The day Qi Wang left the capital was the third day of the third lunar month.
The Shangsi Festival in the capital was the grandest holiday for all the young women. A gentle breeze stirred the willow branches, petals floated through the city, and everywhere were groups of women heading out of the city for spring outings. The line of carriages stretched endlessly.
But as a royal prince, Qi Wang naturally didn’t need to squeeze in line with the common crowd.
He left the city alone through Xizhimen of the Nine Gates.
As he passed through the gate, Commander Liu Ju led the soldiers in lining up to salute Qi Wang in unison.
Qi Wang had shed much of his former arrogance, now appearing more mature and steady. He raised a hand politely in response, about to exchange some formalities—when suddenly, his eyes caught a familiar figure on the distant balcony of a tavern.
Others might mistake it, but he would never.
Because he had seen her silhouette countless times in his dreams.
There she stood, high on the second-floor terrace, one hand resting on the railing, looking straight in his direction.
Despite the distance, Qi Wang was absolutely certain—her face must be wearing that familiar, mocking smile.
Of course. She should be pleased.
In the previous life, he had almost no defenses against her. He even went as far as imprisoning Princess Baorong for her sake, only to end up stabbed to death by her.
And in this life, he stumbled and failed again—losing nearly everything.
He knew exactly why Qi Yuan was here. She was just here to check whether this pitiful, exiled dog could still be finished off with one blow.
But so what?
Those consumed by desire are like torchbearers walking against the wind—their hands are destined to be burned.
He was like this. She would be no exception.
Everyone faces their own reckoning.
If Qi Yuan was his retribution—
Then Xiao Yunting would surely be hers.
She had helped Xiao Yunting so much. Now, Xiao Yunting was soaring high, becoming Emperor Yongchang’s most favored imperial grandson.
But what did that matter?
The Feng family had returned. And with the Feng family’s presence, Xiao Yunting would soon be forced to step aside.
He was certain that it wouldn’t be long before Qi Yuan would understand what true suffering felt like.
No matter. He would keep himself alive—to watch how they turn on each other.
Qi Yuan watched expressionlessly as Qi Wang’s convoy exited the city. Then she turned and ordered Shunzi, “Has the message been sent?”
She had originally planned to finish off Qi Wang in one decisive move. But he had been hiding in the palace, and by the time he emerged, it was only to leave the city—by then, he had three thousand elite guards from the capital garrison accompanying him.
No matter how capable she was, there was no way she could act at this moment.
But that’s fine. She had prepared a generous gift for him.
Shunzi replied in a low voice, “Rest assured, everything is according to your orders. The magistrate of Song City has been informed.”
Qi Yuan tugged the corner of her mouth into a cold smile.
Back when the Xie family met disaster, the magistrate of Song City hadn’t known that it was Qi Wang involved. He’d thought they were real bandits, and had almost wiped out Qi Wang’s entire group.
Now that he knew those ‘bandits’ back then were Qi Wang himself… could he possibly sit still?
Qi Yuan gave a soft hum and prepared to return to the Qi residence with Shunzi and the others. But midway, their carriage became completely stuck in traffic.
Outside the carriage, Shunzi spoke nervously, “Miss, this road is completely blocked. I’m afraid we’ll have to wait a bit.”
On the third day of the third month, all the young ladies of the nobility and common folk alike would go out for spring outings, so the city was particularly crowded.
Qi Yuan was fully aware of this and had been prepared for it. “Then we wait.”
Leaning against the cushion, she let her thoughts wander to recent events.
The biggest incident in February was the murder of Huailiang Qin Wang by Yamana Matsu, the heir of the Yamana clan from Japan.
This incident had caused a huge stir.
After killing Huailiang Qin Wang, Yamana Matsu hadn’t panicked. Instead, he directly revealed his identity to the officials of Great Zhou, demanding to meet the Minister of Rites and the Grand Chancellor. He firmly accused Huailiang Qin Wang of harboring ill intent, claiming that the pirates frequently raiding the Zhejiang coastline were secretly backed by Huailiang Qin Wang.
Furthermore, he voluntarily demonstrated his willingness to submit—offering eternal tribute and even proposing cooperation by surrendering three silver mines.
Compared to the slippery Huailiang Qin Wang, Yamana Matsu was clearly far more cooperative and respectful.
Emperor Yongchang was so pleased he immediately dispatched Lai Chenglong as an envoy to escort Yamana Matsu back to Japan.
Though Lai Chenglong was the lead envoy, the delegation was massive—seven or eight hundred people strong, including officials from the Ministry of Works, Ministry of War, Ministry of Rites, and armed escorts.
As for Princess Baorong—once the Yamana clan killed Huailiang Qin Wang, no one cared whether she lived or died.
After all, the Yamana clan hadn’t requested a marriage alliance.
The palace only issued a vague announcement claiming that Princess Baorong had fallen gravely ill, and that no medicine could save her.
Everything had gone smoothly. Qi Zhen had officially taken office, now commanding 200,000 troops of the capital garrison—power firmly in his grasp.
Everything Qi Yuan had aimed for was now within her hands.
She closed her eyes for a moment, lost in thought—when suddenly, the carriage shifted slightly.
Immediately, her hand reflexively grabbed the handle on the carriage wall, while the dagger hidden in her sleeve slid silently into her palm.
Fortunately, just then, Shunzi reported from outside, “Miss, it’s the young ladies from the extended family—Miss Wang and Miss Xiang. They were out enjoying the spring outing, saw our carriage, and came over.”
Wang Chan and Xiang Rong?
Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow and lifted the curtain—just in time to see several carriages stopped beneath a decorative archway nearby.
At that very moment, the curtain of one carriage lifted as well—revealing a face Qi Yuan was extremely familiar with.
Her hand tightened on the curtain instantly.
Xiang Rong and Wang Chan had already gotten into Qi Yuan’s carriage. Following Qi Yuan’s gaze, Xiang Rong raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Looks unfamiliar, right? That’s the Feng family’s carriage— Chengen Marquis.”
Qi Yuan turned her head to look at her.
While the Empress Dowager was still alive, her natal family held the title of Duke Chengen. But once the Empress ascended, her natal family’s rank naturally dropped by one, becoming Marquis.
It was a title granted out of imperial favor—not particularly rare.
What was unusual was that Emperor Yongchang, after years of despising the Feng family, suddenly issued three imperial edicts summoning them to the capital and restoring their Chengen Marquis title.
Qi Yuan lowered the curtain, but Wang Chan immediately lifted it again, asking curiously, “That Feng girl—the one said to be born under auspicious clouds—she must be back too, right?”
Qi Yuan tugged her lips into a half-smile.
Yes. Feng Caiwei had always been extraordinary. It was said that on the day of her birth, after seven or eight days of relentless rain, the skies cleared—and multicolored auspicious clouds gathered above the delivery house.
This event was so renowned it was recorded in the local county annals and even reported to the Imperial Astronomy Bureau as a celestial omen.
Everyone said this Miss Feng was destined for a brilliant future.
Xiang Rong, however, sneered. “Madam Gouyi was also born under auspicious signs. Didn’t seem to make any difference when she died, though.”
Wang Chan immediately widened her eyes in exasperation. “Your mouth…”
