When Qi Yunting turned around, the smile on his face completely vanished.
B*tch!
Giving face but she doesn’t know shame!
She really thought she was some big shot, trying all that triple-summon, quadruple-invite nonsense!
His chest hurt from anger, but thinking about what was going to happen tomorrow, he hurried to calm himself.
What’s the harm in letting her be smug for a little while?
After all, how long could she really stay smug?
There was no smile on his face.
In Mingyue Pavilion, Baizhi and Lianqiao also wore worried expressions.
Seeing Qi Yuan, who acted as if nothing had happened and was still teasing Little Yellow, Baizhi couldn’t help but speak up: “Miss, you wouldn’t really agree to go out shopping with the Young Master, would you?”
Qi Yunting never had kind words for Qi Yuan all day long—either telling her to die or calling her a b*tch.
How could such a person suddenly change just because of the Old Madam Wang’s birthday banquet?
Talking about hoping for sibling harmony.
Does that sound like something he would say?
It was more like a weasel paying New Year’s respects to a chicken—no good intentions at all.
Baizhi thought this, and Lianqiao even said out loud: “Miss, I think the Young Master is just a weasel paying New Year’s respects, no good intentions! Don’t go!”
Qi Yuan laughed out loud.
She smiled and asked: “Why shouldn’t I go? He’s always wishing I’d die. What would make him suddenly bow and beg me for reconciliation? To me, there’s only one possibility.”
Baizhi and Lianqiao were nervous: “If Miss already knows…”
“Then don’t go.”
Qi Yunting was a b*stard, but who says b*stards can’t be born again?
He just happened to be the future heir of the Marquis’s household, the eldest legitimate grandson.
Thinking that, Lianqiao murmured softly: “Miss, after all, he is the future heir…”
“No problem.” Qi Yuan slowly wiped her sleeve dart: “Maybe by tomorrow, he won’t be anymore.”
…
Baizhi and Lianqiao exchanged a glance, both seeing the other’s fear.
Heavens! May the Young Master please not cause any trouble!
Otherwise…
The next day came quickly.
Qi Yunting unexpectedly came in person to Qi Yuan’s courtyard, lowering himself to escort her.
Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow: “I’ll go tell Grandmother and Madam first.”
Qi Yunting cleared his throat, his face stiff: “No need. It’s a small matter; no need to bother Grandmother. I’ve already told Mother. She knows.”
Qi Yuan surprisingly had no objection, simply nodded and prepared to leave.
Qi Yunting was a little stunned: “Aren’t you bringing your serving maid?”
Qi Yuan looked more puzzled: “Why would I bring a maid?”
…Forget it, without a maid is actually less trouble.
Qi Yunting expressionless, led Qi Yuan to the second gate, watched her get on the carriage, and for the first time ever, smiled at her.
Qi Yuan returned the smile.
Once the curtain dropped, the smiles on both their faces vanished simultaneously.
Laugh while you can. Soon you won’t be able to.
Qi Yunting took Qi Yuan to Sibaozhai and chose a brocade in autumn fragrance color.
Then he casually said: “Since we’re out, I’ll take you to eat. Afterwards, we’ll deliver the gift to Grandmother together. She’ll be very happy.”
So far, everything was going unusually smooth.
Qi Yuan smiled faintly, unguarded: “Sure!”
Qi Yunting took Qi Yuan to a private room on the second floor of Taibai Tower.
The room faced the Chongen Pagoda in the capital—three pagodas stood like tripods, glazed tiles gleaming in the sun. From the room, the beautiful view was fully visible.
Qi Yunting poured Qi Yuan a cup of tea: “This is Taibai Tower’s Silver Needle—quick onset, long aftertaste. Try it.”
Qi Yuan seemed interested in the view and drank the tea in one gulp.
Then she looked at Qi Yunting calmly: “Cut to the chase—why exactly did you call me out? I don’t believe you’re this kind-hearted, just putting on a show of sibling harmony for Grandmother.”
Qi Yunting’s face darkened: “You guessed pretty well.”
Qi Yuan leaned back in the chair, blunt: “Not guessing. Mainly because you’ve never been the type to do anything decent.”
Still spouting nonsense even when death is near!
Qi Yunting sneered and retorted bluntly: “You think you’re so good? I don’t know what lost soul or demon possesses this b*tch, but whatever you are, your good days end here.”
Qi Yuan’s expression changed: “What do you want to do?!”
“What do I want to do?!” Qi Yunting’s long-suppressed rage burst forth at last: “I want to kill you, you ungrateful b*tch!”
Qi Yuan slammed the table: “With just you?”
Then looked at her own hands in surprise.
She staggered back into the chair.
Qi Yunting laughed loudly: “I know you’re capable! You know I mean you harm, but you never imagined I secretly put powder in the carriage. After you drink this tea, you’ll be completely weak, helpless, and easy to slaughter!”
Qi Yuan could not believe it: “That’s impossible!”
“Of course you think it’s impossible!” Qi Yunting grabbed her chin hard: “B*tch, today is your day! I knew you were reckless and arrogant, never took me seriously, so you didn’t guard against me!”
He leaned down and stared into her eyes, laughing triumphantly: “How does it feel to be trapped and helpless? B*tch, when you were arrogant, tyrannical, and drove Ah Jin away, did you ever think you’d end up like this?!”
Qi Yuan’s eyes widened: “You want to kill Qi Jin? But Father killed her, not me!”
“Oh?” Qi Yunting clapped his hands proudly: “You of course want Qi Jin dead, but Qi Jin won’t die! Not only will she live, but today, in front of Qi Jin, I’ll sever your Achilles tendon and send you to a brothel in the south, never to rise again!”
Qi Jin gave Qi Yuan a slight smile: “Long time no see, sister.”
Qi Yuan shook her head madly: “No! If you do this to me, how will you explain it to Grandfather, Grandmother, and Father?! They won’t let you off!”
Qi Yunting sneered: “No proof of death. By then, you’ll be a cripple far away in a brothel. Do you think you can tell them the truth?!”
His face was cold: “From the first day you returned, I warned you to live meekly, tail between your legs. But you refused! Since you refused, then taste this lesson!”
Qi Yuan’s panic faded, her expression calm again, even with a trace of mockery in her eyes: “What lesson? The lesson of a broken leg?”
