Old Marquis Qi and Qi Zhen exchanged a glance.
Qi Yuan had never spoken without purpose. If the Japanese envoy group truly had their eyes on Qi Yuan, there could only be one reason—Princess Baorong.
Otherwise, to be frank, the envoys from Japan didn’t even recognize most of the Great Zhou’s nobles. How could they possibly fixate on the daughter of a noble family?
Qi Zhen’s expression turned rather unpleasant as well.
No one liked trouble. But some people were just like stubborn patches of plaster—clingy and impossible to shake off.
Just like Princess Baorong.
To put it bluntly, Qi Yuan had killed plenty of people already. With how ruthlessly Princess Baorong had handled things, the fact that she was still breathing at this point meant she should be offering incense and praying devoutly at a Buddha statue.
If not for the Buddha’s protection, whether she’d even still be alive was questionable. And yet here she was, still kicking.
For once, Qi Zhen—who was usually the first to try and persuade Qi Yuan to calm down—didn’t bother this time. If Baorong wanted to die, then let her die. Not his problem!
As long as Qi Yuan stayed alive, the Qi family’s world wouldn’t collapse.
Having figured this out, Qi Zhen narrowed his eyes and asked, “Ah Yuan, is there anything Father can help with?”
He guessed probably not—but still, it was proper to ask.
Just in case.
As expected, Qi Yuan shook her head confidently. “No need. I’ve already found the people to help me.”
Oh. Qi Zhen didn’t press further.
In any case, whoever Qi Yuan turned to for help was most likely the Crown Prince.
With the Crown Prince backing her, what was there to worry about?
The Old Marquis simply looked at Qi Yuan and said in a deep voice, “You don’t need to worry about the family. Everything at home is in my hands. Do whatever you want to do. Don’t let the family hold you back.”
After a pause, the Old Marquis spoke again, this time in a gentler tone. “Ah Yuan, there’s something your grandfather wants to say to you. Not to lecture you—just for you to hear.”
Qi Yuan raised her brows, signaling that she was listening.
The Old Marquis said, “Objects fear being too perfect. Affairs fear being too successful. People fear being too wise. Do you understand?”
Ah Huang the dog ran happily around between them, occasionally shaking his head back and forth.
Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow. Of course, she understood exactly what the Old Marquis meant.
“Things taken to the extreme will always reverse,” Qi Yuan said with a soft laugh. “A tree that stands above the forest is the first to be blown down by the wind. I understand Grandfather’s warning. But to me, that doesn’t matter.”
What mattered more was that anyone who dared plot against her for standing out… would all die before she did.
The Old Marquis didn’t expect his words would truly change her mind anyway. Just as before—let her do whatever she wants.
After Qi Zhen’s promotion, the Qi family enjoyed a rare stretch of peace and quiet for several days.
Until the 26th.
On that day, a memorial Buddhist ceremony to pray for the late Noble Consort Liu was held at Huangjue Temple, and the women of the Qi family also received an invitation.
Speaking of which—even though Duke Chu’s household had collapsed, and both Qi Wang and Princess Baorong had fallen from imperial favor, there were barely any noblewomen in the capital who dared skip this ceremony for Noble Consort Liu.
Because everyone knew—Emperor Yongchang had truly been fond of Noble Consort Liu.
Besides, if not for the sake of her memory, then at least for the sake of those still living. Baorong and Qi Wang were finished, but there were still Princess Mingcheng and the young prince.
Who knew whether Princess Mingcheng might grow up to become the next Baorong?
If one could avoid offending them, then it was best not to offend them at all.
Qi Yuan’s face held a faint, mocking smile.
Praying for blessings? A memorial ceremony?
Nonsense. It was clearly Baorong getting desperate.
If she stalled any longer, she’d have no choice but to be sent off to Japan for a political marriage.
It was obvious—this whole thing was aimed squarely at her.
Good. She had endured Baorong long enough.
On the way to Huangjue Temple, Old Madam Qi’s hands trembled slightly. She tightly gripped Qi Yuan’s hand and whispered, “Ah Yuan, don’t be reckless…”
Qi Yuan smiled as she reassured Old Madam Qi, “Grandmother, don’t worry. You know me—I’m never reckless.”
Madam Qi (the second wife) sat nearby, accompanying Old Madam Qi, but for a moment, she truly didn’t know what to say.
Qi Yuan not reckless?
But once they arrived at Huangjue Temple and completed the first day of the blessing ceremony, Qi Yuan really hadn’t stirred up any trouble. Madam Qi couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Old Madam Qi, however, knew the real danger hadn’t come yet. The blessing ceremony lasted three days, and the women had to attend every single session.
Honestly, this wasn’t much different from the full funeral rites that would have been held if Noble Consort Liu had been given the status of Imperial Noble Consort upon burial.
The only difference was that the women didn’t have to enter the palace to wail and mourn.
This was only the first day. If anything was going to happen, it wouldn’t be today.
The Qi family was still considered newly promoted nobility, but even so, they were able to secure a decent meditation courtyard at Huangjue Temple for resting.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, Qi Yuan took Old Madam Qi’s hand and quietly said, “Grandmother, I won’t be resting. Have someone go inform the abbot, and also Minister Cui from the Ministry of Rites. Just tell them… I’m feeling unwell and need to return to the city.”
Madam Qi was instantly stunned.
Unwell?
Qi Yuan looked perfectly fine.
Old Madam Qi, however, immediately understood what Qi Yuan meant. She gripped Qi Yuan’s hand, wanting to speak but stopping herself.
Qi Yuan raised her brows slightly and smiled. “Grandmother, you know me. I’ve always liked doing things my own way. I never follow anyone else’s lead. Instead of sitting here waiting for them to make a move—who knows when that will be—I might as well strike first.”
Old Madam Qi took a deep breath.
Yes. This was Qi Yuan.
She had never been one to follow the rules. She always struck unexpectedly.
Seeing that Qi Yuan had made up her mind, Old Madam Qi immediately sent Liuzhong to inform the abbot of Huangjue Temple and Cuizheng from the Ministry of Rites that the eldest young lady of the Qi family wasn’t feeling well and needed to return to the city immediately to see a doctor.
Hopefully, they would approve.
Cuizheng didn’t think much of it.
The eldest daughter of the Marquis household—frail and delicate—that was completely reasonable.
This sort of thing happened all the time. The Ministry of Rites often turned a blind eye to reports of pregnancy or illness as excuses to skip ceremonies.
This time would be no different.
But what was different was that Princess Baorong also received the news almost simultaneously.
Upon hearing that the Qi family was preparing to escort someone down the mountain in the middle of the night, Princess Baorong couldn’t help but laugh.
“Ill? Frail?”
She certainly didn’t look frail when she was killing people.
At the root of it, they must’ve sensed something was wrong.
Afraid Baorong would cause trouble during the blessing ceremony. Afraid she’d do something to Qi Yuan right here.
So the Qi family deliberately brought Qi Yuan for one day, just to make an appearance, and then made up an excuse about illness to send her away.
How clever.
Princess Baorong immediately felt her mood brighten. The feeling of being feared—wasn’t it wonderful?
With a lazy smile, she instructed the eunuch beside her, “What are you waiting for? Go inform Huailiang Qin Wang.”
The eunuch lowered his voice and answered, “Yes.”
Baorong then knelt in front of the Buddha, lighting three sticks of incense. Her tone was indifferent as she murmured,
“Royal Mother, if you’re watching from the heavens, then watch closely—see how your daughter avenges you.”
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