Duke Chu gently soothed his wife and chuckled softly: “A marriage.”
Marriage?
Madam Chu was stunned, looking at Duke Chu in disbelief.
Had her husband gone mad from anger?
This woman had just killed their son and injured Qi Wang, and now he wanted to arrange a marriage for Qi Yuan?!
Seeing her expression, Duke Chu immediately knew she had misunderstood and smiled: “Wife, marriage isn’t necessarily a good thing.”
As he spoke, he leaned in and whispered a few words in her ear.
Duchess Chu’s face flushed red, then turned pale, her eyes filling with seething hatred: “Good!”
But then her eyes reddened again as she choked with tears: “But my lord, our son… what about our son?”
No matter how revenge was taken, the dead would not return.
Even if Qi Yuan died ten thousand times, it would not be enough to compensate for a single finger of her son.
Mentioning their son, Duke Chu felt the same unbearable pain.
These days, he constantly woke up in the middle of the night, haunted by the sound of his son’s screams and the gruesome images in his dreams.
But the more it hurt, the calmer he became.
What was the rush?
The one who endures to the end is the true victor—he had risen this way before, slowly and steadily.
Taking a deep breath, Duke Chu said firmly: “I’ve already made the arrangements.”
The next day, trouble broke out at the military camp outside the capital where Liu Jinghong had been stationed.
Several barracks caught fire.
In the middle of winter, when the air was dry, many soldiers were sleeping, and by the time the fire was discovered, it was already out of control.
Everyone rushed to fight the fire, but in the end, over ten people were burned to death—including Duke Chu’s shizi, Liu Jinghong.
When news reached the court, the entire capital was shocked.
Even Emperor Yongchang was alarmed and demanded an explanation from the Ministry of War and the Five Armies’ Command.
Commander Lu of the Five Armies had been off duty the previous day, so he was a step behind when he heard the news and could only step forward to accept punishment, admitting he had no idea what had happened.
As for Duke Chu, he fainted on the spot upon hearing the news in court.
Emperor Yongchang quickly had him carried to a side hall and summoned the imperial physicians.
Soon after, the emperor urgently summoned the capital’s military commander and learned that it was Liu Jinghong who had first discovered the fire. He had bravely rushed in to save others and died heroically in the blaze.
Both the emperor and his ministers were deeply moved.
A man of Liu Jinghong’s status and background still sacrificed his life to save common soldiers—this was truly rare and admirable.
Emperor Yongchang sighed: “Order Shilang Kong of the Ministry of Rites to preside over the funeral. Posthumously grant Liu Jinghong the title of Duke Zhongyong and bury him in Zhaoling.”
Zhaoling was the imperial tomb of the Great Zhou dynasty. Only emperors and the most prominent ministers could be buried there.
This honor showed how highly Emperor Yongchang regarded Liu Jinghong.
In death, Liu Jinghong’s glory had reached its peak.
Duke Chu awoke and forced himself to go thank the emperor in person.
His beard was now gray, his face haggard. He prostrated himself on the ground, trembling as he kowtowed, then fainted again in the hall.
For a time, the court and public were all talking about this incident, and everyone was praising Liu Jinghong’s bravery.
When the news reached Qi Yuan, she was in the middle of eating.
The old marquis, seeing how utterly calm she was, reminded her: “Duke Chu’s maneuver was deeply calculated. It shows how well he understands the emperor’s mind…”
Qi Yuan casually responded, sneering: “All I know is that when someone’s dead, nothing matters anymore. Even if they immediately made Liu Jinghong a hereditary prince, would that bring him back to life?”
Of course not.
All this grand posthumous honor was just a way to comfort the living.
But what did it have to do with her?
The old marquis frowned at her: “Aren’t you worried that Liu Jinghong’s grand death will put you at a disadvantage?”
“Why should I be worried?” Qi Yuan laughed. “If they like this kind of grand funeral so much, I can send them a few more.”
…
The old marquis was speechless.
Just moments ago, he had been feeling anxious while watching the spectacle.
But now, hearing Qi Yuan’s words, he thought—never mind the glory. If there are a few more of these, the main members of Duke Chu’s family might all be gone.
He sighed and calmed himself: “I wonder if things are going smoothly on your father’s side.”
If all went well and they brought back Liu Wangfei, it would be a severe blow to the Liu family.
Then, perhaps the Liu family wouldn’t have the energy to focus on the Qi family and Qi Yuan anymore.
Before Qi Yuan could reply, Liuzhong rushed in: “Old marquis, young miss, the old madam asks you both to come over—she’s just received an invitation.”
The old marquis glanced at Qi Yuan and went to the old madam’s residence first.
Qi Yuan leaned lazily against her chair, flexing her wrist.
The room fell silent, and her expression was calm until there was a soft sound at the window. Liujin cautiously popped his smiling face in: “Miss Qi!”
Qi Yuan turned her head and wasn’t surprised at all to see him. She lazily responded: “Why are you here at this time?”
After a pause, she asked, “By the way, where is Lihua now?”
She had arranged for Lihua to be settled, but had been too busy to check in.
Liujin quickly answered: “Lihua said you told her she could wait at your estate, so we sent her there.”
Qi Yuan nodded: “Then why are you here this time?”
Liujin shuffled closer, scratching his head awkwardly: “Miss Qi, our lord… our lord…”
Qi Yuan frowned: “Spit it out.”
Why was everyone around Xiao Yunting becoming so long-winded these days?
Liujin scratched his head again: “Miss Qi, you must be careful. Our lord says he knows you’re capable, but this time the situation isn’t simple. The Liu family is planning to make a move regarding your marriage. If you receive any invitations to banquets or gatherings, you must refuse them.”
He felt helpless.
It really should have been their lord delivering this message—it would’ve been clearer and more persuasive.
But their lord stubbornly insisted on sending him instead.
Would Miss Qi even take his words seriously?!
He hesitated, then added quietly: “Our lord said… there’s a wall ahead. You must understand the meaning of turning back before it’s too late.”
Qi Yuan immediately laughed.
She casually replied: “Tell your lord—even if I smash that southern wall to pieces, I will not turn back.”
……
Liujin wailed internally.
He knew it!
Why did these two always have to fight and make him the go-between?
How was he supposed to relay this back to their lord?
He might as well just faint and be done with it!
