Qi Yuan nodded.
The old Marquis Qi couldn’t quite understand—why was this considered collecting “interest”?
Unless… there was some connection between that Daoist Qiu and Li Changqing. Otherwise, even if he got struck dead by lightning, how could it count as collecting a debt?
Unable to help himself, he asked in a low voice, “Was there some relationship between Daoist Qiu and Li Changqing?”
Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow. “They were both people of Duke Chu’s household. They used to serve the Duke together. That so-called Huang Daxin Temple of theirs was originally a place used to hide death squads. Naturally, it’s full of bones.”
As she spoke of this, a look of disgust couldn’t help but surface on her face.
Qi Zhen was also shocked. “Unbelievable! They actually thought of something like this! His Majesty has always believed in Daoism—who would’ve imagined they’d choose that exact spot for their cover?”
Now that it was clear Daoist Qiu was from Duke Chu’s faction, it made perfect sense that Qi Yuan would say she was collecting interest.
The old Marquis inwardly sneered again—Li Changqing had truly provoked someone he never should have.
How stupid could a person be?
If Qi Yuan could be defeated with mere words, she wouldn’t have made it this far.
Most people, when cornered, think about giving up—or at least how to preserve their lives.
But Qi Yuan was different. As she herself had once said: even if she really died and went to hell, she’d still have to pick a fight with King Yama before she’d accept her fate. Only after losing would she consider whether to die or not.
Li Changqing was so skilled at fortune-telling—did he never foresee that he was provoking a living King of H*ll?
At that moment, Li Changqing still didn’t know what had happened outside. He was accompanying Emperor Yongchang inside the palace.
The emperor asked calmly, “Qi Yuan’s fate—was it truly that ominous?”
Li Changqing lowered his hands and nodded with certainty. “Your Majesty, it truly is that ominous. I believe you’ve also read the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s report on Miss Qi’s life. From the moment she was born, misfortune has followed her. First, she brought about the deaths of her adoptive parents. Then her elder brother died. Even among her servants, few met good ends…”
Li Changqing sighed deeply. “A fate like this is a grave and dangerous omen!”
Just then, Eunuch Xia entered with a troubled expression. “Your Majesty, the Imperial Grandson is kneeling outside, asking for an audience.”
Li Changqing sneered inwardly.
So Xiao Yunting still thought this was something that could be settled with a few words, didn’t he? Just beg the emperor and the matter would be resolved?
But that wasn’t the case.
This matter was far from over. If he still hoped to marry Qi Yuan—he couldn’t.
Dying together with her, though—that was a possibility.
Emperor Yongchang furrowed his brow and tossed down the brush in his hand. He gave a small grunt and said, “Let him in!”
Xiao Yunting had come several times already.
But until now, the emperor had refused to see him.
As soon as he entered, the emperor asked without even looking up, “You’re here about that girl from Yongping Marquis’s household, aren’t you?”
Li Changqing’s expression didn’t change.
But Xiao Yunting, kneeling on the floor, shook his head firmly and respectfully. “Imperial Grandfather, this grandson came to speak about the flooding in Jiangxi.”
The flooding in Jiangxi?
The faint smile on Li Changqing’s face vanished instantly.
Even the emperor looked surprised.
He had assumed his grandson was here to plead for Qi Yuan, especially after the backlash from her fate being publicly condemned. But that wasn’t the case?
Upon hearing Xiao Yunting’s words, the emperor immediately said, “Speak.”
Xiao Yunting responded softly, then detailed the scale of the disaster in Jiangxi—how tens of thousands of people had been displaced, and thousands had died or been injured.
Then he said, “Imperial Grandfather, the flooding in Jiangxi happens every year. Every year, the court allocates funds for disaster relief and dam construction. But the damage remains just as devastating. I wish to travel to Jiangxi personally.”
Travel to Jiangxi?
Li Changqing was stunned by how completely Xiao Yunting had gone off-script.
What was going on?
He wasn’t groveling to plead for Qi Yuan? Instead, he was seriously asking to go handle disaster relief?
But Emperor Yongchang clapped his hands and laughed heartily, face filled with satisfaction. “Good! That’s the Imperial Grandson, the future heir! Always putting the people first, no matter what happens. Always keeping the nation’s business as the highest priority! Yunting, you’ve done well!”
He laughed again and without hesitation said, “Very well! I grant you permission to go to Jiangxi. Take as many men as you need! Bring Shilang Qian Yuan of the Ministry of Revenue along with you—he needs the experience. After all, this empire belongs to our Xiao family!”
Xiao Yunting bowed respectfully. “Then this grandson will go prepare immediately.”
The emperor nodded in approval and stroked his beard, glancing proudly at Li Changqing. “See? My grandson knows how to hold his ground!”
What could Li Changqing say?
He could only force himself to flatter: “Indeed, His Highness is composed and capable—a true dragon among men.”
The emperor snorted. “He’s deeply sentimental. He didn’t plead because he knows I won’t risk it. A woman whose fate has been deemed cursed—I won’t allow him to be involved with her. But he also doesn’t want to give up. So, he chose to go to Jiangxi for now…”
He added in a low tone, “He’s far more promising than the Crown Prince.”
The emperor’s favoritism toward Xiao Yunting couldn’t have been more obvious.
Li Changqing furrowed his brow inwardly, feeling an unease he couldn’t quite place.
Xiao Yunting was dangerously cunning.
What was he really planning?
Had he truly abandoned Qi Yuan, just like that?
But how could that be possible?
Qi Wang had said clearly: Xiao Yunting was deeply in love with Qi Yuan—so deep that he’d do anything for her.
A truly troublesome opponent.
Li Changqing had been promoting Feng Caiwei precisely to pit her against Xiao Yunting—hoping to trap him in a power struggle with both the Feng family and Empress Feng.
But so far, Xiao Yunting hadn’t taken any action against the Feng family.
Just what was going on in his head?
Distracted, Li Changqing only managed to hold on until the emperor retired to the inner palace. Then, at last, he slowly exited the palace.
He had his own residence in the capital, a property gifted by the emperor long ago.
But before he could even sit down, one of the men he’d left behind at the Huang Daxin Temple came rushing to his door. As soon as he saw Li Changqing, he dropped to his knees, voice choked with emotion. “Master, something terrible has happened! Uncle Qiu—he… he’s dead!”
Li Changqing, who had still been absentminded, suddenly snapped to attention. “What did you say? Who’s dead?!”
“It’s Uncle Qiu! He’s been struck by lightning! Burned to a crisp! Master—he died horribly!”
A chill crawled over Li Changqing’s scalp. His entire back prickled with goosebumps.
How could this be?!
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