Unfortunately for her, Qi Yuan had acted much faster.
Most likely, Feng Caiwei had been shocked that Qi Yuan actually understood medicinal cuisine and medical theory too—no wonder her face had looked so awful at the time.
Old Madam Qi opened her mouth in surprise.
She had never liked Feng Caiwei much to begin with, always feeling the girl was too calculating.
But now, thinking back, her scheming ran even deeper than she’d imagined!
Since Qi Yuan had already said so herself, Old Madam Qi didn’t bother to sugarcoat things either: “So even if the Duchess Cheng’s household hadn’t fallen ill, there probably would’ve been some other female guest who did, right? Then she’d have stepped forward just in time and explained how the two foods overlapped in effect and were too stimulating for those with weak stomachs…”
Add a sincere-sounding apology, and—voilà!—everyone would come to know that Miss Feng was actually knowledgeable in medicine and dietary theory!
Who doesn’t know that the Crown Prince is often in poor health?
And the Crown Princess Lu too—rumor has it she’s always taking medicine.
This was clearly a targeted move!
Aiming straight for the position of Crown Princess, wasn’t it?
Old Madam Qi glanced at Qi Yuan and saw that she wasn’t the least bit anxious, so she asked tentatively, “Ah Yuan, you’re really not worried at all?”
Qi Yuan truly wasn’t.
Looking at Old Madam Qi, she said plainly, “I was never in a hurry to begin with. It’s Miss Feng who should be worried.”
Old Madam Qi let out a cold laugh, immediately feeling at ease.
Exactly! Why should her Ah Yuan be anxious?
She understood now, and patted Qi Yuan’s hand. “Good!”
Old Madam Qi had fully calmed down. If her granddaughter wasn’t inferior in any way, then there was nothing to be afraid of.
The next day, as expected, Feng Caiwei arrived bearing gifts to express her thanks.
Old Madam Qi had heard plenty about Miss Feng’s reputation but had never met her. Since Feng Caiwei had come in person, etiquette demanded she first greet the elder of the household—finally allowing Old Madam Qi to see what she looked like.
One look, and it became clear why the Feng family had chosen to invest in building up Feng Caiwei.
She was indeed beautiful. What’s more, unlike other noble ladies, she spoke of her own error with a serene grace, her expression showing just the right touch of guilt.
If Old Madam Qi hadn’t already known how scheming this girl was, she might have been won over herself.
She had to admit—the Feng family did have capital to work with.
Feng Caiwei, however, was most concerned about Qi Yuan.
She couldn’t wait to request a personal meeting to express her gratitude.
Old Madam Qi nodded and had a maid lead her to the Mingyue Pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, Shen Jialang and Qi Yunzhi were practicing calligraphy and didn’t even look up at the commotion.
Qi Yuan gave a small nod, glanced at Lianqiao, who quickly went to stand before Shen Jialang and Qi Yunzhi.
Only then did Qi Yuan leave the room to receive her guest in the main hall.
Upon seeing her, Feng Caiwei immediately stepped forward and apologized: “The imperial physician later confirmed that it was indeed a food incompatibility issue. Duchess Cheng’s household also had a chronic condition—stomach cold—so she experienced sudden pain. Fortunately, Miss Qi acted in time.”
Qi Yuan gave a faint smile. Truth be told, she had played political word games before.
After all, to gain a foothold in the Qi Wang’s household, and to stand out—it hadn’t been easy.
But maybe because she had spent too many years with her head bowed in her previous life, she now felt especially tired of these endless comparisons and tests between women.
She smiled mildly: “Miss Feng flatters me. Even if I hadn’t intervened, Duchess Cheng’s household would’ve been fine in the end.”
Feng Caiwei’s smile faltered.
No matter how composed she was, she was still a young, unmarried girl.
Especially since she’d been so confident—yet had run into someone like Qi Yuan.
She had thought she understood Qi Yuan well—after all, she had read letters from Qi Wang.
But the real Qi Yuan was quite different from the one in those letters.
Feng Caiwei looked at her suspiciously: “What does Miss Qi mean by that?”
Qi Yuan had no patience for verbal fencing: “I mean, Miss Feng is actually well-versed in medicinal theory too. At the very least, no one was ever in danger of dying—right?”
That was basically saying it outright—she was exposing Feng Caiwei’s scheme.
Feng Caiwei pressed her lips together, eyes locked on Qi Yuan. “How could I compare to Miss Qi? Your actions were so swift and decisive. I can’t say I’m an expert, but you certainly are. Am I wrong?”
“Yes,” Qi Yuan replied with a smile, looking right at her. “Miss Feng knows me well—did you not know I once performed acupuncture on Consort Liu? I thought you would’ve heard of that.”
Such a strange person.
Feng Caiwei felt a faint unease creep into her heart.
In the past, she had been certain she could outshine Qi Yuan in various ways—then have Xiao Yunting be dazzled by her afterward.
But now, she wasn’t sure anymore.
Qi Yuan was too strange.
Unable to help herself, she asked, “Didn’t Miss Qi spend many years separated from her parents? How are you so skilled—horseback riding, archery, and now even medicine?”
She paused with a half-smile, then added, “Forgive my bluntness, but I don’t think Miss Qi seems like someone who was lost and raised in the countryside for over ten years.”
Qi Yuan made a light noise of acknowledgment, then asked in return, “And what does that have to do with you, Miss Feng?”
Feng Caiwei bit her lip, unable to bear Qi Yuan’s calm, indifferent manner.
After all, she used to behave the same way toward people she didn’t see as threats—calm and unaffected.
She had said to Feng Yuzhang that she could afford to lose.
But now, seeing Qi Yuan so composed, it really made her uncomfortable.
No strong person enjoys being crushed beneath someone else’s foot.
She could only reply softly: “If Miss Qi sees through everything so clearly, then surely you also understand—you shouldn’t desire someone you have no business desiring. Besides, I heard Miss Qi isn’t like other women. Naturally, you wouldn’t behave like other women either, right?”
Feng Caiwei tilted her head slightly, gazing at Qi Yuan: “If you’re so good at everything, you should pursue broader, greater ambitions—not crowd with the rest of us in the inner courtyard. Don’t you agree?”
The “inner courtyard” remark was laughable to Qi Yuan.
Leaning back in her chair with ease, she thought this girl had changed—but not really.
She had changed her face, but deep down, she was still the same arrogant noblewoman who only saw herself and no one else.
Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow: “What’s wrong with crowding in the inner courtyard? Has the world suddenly allowed women to sit for the civil service exams and become officials? Can they now own independent households? Can daughters inherit family estates and properties now? Do you think the women crowding in the inner courtyards are there because they want to be?”
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