Xiao Yunting was still smiling, without the slightest trace of disappointment: “Really? Then I must have remembered it wrong. But since I’m already here…”
He suddenly pulled out a golden longevity lock from behind him and handed it to Qi Yuan: “May blessings open the new year, and may all things go smoothly. A small token of goodwill—I wish you peace and prosperity from this day forward.”
Under the light, the longevity lock gleamed brilliantly.
It was something she could easily reach out and take, but Qi Yuan didn’t move.
Her relationship with Xiao Yunting wasn’t so distant that she couldn’t accept a longevity lock from him.
After all, she had never hesitated when asking him for silver before.
But money was just money.
This longevity lock was different.
She shook her head: “Thank you, Your Highness, but if I accept something from you in private, it would be considered a secret exchange. That would be improper.”
……
Old Marquis Qi and Qi Zhen were both full of question marks.
At this moment, she suddenly cared about them being her elders, and now thought it inappropriate to accept something privately?
That wording didn’t sound right either!
Xiao Yunting’s expression cooled slightly, but he still gently said: “It’s not even something that valuable. Besides, the Old Marquis and the Marquis are both here—it’s an open, proper gift from me. How can it be considered a secret exchange?”
What could Old Marquis Qi and Qi Zhen say?
They could only nod along.
They exchanged a glance, their minds racing.
No one could blame them for overthinking—after all, it was the New Year, the political situation was turbulent, and yet Xiao Yunting came all the way here in the middle of the night just to personally deliver a longevity lock to Qi Yuan.
Who wouldn’t overthink this?
With both the Old Marquis and Qi Zhen watching, if she kept refusing, even a small matter would start to take on other meanings.
So Qi Yuan reached out and took it, neatly offering her thanks.
Xiao Yunting’s eyes instantly curved into a satisfied smile.
After putting the longevity lock away, Qi Yuan said seriously: “Tonight won’t be peaceful. Your Highness, will you be all right leaving the palace?”
Xiao Yunting pulled at the corner of his mouth with a hint of mockery: “Who has the time to care about me right now?”
True enough. Liu Wangfei had returned to the palace—this was her first New Year back. Princess Consort Lu was also on his way back to the capital, and today, Duke Chu had just been accused of killing Eldest Madam Lu.
Emperor Yongchang likely had no mood to celebrate the New Year tonight.
Naturally, he wouldn’t be paying attention to where Xiao Yunting was.
Xiao Yunting tugged at his lips and smiled: “How about we make a bet? Do you think things will reach a conclusion tonight?”
Qi Yuan raised her eyebrows: “Instead of guessing whether there will be a result, why don’t we go take a look at Duke Chu’s residence and see for ourselves?”
After all, they had nothing better to do.
Old Marquis Qi was also curious. After thinking about it, he decided to go with them to Duke Chu’s residence.
At this moment, Duke Chu’s estate was brightly lit.
Old Marquis Qi immediately recognized many familiar faces and was instantly shocked.
Qi Zhen was even more direct. He couldn’t help but whisper: “Father, did you see that? Minister of Rites Zhu Bin, Duke Cheng Huang Yonghong, Marquis Ruyi Chen Hao—they’re all old allies from Min who supported Emperor Yongchang all the way from Fujian to his ascension!”
In other words, these people were all veteran nobles with achievements in helping the Emperor seize the throne.
What were they doing here?!
Old Marquis Qi thought much deeper than his son—he instantly understood why these people were here.
They had come to protect Duke Chu. They were here to plead for him.
Qi Zhen lowered his voice: “Father, with so many people here—even if they don’t respect the man, they’ll respect his backers. If they join forces to vouch for him, plus with Noble Consort Xiao Liu and Qi Wang in the palace supporting him, I’m afraid all the effort we put in before will have been for nothing.”
They had originally thought they could actually enjoy a proper dumpling feast on New Year’s Eve tomorrow.
But now it seemed things wouldn’t be so simple.
What was strange, though, was that whether it was Old Marquis Qi, Xiao Yunting, or Qi Yuan—none of them looked worried at all. All three of them were still smiling.
Even more suspicious.
Qi Zhen couldn’t help calling out: “Father…”
Old Marquis Qi pressed down on his hand, suppressing his inner excitement, and sneered: “Duke Chu’s death date has arrived.”
Qi Zhen’s eyes widened.
Before he could fully process what that meant, commotion had already broken out at the gate.
Chen Hao and the others blocking the entrance shouted loudly: “Duke Chu has rendered great service! Back then, he fought day and night without rest to seize Jiangyin, exhausting himself with injuries and sickness but refusing to remove his armor or leave the battlefield! Now, just based on the false accusations of some nobody of unknown origin, all his years of hard work should be thrown away?!”
Duke Cheng furrowed his brows and advised Lai Chenglong: “Lord Lai, you’re young and naturally sharp, but you should know the importance of leaving room in everything. We are all titled nobles from Min—why press so hard against your own people?”
Lai Chenglong suddenly drew the embroidered spring blade from his waist with a sharp flick.
His gaze swept over the richly dressed crowd, and he openly sneered: “What’s this? I’m acting on imperial orders, yet you people keep bringing up your Minnan noble status to pressure me. Are you saying His Majesty’s decree can’t overrule you?”
This guy!
So young, yet so sharp-tongued and ruthless.
To dare say this—who would dare respond?!
Who would dare admit that an imperial decree means nothing?
Zhu Bin narrowed his eyes: “Lord Lai, don’t twist our meaning. We’re simply here to speak on Duke Chu’s behalf…”
But Lai Chenglong didn’t give him any face: “Speak on his behalf? The charges haven’t even been confirmed yet, and you’re already pleading for him? If you’re so eager, wait until the charges are official—then you can kneel and cry in the Taiji Hall, wouldn’t that be more appropriate?”
Everyone was left speechless by Lai Chenglong’s sharp words, their faces turning dark with anger.
But Lai Chenglong remained unfazed. He turned and looked at Duke Chu: “So, Duke Chu, you’ve been stalling all this time just to call in these elders to try and suppress me?”
Duke Chu stared back coldly and menacingly: “Your father was nothing but the son of a wet nurse—a servant of the royal family. Who do you think you are to act so arrogantly in front of me?!”
Lai Chenglong’s expression instantly changed, like a tiger provoked into rage. He suddenly struck out like a claw, gripping Duke Chu’s shoulder like an eagle’s talon.
Duke Chu quickly sprang up, twisting his body to the side and wrenching his shoulder free from Lai Chenglong’s grasp.
They were fighting!
Duke Cheng immediately realized this was bad and roared: “Don’t fight!”
If they fought now, things would completely spiral out of control!
Qi Yuan smiled faintly on the side, suddenly feeling like it was a shame she hadn’t brought Baizhi along.
This was exactly the kind of moment where Baizhi would’ve thrown a rock to stir things up further.
The two sides clashed, and the Embroidered Uniform Guards and Duke Chu’s estate guards quickly became entangled in a full brawl.
The commotion escalated, and in the end, it was only when Eunuch Xia from the palace arrived with a squad of Imperial Guards that the situation was finally brought under control.
Eunuch Xia’s face had lost its usual friendly smile, his expression grave as he walked up to Duke Chu and said emotionlessly: “Duke Chu, His Majesty has summoned you to the palace for an audience.”
His gaze subtly swept over the watching crowd, lingering momentarily on Xiao Yunting as if nothing had happened.
