At the banquet, everyone waited with curiosity for Marquis Qi and his wife to make their appearance.
They had vaguely heard that the main family had sent someone out to search for a child, claiming there had been a mix-up at birth. But the full story was unclear.
Now, they heard the child had been found, and a family banquet was being held in advance to “foster familiarity” before formally recognizing her ancestry. Naturally, their curiosity was piqued.
Madam Wang’s expression remained tense.
She truly hadn’t expected her daughter’s personality to be like this.
While not crude, she was undeniably distant.
Impossible to approach—and no clear way to bridge the gap.
Worse, she held grudges.
Qi Yunting had barely argued with her, and yet she had coldly watched him be punished, as if he weren’t even her own brother.
Annoyed, she couldn’t help showing some stiffness when she greeted the Second and Third Madams.
The two, however, were brimming with curiosity and approached her cheerfully: “Sister-in-law! This must be Ah Yuan?”
Qi Zhen had already explained earlier that Qi Yuan had changed her name.
Qi Yuan lowered her eyes and greeted them with unhurried composure: “Second Aunt, Third Aunt.”
They were familiar faces from her past life, so she felt no novelty.
But they didn’t see it that way.
Many had come today just to see a spectacle—thinking the young lady the main branch had poured all their efforts into raising was a fraud, while the real daughter, raised in the countryside, must be vulgar and uncouth.
Yet Qi Yuan had inherited the best of both Qi Zhen and Madam Wang’s looks. Her manners and etiquette were impeccable.
Their eagerness to mock her diminished somewhat, and they simply praised her with polite smiles.
The Second Madam was the first to offer a meeting gift: “From now on, we’re all family. Whatever happened before, you’re home now. If anything comes up, don’t hesitate to speak.”
The Third Madam wouldn’t be left behind, slipping a bracelet off her wrist: “We didn’t have time to prepare much. Here—take this to play with.”
Qi Yuan didn’t take it immediately but instead glanced over at Madam Wang.
Madam Wang was momentarily stunned. Qi Yuan’s tactfulness made her feel even more unsettled.
After a brief pause, she gave a slight nod to indicate Qi Yuan could accept.
Qi Yuan took it respectfully and offered a flawless curtsy in thanks.
Her silence and composure intrigued both Second and Third Madams.
But since the banquet was meant to discuss her official recognition into the family, and the main madam had summoned them, the two ladies smiled and sent Qi Yuan away: “Go sit at that table with your younger cousins.”
Qi Yuan quietly left.
The Second Madam turned to Madam Wang. “Congratulations, Sister-in-law!”
Still preoccupied with thoughts of Qi Yunting and Qi Jin, Madam Wang was distracted. “Congratulations for what?”
“Even though the child grew up elsewhere,” the Second Madam smiled, “she’s no less refined than any proper young lady. Isn’t that worth celebrating?”
Madam Wang didn’t know what to feel.
In truth, she wasn’t very happy.
She had always been close to her children—no barriers, no secrets.
Now, with Qi Yuan back, it felt like that balance had been broken.
What’s more, Qi Yuan seemed distant from her as a mother, and even colder toward Qi Yunting and Qi Jin.
The problem wasn’t that one had too little, but that the other had more.
After all, Qi Jin had grown up with her, receiving the best of the household’s resources and education. She had become the capital’s little jewel.
Her future was limitless.
By comparison, Qi Yuan was bound to fall short.
She held grudges, was narrow-minded… who could say if she would harbor resentment?
Lost in thought, she heard Qi Zhen instruct his younger brothers, “Old Second, Old Third, make a guest list from your wives’ families. We’ll invite them all together.”
The scale of it was indeed that of a formal daughter-recognition ceremony.
Qi Song and Qi Bai exchanged looks.
Second Brother Qi Song asked first, “Big Brother, and what about Ah Jin’s side…?”
They needed a unified story.
Qi Zhen said seriously, “We’ll say there were twin girls, and the older was lost.”
Qi Bai added, “And Ah Jin’s birth parents…?”
“They’re dead.” Qi Zhen’s tone was cold. “Don’t bring it up again.”
The two brothers exchanged another look.
The Second and Third Madams’ expressions also subtly shifted.
They were beginning to suspect that Qi Zhen might have eliminated Ah Jin’s birth parents to keep her in the family.
Qi Zhen didn’t notice their reaction. He simply instructed Qi Song, “Old Second, go to Baoding. Let Father and Mother know, and bring them home.”
The old marquis had taken his wife to the countryside to recuperate.
With the eldest daughter found, they naturally had to be called back.
Qi Song replied, “Isn’t this a bit fast for a formal recognition? Shouldn’t she be taught the family rules first? With so many guests, I’m afraid she’ll be overwhelmed.”
At this, Qi Zhen said to Madam Wang, “Have the tutors write another invitation—I’ll personally send it to Jing Wang.”
Xiao Yunting?
Madam Wang hesitated. “Lord Marquis, do you think Jing Wang will come?”
“Whether he will or not, since he knows about this, the invitation must be sent.”
As soon as the Jing Wang was mentioned, the brothers launched into spirited discussion.
Qi Bai spoke first: “His Highness was tasked with handling corruption in the canal transport—he’s executed quite a few people already. Everyone’s terrified of him now.”
The corruption case involved a wide swath of southern officials.
No one had believed Xiao Yunting could handle it.
The crown prince was frail and might die at any time. Other princes were circling like vultures.
What power did Xiao Yunting have? Just a teenager.
How could he compete with seasoned political veterans?
But to everyone’s shock, the moment he arrived in Jiangnan, he swept through like thunder, arresting dozens and beheading seventeen top officials.
The news shook the entire court.
Qi Song clicked his tongue. “People may fear him—but so what? With this achievement, he’s going to be red-hot when he returns!”
Qi Yuan quietly listened at a nearby table.
She didn’t know the cousins seated with her and had no interest in building ties.
She only thought quietly: After the canal case, the crown prince died.
With his death, the other royal uncles swarmed in like sharks, each with their schemes, and quickly pushed Xiao Yunting out of favor.
That’s why Xiao Yunting eventually began training death soldiers and building secret power.
Qi Jin later married Qi Wang—who became the next crown prince, and eventually emperor.
If she wanted to stop Qi Jin from climbing that ladder to the heavens…
Should she, perhaps, find a way to collaborate with Xiao Yunting again?
After all, the enemy of her enemy… was a friend, wasn’t he?
