The destruction of Duke Cheng Manor happened in merely a single night. That very evening, Duke Cheng Manor was raided and confiscated by the Imperial Guards, layer upon layer of seals pasted across it.
Duchess Cheng nearly went mad and finally smashed her head to death against the stone lion in front of Duke Cheng Manor.
For a time, everyone in the capital turned pale at the mere mention of Duke Cheng Manor.
Madam Xiang even fell ill as soon as she returned home.
After hearing the news, Old Madam Qi specifically had Third Madam Qi bring gifts to visit Madam Xiang.
Bringing the gifts along, Third Madam Qi patted her chest and sighed that she truly had foresight, knowing that accompanying Qi Yuan out the door would definitely lead to some major incident, so this time she had not gone along.
Otherwise, this time she would certainly have been frightened to death on the spot!
It was said that Duke Cheng had later grabbed Qi Yuan by the throat on the spot. If His Highness the Imperial Grandson had not arrived in time, Duke Cheng definitely would have snapped Qi Yuan’s neck without mercy.
Although she seriously doubted whether Duke Cheng could actually snap Qi Yuan’s neck.
Still, listening to Second Madam Qi recount what had happened at the time, she could not help breaking into cold sweat.
Upon seeing Madam Xiang, Madam Xiang very sincerely took Third Madam Qi’s hand and apologized: “You still came to visit me. It truly leaves me ashamed to show my face. It was all because we failed in our hospitality that such a huge incident occurred, causing the young masters of your esteemed household to be bitten by dogs and frightened…”
Seeing that Madam Xiang’s complexion was somewhat pale and even her lips were white, Third Madam Qi hurriedly shook her head: “Madam, please don’t say that. Our old madam also said that there are only thieves for a thousand days, never defenses against thieves for a thousand days. Who could possibly have anticipated something like this?”
Madam Xiang coughed twice: “Fortunately Yuan Jie’er was there. If not for her, who knows whether those hunting dogs would have bitten even more people under someone else’s control…”
She paused before letting out a long breath: “Yuan Jie’er was frightened too.”
……
Third Madam Qi practically exhausted all her strength to keep her expression from becoming too obvious.
Whoever might be frightened, their Yuan Jie’er certainly would not be frightened. Madam Xiang was truly worrying too much.
And indeed, that was exactly the case. When Qi Zhen entered the house this time, the very moment he stepped inside, he heard Qi Yuan say: “Although Zhaoxing and the others will never confess, the mastermind behind this matter is without a doubt either the Crown Prince or Nanan County Prince, Xiao Jingzhao.”
The Crown Prince. Xiao Jingzhao.
Hearing these two names, Qi Zhen’s right eyelid twitched.
Immediately afterward, Old Madam Qi spoke with hatred for iron failing to become steel: “What exactly is the Crown Prince thinking? His position is only secure because of the Imperial Grandson, so how could he be so foolish as to do something this stupid and self-destructive?!”
If this had been before, Old Madam Qi absolutely would never have spoken such words so directly.
But in front of Qi Yuan, even speaking like this already counted as overly tactful.
“There’s nothing particularly strange about it.” Qi Yuan saw things very clearly: “Ruler and subject, father and son, people’s jealousy is naturally very strong. In the Crown Prince’s eyes, his son is more capable than he is, and everyone under heaven believes his position as heir was preserved because of his son.”
Some people might feel fortunate, thankful that they had a favored and outstanding son.
But some people would feel their self-esteem wounded instead.
Still, someone reaching the Crown Prince’s level while behaving like this was definitely rare.
Old Marquis Qi, who had not spoken much before, said: “This matter is different from any previous incident. Yuan Jie’er, you must be prepared.”
The Crown Prince’s identity was special. He was the heir apparent of an entire nation, with countless eyes focused on him.
At the same time, he was Xiao Yunting’s biological father, bound by blood.
If the Crown Prince’s evil deeds were exposed, then as his biological son, could Xiao Yunting really gain any advantage in terms of morality and propriety?
Outside the room, Qi Zhen also sighed.
Old Madam Qi looked deeply worried: “Exactly, Yuan Jie’er. One hesitates to act for fear of harming what one cherishes…”
Qi Yuan coldly raised her brows: “There’s nothing to hesitate about. Just because his scandals cannot be exposed does not mean there are no other methods.”
Old Marquis Qi and Old Madam Qi exchanged a glance, both suddenly feeling an ominous premonition.
Old Madam Qi could not help asking: “You mean…”
“If he doesn’t want to live anymore, then he can die.” Qi Yuan did not even twitch a brow, as though she were not saying anything significant at all: “I don’t mind.”
Qi Zhen staggered two steps and grabbed hold of the display shelf beside him.
The display shelf itself nearly toppled over!
Unable to help himself, he cursed inwardly and decided that afterward, no matter what, he absolutely had to have this display shelf reinforced sturdily.
The room had fallen silent, so the commotion from his side became especially obvious.
Old Madam Qi and Old Marquis Qi had originally still been immersed in shock. Hearing the noise, they looked over and saw Qi Zhen coming around the display shelf with a stunned expression, and both simultaneously snorted.
So rash and unable to keep calm at all!
Qi Zhen did not even need to think to know what his parents’ current mentality was.
He could not help feeling wronged.
No matter who it was, anyone saddled with a daughter like this would be unable to bear it!
Ever since Qi Yuan returned to the capital, he had not had a single peaceful day.
People died every few days.
Before, it had still been manageable, people died one by one.
Now it was even more outrageous. Entire groups were dying together.
Groups dying together would have been one thing. Killing Cheng Wang and Qi Wang would have been one thing.
But the most terrifying part was that, judging from Qi Yuan’s tone now, she even wanted to kill the Crown Prince!
With a bitter face, in this short span of time, he had already even thought about where he wanted to be buried after death.
The Crown Prince was different from Qi Wang.
Although Qi Wang had once been favored, he had ultimately only been a prince, and back then he had not yet held office, so he possessed no real power.
But although the Crown Prince was sickly, he had already been Crown Prince for several decades!
Although Emperor Yongchang scolded him all day long, he still possessed an entire faction that had followed him ever since he became heir apparent!
That faction was all political capital for the Crown Prince.
Moreover, during Emperor Yongchang’s several inspection tours to Jiangnan, the Crown Prince had always been responsible for overseeing the nation in his stead.
Everyone had always underestimated the Crown Prince, but ultimately that was because his health had always been poor, making him seem as though he might die at any moment.
But who knew whether this was actually the Crown Prince’s method of survival?
After all, despite looking half-deadly ill, he had continued living all this time while looking half-deadly ill.
Qi Zhen could not help clearing his throat as he looked at Qi Yuan: “Yuan Jie’er, this matter is not as simple as you think.”
Thinking of this, Qi Zhen sighed, wanting to explain all these court dynamics to Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan turned her head and stared at him. Without refuting him, she merely asked in return: “Is it because of Heaven, Earth, ruler, parents, and teacher? To the Imperial Grandson, he is both father and sovereign father, and therefore cannot be touched?”
That did indeed seem to be the reasoning.
Qi Zhen subconsciously nodded.
Old Marquis Qi looked as though he wanted to speak but stopped himself.
Old Madam Qi, meanwhile, let out a long breath: “Yuan Jie’er, we can discuss this matter over the long term. It hasn’t reached that point yet.”
Originally, this was not the sort of matter that needed to be rushed anyway.
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