Qi Wang thought about how Qi Jin had been discarded by the Qi family precisely because she seduced Qi Yunting and was caught in the act by Xiang Rong. He couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
What a coincidence.
No—come to think of it, this whole affair had been orchestrated by Qi Yuan.
He sat back down in his round-backed armchair and asked in a low voice, “And then?”
Xu Tongzhou swallowed nervously and lowered his voice: “Your Highness, I heard that on the day Jing Wang was attending the opera at the Xiang residence, he captured an assassin.”
That so-called “assassin” must have been the one who smuggled away the roster.
Qi Wang’s expression changed several times, his tone growing more and more volatile: “So you mean to say, after everything, the evidence for the canal corruption case ended up in Xiao Yunting’s hands?!”
This time, not only did Xu Tongzhou drop to his knees, but the surrounding eunuchs, including Eunuch Xu, all knelt down together.
Xu Tongzhou, nearly unable to breathe, slammed his head to the ground several times in panic. The sound was so loud that even Eunuch Xu beside him couldn’t help but suck in a breath.
But he didn’t feel the man was overreacting.
It didn’t matter how many people died in the canal corruption case—but that roster absolutely must not fall into Xiao Yunting’s hands.
Because the silver recorded in that roster ultimately flowed into Qi Wang’s own coffers.
But the naval commander of Zhejiang had been a cunning man. He even guarded against Qi Wang. He’d hidden the roster so well that not even a hint had ever surfaced.
It was only because Xiao Yunting’s investigation into the canal corruption was so ruthless, the number of people he executed so great, that it eventually reached the naval commander himself.
With disaster at his door, the man had tried to use the roster to negotiate for protection from Qi Wang.
Qi Wang responded swiftly—he had the man killed on the road, claiming he had committed suicide out of guilt.
Then he dispatched people to search thoroughly for the ledger.
But who would’ve thought the roster would end up in Xiao Yunting’s hands anyway…
“Enough!” Qi Wang growled impatiently. “What’s the point of groveling now? Even if you drop dead right this second, it won’t bring that roster back!”
Xu Tongzhou lifted his head—his forehead now bloody.
Qi Wang closed his eyes and asked, “Where is Xiao Yunting now?”
Two guards immediately stepped from the shadows, bowed, and said quietly, “Last night, Jing Wang left the city unexpectedly. We don’t know where he went.”
Leaving the city now, and without notice?
What pressing matter could he possibly have?
Qi Wang fell into thought, his gaze dropping as he asked again, “Where is that man being held?”
Xu Tongzhou quickly realized what Qi Wang meant and replied at once, “Your Highness, he was delivered to the Dali Temple prison.”
Dali Temple…
Qi Wang gave a low sound of acknowledgment and looked at Xu Tongzhou: “You still have a chance to redeem yourself.”
He laid it out bluntly: “If that roster really ends up in Xiao Yunting’s hands, all of you will die before I do. Do you understand?!”
Everyone quickly responded in agreement.
Once Xu Tongzhou had left, Qi Wang suddenly called out, “Daban!”
Eunuch Xu startled and hurried forward: “Yes, Your Highness. I am here.”
The personal eunuchs serving royal sons and princes usually accompanied them from childhood. They were different from common eunuchs.
Generally, a prince would address them as “Daban”
But Qi Wang hadn’t called him that in a long time, so the title caught him off guard.
He lowered his head slightly, waiting for instructions.
After a long pause, Qi Wang finally said slowly, “Daban, have someone deliver a message to Han Yue’e on my behalf.”
Eunuch Xu immediately agreed.
At daybreak, the sky just starting to lighten, Han Yue’e wrapped herself in a cloak and entered Qi Yunting’s courtyard.
Qi Yunting was still lying face-down on the bed. His injuries were severe and extremely painful, so he had no choice but to rest this way.
Because of the pain, his temper had become particularly foul, and for days now, he’d wake up cursing.
When Han Yue’e arrived, she could already hear him cursing inside.
All the servants in the courtyard were silent as mice, terrified of drawing his attention.
She walked in with a chuckle. “Is your wound still hurting badly, Big Brother? I hadn’t even stepped inside, and I already heard you scolding everyone.”
When Qi Yunting looked up and saw Han Yue’e, his expression softened quite a bit.
He tugged uncomfortably at his blanket to cover himself. “Why are you here?”
Han Yue’e dabbed her eye with a handkerchief. “You still have the nerve to ask? I came to ask you—why didn’t Ah Jin come back with you?”
At the mention of Qi Jin, Qi Yunting’s face changed instantly.
He gritted his teeth, remembering the fury in Qi Zhen’s eyes that day, and Madam Wang’s pleading. He shook his head violently.
Han Yue’e watched his expression and said tearfully, “I don’t even know what’s going on. I asked Aunt Madam Wang, and all she said was not to get involved. She said Ah Jin fell seriously ill and won’t be coming back.”
“Won’t be coming back”—those words pierced Qi Yunting’s heart like a knife.
He muttered in despair, “It’s all my fault. I couldn’t protect her.”
Han Yue’e’s eyes turned red. “Big Brother, what really happened? We were all fine before. Why did everything fall apart the moment Eldest Sister came back?”
“Eldest Sister?” Qi Yunting repeated coldly, his expression suddenly vicious. “What eldest sister? Who the h*ll is that supposed to be?!”
That wretched woman Qi Yuan—this was all her doing.
That jinx! That scourge!
Han Yue’e looked startled. “Big Brother, don’t talk nonsense! Uncle and Aunt already made it official. Even Old Marquis and the Old Madam came back to host the recognition ceremony. Of course she’s our eldest sister!”
Qi Yuan!
Qi Yuan!
Ah Jin’s life or death was uncertain, and she had been abandoned by the family. She’d lost even the chance of being a noble daughter—her very life was hanging by a thread!
And yet Qi Yuan got to have a grand recognition banquet, with even their grandparents attending to preside over it!
Why?
What had she done to deserve that?
Qi Yunting slammed his fist into the bed and let out a twisted laugh full of hatred. “I won’t let her get away with this!”
Han Yue’e seemed frightened. She stood up uneasily. “Brother! This is a family matter. Sister Yuan is the eldest now—don’t do anything reckless!”
She frowned. “Besides, the invitations have already been sent out. I even heard that the Eldest Princess will attend in person. Just think how glorious Sister Yuan’s future will be in the capital. No matter what you do, you won’t be able to change the family’s decision.”
Qi Yunting let out a cold laugh through gritted teeth.
Can’t be changed?
Then let’s see—let’s see if it really can’t be changed.
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