The fire in the ancestral hall stirred up such a commotion that more than half the guests in the front courtyard felt compelled to help put it out.
After all, they were guests in someone else’s home—just sitting idly by in the face of such chaos didn’t feel right.
How could the Old Marquis and Qi Zhen possibly let them go?
They hurried to stop the guests, assuring them that the City Patrol and the Five-City Garrison had already been called and would soon bring the fire under control.
And in fact, they were right—because not long after, those very forces did work together to put out the blaze.
The Old Marquis and Qi Zhen both breathed a sigh of relief.
The old man immediately asked, “What’s the damage? Are the ancestral tablets safe?”
If anything had happened to them, it would be a truly ominous sign.
Qi Zhen quickly invited the commander from the Five-City Garrison to come in. But as soon as Lord Yuan entered, he said, “Marquis, this fire—this fire wasn’t accidental.”
…
What did that mean?
Both the Old Marquis and Qi Zhen were stunned, eyes full of shock and uncertainty. “My lord, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying this fire was deliberately set.” Lord Yuan cupped his hands. “After extinguishing it, we inspected the area and found fire stones near the charred corridor posts, along with clear traces of fire oil.”
Fire oil!
That meant this wasn’t an accident—it was arson.
The Old Marquis was so furious he nearly stammered.
This was a major incident—one that could affect the family’s future and reputation. Who would dare set fire to the ancestral hall?
Qi Zhen’s expression turned grim.
This had happened while so many guests were present. He couldn’t help but consider something even worse— Could someone with a grudge against the Qi family have chosen today, of all days, to set this fire deliberately?
And if that were true, could their intention have gone beyond just arson—could they have been targeting the guests?
Among the guests… there was a truly noble one—Her Highness, the Eldest Princess!
Qi Zhen’s scalp tingled with cold sweat. He quickly thanked Lord Yuan and turned to the Old Marquis. “Father, this matter…”
The Old Marquis was thinking even further ahead than his son. He snapped, face grim, “Investigate! With so many guests and dignitaries in our home, we cannot afford even the hint of negligence!”
If something truly had happened, then the truth had to come to light.
Qi Zhen immediately agreed and had Liu Zhong summoned to begin the investigation.
At the lakeside pavilion, the Eldest Princess turned her head slightly and looked at Qi Yuan. “Did you already know this was going to happen?”
Qi Yuan smiled faintly. “Your Highness, I’m no omniscient being. How could I foresee the future?”
“Oh?” The Princess responded ambiguously. “Then tell me—if you’ve never met me, nor been to Baiyun Mountain, how did you know I was there with Jiang Momo? And how did you manage to send Yunting to find me?”
Qi Yuan was silent for a moment. “Your Highness, may I explain it to you another time?”
For some reason, her expression reminded the Eldest Princess of a certain cat she kept at her mountain temple.
She asked no further.
Meanwhile, Han Yue’e squinted at how familiar Qi Yuan seemed with the Eldest Princess, and suspicion brewed in her heart.
Qi Yuan really was close with Her Highness.
Just what was her background?
What exactly had she done in those ten years out in the countryside?
Even Qi Wang seemed deeply interested in her—he had asked several times about her.
While she was lost in thought, someone from Stewardess Gao arrived in haste to report to Madam Wang, “Madam, the fire’s out—it’s all under control now!”
Thank heavens!
Madam Wang pressed her palms together in prayer and, with forced composure, respectfully invited the Eldest Princess to the front courtyard to enjoy the opera.
But the Eldest Princess looked gently at Qi Yuan and lightly patted her on the head. “Never mind. I haven’t listened to an opera in more than a decade. I no longer find it interesting. Coming here today and meeting this girl—that’s enough.”
She was saying she would be taking her leave.
Madam Lu pursed her lips—she felt the Eldest Princess had already given this girl far too much favor. What made her so special?
Han Yue’e frowned slightly.
With such a fire breaking out, how was the Eldest Princess not even slightly suspicious of Qi Yuan bringing misfortune?
Just then, Liu Zhong’s wife entered quietly and said to Madam Wang, “Madam, the Marquis has requested that the Young Miss and Miss Han both come over.”
What?
Madam Wang was momentarily stunned and looked at Han Yue’e in surprise.
Han Yue’e was equally puzzled.
What could the matter be that required the two of them?
Madam Wang didn’t yet know what was going on and frowned. “Did they say what it’s about?”
Could it be another old comrade of Han Yue’e’s father wanting to visit?
Qi Yuan was leaning on the railing, gazing coldly at Han Yue’e.
The situation was so chaotic that even Madam Wang, as the household matron, could barely hold things together. She sighed deeply and could only squeeze out a smile. “Fine. If that’s the case, then go.”
She called over both girls.
Han Yue’e still had a bad feeling.
A fire this large—shouldn’t Qi Zhen be busy evacuating guests and inspecting the damage to the ancestral hall?
Why would he want to see her right now?
She looked at Qi Yuan and saw her already walking ahead, so she could only force a smile and follow.
The two walked together out of the pavilion.
Madam Wang turned her attention back to trying to keep the Eldest Princess from leaving.
On the way, Han Yue’e had no interest in exchanging pleasantries with Qi Yuan. In her view, Qi Yuan probably didn’t even know as much as she did—so why bother?
But as they approached the ancestral hall gates, her heart suddenly sank.
Because she saw Qingsong kneeling on the ground, drenched in sweat, bound tightly, and thrown at the threshold. Right next to him stood Liu Zhong, holding a lit torch.
A torch—in broad daylight?
Nothing about this looked right.
She couldn’t help calling out, “Uncle!”
Qi Zhen turned around, his expression full of loathing—the kind that would be seared into her memory for life.
She instinctively stepped back, completely at a loss.
Qi Zhen had always been a kindly elder to her. Even when he disciplined Qi Yunting and the others, he had never once raised his hand to her.
But now, to see him look at her this way—it was the first time.
She choked up. “Uncle?”
“What’s the story behind the fire in the ancestral hall today?” Qi Zhen stared at her with a face devoid of emotion, his voice as cold as ice.
The Old Marquis beside him said nothing the entire time.
Terrified, Han Yue’e waved her hands frantically. “Uncle, I—I don’t know why the ancestral hall caught fire! Why… why would you ask me that? I don’t know…”
Qi Zhen let out a cold laugh. “Really? Then why did Qingsong say you ordered him to set the fire?!”
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