Chapter 67 They Recognized Each Other as Godparents
Chapter 67 They Recognized Each Other as Godparents
“I see,” the patriarch of the Leopard family said more politely. “If you have really mistaken me for someone else, I will definitely send someone to take you home safely.”
He was very gentle when facing Yun Zhao, but his expression turned cold when he looked at Qing Yao behind Yun Zhao.
Qingyao shuddered. She had mistaken the person for someone else and had no idea how far the young lady had run off to. She dared not imagine what kind of punishment she would face later.
Madam Leopard seemed very amiable. She took the initiative to speak to Yun Zhao and even had servants bring tea and snacks, inviting Yun Zhao to eat and drink.
The servants quickly brought over the identification mirror, and the Leopard Clan Head gestured for Yun Zhao to stand in front of it.
Yun Zhao nodded, and as soon as she stood up, Fu Guang jumped out and took her into his arms.
“Please don’t be offended, Patriarch Leopard,” Yun Zhao explained, “This is my younger brother, who has not yet taken human form.”
She stood in front of the mirror, and the same cat that had appeared at the city gate appeared in the mirror.
The leopard family head even compared the size of Fu Guang and the cat in the mirror. Hmm, it wasn't just one; the one Yun Zhao was holding was much fatter.
Looking at Yun Zhao's familiar face, many thoughts flashed through the Leopard Clan Head's mind, but he suppressed them for some reason.
He gave Madam Leopard a look, and Madam Leopard smiled and said, "It was indeed a mistake, young lady, I apologize... By the way, I still don't know your name?"
"Cat Cloud".
Yun Zhao did not reveal his real name, but used an alias instead.
Madam Leopard exclaimed with delight, "I wonder which character 'Yun' you have in your name? My young lady's name also contains the character 'Yun'."
The young lady who ran away from home was named "Leopard Cloud".
What a coincidence!
Using this opportunity, Madam Leopard narrowed the distance between herself and Yun Zhao, and even invited her to stay for lunch. Yun Zhao declined several times, but she couldn't refuse.
Lady Leopard was too enthusiastic. While accepting her kindness, Yun Zhao also became more wary.
Why would the head and his wife of the four great families, who are not related to her by blood, be so enthusiastic towards her, this "little demon"?
Only Madam Leopard was present during the meal, as the Leopard family head was busy with other matters. Madam Leopard was warm yet distant, like a friendly neighbor aunt. If it weren't for the fearful look that Qingyao always gave her, Yun Zhao would have been deceived by her appearance.
After the meal, Madam Leopard pulled her aside to talk, and as they chatted, Madam Leopard brought up the topic of that young lady.
"Sigh," she sighed, "Xiaoyun, is it difficult to be a stepmother in the world? After I married into the Leopard family, I treated Yun'er with all my heart, but she was wary of me and even regarded me as an enemy."
"I don't know who stirred things up, but they've been hostile towards me ever since, making me feel like I'm caught in the middle and unable to speak out..."
Yun Zhao was a little embarrassed. "Um, our relationship isn't so close that we can be each other's confidantes, is it?"
Lady Leopard seemed oblivious to her embarrassment and continued her rambling complaints. After a long while, she seemed to realize that it was a bit inappropriate to say these things to someone she had only known for less than half a day.
“Xiaoyun, please don’t take offense,” Madam Leopard said awkwardly. “I don’t have anyone close to me, but when I saw you, you looked very familiar, as if I had seen you before.”
Yun Zhao subtly reminded her, "Madam, I look very much like Miss Leopard."
Madam Leopard couldn't help but chuckle, "It's not that this face looks familiar, it's more like..."
She thought for a moment, "A familiar feeling of instant acquaintance."
Madam Leopard smiled and said, "If you don't mind, let's become godparents."
Being in an unfamiliar place, Yun Zhao needed to make connections with some people to inquire about Qi Yan.
So she went along with it and said, "Since you say so, Madam, then I'll shamelessly acknowledge you as my relative."
Madam Leopard's smile widened even more as she took out a hairpin with defensive functions from her storage bag and put it on Yun Zhao's head.
"Consider this your godmother's gift to you. Don't refuse it, or you'll be saying you don't want to acknowledge me as your relative."
The two talked for a while longer, and then Madam Leopard suggested taking Yun Zhao to tour the Leopard Manor. When they came out, the two were holding hands.
If they didn't say anything, who would know that they had only known each other for less than half a day?
Of course, only they themselves know how much of it is genuine and how much is feigned.
The Leopard Mansion was enormous; even by evening, Madam Leopard hadn't explored a tenth of it.
However, it was already late, and Madam Leopard reluctantly settled Yun Zhao in an elegant courtyard, where Qing Yao was to serve her.
In addition, she also gave her maid Yimin to Yunzhao.
Yi Min was no longer as indifferent as before, and diligently served Yun Zhao as he washed and dressed.
"Ahem, you can all leave now. I'll stay here by myself for a while."
She wasn't used to it; whether on Qingyun Peak or elsewhere, she had to fend for herself and no one served her.
It's a little embarrassing to wipe your face and take off your clothes.
Yi Min smiled and left, but Qing Yao hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.
Yun Zhao asked, "What do you want to say?"
Qingyao gritted her teeth, knelt down and said, "Miss, I was blind and did not recognize your greatness. I have offended you, please forgive me!"
Yun Zhao avoided her kneeling and said, "Get up and speak."
How should I put it? It's a bit like kowtowing at her grave.
Qingyao stood up silently, looking at Yunzhao hopefully, trying to gain her understanding.
Yun Zhao did not answer directly, but asked, "Tell me about Miss Leopard."
Qingyao didn't know why she was asking this, but seeing Yun Zhao's serious expression, she quickly answered honestly, "The eldest young lady is the mistress I've served since I was a child, she..."
Qingyao said a lot, and Yunzhao summarized it as follows:
Leopard Lady Leopard Yun was the child of the first wife of the Leopard family head. Unfortunately, she died during childbirth.
When Leopard Cloud was three years old, the head of the Leopard family married a new woman, who is now Madam Leopard. Madam Leopard is gentle and virtuous, and treats Leopard Cloud very well, trying to establish a good mother-daughter relationship with her.
However, there were two old women left by her mother by Bao Yun's side. The two old women whispered in her ear and made Bao Yun think that Madam Bao's kindness to her was actually to harm her.
She even had wildly imaginative ideas, such as that her mother's difficult childbirth was caused by Madam Leopard.
Therefore, she continued to target Lady Leopard, even transferring this hatred onto Lady Leopard's children.
Madam Leopard has a daughter who has been betrothed to the Eagle Clan of the Four Great Families since childhood. Leopard Cloud is also betrothed and is the Crown Prince of the royal family.
But she didn't want to marry the crown prince, so she seduced her sister's fiancé. If he hadn't been wary, she would have slept with him.
Later, the head of the Leopard family was furious and locked Leopard Yun in the courtyard, forbidding her to come out before her marriage.
Unable to resist, Leopard Cloud pretended to obey while secretly looking for an opportunity to escape.
Yun Zhao asked, "This is the first time Miss Leopard has run away. When you arrested me, didn't you say that she had run away from home many times before?"
Qingyao answered cautiously, "Miss, you may not know this, but my young lady ran away from home before."
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