Old Marquis Qi had naturally heard about this matter too.
Mainly because it was impossible not to know.
The story had spread far too widely. At this point, basically anywhere in the city where people gathered to eat, people were discussing it.
It was not just that the restaurants were packed beyond capacity.
Even the storybooks themselves had sold out completely.
The publishing houses had no choice but to print more day and night without rest.
Yet even so, they still could not keep up with demand.
For a time, Ren Zhong had become the subject everyone in the streets and alleys was talking about.
Old Marquis Qi also felt a toothache coming on.
Originally, he had thought that Qi Yuan’s scheme, having the Eldest Princess enter the palace so Emperor Yongchang cut off the Eastern Palace’s contact with the outside world, would allow Xiao Yunting to smoothly investigate the Lu family matter.
But now, how was that investigation supposed to continue?
The city was in uproar. Everyone was speaking up for Ren Zhong and demanding severe punishment for the Lu family.
Even Xiao Yunting’s reputation had begun to suffer.
Unable to help himself, he cursed as well. “Exactly so. This must have been arranged by the Crown Prince…”
The more Ren Zhong was elevated, the more the Lu family would be degraded.
At that moment, Qi Zhen suddenly spotted Qi Yuan and immediately burst out indignantly, “Yuan Jie’er! Tell me, who exactly is so utterly shameless and vicious…”
Qi Yuan’s expression did not change as she replied, “It was me.”
The words Qi Zhen had been about to spit out instantly lodged in his throat.
Eyes wide, he stared at Qi Yuan, his mind temporarily unable to keep up.
What, had Qi Yuan suddenly fallen out of favor with Xiao Yunting or something?
Otherwise, why had she suddenly reversed the entire direction of public opinion?
Old Marquis Qi’s pupils also trembled in shock as he stared at Qi Yuan in disbelief. “Yuan Jie’er, what are you…?”
Qi Yuan let out a light laugh. “Didn’t he use a coffin to gain fame and make all the civil officials stand on his side?”
Yes…
Old Marquis Qi and Qi Zhen exchanged glances.
But what did that have to do with Qi Yuan writing storybooks to praise Ren Zhong?
Had she gone mad from anger?
Qi Yuan laughed softly. “Doesn’t he want fame? Then I’ll give it to him. The only question is whether the title ‘famous minister through the ages’ is too heavy for him to bear, and whether his fate is as sturdy as Wuhou’s or Wei Zheng’s.”
A flash of understanding suddenly crossed Qi Zhen’s mind. He felt as though he had vaguely grasped something.
Over the following days, the storybooks praising Ren Zhong continued selling out everywhere outside the palace.
And the voices praising Ren Zhong only grew louder and louder.
Some people had even begun proposing the construction of a living shrine for Ren Zhong.
When Qi Yuan heard this news, she genuinely burst out laughing.
Smiling at Old Marquis Qi, she asked, “Grandfather, have you heard?”
Old Marquis Qi understood instantly.
A living shrine!
Zhuge Wuhou indeed had the Wuhou Shrine, and the incense offerings there were so prosperous they even surpassed those offered to Liu Bei.
But Ren Zhong might be willing to become Wuhou, would Emperor Yongchang be willing to become a forgotten Liu Bei after death?
He suddenly understood everything, and his scalp prickled with horror.
Before, he had always thought Qi Yuan’s way of killing people was terrifying.
Now he realized that when Qi Yuan did not kill people directly, she was even more frightening.
Because her move not only repaid someone in their own coin, it was even more terrifying than Ren Zhong carrying a coffin and committing suicide.
Qi Yuan paid no attention to Old Marquis Qi’s reaction. She stood up.
Old Marquis Qi hurried after her, steadying himself against the curio shelf as he swallowed hard. “Yuan Jie’er, what are you going to do now?”
He suddenly remembered that the last time Qi Yuan went out, it had probably been to arrange for the storybook to be written.
Then what about this time?
