Their marriage had been arranged since childhood. Although the formal six rites had not yet been completed, it was essentially a done deal — everyone knew this clearly in their hearts.
Especially for Xiang Rong. She and this man had grown up together, knowing each other inside out.
In fact, even back then, she had already felt uncomfortable about how overly good Qi Yunting was to Qi Jin.
It was normal for brothers to treat their sisters well. But no one acted like Qi Yunting did — when it came to anything about Qi Jin, no matter how trivial, he had to ask about it. Forget about being a brother — even a father wouldn’t be this meticulous.
At the time, Xiang Rong hadn’t thought it was wrong. She even kept reflecting on herself, wondering if she was being too unreasonable, too demanding of Qi Yunting.
They were siblings. Was it really so unacceptable for them to be especially close?
Now, she finally understood.
It was wrong. What she had sensed all along was, in fact, very real.
When Xiang Rong appeared, Qi Yunting panicked for a moment but quickly regained his composure.
As if making a firm decision, he gently patted Qi Jin’s back to soothe her, then turned and walked toward Xiang Rong. “Rongrong, about Ah Jin…”
He didn’t know how to explain to Xiang Rong and scratched his head, clearly troubled.
But Xiang Jie coldly pressed, “Calling her so intimately? Who is she to you?”
Qi Yunting felt a little irritated. “Of course, she’s my sister.”
“Really your sister?” Xiang Jie sneered. “Save the act! What brother and sister behave like you two?”
These words were truly harsh.
Qi Jin, who had just stepped onto the steps, immediately stiffened when she heard this. Her hands clutched her clothing so tightly that she nearly tore the fabric apart.
What did this mean? Did the Xiang family also now know she wasn’t the biological daughter?
The Qi family had always publicly claimed that she and Qi Yuan were twins, at least acknowledging her as a trueborn daughter.
That way, even if the Qi family wanted to cast her out, it wouldn’t be so easy.
But now, if even outsiders knew she wasn’t a biological child, wouldn’t it be all too convenient for them to discard her?
Qi Yunting’s face was also full of anger. Conscious of Qi Jin behind him, he could only lower his voice to warn, “Mind your words!”
Xiang Jie showed no signs of backing down. He was furious with Qi Yunting.
Seeing how self-righteous Qi Yunting still was, he coldly slapped Qi Yunting’s hand away. “You want me to watch my words? Then act properly! What are you doing now? Hugging like this? To outsiders, she doesn’t look like your sister — they’d assume she’s your lover!”
These words were unbearably cutting.
Qi Jin instantly felt a rush of blood surge to her head, as if a wicked fire was blazing uncontrollably in her chest.
If this fire didn’t burn others to death, it would consume her instead.
What had she done wrong?!
Did anyone know how much she was suffering?
She had been the Qi family’s young miss for over ten years, yet one day, everyone suddenly told her she wasn’t the real daughter — that someone else was.
What was she supposed to do?!
If she had never grown up in the Qi family, never seen the life of a noble lady, maybe she could have accepted returning to her original identity.
But the problem was — she had seen the best of everything.
She had always enjoyed the finest things. She had studied just as well as those esteemed daughters from noble families.
Why should she give up everything she had just because of so-called bloodlines?
What was wrong with clinging to the Qi family and Qi Yunting?
What was wrong with fighting for herself?!
Why did everyone have to blame her?!
She suddenly turned her head, gritting her teeth as she stared at Xiang Jie. “Brother Xiang, we grew up together. You know I grew up with my brother — how could we possibly be doing anything improper?”
Xiang Rong wanted to step forward but was tightly held back by Xiang Jie.
Xiang Jie gently shook his head at her.
Qi Yunting’s heart ached terribly. “Ah Jin, don’t argue with them. I understand everything! I won’t let you suffer! What fiancée? As long as we’re not married, it means nothing!”
Xiang Rong actually laughed from anger.
So these two were performing for them now, showing off how deep their relationship was?
She asked mockingly, “A fiancée who isn’t married means nothing?”
The engagement between the two families had long been set, but to Qi Yunting, it meant nothing.
How laughable.
By now, Qi Yunting couldn’t care less about anyone else. He didn’t even think about what Xiang Rong might say.
A thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
Good. She isn’t his biological sister. Then actually… Ah Jin could marry him.
They weren’t real siblings — who could say anything?
Xiang Jie sneered.
These two — one wicked, one foolish — together, just utterly vile.
Without mercy, he looked at Qi Jin and asked, “You said we grew up together. So let me ask you: did you not know he was engaged to Rongrong since childhood?”
“Since you knew he was engaged, and you also knew you weren’t truly siblings, you didn’t know how to keep your distance?”
Even if they were blood siblings, this level of physical intimacy was already inappropriate — let alone that they weren’t.
Qi Jin’s eyes reddened, her heart boiling with rage.
Fine!
They all wanted to push her!
She had always disliked Xiang Rong.
Who did Xiang Rong think she was?
With just a beckon from her, Qi Yunting wouldn’t even glance at Xiang Rong!
Thinking this, she suddenly broke down in tears, sobbing: “Brother Xiang says I’m seducing my own brother — this reputation will ruin me! Even if I jumped into the Yellow River, I couldn’t cleanse it! Fine, I’ll die! I’ll die — will Brother Xiang finally be satisfied then?”
The steward, wracked with pain, still struggled to get up when he heard this. “Second Miss, please don’t make a scene…”
Hadn’t it gone far enough?
The family had still been covering things up.
But who didn’t know? Qi Jin had ordered her personal maid to almost kill the eldest miss, causing her to be unable to return home.
When she finally came back, Qi Jin even coaxed the young master to frame the eldest miss.
The family only sent her here to the estate to recuperate quietly — they never said she couldn’t return.
Yet she still caused such a commotion!
Her behavior would ruin Qi Yunting!
Qi Yunting treated her so well, and yet she still had the heart to do this!
Qi Jin gave a bitter laugh: “Fine! Fine! Fine! I don’t deserve to live anyway. I’m the one blocking everyone’s path — it’s all my fault. I’ve been wrong all along…”
After saying this, she suddenly lunged toward the nearby pillar, intending to smash her head against it.
Luckily, Qi Yunting had been watching her the whole time. He dashed forward without hesitation and shielded her, causing the two of them to tumble down the steps.
Even as they hit the ground, Qi Yunting held Qi Jin tightly, terrified that she might get hurt.
