After Wang Zichen left, he never returned.
Chen Yiran remained silent. She held Azalea's tiny body still thinking if he was still mad just because of the hug from Li Hanjun.
She was being discharged that morning since Azalea was a little bit better and so she didn't want to stay in the hospital any longer.
A black convoy awaited her at the entrance, the bodyguards were too flashy as they stood sideways as Myles opened the car door with precision and respect. It wasn't like she could complain, the last time they were in danger it was mainly because of her negligence.
"Young Madam."
She gave a small nod.
Chen Yiran stepped inside, cradling her daughter. No one noticed her eyes, calm but with the stillness of a gathering storm.
Upon arrival at the mansion. the servants lined up to greet her, their faces taut with anxiety. Everyone had heard about the incident. Everyone had seen the headlines, yet none dared to speak.
"Welcome back Miss Chen, Young Mistress." Butler Lu said gently.
Chen Yiran walked past them all, exhaustion was written all over her face.
"There are visitors in the drawing room," Butler Lu added with hesitation.
"I don't want to meet anyone," she said softly, her voice like frost. "Send them away."
"But... they insisted on waiting. They won't leave until they meet you."
She didn't pause.
"Then they should know better than to come uninvited."
With that, she turned toward the in-built lift at the far end of the hallway. Not the grand staircase, not the ornate route designed to impress guests, just the quiet elevator she could enter without disturbing her baby.
The moment the lift dinged, a voice screeched from the drawing room, "Chen Yiran!"
Chen Yiran slowly turned.
There stood Bai Wei, Wang Zichen's stepmother, dressed in a flamboyant red qipao, her heavy jade earrings swinging with every dramatic move. Beside her, stood a girl with bright lipstick and an obvious air of arrogance, Wang Huiling, Zichen's stepsister.
"So, this is ow you treat your elders now? No greeting? No tea? Do you think you're some empress now that you gave birth to Zichen's daughter?" Bai Wei shouted, stepping forward.
Chen Yiran remained silent.
Wang Huiling scoffed, folding her arms, "Tch! Rude and fake. She used to bow her head just to get Brother Zichen's attention. Now she acts like she's above everyone."
Butler Lu, distressed, tried to intervene. "Madam Bai, Miss Wang... the Young Madam isn't feeling well. She just returned from the hospital with the baby..."
"I know," Bai Wei snapped, "And so? We came to visit, to show goodwill, but she acts like we're beggars!"
Chen Yiran Finally spoke, "Scram!" One word. Sharp. Cold. Final.
The room turned silent.
Bai Wei's eyes widened, "What did you say?"
"You heard me," Chen Yiran adjusted the baby's blanket with one hand, her tone deadly calm. "You want tea? Ask the maid. You want greetings? Get a dog."
"You...!"
"Don't raise your voice," she cut in coldly. "My daughter is ill. You come into my home uninvited, shouting like fishwives from a market. And you expect respect?"
Wang Huiling frowned, "Why are you like this? Tch... acting big like you are Mrs. Wang?"
"I am." Chen Yiran met her gaze.
Then she turned to Bai Wei, her lips curling in a faint smile. "You want to report me to Wang Zichen? Good! Just remember to tell him you came to disturb his sick daughter." She smiled faintly, "Oh, and ask him if he remembers which hospital he abandoned us in."
Bai Wei froze. Huiling's smug smile crumbled. They had expected the quiet, bootlicking fool. Instead, the woman before them was no longer the same.
"Wait!"
Chen Yiran paused in her steps as she got in the elevator.
The hallway grew heavy in silence as Bai Wei walked forward, her expression tense. Her daughter, stood behind her with folded arms and an arrogant gaze.
"I'm not here to quarrel," Bai Wei said trying to ease her tone. "I've come with a message. From the Old Master."
Chen Yiran turned around, her face calm and composed. Her gaze fell on Bai Wei with quiet gaze fell on Bai Wei with quiet power and for the first time, the arrogant madam felt a chill crawl down her spine.
Seeing that Chen Yiran was giving her full attention, Bai Wei straightened her back. "The Major General has ordered that Wang Meiyue be brought to the Wang residence."
Chen Yiran's brows twitched, 'Major general? Wang Zichen's grandfather?
Bai Wei continued, "He will be hosting her one-month celebration there. Everything has already been arranged. Invitations have gone out. This child is the first of the next generation, the old master's great-granddaughter." The last sentence was full of mockery and unhidden jealousy.
Chen Yiran remained quiet for a few seconds before she said, "Okay."
"It is the old master's wish if you don't..." Bai Wei started as she saw it was like Chen Yiran took it lightly.
"I know." Yiran answered.
"Why are you looking at me like that? One would think..."
Chen Yiran cut her off, "Madam Bai, let me give you a word of advice. Next time you wish to deliver a message from the old master, lower your tone and go straight to the point. Otherwise, no one would save you if you disrespect me again."
Ding-
The elevator doors closed with a soft chime, leaving the stunned Bai Wei and a pale faced Wang Huiling.