Though she said otherwise, the Eldest Princess was in a terrible mood.
She knew very well what kind of person Emperor Yongchang was—deeply devoted to Daoist practices in recent years. He often dressed in Daoist robes, wearing only a Daoist’s coronet.
And now Li Changqing had said such things—there was no doubt it would ruin all of Qi Yuan’s future.
For a moment, she was distracted and didn’t pay much attention to Qi Yuan’s expression.
It wasn’t until they arrived at Yongping Marquis’s estate and the carriage came to a stop that the Eldest Princess came back to herself. She gently grasped Qi Yuan’s hand and gave it a light shake: “Ah Yuan, don’t worry too much.”
But Qi Yuan wasn’t worried to begin with.
She stepped inside the residence and just happened to run into Qi Zhen returning home.
As soon as Qi Zhen saw her, he smiled brightly: “Ah Yuan, come here! Look what I brought you!”
Lately, he had been quite enthusiastic about buying gifts for Qi Yuan.
But Qi Yuan said seriously: “I have something to discuss with Grandfather and you. Let’s go to his courtyard first.”
Seeing her solemn face, Qi Zhen immediately handed the gift over to Liuzhong and waved his hand.
Liuzhong cautiously glanced at Qi Yuan, nodded quickly, and withdrew.
Qi Zhen couldn’t help but wonder what had happened.
He had rarely seen Qi Yuan so quiet.
Old Marquis Qi was at home today, supervising Shen Jialang and Qi Yunzhi with their studies, checking their work. When he saw Qi Yuan and Qi Zhen arrive together, he smiled: “You two are back right on time. The manor just received some live sheep and black-bone chickens from the estate. Your grandmother has already asked the kitchen to prepare them. Tonight, let’s all eat together as a family.”
As Old Madam Qi put it—they also needed to treat the Second Madam to a good meal to thank her for accompanying Qi Yuan on so many outings recently.
But Qi Zhen was in no mood for jokes. He quickly called out to Qi Yunzhi and waved his hand: “You two go play for a while. Father and Grandfather need to talk.”
Qi Yunzhi and Shen Jialang were well-behaved. Although they wanted to spend time with Qi Yuan, they obediently agreed and scampered off.
Old Marquis Qi immediately sensed something was wrong and frowned: “What’s the matter? Did something happen?”
Qi Yuan nodded slowly and told them what had occurred at Baiyun Temple with Li Changqing.
At the mention of Li Changqing, both Old Marquis Qi and Qi Zhen’s faces changed.
Of course they knew who Li Changqing was and how much favor he enjoyed from Emperor Yongchang. They also understood what kind of man he was.
Qi Zhen grew nervous immediately: “Ah Yuan, he read your fortune? Did he say something terrible?”
For an emperor who placed so much faith in fate—even a few ominous words could instantly shatter Qi Yuan’s hopes of becoming Imperial Grandson Consort.
Old Marquis Qi slapped the table hard.
Qi Yuan gave a soft grunt and pulled her lips into a half-smile: “Not just terrible—he said I was a calamity star sent by heaven, that I bring misfortune to heaven, earth, parents, and everyone close to me. That wherever I go, disaster follows.”
Qi Zhen’s face went white.
Then came a surge of genuine rage: “That’s f*cking nonsense! He’s the godd*mn calamity!”
Old Marquis Qi reacted quickly as well: “A wise man doesn’t speak of ghosts and gods. I don’t believe this superstitious garbage! That d*mned Daoist must be up to no good. But who put him up to it? Why target you like this?”
Yet even as he said it, he exchanged a glance with Qi Zhen—both men’s expressions dark.
That d*mned Daoist.
What they feared had come to pass.
On the surface, Qi Yunting was ‘dead.’ Madam Wang had been sent away, gravely ill. Even Qi Jin had been publicly declared to have died of sudden illness.
And most crucially—Qi Yuan really had left bodies wherever she went.
Which only made it clearer—Li Changqing had long since been scheming this move.
Qi Zhen clenched his teeth: “Ah Yuan, can we kill him?”
If he’s a calamity, then she’d kill him first.
Godd*mn it!
Old Marquis Qi nodded grimly, but frowned again soon after: “That would be difficult. Li Changqing is highly skilled in martial arts. He became famous for defeating over twenty bandits alone and emerging unscathed. And if he dies right after cursing your fate, wouldn’t that only reinforce the idea that you’re a bringer of death?”
He looked at Qi Yuan and couldn’t help but feel deeply worried.
Clearly, Li Changqing had thoroughly investigated her before delivering this vicious blow.
He racked his brain but couldn’t think of a way to counter it.
Qi Zhen clenched his fists, furious: “So we can’t kill him, and we’re just supposed to let him trample Ah Yuan like this?!”
Just then, the door was pushed open.
Old Madam Qi stood solemnly in the doorway, then slowly entered the room.
Every first and fifteenth of the month, noblewomen were required to enter the palace and greet the Empress.
This custom had long become a formality—after all, the Central Palace had been effectively vacant.
But ever since Emperor Yongchang started favoring Xiao Yunting, his attitude toward Empress Feng had softened, and the tradition had resumed.
Still, this time, Old Madam Qi returned feeling uneasy.
Seeing that Qi Zhen, the Old Marquis, and Qi Yuan were all present, she parted her lips and said: “Something’s happened.”
What could possibly be worse than this?
Old Marquis Qi gave a bitter laugh: “How coincidental. Something major’s just happened here too.”
Old Madam Qi spoke: “Madam Feng brought Feng Caiwei into the palace to greet the Empress. On their way out, they ran into Li Changqing—who publicly declared that Feng Caiwei’s fate was ‘incomparably noble.’”
Qi Zhen immediately and unabashedly cursed: “That b*tch! Is the Feng family trying to die?!”
If the Feng family wasn’t behind this, he’d chop off his own head and use it as a stool.
On one side, Li Changqing cuts off Qi Yuan’s future, declaring her a Calamity Star.
On the other, he glorifies Feng Caiwei.
This was blatant. Even a fool could see the Feng family’s ambition.
For a woman, the words “incomparably noble” carried unimaginable weight.
Everyone knew exactly what kind of position those words were meant to elevate her into.
Old Marquis Qi slammed the table: “Outrageous. Absolutely outrageous!”
He looked toward Qi Yuan—who was surprisingly calm and quiet.
Could it be that this time, Ah Yuan truly had no move left to make?
It wasn’t surprising. This wasn’t an ordinary enemy. Li Changqing wasn’t like anyone she’d dealt with before.
He wasn’t a noble or a court official—but a renowned Daoist with real skill and influence. Arguably even more dangerous than Duke Chu had been.
Even killing him wouldn’t be easy.
And worse, if they did, it would only confirm Qi Yuan’s reputation as a bringer of doom.
Old Madam Qi’s face had gone pale: “Ah Yuan… the matter of you becoming Imperial Grandson Consort…”
She didn’t finish the sentence—but the meaning was clear.
It was likely no longer possible.
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