Spring Rises in the Phoenix Pool Chapter 31

After all, Qi Jin had grown up by Madam Wang’s side and knew all her soft spots well.

Once she calmed down, she quickly made the choice most beneficial to herself.

Sure enough, Madam Wang was moved and felt a pang of guilt.

She barked sharply at the servants, “Serve Second Miss properly! If I hear anyone’s been neglectful—watch your heads!”

She then told Gao Mama to make sure all of Qi Jin’s personal items were packed and sent along.

After all the fuss, the night finally passed.

At the break of dawn, a carriage quietly slipped out of the western gate of the Yongping Marquis Manor and headed straight for Desheng Gate.

By the time Madam Wang finished arranging Qi Jin’s departure, she was completely exhausted.

Forcing herself back to her room, she saw Qi Zhen already sitting on the bed. With a sigh, she said, “She’s gone. She cried so hard it made my heart ache.”

Qi Zhen glanced at her coldly. “If you hadn’t been so indulgent with those two all along, things wouldn’t have gotten this out of hand!”

Why was it her fault again?

Madam Wang felt utterly wronged.

Things had always been this way, and nothing had ever gone wrong before. In the end, it all stemmed from the switched-at-birth situation—everyone’s identity and position had been off from the start.

Otherwise, if real siblings were a bit closer, who could object?

She sat on the bed wearily. “My lord, don’t you think Qi Yuan is too indifferent? She shows no emotion toward us, nor toward Ah Jin and Yunting.”

There was another half of the sentence she didn’t say out loud.

If she felt nothing for them, then even if she had a promising future, what did it have to do with the marquis household?

At least Qi Jin grew up in the manor—her only support would always be here.

Qi Zhen sneered and tossed aside the handkerchief in his hand. “I think you’ve gone soft-headed! Blood ties can’t be severed. Even if she dies, her surname will still be Qi!”

He didn’t want to talk further. “Enough. Tomorrow, take her to the Xiang family banquet. Be mindful—she’s not someone who doesn’t understand propriety.”

After what happened today, he felt even more that Qi Yuan was someone with potential.

Madam Wang could only swallow her complaints.

She suddenly found herself missing Qi Jin.

If Ah Jin were here, she’d surely be comforting her and pouring her heart out.

Unlike Qi Yuan—cold as a block of wood.

That block of wood was currently freshening up.

After the long ordeal last night, Qi Yuan hadn’t slept well. When she woke, her eyelids were still a little puffy.

Lianqiao quickly rolled a warm egg to help with the swelling around her eyes.

Meanwhile, Baizhi cheerfully brought in a basin of hot water and reported excitedly like she was offering treasure: “Miss, I just heard—Second Miss has been sent to the estate!”

The servants in Qi Yuan’s room were all visibly delighted.

Even before Zhang Mama’s incident, Qi Yuan had already begun distributing her jewelry to Baizhi and Baiyin.

First, it was generous bribes.

Then, they all saw what happened to Zhang Mama when she turned traitor.

Now, the servants were completely loyal to her.

Baiyin exhaled deeply and folded her hands in prayer, beaming as she congratulated Qi Yuan: “Miss, this is wonderful! With Second Miss gone, your life will be much easier from now on!”

There were so many people in the marquis household.

If one was favored, another would naturally be neglected.

Since they were following Qi Yuan, their fates rose and fell with hers—of course they wished her well.

Now that Qi Jin had been sent away, this was a huge opportunity for Qi Yuan to grow closer to Madam Wang and the marquis and earn their affection.

Qi Yuan smiled faintly and said nothing. “Silly girl… you’re too naïve…”

Before she could finish, Shaoyao’s startled cry rang out from outside.

Baiyin rushed out to check.

Then Qi Yuan heard her shouting at the door: “Eldest Young Master, you can’t go in! Our miss isn’t up yet—you can’t go in!”

Qi Yuan’s expression turned cold.

Qi Yunting had already stormed in, lifting the curtain with a gust of anger. Without a word, he charged at Qi Yuan, grabbing her by the collar and squeezing her neck with the other hand, his face twisted in fury: “You drove Ah Jin away! You forced her to leave! You wretched girl!”

This lunatic!

Lianqiao screamed and desperately tried to pry his arm away. “Eldest Young Master! Let go of our miss!”

Qi Yuan ducked her head, raised her elbow, and drove it hard into Qi Yunting’s abdomen.

He let out a grunt of pain and instinctively loosened his grip.

Breaking free, Qi Yuan touched her aching throat and stared coldly into his eyes.

So her killing speed was still too slow.

Looking back, Qi Yunting had never shown her an ounce of mercy.

Yesterday, when he tried to frame her, he never stopped to think what would happen if it succeeded.

In her eyes, he was even worse than Qi Jin.

Qi Jin was a fake heiress—naturally she would be hostile, their identities and interests at odds.

But what about Qi Yunting?!

He was her biological brother!

Even if he favored Qi Jin, did he have to cut off all her paths of retreat?

It was the same in her past life—he had shown no mercy.

When Qi Jin framed her and Hua Momo broke her leg, Qi Yunting had even told them to drag her farther away—so his precious Ah Jin wouldn’t be scared by the noise.

This b*stard!

Murderous intent surged in Qi Yuan’s eyes as she stared at him like he was already dead.

Even Qi Yunting was startled by the hatred in her gaze. He backed off and snapped: “You still have the nerve to fight back?! Just wait! If anything happens to Ah Jin, I won’t let you off—I’ll chop you to pieces and feed you to the dogs!”

Lianqiao was crying now. “Eldest Young Master! It wasn’t our miss who did wrong—it was you! You tried to harm our miss for Second Miss’s sake. The marquis and madam only punished her because the truth came out!”

She thought their young lady was so pitiful.

What had she done wrong?

Qi Yunting roared, “Who the h*ll are you to speak?!”

Qi Yuan slowly stood up and picked up a nearby vase, placing herself protectively in front of Lianqiao.

“Qi Yunting, if you keep losing your mind here—do you believe that your precious Qi Jin will never come back?!”

She laughed coldly. “Father’s sending me to the Xiang family banquet today—someone will be here to fetch me any minute now. Are you really planning to keep making a scene?!”

Qi Yunting seethed with rage, but in the end, he turned and stormed off, flinging the curtain aside.

Everyone in the room let out a collective breath. Lianqiao immediately rushed to check Qi Yuan’s neck. “Miss, we have to tell Madam!”