That night, Qiu Mama honestly didn’t know how she made it through.
Several times, she feared that Qi Yuan might lose control and suddenly lunge forward to strangle Qi Wang.
Fortunately, it was clear Qi Yuan still had other plans in mind after entering the prince’s residence, so she didn’t make any rash moves.
Even so, Qiu Mama was terrified the whole time. Only when the sky began to lighten and Qi Wang was called away by Eunuch Feng did she finally clutch her chest and let out a long, trembling sigh.
This kind of life… really was too hard to bear.
She couldn’t help but ask Qi Yuan in a whisper: “Miss, when… when are you leaving?”
She was truly scared, terrified of Qi Wang most of all.
He practically wanted to spend all twelve hours of the day glued to Qi Yuan’s side.
At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before Qi Yuan slipped up. After all, she was human, not a god.
She’d managed to fool someone like Gao Qing before, but that was because Gao Qing couldn’t watch her around the clock. Even when he tried to test her, it was always done in bits and pieces.
But Qi Wang was different. This man was a complete and utter madman.
What Qiu Mama feared most, however, was that if Qi Wang tried anything more outrageous, Qi Yuan would snap, and lash out violently.
Qi Yuan, face blank, accepted the damp cloth and calmly wiped her hands. Only after Qiu Mama had re-wet the cloth three times did Qi Yuan coldly toss it back into the basin and glance at her.
Qiu Mama immediately lowered her head.
Qi Yuan said flatly: “Mama, help me send out a letter.” Her tone was casual: “As for how long I’ll stay… not much longer.”
Qiu Mama finally exhaled in relief.
Thank heavens. If Miss Qi wants to leave soon, that’s the best news yet. Just lasting this long had nearly broken her.
Qi Yuan slowly rotated her wrist. She didn’t need Qiu Mama to say anything, she had no desire to stay a moment longer either.
Qi Wang hadn’t changed one bit. Just like in her previous life, always doing exactly what he pleased.
His so-called love was to cage her like a bird on a screen, declaring he loved her, yet not even willing to bend down to hear her speak.
That kind of love? Whoever wants it can have it. She certainly couldn’t afford to bear it.
—
Meanwhile, Qi Wang had dispatched an express military courier to rush his memorial to the capital.
In the capital, Empress Feng was pacing with anxiety.
She had never expected Xiao Yunting’s methods to be so ruthless.
Since arriving in Jiangxi, he’d already executed over one hundred officials, large and small!
One hundred!
Even if those officials were guilty, the proper course should’ve been to send their charges to the capital for Emperor Yongchang to pass judgment.
But Xiao Yunting had taken matters into his own hands and slaughtered them all outright.
This would undoubtedly cause many officials in the court, especially those with ties to Jiangxi, to accuse him of abusing his authority and being bloodthirsty.
This… was not good news.
The position of Imperial Grandson was already hard enough. But for an Imperial Grandson who wielded real power, it was even harder.
If Emperor Yongchang began harboring doubts or defensiveness toward Xiao Yunting, the road ahead for him would be far more difficult.
Empress Feng sighed to the Eldest Princess: “That child really knows how to worry people!”
The Eldest Princess merely smiled, seemingly unworried about Xiao Yunting. She set down her teacup and said to the Empress: “Your Majesty, I don’t think Yunting is troublesome at all. Rather… the Crown Prince is the one who disappoints.”
Empress Feng furrowed her brows and put down her cup: “What do you mean by that?”
The Eldest Princess calmly explained: “Yunting is the legitimate firstborn son of the Crown Prince. If he thrives, the Eastern Palace thrives. But if he falls, then the Eastern Palace is in jeopardy. Yet I fear… the Crown Prince doesn’t quite grasp this.”
Right now, the court had split into two camps over Xiao Yunting’s harsh methods.
One side believed he was too violent, he was only the Imperial Grandson, yet already wielded such killing force, which boded ill for the stability of the court.
The other side argued that only such heavy-handed tactics could restore order in Jiangxi. After all, had those officials done their jobs properly, the flood disaster wouldn’t have become so catastrophic.
The debate raged on. And yet, the Crown Prince remained silent.
But sometimes, silence was a statement.
The Eldest Princess was not impressed.
Empress Feng also snorted: “I’ve always known how he is, but I didn’t expect him to make it so obvious this time!”
Having said her piece, the Eldest Princess rose to take her leave.
But just as she exited the Empress’s palace, she saw a familiar figure and raised her brow.
That figure also noticed her and came forward respectfully.
Tian Jinglan gave a deep, proper bow: “Greetings, Eldest Princess.”
The Eldest Princess raised her hand slightly, voice casual: “Jinglan? What are you doing here?”
Tian Jinglan, ever smiling before she even spoke, replied:
“The Empress Dowager couldn’t sleep, so this servant went to husk some buckwheat to make her a buckwheat pillow.”
The Eldest Princess looked at her a bit more carefully: “No wonder the Empress Dowager favors you so. If only I had such a thoughtful daughter or granddaughter, I’d treasure her like a pearl.”
Tian Jinglan laughed: “You flatter me. I have nothing special to offer, just this little attentiveness that occasionally earns some praise.”
She was frank about her limits.
The Eldest Princess smiled and shook her head and couldn’t help but think of Qi Yuan again.
The truly remarkable Qi Yuan… how was she doing now?
The thought made her drift off a little.
—
At that moment, Qi Yuan was already wide awake.
She slipped quietly through the window and into Qi Wang’s study.
That day, there had been a disturbance in Hongdu.
Hundreds of citizens had somehow learned of the burning of Xujiagou, where an entire village had perished, and the city erupted in anger.
After all, Xujiagou was close to Hongdu, and many had relatives in the city.
The authorities had done nothing to help and even set the village on fire, naturally enraging the people.
As the county prince, Qi Wang had no choice but to step out and placate them, even though he loathed it.
Otherwise, the memorial he had just submitted requesting marriage approval would likely never get a reply from Emperor Yongchang.
Qi Yuan had seized this moment to infiltrate the study.
She had two goals:
- To take away Divine Physician Xue
- To retrieve the confidential letters between Qi Wang and corrupt Jiangxi officials, as well as the immense fortune once hoarded by Duke Chu’s household.
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