In truth, the moment Xiao Yunting spoke those words, the fate of the Duke Cheng’s household was already sealed.
Everyone knew how highly Emperor Yongchang valued this grandson. Once Duke Cheng’s household became tainted with suspicion of plotting against the Crown Prince’s heir, how could they possibly escape unscathed?
Besides, there was hardly anyone left in the Duke Cheng’s household anymore.
Just now, Duke Cheng had vomited blood and fainted, then been taken away by the Imperial Guards. Whether he was alive or dead was still unknown.
But anyone could imagine what awaited him after entering the Imperial Guard headquarters. Even if he did not die, his end would certainly not be a good one.
Not to mention now that he had also been saddled with the charge of attempting to murder the Crown Prince’s heir.
Anyone wearing that charge would die.
Master Xiang mentally reviewed the entire incident and immediately straightened his back. There was no need to mention the relationship between the Xiang family and the Qi family. Just this time alone, with the Crown Prince’s heir having spoken those words, all fault now rested with the Duke Cheng’s household.
He instantly cupped his hands respectfully and bowed. “Your Highness is correct. This subject will certainly report the matter in detail to the Shuntian Prefecture and the Court of Judicial Review and have them investigate thoroughly!”
Xiao Yunting nodded carelessly, then raised a hand to dismiss everyone. “Enough. All of you have suffered a fright. Disperse for now.”
Most of the crowd was still immersed in the immense shock from earlier. Even after retreating outside, they could not help exchanging glances.
Only Second Madam Qi understood clearly that this matter definitely had something to do with Yuan Jie’er.
Falling behind at the end, she softly called out, “Yuan Jie’er?”
Qi Yuan smiled reassuringly at her. “It’s fine, Second Aunt. Things are more or less finished now. Please go keep an eye on Jialang and Yunzheng first. Once I settle things here, we’ll head home.”
……
So this matter still was not over?
Second Madam Qi swallowed nervously. At first she had still been somewhat worried, but then she thought about how Duke Cheng was already half-dead. What more waves could the others possibly stir up?
She immediately nodded. “Alright. Then be careful yourself. I’ll go accompany Jialang and Yunzheng first.”
Once she left, Qi Yuan turned to look at Xiao Yunting. “Didn’t something major happen with the Lu family? How do you still have time to come here?”
The moment she asked that, she noticed several sneaky heads peeking over the wall and instantly understood, it had to have been Liujin and Babao who had sent word.
At once both amused and exasperated, she said, “I could’ve handled this myself.”
A trace of a smile appeared on Xiao Yunting’s face as he reached out and gently stroked her hair. “I know you could have handled it perfectly well yourself. But I cannot stand by and do nothing when I see you in danger.”
After a pause, he said softly, “When someone falls in love, they always want to do more for the other person, and then even more. I’m no exception.”
Liujin let out a long breath.
Ahhh, His Highness had finally improved!
That’s exactly how it should be. Sweet words don’t cost money, he should keep saying them!
Babao was even more excited. If he had grown another tail at that moment, he would have looked no different from Ah Huang. “See? What did I say? What’s the point of us helping by ourselves? In a situation like this, His Highness absolutely has to appear as the hero saving the beauty!”
Otherwise, how would His Highness and Miss Qi’s relationship deepen?
How would Miss Qi know how much His Highness cared about her?
Both of them were the type who were capable but didn’t like talking.
See? This was exactly when people like them showed their importance!
Without them, how would His Highness ever win the beauty’s heart?
Sincerity was always the thing most capable of moving people.
Xiao Yunting reached out and wrapped her in his arms, sighing softly. “Yuanyuan, even if I do nothing else and simply stand here, I still want to stand properly where I can see you, and where you can see me too.”
Qi Yuan coughed lightly, her cheeks uncontrollably heating up.
She thought her face must already have turned completely red. She also wrapped an arm around Xiao Yunting’s waist and leaned against him as she softly asked, “What happened in the palace?”
She knew the Crown Prince had always disliked Xiao Yunting and Crown Princess Lu.
Over the years, more than half the suffering endured by Crown Princess Lu and Xiao Yunting had been caused by the Crown Prince.
If this son was useless, the Crown Prince would think him worthless.
But if this son was too capable, the Crown Prince would feel threatened.
A truly arrogant and insecure man.
Utterly contradictory.
This matter involving the Lu family absolutely could not be separated from the Crown Prince and Xiao Jingzhao.
Even if the Crown Prince was not the mastermind, he was at least an accomplice.
No matter which it was, Xiao Yunting certainly would not feel good about it.
Her hand tightened slightly.
Xiao Yunting immediately noticed. He lightly kissed her hair and said in a deep voice, “I knelt before Imperial Grandfather all night. Imperial Grandfather has already agreed to make an exception and let me investigate this case personally, to search for my maternal grandfather.”
Guilt appeared in his eyes. “Yuanyuan, I once said I would marry you after returning from Jiangxi. But now it seems you’ll have to wait a little longer.”
So what?
Qi Yuan did not care much about it. “It’s nothing. I can wait.”
She did not take it seriously. After a moment of silence, she softly said, “It’s just that, since they dared to scheme against the Lu family, they must have made thorough preparations already……”
She raised an eyebrow, suddenly thinking of Duke Cheng.
Duke Cheng had also once come from the Northwestern Army. Could he have been involved in this matter as well?
Otherwise, why would the Crown Prince go to such lengths to use Wen Mingfeng as a chess piece?
The moment the thought surfaced in her mind, she caught sight out of the corner of her eye of the rear courtyard gate being thrown open, and a figure rushing out like lightning.
She immediately yanked Xiao Yunting aside, then lifted a leg and viciously kicked the incoming person flying away.
The person crashed heavily onto the ground, letting out a beast-like howl. Then she raised bloodshot eyes full of hatred and stared fixedly at Qi Yuan, looking as though blood might drip from them. “Qi Yuan! You b*tch! You’ll die horribly! I curse you, you definitely won’t die a good death!”
Xiao Yunting frowned tightly.
But Qi Yuan did not feel offended in the slightest.
She had heard curses like this too many times.
What meaning did they have?
If every curse came true, she would already have died countless times over.
To her, curses were nothing more than the final struggle of losers powerless to do anything else.
With the hint of a smile on her face, she looked at Ling Qiang as she struggled back to her feet and mocked her mercilessly, “Really? Even so, it won’t change the fact that your whole family will still be the first to wait in the King of H*ll’s palace!”
Liujin clicked his tongue atop the wall.
When had Miss Qi ever lost a verbal battle?
She knew best what it meant to stab people in the heart and kick a cripple’s one good leg.
Wasn’t Ling Qiang exactly that cripple right now?
Sure enough, Ling Qiang instantly lunged toward Qi Yuan again like a trapped beast, heedless of everything.
This time, before Qi Yuan could even move, Xiao Yunting had already stepped forward and heavily kicked Ling Qiang in the chest first.
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! :)
