without reinforcements, how many people at the border would be displaced and left homeless?

Zhan Yi and Madam Zhan entered the room and walked to his bedside.

"General Xiang."

Xiang Minghou’s brow furrowed even deeper upon seeing them. "Old Master Zhan, what brings you to my manor?"

"I heard your mother stabbed you, so of course I was worried. Here," Zhan Yi said, pulling a small white bottle from his robes, "this is some wound medicine I prepared myself. It’ll help you heal faster." He placed the bottle by Xiang Minghou’s pillow.

"I appreciate the concern, Old Master Zhan. I’ll accept the gift, but I must ask you all to leave for now." Xiang Minghou knew exactly what was happening. ’Zhan Chi must have told them about Pangtuan.’

’Coming to our home again and again... they’re just here for the child.’

"General Xiang, surely you won’t send us away without even offering a meal," Zhan Yi protested.

"The manor is in chaos today, so I cannot play host. Another day, when things have settled, I will be sure to treat you at the Immortal’s Tavern, Old Master Zhan. We won’t leave until... COUGH, COUGH..." Xiang Minghou’s voice was hoarse.

"General Xiang, please, slow down. Don’t exert yourself," Madam Zhan said, feeling pity for the injured man. "We’ve heard about what happened here. It seems the old matriarch, the second branch of the family, and even you, General, have lost control of the situation. With things in such chaos, you can’t possibly leave a little girl to handle it all."