The estate was quiet when Qingxue and her mother returned, the grand halls bathed in the soft glow of the evening lights. But that peace lasted for only a moment.
As soon as she stepped through the doors, a familiar presence descended upon her.
"Xiao Xue."
A strong arm hooked around her waist, and before she could react, Qingxue found herself lifted off the ground effortlessly.
Leng Jiuhan smirked down at her, his silver-blue eyes glinting mischievously. "You were gone all day."
She sighed. "Put me down."
"No."
A chuckle echoed from the staircase, where Leng Yichen leaned lazily against the railing, his fox-like eyes watching them with amusement. "You should've taken us along, Xue'er. Shopping would have been much more fun."
Leng Haoyu, ever composed, gave a small nod of agreement. "Or at the very least, you should have informed us beforehand."
Leng Zhaoyan, who had been flipping through documents on a side table, barely glanced up but added dryly, "You let Mother drag you around for a full day? You're slipping."
Qingxue rolled her eyes as Jiuhan finally set her down. "It was a lesson, not a shopping trip."
"Still," Yichen drawled, "next time, tell us. We'd at least come along to make sure you weren't bored to death."
From behind them, Leng Zhen's deep voice cut through the lighthearted banter. "Did you learn anything useful today, Qingxue?"
She turned to face her father, who was watching her with sharp, assessing eyes.
She gave a small smile. "Mother made sure of it."
Jiang Yuixen, still removing her gloves, sent a knowing glance toward her husband. "I only reminded her of what she already knew."
Leng Zhen's gaze lingered on Qingxue before he gave an approving nod. "Good."
Qiuhan, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Anything interesting happen?"
Qingxue tilted her head slightly, considering. "Nothing major." But then she smirked. "Though a few socialites may be reconsidering their positions in society after today."
A chuckle spread through the brothers.
Haoyu glanced at their mother. "How many did she destroy?"
Jiang Yuixen took a sip of tea. "A few. Gently."
Yichen laughed. "That's our Xue'er."
Despite the teasing, Qingxue knew what this moment truly was—her brothers checking in, ensuring she was unharmed, that she had not been worn down by the world outside.
And for the first time in a while, she allowed herself to relax in their presence.
Whatever challenges lay ahead, one thing remained unchanged.
The Leng family stood together.