The old Marquis pondered for a moment before speaking mildly: “Perhaps it really is true.”
The old Marchioness retorted in disbelief, “How could that be possible? My lord, you know better than anyone how stiff the relationship between Her Highness the Princess and His Majesty is! She’s spent all these years secluded in temples with incense and sutras, never once coming down the mountain. How could she possibly make an exception for some little girl?”
To speak plainly, she truly didn’t think there was anything about Qi Yuan worth the Princess lowering herself for.
The old Marquis waved his hand. “Whether it’s true or not, what’s the point of guessing here? Since she dares to say it, then let’s just wait and see. After all, it’s only a few days away, isn’t it?”
A bit of patience was always necessary.
The old Marchioness said nothing more.
It was very quiet in Mingyue Pavilion. The attendants were tense, knowing Qi Yuan had gone to see the old Marquis and Marchioness.
Everyone in the marquisate knew how strict and stern the two elders were. They were afraid Qi Yuan would be disliked or punished.
But unexpectedly, Qi Yuan returned safe and sound. Baizhi and Baiyin were so relieved they kept murmuring prayers of thanks.
Beside her, Lianqiao softly explained to Qi Yuan, “The old Marquis and Marchioness have always been especially fond of the first young master and second young lady.”
They were worried the two elders might vent their anger on Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan simply responded with an “Mm.” She never bothered worrying about things that hadn’t happened or were already past.
To her, Qi Jin was already a matter of the past.
She was only thinking: Xiao Yunting should already be seeking out the Princess by now. The question was whether the Princess would agree or not.
By logic, she should. The Princess had always cared for Xiao Yunting over the years.
Not to mention, Qi Yuan had offered such a tempting bait. Xiao Yunting would be a fool not to bite down hard.
Lianqiao brought over a bowl of bird’s nest soup to help her rest a bit, but Qi Yuan wasn’t in the mood. She asked Lianqiao to fetch brush and paper.
Leaning over the table, she wrote out the names: Xiao Yunting, the Qi family, Qi Wang, one after another, staring intently at the paper.
After a long time, she picked it up and held it over the flame, burning it to ashes.
Lianqiao didn’t ask anything. Seeing her mistress uneasy, she quietly lit calming incense.
Just as she brought it in, there was a knock at the door. Lianqiao went to open it and soon returned with Baizhi, who softly reported, “Miss, there’s a guest requesting to see you.”
A guest?
Qi Yuan looked up at the sky, puzzled. “But it’s already quite late.”
And that was putting it politely. The old Marquis and Marchioness had returned home very late, and now it was nearly midnight. She had only just come back to the marquisate and hadn’t even met all her relatives yet. What guest would ask to see her now?
Baizhi was equally confused but still explained, “Miss, it’s Miss Han, the young lady who is living here as a guest.”
Living here… Miss Han?
Qi Yuan put down the brush and murmured, “Miss Han?”
“Yes. You may not know her, Miss, but she is the daughter of one of the marquis’ old comrades. Her father was a fourth-rank guerrilla general who died in battle in Jizhou, and Miss Han was entrusted to the marquis’ care…”
Ah. Han Yue’e.
Qi Yuan remembered.
When Qi Jin married Qi Wang, Han Yue’e had played a major part behind the scenes.
She’d been back at the marquisate for some time now, yet Han Yue’e had never come by—not even once to greet her.
And now that Qi Jin was gone for good, and she had already met with the old Marquis and Marchioness, Han Yue’e appeared.
Qi Yuan’s mind stirred.
She instructed Baizhi to bring Han Yue’e to the adjacent flower hall, changed her clothes, and went over.
Han Yue’e stood by the window. Upon seeing her enter, she immediately approached with a bright smile and curtsied politely. “Eldest Sister, please don’t be offended that I’ve come so late to disturb you.”
Han Yue’e had a delicate, refined face and clean, gentle features. At this moment, she looked at Qi Yuan with pure sincerity. “I’ve wanted to come visit you for quite some time now, but the chance never came.”
Qi Yuan smiled and shook her head. “I only just returned to the estate and haven’t even met all the relatives yet. No need to blame yourself, Sister Yue’e.”
“How could I?” Han Yue’e sighed with a touch of sorrow. “Sister, you’ve really suffered in the countryside. And after finally coming home, you’ve had to go through so much. Just watching from the side, I already feel it’s been so hard on you.”
Qi Yuan remained composed, her mind racing to figure out Han Yue’e’s motive.
She knew from her past life that Han Yue’e was close to Qi Wang and had even helped arrange his marriage to Qi Jin—later becoming his side consort herself.
Now that Qi Jin was out of the picture and wouldn’t be coming back, Han Yue’e must know that.
So why was she cozying up now?
Han Yue’e’s tone was gentle. “Eldest Sister, I’ve no siblings, and I know your path hasn’t been easy. That’s why I feel so close to you.”
She reached out and held Qi Yuan’s hand earnestly. “We must support each other in the days to come.”
Qi Yuan seemed flustered and on guard, her expression confused and unsure how to respond.
Han Yue’e took note and quickly reevaluated her prior assumptions—Qi Jin must not have fallen because of Qi Yuan.
Based on her reactions, Qi Yuan didn’t seem like someone shrewd or calculating. If she had any cunning, she would be trying to draw her in right now.
But Qi Yuan looked extremely uneasy with her approach.
Then Qi Jin must have ruined herself.
Satisfied with her analysis, Han Yue’e smiled warmly. “Sister, I hope you won’t mind that I’m just a poor orphan.”
Qi Yuan widened her eyes in panic. “Wh-Why would I? I… I grew up in the countryside too…”
Han Yue’e relaxed, gently patting her hand. “That means we all the more need to support each other. Don’t worry, I have no one else either.”
She even shed a few tears.
Qi Yuan appeared flustered on the surface, offering gentle comfort—while secretly scoffing.
A weasel bringing New Year’s greetings to a hen—up to no good.
Someone she had no connection with suddenly rushing to get close and swear loyalty? If this was sincerity, then it was far too shallow.
It seemed she’d already touched a boundary she wasn’t supposed to.
And if Qi Wang really was behind Han Yue’e now… even better.
Just the thought of Qi Wang made Qi Yuan’s eyes turn icy cold.
More than Qi Jin, the one she hated most was Qi Wang.
That was why she had to secure her footing in the Qi household. That was why she had to climb higher, stand firmer.
Only then could she make sure Qi Wang would die with no grave to bury him in!
Nothing less could ever calm the fury from both this life and the last. That vile, despicable man—he could die ten thousand times and still not be punished enough.
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