Xiao Yunting was incredibly fortunate—after returning to the capital, he handled several major matters in quick succession and earned Emperor Yongchang’s favor.
He even managed to suppress Qi Wang. In particular, killing Pu Wuyong and eradicating the White Lotus Sect made Emperor Yongchang extremely satisfied with his grandson.
Before, when Qi Wang was shouting to attack the Eastern Palace, they could still use Xiao Yunting as a target to draw the attention of Qi Wang and Duke Chu’s household.
But now Qi Wang had fallen.
If someone else didn’t step up soon, everyone’s eyes would only be on Xiao Yunting.
Song Liangdi looked steadily at her son for a long while. “His Majesty is in good health—why are you in such a rush?”
The Crown Prince didn’t like the Crown Princess, and he certainly didn’t like Xiao Yunting.
She knew better than anyone what kind of person the Crown Prince really was.
Outwardly weak and simple-minded.
But in truth, deeply calculating and narrow-hearted.
He used to hate Qi Wang and Consort Xiao Liu.
But after Xiao Yunting returned, it wasn’t as though he liked him either—he simply resented how much attention this son was now receiving.
There was no need to rush. They could have waited slowly and steadily.
“Wait for how long?” Nanan County Prince didn’t care. “Qi Wang waited too, and in the end, he still couldn’t bring down Royal Father. Royal Mother, in this world, strength is what speaks. Since Brother doesn’t care for the Feng family, all the better—just let the Feng family be mine instead.”
Song Liangdi took a long, deep breath.
——
At that moment, Feng Jun was also taking a deep breath, asking his man: “You’re sure you followed that wench, and she really came here?”
Ever since Feng Caiwei returned home upset, he had been determined to teach Qi Yuan a lesson.
His sister had always been a proud woman, a pearl among the clouds, but all her carefully built reputation had been destroyed because of Qi Yuan.
Not only that—his sister had gone to thank her, yet no one knew what Qi Yuan had said. Feng Caiwei hadn’t been herself ever since.
Unforgivable!
He had men watching every move the Qi family made. When he got word that Qi Yuan had gone out today, he decided it was the perfect time to “teach her a lesson.”
The servant hastily confirmed: “Young Master, don’t worry. We’ve got this under control. It’s definitely the eldest Miss Qi.”
Heh. Feng Jun sneered coldly in his heart.
An unmarried woman going out so freely and publicly—utterly lacking in decorum.
He raised his hand and marched straight up to the second floor with his men.
—
Qi Yuan was chatting with Chunlin.
Chunlin hadn’t gone to sea with Lai Chenglong and was clearly still worried: “Our Lord gets seasick…”
He glanced nervously at Qi Yuan. “Miss, are you sure our Lord will be okay?”
Qi Yuan handed him a letter in reply, raising her brows. “What could go wrong? You Embroidered Uniform Guard are responsible not only for killing and raiding, and overseeing officials—you’re also tasked with mapping and intelligence. If he can bring back a full map of the cities in Japan, do you know what kind of glory and reward that is?”
Chunlin nodded in awe.
He trusted everything Miss Qi said.
Just then, Shunzi shouted from outside: “What do you think you’re doing?!”
Qi Yuan frowned and glanced at Chunlin.
Chunlin reacted even faster. He took the letter and slipped out the window.
At nearly the same moment, Qi Yuan heard Shunzi cry out in pain.
Her expression darkened immediately. She pulled the door open and saw Shunzi on the ground clutching his leg, sweating in agony.
Beside him were several burly men, all with fierce faces and menacing eyes—clearly troublemakers.
Shunzi shouted anxiously, “Miss, get back inside! These thugs are saying someone here stole from them…”
Before he could finish, one of the men raised his leg to kick him again.
Qi Yuan grabbed a flower vase from a nearby shelf and hurled it at the man.
The vase shattered with a loud crash, shards flying everywhere.
Shunzi rolled out of the way just in time, avoiding the kick.
Qi Yuan frowned and looked toward the stairwell, where a frightened waiter was peeking out. “Go call the authorities!” she ordered. “Tell them someone’s maliciously injuring people and causing trouble!”
The waiter, terrified, scrambled downstairs after seeing the men’s fierce looks.
“F*ck you, picking a fight!” the man who had nearly been hit by the vase cursed, then charged toward Qi Yuan. “You b*tch! Hand over what you stole or you’ll pay the price!”
Qi Yuan had only brought Shunzi and the coachman with her today.
But she wasn’t alarmed.
She looked the man straight in the eye and said coldly: “I’m from the Qi family, House of Marquis Yongping. You’ve got the right person, haven’t you?”
If they were common thugs trying to extort money, the mention of a marquis house would make them retreat.
But if they had been sent deliberately, they wouldn’t back off so easily.
“And what the h*ll do I care if you’re from a marquis house?” the thug spat, reaching out to grab her shoulder. “Even if you were a noble consort from the palace—if you stole from us, you’re not getting away!”
Qi Yuan stepped aside and seized the thug’s wrist.
She didn’t appear to exert much force, but the thug felt like his hand was about to snap. He screamed in pain: “What are you all standing around for?! Help me!”
The gang surged forward, trying to grab Qi Yuan from all directions.
Qi Yuan dodged deftly. She glanced down at the man whose wrist she held, and a cold smile flickered across her face.
Then she yanked his wrist forward with sudden force.
A nearby thug suddenly collapsed, clutching his stomach.
Blood pooled from his abdomen, staining the floor.
Shunzi, halfway to crawling toward Qi Yuan, froze in shock—until he saw her glance at him and signal with her eyes.
He understood at once. Qi Yuan wasn’t hurt at all.
Immediately, he shouted at the top of his lungs: “Help! Murder! Murder!”
The thugs all froze, stunned. They stared at their fallen companion, unsure what to do.
Qi Yuan calmly looked at the man still holding the knife, blood now staining his hands. She said softly: “Look at you people—how careless. You’ve gone and killed one of your own.”
The thug stared at her, his palms ice cold.
It had clearly been Qi Yuan who seized his hand and stabbed toward the nearest man.
He hadn’t even had a chance to resist!
But now—only his hands were stained with blood. The knife was stuck in his own comrade’s body.
A chill ran violently down his spine.
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 20+ chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
