Qi Yuan knew very well who the ruthless schemer behind this move was.
But she didn’t take it to heart.
It wasn’t that she underestimated Princess Baorong. To be fair, when it came to scheming and manipulating people’s hearts, Princess Baorong had truly reached the pinnacle. If she wanted to, she could easily play anyone she set her sights on in the palm of her hand.
In her previous life, even Yongchang Emperor had been thoroughly coaxed by her. He married her to the eldest legitimate son of Grand General Lu from the Five Armies Command, making her the Grand General’s wife with real power.
Princess Baorong, leveraging this position, constantly spoke ill of the Crown Prince’s faction in front of Yongchang Emperor, eliminating rivals and suppressing the Crown Prince’s supporters.
In the end, it was also because of her inside help that Qi Wang was able to enter the palace during Yongchang Emperor’s critical illness and secure the imperial seal.
She was indeed a ruthless character.
But at the same time, she was someone with an extreme desire for control.
Everyone has weaknesses. The kind of people Qi Yuan feared the least were ruthless characters.
If they’re all made of stone, let’s see who’s harder.
“Yes, such a loving family. They don’t seem like imperial father and sons, more like ordinary family members from the common folk.” Qi Yuan smiled, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. She sneered, “Since it’s already so lively, let’s make it even livelier. It’s the New Year, after all—there should be some good news.”
Old Marquis Qi looked at her with uncertainty: “Yuan’er, you…”
It was the New Year—was she planning to kill someone again?
Qi Yuan quickly caught on to what the Old Marquis was imagining and couldn’t help but burst out laughing: “Grandfather, what are you misunderstanding? I’ve been staying at home obediently lately—what could I possibly be doing? I mean, His Majesty also deserves a bit of excitement.”
Yongchang Emperor’s excitement?
Old Marquis Qi soon realized what that “excitement” was.
After the Little New Year, the palace usually started sending out New Year’s gifts to trusted officials and nobles—a great honor that many families would then offer to their ancestors.
In the past, because Empress Feng was often ill, this duty had always fallen to Noble Consort Xiao Liu.
But for some reason, this year, even as the Laba Festival approached, not only had no New Year’s gifts been sent, but no one had even received the usual Laba porridge from the palace.
People found this quite odd.
But soon, that oddity was completely overshadowed by a much more shocking piece of news.
Liu Wangfei—missing for many years and long presumed dead—had returned!
Qi Zhen had escorted Liu Wangfei, along with her son, and Prince Lu’s family back to the palace to report.
At that time, Yongchang Emperor was still in the palace, comforting Qi Wang alongside Noble Consort Xiao Liu.
Since waking up, Qi Wang had remained in low spirits. No matter how people tried to talk to him, he wouldn’t respond.
Having gone through such a traumatic event, the child’s mental state had clearly suffered. Even Yongchang Emperor, despite being an emperor, didn’t have the heart to scold him and could only patiently comfort him.
The Emperor said in a low voice: “The Imperial Medical Bureau didn’t say it’s completely hopeless. Besides, we’ve posted imperial notices everywhere to search for famous doctors. Your leg may not be beyond saving. If you give up now, what about the rest of your life? Are you just going to waste away here every day, half-dead?”
Qi Wang’s expression was dark and gloomy: “That’s not what I meant.”
“If that’s not what you meant, then get up!” Yongchang Emperor snorted coldly, “The imperial doctors said you can already be pushed outside to get some sun. You can stand on one leg. Are you planning to lie in bed for the rest of your life?”
Princess Baorong stepped forward and gently tucked in Qi Wang’s blanket: “Exactly, brother. Royal Father comes to see you every day. Think of Royal Father, and think of Royal Mother too—her tears have almost dried up from crying.”
Hearing this, Qi Wang finally let Eunuch Xu help him sit up slowly.
Seeing his son finally sit up, Noble Consort Xiao Liu burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
Yongchang Emperor gently held her shoulders and patted her comfortingly.
While they were still with Qi Wang, Xia Gongong hurriedly entered and whispered something into Yongchang Emperor’s ear.
Yongchang Emperor immediately let go of Noble Consort Xiao Liu, utterly shocked: “What did you say?!”
Xia Gongong leaned closer and repeated it.
Yongchang Emperor instantly forgot about Noble Consort Xiao Liu, momentarily at a loss, then suddenly rushed out, walking faster and faster until he disappeared.
Xia Gongong and the others quickly followed.
Noble Consort Xiao Liu stared anxiously at his departing figure, her lips trembling as she looked at Princess Baorong in panic: “Did… did you hear what they just said? Xia Gongong said… he said Liu Wangfei has returned!”
Liu Wangfei—Noble Consort Xiao Liu’s heart immediately pounded violently, her complexion turning deathly pale.
Qi Wang’s face also changed dramatically. He smashed his fist into the pillow in frustration.
Princess Mingcheng looked back and forth between her sister and brother, wide-eyed but silent.
Only Princess Baorong coldly snorted and lowered her eyes: “So what if she’s back? What’s there to panic about?”
Qi Wang snapped irritably: “What do you know? Liu Wangfei’s incident back then was because of Grandfather and Uncle…”
Why else would he have previously targeted Qi Zhen?
Because he knew Qi Zhen was the one Yongchang Emperor had sent to handle this matter.
But now, he’d been completely played by Qi Yuan—even lost a leg.
And yet, Qi Zhen had brought Liu Wangfei back!
Liu Wangfei, who never returned in the previous life, had come back in this life after his rebirth!
This realization nearly drove him mad—it clearly showed that he wasn’t as capable as Qi Yuan!
But Princess Baorong reacted quickly: “Didn’t Grandfather say he had a plan to handle this? Since they’ve returned, we’ll just go ask Grandfather what to do.”
Noble Consort Xiao Liu quickly wiped her tears and agreed hastily: “Yes, yes, your Grandfather said he had a way…”
Qi Wang clenched his fists tightly, feeling as though a thousand-pound weight was crushing his chest—he could barely breathe.
At that same moment, Duke Chu also heard the news.
Having lost two sons in succession, his health had never fully recovered. Especially after visiting Qi Wang in the palace and seeing his leg broken again, Duke Chu had grown even more agitated.
When Liu Wangfei’s return was announced, Duchess Chu nearly fainted again from shock, but she bit her lip and forced herself to stay conscious.
She tightly gripped Duke Chu’s sleeve, panicking: “My Lord, what do we do?”
Liu Wangfei’s return would surely expose everything from the past.
Moreover—what terrified her even more—was that Liu Wangfei knew her real identity!
Seeing her so flustered, Duke Chu gently patted her hand and gave a cold, thin smile: “Don’t worry. I know exactly what to do.”
