The marquis’s residence had begun busily preparing for the banquet.
The first people to be invited, of course, were Qi Zhen’s superiors—namely, Lu Shangshu’s family.
Since there would be a banquet, new clothes had to be made.
Stewardess Gao entered carrying a brocade box and smiled as she showed it to Madam Wang: “Madam, take a look. This year’s fabrics are all exceptionally fine—better than previous years.”
Madam Wang glanced at them and nodded. “That ochre-colored one—set it aside to tailor new garments for the old madam. The rest, give them all to the eldest young lady. She’s just returned, and none of the clothes she brought with her are presentable.”
In truth, Madam Wang had not initially planned to make any new clothes for Qi Yuan.
It had been the second and third madams who subtly brought it up.
Even Qi Zhen, who never cared for the inner residence’s affairs, had specifically told her: “When there’s time, have some new clothes made for Ah Yuan. The ones she’s wearing now—how could they be seen in public? Don’t be too neglectful of her.”
Even now, thinking of that sentence left a bitter taste in Madam Wang’s heart.
Before Qi Yuan returned, when had Qi Zhen ever said such words to her?
As if she would mistreat her own biological daughter.
Truly…
She clenched her fingers and her tone turned colder. “As for Ah Jin’s, don’t bother with hers.”
No sooner had she spoken than the curtain was abruptly flung open—Qi Yunting stood there with a dark face, as if someone owed him thousands of taels of silver. He sneered, “Mother! Why shouldn’t Ah Jin’s be handled? You’re so biased!”
He had had enough.
“That b*stard Qi Yuan—what right does she have to wear phoenix brocade?!”
Phoenix brocade had only come into fashion last year.
Previously, it had been a tribute item—unavailable on the open market.
Because it was always in short supply and couldn’t meet the palace’s needs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the officials in charge of tributes were frequently punished.
So, later on, they simply removed phoenix brocade from the tribute registry.
From then on, it entered the market.
Naturally, only those with the highest status could obtain it.
The Yongping Marquis’s household had managed to get just two bolts of it.
Originally, Madam Wang had planned to use one for Qi Jin’s new dress.
And she still intended to.
Which was why she had said there was no need to worry about Qi Jin’s clothing—it would proceed as usual.
Yet her foolish son acted as though she were going to mistreat Qi Jin.
Madam Wang scolded him with a glare, “Enough! It is for your sister—must you shout and make it known to all?”
But Qi Yunting was far from pacified. “And you call yourself her mother! Ever since that b*stard came back, look how much trouble she’s caused! Now even Father favors her. If you begin to care more for her than Ah Jin, where does that leave Ah Jin? How must she feel?!”
Just imagining it made his chest ache.
Qi Jin, once pampered and adored, now had to endure such disgrace.
Just thinking of it made him feel Qi Jin was being wronged!
Madam Wang snapped at him, “That’s enough! I know what I’m doing. I won’t let Ah Jin suffer a single slight! And you better watch your tongue—stop calling her a b*stard! She is your father’s and my biological daughter—your own full-blood sister! What kind of behavior is this?!”
“I don’t have a sister like that!” Qi Yunting’s reaction was violent. “She should never have come back!”
At that moment, Stewardess Gao called from outside: “Madam, Young Master, the eldest young lady is here to pay her respects!”
Madam Wang’s heart skipped a beat. How much had Qi Yuan heard?
Qi Yuan still looked meek and deferential—her expression gave nothing away.
Madam Wang shot a look at Qi Yunting.
But Qi Yunting suddenly shot up, shoving Qi Yuan aside viciously. “Get lost. Just seeing you pisses me off!”
That wretched child!
Madam Wang felt her blood boil.
So everything she said just now had been for nothing!
Qi Zhen had beaten him, yet he had learned nothing from it!
But with Qi Yuan present, Madam Wang didn’t want to scold her son directly. She pretended not to hear.
Once Qi Yunting stormed off, she turned to Qi Yuan with a lowered face. “He’s still young and speaks without thinking. Don’t take it to heart.”
Qi Yuan found it amusing and softly asked, “Isn’t he the oldest in the family?”
Madam Wang was momentarily speechless, completely choked by the question.
She grew even more uncomfortable—Qi Yuan was utterly unyielding.
A girl should learn to bend, to bow, to be soft—that’s how she earns affection.
But Qi Yuan? She was a stone in a latrine—stubborn and foul!
Madam Wang couldn’t help but scold, “Since you know he’s the eldest, you should treat him with the proper respect. Only then will he come to like you!”
Qi Yuan paused, then looked up and asked calmly, “Mother, even though we tell people that Qi Jin and I are twins, we all know the truth, don’t we? We’re not actually related by blood—right?”
Madam Wang’s face immediately turned wary and full of disgust. “Why are you bringing this up?”
“I’m just saying—since we all know, then big brother must know too, right?” Qi Yuan smiled slightly at Madam Wang.
Madam Wang hadn’t reacted at first.
But when she saw Qi Yuan’s smile and realized the implication in her words, her skin crawled and her voice grew sharp. “What nonsense are you talking about?!”
Qi Yuan said no more. She’d said all she needed to. Whether Madam Wang listened was her own concern.
Madam Wang was fuming inside and desperately wanted to reprimand her, but just then Qi Zhen entered.
Seeing Qi Yuan, Qi Zhen greeted her warmly: “The Xiang family is hosting a flower banquet tomorrow. Go with your mother and get some exposure.”
The Xiang family’s flower banquet…
Qi Yuan remembered it at once.
In her previous life, of course she hadn’t been allowed to attend any banquets—Qi family members were embarrassed by her. Why would they take her out to meet guests?
But she remembered that Qi Jin had gone to that very banquet and fallen into the lake, only to be rescued by Qi Wang.
Handsome man, beautiful woman—perfect in status and appearance. Their meeting led to a blissful union.
The Qi family gained a legitimate Wangfei, and everyone called Qi Jin the family’s lucky star.
Qi Jin soared in the clouds, while she was trampled into the mud.
But now, times had changed.
This time, she too had the chance to go to the Xiang family’s banquet.
She smiled lightly and said, “All right.”
Qi Zhen exchanged a few more warm words before letting her go.
Once Qi Yuan left, Qi Zhen’s face darkened.
He turned to Madam Wang and said coldly, “From now on, Yunting is not to set foot in Ah Jin’s courtyard again.”
Madam Wang’s heart dropped.
She had just been wondering whether Qi Yuan’s words had been overheard by Qi Zhen.
Now, it seemed they had been.
Her throat tightened. “Lord Marquis, you’re not really believing such nonsense, are you?”
