She didn’t spare another glance at Qi Wang or Old Zhao. To her, only dead enemies were good enemies.
And once they were dead, like extinguished lamps, it wasn’t worth spending any more time or energy on them.
Liujin finally understood: If there were anyone in this world who truly embodied the unity of word and action, it was none other than Miss Qi.
Other people? They might say one thing and do another.
But not her.
She never groveled, never said things she didn’t believe herself. Her confidence and decisiveness were carved into her very bones. Liujin had never seen anyone as fearless as Miss Qi.
Xiao Yunting soon composed himself. He gently pulled Qi Yuan to a cleaner spot, carefully wiped the blood from her face, and then asked her softly: “Are you hurt?”
Qi Yuan shook her head.
She glanced at the bodies scattered all over the ground and raised an eyebrow: “How are you going to explain this when you return?”
The others didn’t matter. But Qi Wang, he was Emperor Yongchang’s own son.
Even after the matter with Princess Baorong, the Emperor hadn’t completely cast off this son. He’d still given him a place and the status he was owed.
Qi Wang’s death… needed a proper explanation.
He absolutely couldn’t have died by Xiao Yunting’s hand. Who knew how Emperor Yongchang would take it otherwise?
But Xiao Yunting remained calm.
“None of these men died unjustly. The ones who attacked the prince’s manor today were real bandits.”
And that? That was all thanks to Qi Yuan.
Back when Qi Wang had first taken his post in Jiangxi, she’d already written to the Prefect of Songcheng.
When that prefect realized the “bandits” he had nearly executed back then were actually Qi Wang’s men, he’d almost wet himself.
For the past half-year, he’d lived in constant dread, just praying Qi Wang wouldn’t remember him.
He lived like a man with his head on the chopping block.
So when it came to the roving bandits sneaking in from Xunyang and Hongdu, the Prefect had no choice but to swallow his anger and look the other way.
Still, in private, he’d been quietly collecting evidence of the bandits’ collusion with Huang Hongzhong and the rest.
So when Xiao Yunting approached him, the prefect immediately betrayed them.
Who they met, what they planned, who backed them, it was all handed over.
Xiao Yunting brought Liang Jianping along and went to rally the bandits, directing them to attack Qi Wang’s manor.
These men weren’t sharp, and Liang Jianping had promised them they were just going to take advantage of the chaos and loot a bit. So they agreed.
Besides, Qi Wang’s manor was already half-ruined by bandits. What did they have to be afraid of?
Everything had been carefully arranged. Qian Yuan and the others could vouch for it.
After chatting for a bit, Xiao Yunting and Qi Yuan headed to Qi Wang’s manor.
By now, the bandits and the manor guards had already fought each other to a standstill. Once Xiao Yunting arrived, the scene was swiftly brought under control.
He glanced at the pale-faced Liang Jianping, then at Han Ding.
Han Ding immediately understood and nodded: “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I know what to do.”
Only then did Xiao Yunting respond with a calm “Mm,” and led Qi Yuan into Qi Wang’s study.
It was still under heavy guard, and despite some shattered furnishings, the room was clean and intact.
Qi Yuan opened the bookshelf and led Xiao Yunting inside: “The public assets of Duke Chu’s household have all gone into the state treasury, but the private holdings? They’re all in Qi Wang’s hands. Ever since he came to Jiangxi, he’s been controlling them.”
As she spoke, she casually opened several chests.
Sure enough, gold, silver, and jewels glittered inside.
But what caught Xiao Yunting’s eye first wasn’t the treasure.
It was a full phoenix coronet and red wedding robe displayed on a shelf.
The coronet was encrusted with massive pearls and sparkling with gemstones. Even the hem of the robe was sewn with gold thread and pearls.
He turned to look at Qi Yuan.
She followed his gaze and didn’t even blink: “If I marry again, I won’t be wearing that.”
Xiao Yunting pulled the robe down without a word and tossed it into the brazier.
“If we marry again, there will be something far better. This one… is cursed.”
Qi Yuan couldn’t help remembering how she’d once kept wiping her hands with a handkerchief and suddenly burst out laughing.
Xiao Yunting looked at her, puzzled: “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. Just… what you said makes sense.” She tossed the coronet into a box and told him:
“The robe can burn, but the coronet, take it apart and sell the gems. That money could save a lot of lives.”
Qi Wang had never done a single good deed in either of his lifetimes. If his death could finally serve a purpose, then that was his redemption.
Xiao Yunting agreed: “Let Qian Yuan inventory it all later.”
They gave the treasures a brief once-over, then left the rest to Han Ding and Lin Yu to guard. Xiao Yunting took Qi Yuan to the blown-up gunpowder depot.
Qi Yuan sneered coldly: “Just this one act, privately manufacturing firearms, If His Majesty finds out, it would’ve been enough to get Qi Wang executed.”
At the mention of Emperor Yongchang, Xiao Yunting’s face turned complicated.
He knew his grandfather, the emperor, loved him dearly. But no matter how much he was favored, Yongchang was still the emperor.
Some things must never reach his ears.
Just like how the Imperial Grandson and Qi Wang loathed each other, but would never openly act against one another.
If the emperor learned that Qi Wang died by Xiao Yunting’s hand who knew what might happen.
He frowned.
“Cleaning up everything from tonight… really won’t be easy.”
He was used to aftermath work, but tonight was still a huge mess.
A massive undertaking.
Luckily, not many people knew what had happened.
And most of those who did were already dead.
Still, the loose ends would need to be tied up carefully.
Qi Yuan smiled: “It’s not just tonight. There’s the flood and the plague too. Looks like, Your Highness, you won’t be returning to the capital anytime soon.”
Not to mention, most of the Jiangxi officials had been killed by Xiao Yunting.
Which meant their positions would have to be filled by members of the imperial delegation he brought.
There were still flood victims to resettle, disaster relief to handle, and the civil service to clean up. There was no way Xiao Yunting could free himself easily.
He wouldn’t be heading back to the capital in the near future.
Xiao Yunting instantly caught the meaning behind her words: “You’re leaving?”
Even his voice changed. His expression darkened.
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! :)
