Spring Rises in the Phoenix Pool Chapter 29

After dealing with the servants, it was time to handle the main parties involved.

Qi Zhen turned to Madam Wang and said, “Qi Yunting must be strictly disciplined from now on! If he continues to act so recklessly, he’ll only destroy himself!”

These were words Madam Wang herself had been wanting to say, so she nodded in agreement. “Yes, he really was too out of line…”

“Send Qi Jin to the estate on the outskirts of the capital,” Qi Zhen interrupted before she could finish, making the decision decisively and without hesitation.

Madam Wang didn’t react right away.

When she finally did, her eyes widened. “My lord Marquis!”

She was in utter disbelief. They had raised Qi Jin for so many years! Qi Jin was well-versed in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Whenever she appeared in public, she represented the face of the Yongping Marquis Manor.

The marquis household had always maintained that the children were twins—that the Eldest Sister had simply been lost and later found.

And now he wanted to send Qi Jin away?

She hesitated, clearly reluctant. “My lord Marquis, this matter might not necessarily be Ah Jin’s doing…”

Qi Zhen looked at her with disappointment. “Can you not tell what’s more important?!”

Those words struck her like a slap in the face, snapping her out of her daze.

Qi Zhen, seeing she said no more, continued coldly, “People on the outside believe they’re biological siblings. But we and they both know they’re not! No matter what, the lengths he went to for Qi Jin are far too much!”

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over Madam Wang’s head—her heart chilled completely.

Now that she understood what Qi Zhen was implying, she knew that she had no choice but to listen.

Even though she was still reluctant in her heart, she forced herself to nod.

Then, looking worried, she added, “But my lord! His Highness Qi Wang… he treats her…”

Qi Jin was widely known as the jewel of the capital.

Because she was always the most outstanding among the women.

Qi Wang had also expressed his admiration for her several times.

In fact, the Yongping Marquis Manor had high hopes for Qi Jin’s future.

Everyone was hoping that the Yongping Marquis Manor would produce a Wangfei.

This is also why, even after learning the truth about her background, no one in the Qi family ever considered sending Qi Jin away.

Send her away now?

Qi Zhen clearly thought of this as well. He rubbed his temples and said, “Go and persuade her. Just tell her that she’s being sent to the countryside estate to properly recuperate, and once she’s well, she can come back.”

Of course, this wasn’t the truth.

The key was that Qi Zhen still wanted to test Qi Wang’s intentions.

To see whether Qi Wang truly liked Qi Jin or if it was just a momentary interest.

If it was only a fleeting fancy, then Qi Jin would remain at the estate indefinitely.

But if Qi Wang noticed Qi Jin’s absence and came to ask about her, then the Qi family could still bring her back in time.

It was also a good opportunity to let Qi Jin understand that everything she had still depended on the Yongping Marquis Manor—to make her figure out her own position and status, to know what she should and shouldn’t do.

Madam Wang let out a sigh of relief and quickly agreed.

Qi Zhen then reminded her again, “From now on, you should also pay more attention to Ah Yuan! Open your eyes and see for yourself—she’s not in the least inferior to Qi Jin. Her performance today was truly exceptional!”

Madam Wang, however, still harbored more dissatisfaction toward Qi Yuan.

Neither she nor Qi Zhen were fools—they had both clearly seen that Qi Yuan had long noticed something was off about Zhang Mama, and that the dolls were indeed real.

It was just that it wasn’t Qi Yuan who had done it—it was Qi Yunting who had ordered Zhang Mama to do it.

But Qi Yuan had already discovered it long ago, yet she never exposed it. Instead, she played along, setting a trap step by step, deliberately leading Zhang Mama and Qi Yunting into it.

She did it on purpose.

She deliberately let Qi Zhen see to what extent Qi Yunting was willing to go for Qi Jin.

She also deliberately let Qi Zhen see how unfit Qi Yunting, a legitimate heir and future successor of the Marquis Manor, truly was.

Truly…

Far too cold-blooded!

Yet now, when Qi Zhen spoke of Qi Yuan, it was all praise and admiration, to the point that even Madam Wang had nothing more to say. Her expression twisted slightly as she could only nod and reply, “Yes, Marquis, don’t worry. I understand.”

Qi Zhen then parted from Madam Wang and went straight to Mingyue Pavilion.

Inside Mingyue Pavilion, Baizhi came running in, trembling all over. She dropped to her knees with a thud in front of Qi Yuan, her voice shaking with fear: “Young Miss, I just saw someone drag Zhang Mama away! She couldn’t even say a single word!”

Qi Yuan was reading, as if she had already expected this.

Hearing Baizhi’s report, she simply smiled, gave a light hum in acknowledgment, and told Baizhi to get up.

Then she turned her head and smiled at Baizhi: “Have you thought it through? Once you choose to stand with me, there will be no chance to curry favor with anyone else.”

Earlier, when Zhang Mama left, Qi Yuan had immediately called Baizhi and Baiyin to her side to ask them about their future plans.

But she hadn’t rushed them to pick a side.

Because she knew that no matter how pretty the words, it would be useless. If you wanted people to stand with you, you first had to stand firm yourself—you had to have ability.

And now, it seemed Baizhi had made her choice.

Baizhi and Baiyin kowtowed to Qi Yuan several times. If they had any hesitation before, after witnessing what Qi Yuan had just pulled off, all doubts were now gone.

Qi Yuan waved her hand: “Get up. With me, I only recognize two words—absolute loyalty. If you are loyal, then you are mine. If not, well… there’s already a living example.”

Baizhi and Baiyin hurriedly agreed.

Not long after, Shaoyao announced from behind the curtain: “Young Miss, the Lord Marquis is here!”

Qi Yuan stood up. Since she had not planned to rest, she hadn’t changed into her nightclothes, so she went directly to the main hall.

When Qi Zhen turned and saw her, his feelings were rather complicated for a moment.

After a pause, he asked, “You expected I would come?”

There was nothing to deny here. Qi Yuan nodded: “Father knew he wronged me and has now uncovered the truth. Naturally, you would come to tell me, wouldn’t you?”

Qi Zhen was silent for a moment before he finally said, “I’ve placed your brother under house arrest. I will strictly discipline him from now on and won’t let him harm you again. As for Qi Jin, I’ve asked your mother to send her away—to stay at the countryside estate for now.”

Qi Yuan pulled at the corners of her lips—half a smile.

On the day she returned, Qi Yunting had loudly declared he would send her to the estate to fend for herself.

Who would have thought that in the end, she didn’t go, but Qi Jin did.

Still, she wasn’t particularly pleased about it.

She asked Qi Zhen with a faint smile: “Will she stay there permanently, or just for a while?”

Qi Zhen felt as if her gaze had real weight, as if it could pierce through to his very soul.

He coughed awkwardly: “We’ll see how things develop… let’s see if she realizes her mistakes…”

Whether she realizes her mistakes—or whether she still has value.

Qi Yuan was very clear on this in her heart. Thinking of the man Qi Jin was meant to marry in her previous life, she couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh inside.