She truly hated Qi Yuan.
Who knew what kind of chaotic things went on in that girl’s head to come up with such frightening ideas?
What normal person would even think like that?
She had raised these children herself—of course she knew their character better than anyone!
Qi Zhen, however, looked at her calmly and said, “They’re not biological siblings, are they?”
One sentence left Madam Wang frozen. Her lips parted, “But…”
“No buts.” Qi Zhen asserted the authority of a family patriarch. “In the melon fields and beneath the plum trees—man and woman alone—being cautious can only help, not harm.”
There could never be a scandal about siblings getting involved with each other in their household.
Even if Qi Jin wasn’t a biological daughter of the family…
Still, she had grown up in the marquis household, eating and living together with Qi Yunting. If she suddenly became the daughter-in-law of the very house she was raised in, then even if people knew she wasn’t born of this family, they would still think something dirty had gone on—suspecting they’d been entangled all along.
The marquis household could not withstand such rumors!
Madam Wang had never been able to deal with her husband. When Qi Zhen put his foot down, she was completely powerless.
She said softly, “Yes, I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll keep a close eye on them both. Nothing improper will happen.”
Only then did Qi Zhen let out a faint “Mm,” and sat down across from her. “The Xiang family’s banquet is also important. Take the children with you tomorrow and try to finalize the engagement between the two families.”
Qi Yunting was already sixteen. For boys of noble families, it was about the right age to get married.
And the Minister of Rites Xiang Mingzheng’s youngest daughter was a perfect match.
Qi Zhen and Xiang Mingzheng had already reached an unspoken agreement—once formalities were settled, the engagement would be announced.
Madam Wang of course knew this well.
The Xiang family was a pillar of the scholarly elite, with generations steeped in books and virtue—a perfectly suitable match. She was very pleased.
Upon hearing Qi Zhen mention it, she quickly smiled and agreed.
The room’s atmosphere softened. Madam Wang took the chance to update Qi Zhen on some household matters, and his expression finally warmed a bit.
She let out a quiet breath of relief, thinking she had finally coaxed him back into a good mood.
But the calm didn’t last long.
Gao Mama rushed in, trembling with fear. “Madam—bad news, bad news!”
Now what?!
Madam Wang’s face darkened as she clutched her handkerchief. “What now?!”
Gao Mama became even more cautious. “Madam… the Young Master… the Young Master fainted!”
Madam Wang leapt to her feet. “What nonsense are you spouting?! He was perfectly fine just now!”
Qi Zhen also became alarmed.
This was his legitimate eldest son—the heir to the Marquis household. Of course he was deeply concerned.
The two of them were immediately thrown into panic.
Gao Mama stammered in fear, “It’s true, Marquis, Madam. Just now, the Young Master was going to visit Second Miss, but halfway there he suddenly collapsed! The servants just carried him back to his room!”
Madam Wang staggered, nearly falling.
Qi Zhen caught her just in time and barked out orders, “Have Liu Zhong take my token and summon an imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau! Quickly!”
Madam Wang was already crying. “Marquis, how could this happen? Yunting has always been healthy! How could this happen?”
Even though they hadn’t planned for Qi Yunting to go to the front lines, he had still been raised with the training and standards of a noble son—including martial arts. He was very strong, rarely even caught a cold.
This sudden collapse left her completely unmoored.
Qi Zhen was also deeply unsettled, though he tried to keep calm. “It’ll be fine. Don’t worry, let’s go check on him first—it’ll be fine.”
Still sobbing, Madam Wang followed him to Qi Yunting’s courtyard.
By the time they arrived, Qi Jin had also rushed over.
Tears streamed down Qi Jin’s face, and her beautiful brocade cloak was smeared with mud. The moment she saw Madam Wang, she choked out a sob, grabbing her sleeve, “Mother, I heard that Brother fainted—I was so scared…”
After all, they’d grown up together. The bond was different.
Madam Wang softened, her expression gentle as she comforted her, “It’s alright, it’s alright. Your father has already sent for an imperial physician. He’ll be fine.”
The maid beside Qi Jin added anxiously, “Yes, Miss, look at yourself—when you heard the news you ran out without a thought, and even took a fall. Your clothes are a mess.”
Qi Jin shook her head. “I’m fine. I have to see Brother first!”
Pure concern.
Even Qi Zhen began to think maybe he’d been overthinking things.
Wasn’t this exactly how siblings were supposed to act?
Madam Wang took Qi Jin’s hand and brought her into the room. They walked past the screen and saw Qi Yunting lying on the bed, pale as a sheet, eyes shut tight.
A mother’s heart is tied to her son—tears sprang from Madam Wang’s eyes as she rushed forward. “My son!”
Qi Zhen turned to ask the stewardess, Wu Mama, “What exactly happened? He was perfectly fine—how did he just collapse like this?”
Wu Mama’s hands were trembling. She shook her head in confusion. “He was energetic when he left. We don’t know what happened—he came back and just collapsed…”
Qi Yunting suddenly curled into a shrimp-like ball, clutching his stomach. “My stomach hurts—my stomach really hurts! Father! Mother! Help me!”
…
Madam Wang paused in shock, then hurried to his side. “Son, where does it hurt?! Tell me!”
Qi Yunting cried, “My stomach!”
Then changed again: “No—my head! My head hurts!”
If not for the cold sweat pouring from his face and how he thrashed about on the bed, Qi Zhen would’ve suspected he was faking it.
Why was he hurting all over?
No one knew what to do. Thankfully, the imperial physician soon arrived.
Madam Wang sobbed like she had found salvation. “Please, Doctor, I beg you—please save my son! Save my son!”
The imperial physician calmly agreed and sat at the bedside. After having someone hold Qi Yunting down, he checked his eyes, then took his pulse.
His face turned grave.
Madam Wang’s heart nearly stopped. “Well? Doctor? What’s wrong with my son?!”
The physician frowned at Qi Yunting, shook his head, and asked, “What did the young master eat today?”
Wu Mama rushed to answer, “Just some wind-dried chicken, fish tofu, and matsutake chicken soup. Nothing else.”
The doctor looked even more serious. “The pulse is rapid, yes, but strong and steady. This doesn’t look like a serious illness…”
Qi Yunting suddenly rolled his eyes and screamed, “My head hurts! My head really hurts!”
