Zhou Wang and Xiao Yunting arrived quickly.
Originally, Second Madam Qi had only intended to invite Zhou Wang and Xiao Yunting, but unexpectedly, Madam Liu also arrived soon after.
Seeing her, Second Madam Qi nervously bit her lip and forced herself to speak: “Madam Shizi, our Yuan Yuan really did nothing wrong today. In terms of the competition, it was your daughter who initiated the challenge. In terms of winning or losing, our child won fair and square…”
Madam Liu’s face darkened; she had no intention of listening to such nonsense.
When they followed Zhou Wang and Xiao Yunting to the Peach Blossom Wall where Qi Yuan was changing clothes, they were all stunned by the mess inside the room.
The entire Peach Blossom Wall was nearly torn apart.
Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought bandits had broken in!
Madam Liu frowned deeply. She had come to confront and demand accountability.
She had no intention of letting Qi Yuan off easily today. Qi Yuan had to pay a price!
But what she hadn’t expected was to see this scene.
At this moment, Zhou Wang was already asking in shock: “What happened here? Miss Qi, you—”
Xiao Yunting’s right eyelid twitched violently, a storm already brewing in his heart.
Qi Yuan sat against a column, smiling at Zhou Wang: “Just as Your Highness sees, I was changing clothes in your residence, and who would have thought—an assassin broke in, intending to take my life.”
Zhou Wang’s expression changed dramatically.
Madam Liu’s face also shifted.
She sneered coldly: “Do you take the Prince’s residence for a slaughterhouse where anyone can come and go? I think you’re just putting on a show to clear yourself of blame!”
Second Madam Qi bit her lip angrily and retorted: “Madam Shizi, you can’t speak like that! What blame does she have? And do you mean her injuries are fake?”
Wang Chan carefully helped Qi Yuan up.
Qi Yuan met Zhou Wang’s complicated gaze without flinching and smiled faintly: “Exactly, I have the same question. The Prince’s residence—even though this is just a secondary estate—should still be heavily guarded.”
Madam Liu frowned, a bad feeling creeping into her heart.
Qi Yuan continued calmly: “How could an assassin appear here for no reason? And why would they target me specifically? How is it that in such a large Peach Blossom Wall, not a single servant was present?”
…
What a sharp and vicious question.
Madam Liu couldn’t hold back: “What are you implying?!”
“I’m implying that maybe it’s because I defeated Miss Liu in the polo match, and didn’t die as Miss Liu had hoped, embarrassing Duke Chu’s family—so someone just had to kill me?”
Qi Yuan smiled fearlessly: “After all, this is Zhou Wang’s residence, and Zhou Wangfei is none other than Miss Liu’s aunt, isn’t she?”
Zhou Wang sternly barked: “Enough! Who do you think you’re speaking to? Do you think I, Zhou Wang, would scheme against a young girl like you?”
Madam Liu also nearly lost control.
Yes, she had wanted to kill Qi Yuan to vent her anger, but the point was—she hadn’t even had the chance to make a move yet!
And now this little wench had beaten her to the accusation. She should have just had her killed back then!
But Qi Yuan wasn’t afraid of Zhou Wang’s scolding. She looked at the wreckage on the ground and said seriously: “Whether I am disrespectful or not, the facts are plain to see. Everyone witnessed Miss Liu trying to kill me on the polo field. Now that I’ve been attacked, of course my first suspicion is the Liu family—isn’t that only natural?”
Madam Liu sneered: “A scourge like you probably has as many enemies as there are fish in the sea—who knows who wanted you dead?”
She then mocked: “What, if you choke on food one day, will you blame it on our family too?”
“Yes!” Qi Yuan answered as if it were obvious. “That’s why Madam Liu had better pray I live a long life. Otherwise, since you’re the only ones I’ve offended, if I die, who else would be the prime suspect?”
…
Wretched girl! Truly wretched!
Xiao Yunting, who had remained silent, suddenly coughed.
It immediately drew everyone’s attention.
As the recently rising Crown Prince’s eldest grandson, no one dared to offend him lightly.
Zhou Wang glanced at him and softened his tone: “This matter—I will certainly have it investigated thoroughly and give Miss Qi an explanation.”
Xiao Yunting nodded in satisfaction: “Uncle, this polo gathering has always been a grand annual event in the capital. It should indeed be carefully investigated. Otherwise, if ugly rumors spread, wouldn’t that tarnish the prestige of the Prince’s estate? I’m afraid even the Emperor will ask about it.”
Madam Liu was furious.
She had come to cause trouble, yet now she was the one entangled in it.
What now—if Qi Yuan one day accidentally choked on her food, would they have to take the blame?
It was utterly absurd.
Looking at the smiling girl before him, Zhou Wang could only promise to investigate the matter properly.
Then, the imperial physician was called in to treat Qi Yuan.
When Madam Liu returned to Liu Mingzhu’s courtyard, the physician was still speaking with the newly arrived Liu Jinghong.
She quickened her pace to approach.
She heard the physician saying: “If properly cared for from now on, it shouldn’t shorten her lifespan. It’s just… it would be best if she didn’t ride horses again.”
Liu Jinghong’s expression remained calm. He thanked the physician and asked him to prepare medicine in the side room.
Madam Liu, however, couldn’t contain her emotions. Tears welled up as she sat by Liu Mingzhu’s bedside, gently stroking her hair.
It was the middle of winter, yet Liu Mingzhu was drenched in sweat, even her hair was soaked.
Her heart ached terribly, and the tears finally fell.
Liu Jinghong approached and asked in a low voice: “What exactly happened?”
Madam Liu, emotionally unstable, explained the whole incident.
In the end, she gritted her teeth: “I’ve never seen such a vicious, ruthless girl! She even accused me of sending assassins after her and said that if anything happens to her in the future, she’ll suspect our Duke Chu’s family!”
It infuriated her beyond words!
Liu Jinghong’s expression darkened slightly.
He frowned and asked in a low voice: “Did you say… assassins?”
Madam Liu snorted: “Yes! She claimed assassins broke into the Peach Blossom Wall to kill her and implied that since this was the Prince’s estate, it must have been our doing! I truly regret not thinking of such a scheme earlier—should have killed her outright!”
Liu Jinghong’s face also turned cold.
He said flatly: “Yes, we should’ve handled it more cleanly from the start.”
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