Qi Wang couldn’t clearly explain why he had such an obsession with Qi Yuan.
In his past life, when he died at Qi Yuan’s hands, all he thought was that even in h*ll, he wouldn’t let that wretched woman go.
But after being reborn, his first instinct was still to quickly find Qi Yuan.
He had sent people to the village, but he was ultimately a step too late.
By the time his men arrived, Qi Yuan had already returned to the Marquis’ residence and had already caused a considerable stir there.
Still, he didn’t think this was a bad thing.
It was fine that she went back to the Marquis’ residence. He had arranged for Han Yue’e to keep a close watch on her.
But unfortunately, Qi Yuan was just as defiant and unyielding as in the previous life.
After being reborn, she actually allied with Xiao Yunting to go against him.
He had indeed been furious and had thought about killing Qi Yuan.
In fact, when they were at Zhou Wang’s residence, he had truly harbored the intent to kill.
The way she hated the Liu family so deeply—how could she feel any differently toward him?!
Why should he show mercy to a woman who killed him in his past life and is still harming him in this one?!
But even as he gripped his wrist crossbow back then, he just couldn’t bring himself to strike.
When Qi Yuan raised her hand and complained childishly that her hand hurt, his heart actually twinged, and he instinctively felt distressed for her.
……
Perhaps it really was karma. All those women who once gave him their hearts and were trampled on by him—now he was receiving all that retribution.
At that moment, he knew he could never bring himself to kill Qi Yuan.
The wrist crossbow still lay quietly on the table, gleaming with a cold and sharp glint.
He picked it up and waited for his racing heart to slowly settle. Then he calmly reminded himself: “It’s fine. So what if she doesn’t like me?”
He didn’t need her to love him.
Even if she only pretended, like she did in their past life—as long as she stayed by his side, that was enough.
He pulled a bitter smile.
As he sat there for a while, Jinbao cautiously knocked on the door: “Your Highness, Duke Chu Shizi’s household has arrived.”
Hearing that Liu Jinghong had come, Qi Wang frowned, then quickly relaxed and replied, “Invite him to the study. I’ll head there now.”
Jinbao quickly complied.
In the study, Liu Jinghong was anxiously pacing. When he saw Qi Wang enter, he immediately stepped forward and anxiously asked, “Your Highness, are you really planning to travel far?”
Qi Wang’s gaze instantly turned cold.
It was one thing to be close to the Liu family, but it was another for them to overstep their bounds.
He had only just mobilized his shadow guards, and the Liu family already knew.
This only meant that the Liu family’s reach had grown too long.
He looked at Liu Jinghong indifferently. “Uncle seems to know my affairs quite well.”
Liu Jinghong immediately realized the coldness in his tone and quickly suppressed his urgency, forcing a calm explanation: “That’s not what I meant, Your Highness. I was only concerned for your safety.”
He sighed, “Niang Niang in the palace has also been constantly worrying about you.”
Qi Wang had heard such words since he was a child. In the past, they didn’t bother him, but now he found them grating.
He sneered, “Uncle, you’re being overly cautious. I’m not a child.”
Seeing that Qi Wang was determined to leave, Liu Jinghong could only ask, “Your Highness, may I ask where you’re going?”
Right now, Qi Wang was still under house arrest, and Emperor Yongchang’s anger had yet to subside.
By all rights, Qi Wang should be quietly staying home.
But clearly, Qi Wang had no such intention.
Thinking of this, Liu Jinghong’s expression grew complicated, and he couldn’t help but ask: “Your Highness, did you go to Zhou Wang’s residence yesterday?”
Qi Wang’s face instantly darkened as he sharply turned to stare at Liu Jinghong.
Liu Jinghong instinctively took a step back.
In the past, he had always been close to this nephew. Likewise, under Noble Consort Liu’s influence, Qi Wang had always been close to their family.
But recently, Liu Jinghong increasingly felt that Qi Wang had changed.
His gestures, his attitude toward the Liu family—all carried a sense of distance.
Liu Jinghong didn’t know where this change had come from.
Precisely because he didn’t know, he had been especially concerned and attentive.
He had begun monitoring the movements of the shadow guards some time ago.
So yesterday, when he heard from Madam Liu that Qi Yuan encountered assassins at Zhou Wang’s residence, he immediately thought of Qi Wang, who had just mobilized his guards.
The moment he heard Qi Wang was leaving again, he had rushed over to inquire.
But now, it was clear that Qi Wang didn’t want him involved in this at all.
Liu Jinghong grew increasingly anxious.
The room fell silent. Qi Wang leaned back slightly and said indifferently, “There’s no need for Uncle to trouble yourself over what I plan to do. If you have the time, it would be better to advise Cousin to cultivate her character and learn proper conduct, so she won’t suffer in the future.”
Liu Jinghong was caught off guard.
Qi Wang, however, said nothing more. He just spoke in a deep voice: “Uncle, I’m not a child anymore. I also know that Father sent Qi Zhen to look for Liu Wangfei. I am not unaware of this.”
Hearing this, Liu Jinghong’s expression changed drastically.
Qi Wang had asked him about this before, but he hadn’t disclosed anything.
Why did Qi Wang suddenly bring it up now?!
“So, Uncle, don’t concern yourself with where I’m going. In the end, I’m doing it for everyone’s benefit.” Qi Wang gave him a deep look. “And one more thing: reminding Uncle, don’t touch the people you shouldn’t. Whether Qi Yuan lives or dies—that’s for me to decide.”
Qi Yuan?!
Liu Jinghong couldn’t suppress his shock. Even after returning to Duke Chu’s residence, he still hadn’t calmed down.
When Duke Chu returned from the palace and saw him in this state, he immediately asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
Given the seriousness of the situation, Liu Jinghong didn’t dare hide anything and told him about Qi Wang’s strange behavior.
Duke Chu’s reaction was much calmer.
He stroked his beard and said in a low voice, “At the Prince’s age, it’s natural to have his own ideas. If he knows what happened back then, of course he’ll think our family acted dishonorably.”
Young people—it’s inevitable.
But Duke Chu didn’t think much of it.
So what if he knows?
Their interests were ultimately aligned.
Liu Jinghong immediately brought up Qi Wang’s warning: “But he even said that Qi Yuan’s life or death should be his decision and told us not to interfere. Father, what’s going on with His Highness? We are his maternal family!”
For all these years, it was their family that had consistently supported Qi Wang in court.
That’s why Qi Wang had such a strong following.
Had he forgotten all that now?
Why would he suddenly grow distant from the Liu family?
As for Qi Yuan, Liu Jinghong sneered: “No matter what, that girl must die! Everything that happened to Mingzhu was all caused by her—I can’t swallow this anger no matter what!”
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