That wretched girl, always pretending!
Qi Yunting was like a bull goaded into a frenzy. The way Qi Yuan had grabbed his elbow earlier had left him deeply unsettled.
He pointed at Qi Yuan and said to Qi Zhen, “Father! You really ought to investigate her. She’s been out there for over a decade—who knows what kind of person she really is, or who she’s been mingling with?”
His words were harsh, barely stopping short of accusing Qi Yuan of improper associations and dubious origins.
Qi Jin sniffled softly at the side, adding fuel to the fire: “Eldest Sister, do you… do you know martial arts? I saw just now, you pulled my brother and made him fall…”
Madam Wang gave Qi Yuan a long, complicated look, suspicion beginning to stir in her heart.
It was understandable. She comforted herself—after all, Ah Jin was the little darling she had raised with her own hands, and Yunting was her eldest son, her own flesh and blood.
Even if flesh from both the palm and the back of the hand hurts when cut, one side is always fleshier than the other.
Qi Yuan glanced at them all, then turned and knelt before Qi Zhen.
She held out her hands. “Father, I was raised in the countryside by foster parents. I had to chop wood, fetch water, and tend the fields. During festival times, I even helped slaughter pigs. It’s only natural that I have more strength than most, isn’t it?”
Her palms were full of calluses—nothing like the pampered, lily-white hands of Qi Jin, who had grown up in luxury without lifting a finger.
Qi Zhen was struck silent.
Yes, someone raised doing hard labor would naturally be stronger than an average girl.
To say she knew martial arts or had ulterior motives based on that was just far too much of a stretch.
Qi Yuan looked up again, her eyes slightly red. “Father, since my eldest brother disdains me so, and my second sister minds my return so much, why not find somewhere else to send me?”
Madam Wang was alarmed. “How could that be?”
They had only just found her, and it had been done under the eyes of Lu Shangshu and Jing Wang. To send her away now—what would that look like?
Qi Yunting’s chest rose and fell furiously. “Stop pretending! Qi Yuan, don’t think I don’t know what you are! Drop the act. One day, I will expose your true nature!”
“Qi Yunting!” Qi Zhen was thoroughly disappointed. “Have you made enough of a scene?! Get out! Go kneel in the ancestral hall. Don’t get up until I say so!”
It was cold, especially in the ancestral hall—it was a damp, shadowy place.
Sending Qi Yunting there alone during a time when the family was supposed to be reunited? Madam Wang couldn’t bear it.
She rushed to pull Qi Zhen back. “It’s just a squabble between two children. Ah Yuan just returned—of course they haven’t figured out each other’s temperaments yet. Some friction is normal…”
Trying to smooth things over, Madam Wang shot Qi Yunting a sharp look. “Aren’t you going to apologize to your father?!”
But Qi Zhen snapped, “Apologize to me? Apologize to your little sister!”
Qi Yuan gave a slight smirk.
She hadn’t expected it, but at least Qi Zhen still acted like a decent person.
Qi Yunting reacted like he’d swallowed gunpowder. “Why should I apologize to her? She’s a jinx! Ever since she came back, she’s brought nothing but misfortune—Mother’s glass screen got smashed, I got cut by glass…”
And now they wanted him to apologize to Qi Yuan? Dream on!
Qi Zhen suddenly stepped forward and, catching him off guard, kicked Qi Yunting hard.
Qi Yunting staggered, nearly falling again onto the shattered glass.
This was the first time Qi Zhen had ever hit Qi Yunting in front of everyone.
Qi Jin, who had been fanning the flames just moments ago, immediately quieted down, placing a hand over her chest and retreating a step.
Madam Wang rushed to shield Qi Yunting protectively, distressed and indignant. “My Lord Marquis! It was just a small matter—how could you use such force?”
But this time, Qi Zhen didn’t let it slide. He pointed at Qi Yunting. “Apologize to your sister. Don’t make me repeat myself!”
When Qi Zhen got truly angry, no one in the household dared stand against him.
Even Madam Wang was intimidated, fearing Yunting might resist again. She quickly pushed her son’s back, whispering fiercely, “Listen to your father! Apologize to your sister—now!”
Qi Yunting was aching all over. Even though he was seething with indignation, he could only lower his head and mutter grudgingly, “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”
Madam Wang let out a breath and, a little stiffly, asked Qi Yuan, “Well? Are you satisfied now?”
Qi Yuan stood with quiet dignity. She didn’t let the apology sweep everything under the rug. She merely said, flatly, “No need for an apology. I only hope that from now on, my dear brother won’t casually call me a ‘country bumpkin b*stard.’ After all, when you insult me like that, you’re not just insulting me, are you?”
Those last words were delivered with a light, airy tone—yet they carried a sharp, unmistakable undertone of irony.
It made Qi Zhen’s fury surge once more.
He shouted, “Still here?! Get to the ancestral hall now! Don’t come out unless I say so!”
Madam Wang feared that if Qi Yunting stayed any longer, things would spiral further. She shoved him toward the door and whispered frantically, “Do as your father says! Reflect properly on your behavior…”
Qi Jin saw her chance and followed carefully. “I-I’ll go keep my brother company. He’s still hurt—I can’t relax until his wounds are dressed. I’ll come eat after.”
After all, they’d grown up together. Naturally, that made her feel closer than to someone who returned halfway through life.
Madam Wang, stifling her frustration, gave her daughter an approving nod.
Then she turned, face cold. “Well? Hurry up and clean this mess!”
Qi Zhen gestured to Qi Yuan. After scrutinizing her for a moment, he said, “Your second and third uncles will be arriving shortly. Don’t bring up your life in the countryside again—understand?”
Qi Yuan nodded.
As she left the room, she noticed Madam Wang’s maid Xu Mama standing coldly at the curtain, glaring at her like she’d committed some unpardonable sin.
Zhang Mama bowed her head, pretending not to see.
Qi Yuan ignored them both, face blank, and followed Qi Zhen out toward the banquet hall.
The ancestral hall was damp and gloomy. Qi Jin’s tears flowed like beads off a broken string, falling onto Qi Yunting’s hands. “Brother, how could you be so foolish? Fighting with her for me—am I really worth it?”
Such a beautiful girl weeping was heartbreaking. Qi Yunting floundered, unsure how to comfort her. “Ah Jin, what are you saying? You’re my sister. How could I let her bully you and just stand by?”
Qi Jin cried even harder. “Brother, I’m scared there’s no place left for me in this family. She’s so sharp—every word she said pierced me. I’m sure Father hates me now…”
“What nonsense are you talking?” Qi Yunting’s face darkened. “As long as I’m here, no one will ever compare to you, and no one will push you out! Just wait—I’ll make sure she leaves here in disgrace sooner or later!”
