Before, she always felt this was too cruel a way to act.
But now, thinking about it, perhaps it’s for the best.
Hadn’t had much contact with Madam Wang, nor with Qi Yunting or Qi Jin.
So there was no deep affection or influence.
Qi Yuan slightly frowned: “Has he grown a lot now? Is his health better?”
The old Marquis nodded truthfully: “Much better than when he was little.”
When they were kids, they doubted whether this child could grow up normally.
People’s hearts are complicated.
It’s like with Qi Yunzheng — do they not care for him?
No, but with things destined to be lost, people tend to avoid investing too much emotion or hope.
That way, when the loss actually happens, it doesn’t hurt as much.
Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow: “Since he’s much better, then bring him back.”
She had said before, if Qi Yunting was no good, replace him. She meant it.
The old Marquis shared this thought.
The title belonged to the main branch; since the main branch still had a direct heir, they must cultivate him well in every way.
He agreed: “I’ll send Liuzhong and your second uncle to fetch Yunzheng. Our family will have a proper New Year together.”
Qi Yuan nodded, turned to leave.
The old Marquis hesitated: “Madam Wang…”
Qi Yuan understood immediately.
Madam Wang had learned of Qi Yunting’s death, and was told by the old Marquis that Qi Yunting was killed by Qi Jin.
She had suddenly lost both a son and a daughter — the pain and fury were beyond imagining.
After a pause, she said: “I’ll go see her.”
The old Marquis was stunned.
He didn’t mean that!
But since Qi Yuan said it, he couldn’t say “better not,” or else Madam Wang might be directly angered to death. So he just cleared his throat and nodded.
After she left, the old Marquis’s right eyebrow twitched: “Do you think she’ll really anger Madam Wang to death?”
The old Marchioness immediately glared at him: “What nonsense! Don’t worry, Ah Yuan isn’t the type to kick someone when they’re down.”
Qi Yuan indeed avenged her grudges, but she never flaunted her victory by rubbing it in after winning.
She’s not petty and wouldn’t waste time on that.
The old Marchioness sighed: “Send the second son to bring Yunzheng back.”
The old Marquis agreed.
Madam Wang lay in bed, unable to rise.
When Qi Zhen wanted to kill Qi Jin, she couldn’t bear it and let Qi Jin escape at the last moment.
She thought she was preserving the rare mother-daughter bond.
But unexpectedly, it was releasing a tiger back to the mountain.
Overwhelmed by grief and anger, she could not hold on and finally fell ill.
When Qi Yuan arrived, Madam Wang forced herself to sit up, pale and sneering coldly: “So, you came to gloat? Feeling proud? Now everyone you hate most is dead!”
Qi Yuan frowned: “You’re worrying too much, Madam. I have no time to be proud.”
Madam Wang suddenly grew agitated: “Then what did you come for?! Your brother is dead! Your own brother is dead — aren’t you even a little sad?”
Sometimes Qi Yuan thought Madam Wang deserved to die.
She raised a faint eyebrow: “Madam, if I were sad, would you believe me?”
Madam Wang gritted her teeth.
“To be honest, he and I — we’re basically strangers without feelings.” Qi Yuan’s fingers tapped on the table. “No, more realistically, we’re enemies. Now that he’s dead, it’s his own fault. Why should I be sad?”
Qi Yuan paused, then stood and looked at Madam Wang: “But Madam, you falling ill from sadness is really deserved. Qi Jin was the one you let go with your own hands. Both Qi Jin’s and Qi Yunting’s temper and character were spoiled by your indulgence.”
Madam Wang lost her patience: “You came here just to say that?”
“No.” Qi Yuan looked at her coldly: “I’m here to tell you, you still have Qi Yunzheng — he’s coming back.”
Mentioning Qi Yunzheng, Madam Wang’s heart skipped a beat, then her face stiffened: “So? Are you here to comfort me kindly?”
Qi Yuan shook her head bluntly: “No, I’m here to tell you that your temperament is really unsuitable for raising children. For Qi Yunzheng’s sake, if you want someone to care for you in the future, I suggest you stay away from him.”
Madam Wang’s chest heaved violently; she nearly vomited blood on the spot.
She knew this daughter was here just to torment her.
Nothing good ever came out of her mouth.
But Qi Yuan was not there to console her. Having said all she had to, she stood to leave.
Madam Wang immediately called out: “Are you really so cold-hearted?”
Qi Yuan turned and looked at her: “Madam, is it too late now to ask that? I haven’t been cold-hearted to you for just a day or two, and I won’t change. Coming here today is my last advice to you. Whether you listen or not is your business.”
Never heard of a victim having to reflect on themselves, or that not forgiving the abuser makes one cold-hearted.
Qi Yuan wasn’t someone who wagged her tail for a bone after being beaten.
She’d suffered enough in her last life; she wouldn’t let herself be abandoned again.
She simply left.
Madam Wang collapsed onto the bed, clutching her chest, barely able to breathe.
After a long time, she leaned against the pillow and gasped deeply.
By evening, when Madam Lu and the old Madam Wang arrived, they saw Madam Wang looking worn and defeated.
Losing a child in middle age is unbearable for anyone.
The old Madam Wang gently comforted Madam Wang: “Think positively — you still have Yunzheng and Ah Yuan.”
Without mentioning this, things were better; but once Qi Yuan’s name came up, Madam Wang immediately lost control: “I’d rather not have her! That ruthless, ungrateful thing — I wish she were dead!”
No sooner said, the old Madam Wang’s face turned dark and she slapped Madam Wang hard.
Madam Wang covered her face, stunned: “Mother? You hit me?!”
For Qi Yuan, at the moment Madam Wang lost her son, to hit her?!
Madam Lu hurriedly tried to pull her away: “Calm down, calm down!”
But the old Madam Wang scolded sharply: “Don’t pull her away! If she wants to keep destroying herself, let her! She’s old enough, never admitting her faults, always blaming others! At her age, can’t she learn?”
Madam Wang cried on the bed, heartbroken and wailing.
The old Madam Wang pointed at her, sneering: “You deserved it!”
