She pacified them, saying, "Everything is settled. The position of the Hidden Clan's Lord has been inherited, and I will never return to the Hidden Clan again. And A Ye did all that for me. You must keep this matter confidential, understand?"
Du Juan's face turned a shade paler. "How… how could this happen?"
"Were you and Mu Ye injured in the Hidden Clan?" Meng Tianhua examined Meng Jingwei from head to toe, his worry palpable.
Meng Jingwei immediately shook her head and hopped in place. "See? I'm fine." She walked over to Du Juan, putting her arms around her shoulders. "Don't worry, we are well. We've safely returned to the country. As for Shi Ran, she was injured because of me, and her face was scarred by Old Tou, disfiguring her. In the future, you should also be good to Shi Ran."
"Alas, it turns out to be like this." Du Juan looked at Meng Jingwei and stepped forward, hugging her tightly. "It's so good to see you back. Your father and I were constantly worried and afraid. But we are just farmers, and our abilities are limited, so we couldn't help you. Daughter, don't resent your parents."
"Oh, Mom, what are you talking about?" Meng Jingwei couldn't help but laugh. "I'm only telling you everything because I don't want you and Dad to worry. Besides, when I returned to the Hidden Clan, I was blindfolded and tied back by Old Tou. When I left the Hidden Clan, I traveled by boat for half a month to return. You also know that the Hidden Clan is a place unknown to most people, and I couldn't find the way back, and I am forever forbidden from returning to the Hidden Clan. And you, don't worry about me leaving, and don't think I'm not good enough for Qing Mu Ye."
Meng Jingwei comforted them, afraid they would excessively worry about whether she was worthy of Qing Mu Ye.
As expected, upon hearing that their daughter was the young mistress of the Hidden Clan and had almost become the Lord, but gave up everything for Qing Mu Ye, Meng Tianhua straightened his back and proudly declared, "My daughter is certainly worthy of him."
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Du Juan chided him. "Keep these things to yourself. Otherwise, it won't be good for Jingwei."
"Alright, alright, we'll listen to you," Meng Tianhua nodded, tilted his head back, and smiled. Suddenly, his mood lifted. "We must have a good drink with Mu Ye at noon. To celebrate your safe return, I also need to drink with him to thank him for taking care of my daughter."
Meng Jingwei reminded them with a hint of unease, "Regarding everything about the Hidden Clan, don't mention it to A Ye. They were afraid you would worry, and they didn't let me tell you. If you know, he will blame me later."
"Got it, Dad knows."
"Don't worry, daughter. Mom will definitely not gossip. Although Mom is from the countryside, I know very well what to say and what not to say."
Meng Tianhua and his wife readily agreed.
Meng Jingwei then smiled and hugged them. "Dad, Mom, it's so good to have you by my side."
The reason she cautioned them not to mention it to Qing Mu Ye was her fear that they would question him closely later, and Qing Mu Ye might accidentally reveal something.
After all, regarding the events in the Hidden Clan, Meng Jingwei had largely reported the good news and omitted the bad. She had told them she saved the current young lord of the Hidden Clan, and that was why they let her go and ordered her never to return.
This way, her adoptive parents would not worry that she would leave them.
At noon, Qing Mu Ye personally cooked and prepared a sumptuous lunch.
But just as the family was about to sit down and eat, a maid entered and said to Qing Mu Ye, "Sir, there is an old gentleman at the door who claims his name is Kang Yu and wishes to see you."
Kang Yu? Qing Kang Yu!