Qi Yuan raised her brows and smiled lightly. “The net has already been spread almost completely. It’s about time to reel it in.”
Reel it in?
Old Marquis Qi’s gaze trembled. Narrowing his eyes, he released the curio shelf and stepped forward. “Is there anything you need my help with?”
Qi Yuan shook her head. “No need. Though if Grandfather has nothing to do this afternoon, you could go watch the excitement.”
Watch the excitement?
What excitement?
Old Marquis Qi could not help wondering, could it be that people were really going to build Ren Zhong a living shrine?
But he soon realized he had worried unnecessarily.
Because compared to what was coming, a living shrine was nothing at all.
Qi Yuan went to see Xie Ying.
Xie Ying was currently seated on the second floor of Baoding Tower, watching the storyteller downstairs passionately narrate the tale, his eyes carrying a trace of deeper meaning.
Hearing the door open, he turned and glanced at Qi Yuan before quickly standing. “Miss Qi.”
He knew Qi Yuan was intelligent.
He also knew Qi Yuan knew martial arts.
Madam Xie had already mentioned these countless times before.
But Xie Ying had never realized that a person could manipulate human hearts to such an extent.
He began to feel a measure of fear toward Qi Yuan.
Yet this fear was not a bad thing, because when dealing with others, one should always maintain a sense of awe.
Never underestimate anyone.
Listening to the thunderous waves of cheers and curses rising from below, Qi Yuan gave a soft acknowledgment and smiled. “Young Master Xie truly possesses extraordinary literary talent. You managed to write a Records of Famous Ministers with all the twists and tension of a grand historical romance, gripping people’s hearts.”
Xie Ying wiped sweat from his forehead. “You overpraise me. Much of this also depended on people adding fuel to the flames. Otherwise, no matter how well it was written, it could never have spread this far in such a short time.”
Qi Yuan never liked leaving others to speculate vaguely. She spoke directly. “It wasn’t me. I only had you write the storybook and only arranged for Baoding Tower to hire a famous storyteller. As for adding fuel to the flames, that was entirely the Ren family’s doing.”
Ren Zhong had always craved fame. Once he died, the Ren family naturally wanted to maximize the benefits.
Since people had suddenly begun praising Ren Zhong’s deeds, of course they would help spread his reputation even further.
Otherwise, would Ren Zhong not have died for nothing?
If Ren Zhong truly became famous throughout the land and was elevated into a “famous minister through the ages,” then the Ren family would likewise gain endless benefits.
Who did not desire eternal fame?
Xie Ying knew Qi Yuan was speaking the truth. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Then now that matters have reached this point… has Miss Qi achieved the goal she wanted?”
Originally, he had assumed that once Ren Zhong’s reputation grew too great, opposing voices would eventually appear.
But unexpectedly, none had.
In that case, writing this storybook had genuinely ended up benefiting Ren Zhong and the Ren family.
Didn’t this mean Qi Yuan had actually done Xiao Yunting a disservice?
He was deeply worried.
But Qi Yuan smiled. “One final step remains before the goal is achieved. I wonder whether Young Master Xie is willing to help all the way through, to help someone to the end and see Buddha escorted all the way west?”
Xie Ying stared at Qi Yuan for a moment before bowing deeply. “Miss Qi need only give the order. I will certainly do my utmost.”
They had already come this far. Naturally, the final step had to be completed as well.
Xie Ying was not doing this only for Qi Yuan, but also for Xiao Yunting.
His gaze was resolute.
Qi Yuan smiled faintly. “Young Master Xie needn’t look as though he’s facing a great enemy. In truth, it’s not such a major matter.”
She leaned slightly closer and lowered her voice, speaking a few quiet sentences.
Xie Ying nearly collapsed onto the floor.
“Not such a major matter”?!
If this wasn’t a major matter, then what counted as one?
Rebellion?!
Miss Qi truly was someone who handled earth-shaking affairs!
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