The faint fragrance of oranges still lingered in the air around them. Not far away, a warming brazier used for drying clothes gave off gentle waves of heat.
At this moment, Xiao Yunting felt completely relaxed.
It was utterly different from the suffocating anger, resentment, and unwillingness he felt whenever he was in the Crown Prince’s presence.
Qi Yuan looked at him seriously.
After a moment’s thought, she understood why he had said those words.
The Crown Prince truly was not a normal father.
In fact, he could hardly be considered a normal human being.
Although Ren Ming had taken full responsibility for everything and stubbornly insisted that he had only listened to Li Changqing’s temptations because he wanted to extend his own life, setting up this elaborate scheme solely for himself,
Ren Ming was still in the prime of life.
Back then, he had even dug Emperor Yongchang out of the ruins with his bare hands.
Why would someone like him need to go to such extraordinary lengths to prolong his lifespan?
Especially by using such a method.
As the thought crossed her mind, Qi Yuan narrowed her eyes.
Suddenly, an idea surfaced in her mind.
Li Changqing had been one of Qi Wang’s people, as well as a follower of Noble Consort Xiao Liu.
Would he really have been so kind as to provide such a method to help the Crown Prince extend his life?
Or perhaps…
Perhaps this scheme had originally been devised by Noble Consort Xiao Liu, the Liu family, and Qi Wang as a trap for the Crown Prince.
All they had needed was the right opportunity to expose it and bring him down in one stroke.
That was entirely possible.
After all, such a thing was simply too shocking.
Murdering people to steal years from their lives was something neither the common people nor the officials would ever accept.
But now the Liu family had fallen.
Qi Wang was dead.
Li Changqing had lost everything.
Whatever the truth had been, it had become an eternal secret.
The room fell silent.
Knowing how angry and unsettled Xiao Yunting was, Qi Yuan paused before speaking. “Very well. Then once you’ve finished dealing with the Lu family’s case, we’ll get married.”
Xiao Yunting pulled her into his arms.
Only then did he let out a deep sigh of relief.
After a long while, he spoke softly. “Yuanyuan, I will never become like him.”
“In this lifetime, I will remain loyal to you.”
“If one day I ever change, you must kill me.”
He would rather die than betray Qi Yuan.
His heartbeat was steady and powerful.
Leaning against his chest, Qi Yuan slowly wrapped her arms around him and replied quietly, “That’s right. You’ll never become like him.”
She lifted her eyes to look at him.
His brows were sharp, his eyes bright as stars.
There was even the faint glimmer of moisture in them.
As if guided by some unseen impulse, she tilted her head slightly and gently pecked him on the eye.
Xiao Yunting froze for a moment.
Then he immediately seized the initiative, pulling her tightly into his arms.
Just as he was about to kiss her lips… a loud cough suddenly sounded from behind the folding screen.
Qi Zhen was utterly exasperated.
What was this supposed to be?
Sneaking in through windows was one thing.
But before they were even formally married, openly courting his daughter like this was absolutely unacceptable!
Xiao Yunting sighed helplessly and, with obvious reluctance, released Qi Yuan.
Qi Yuan couldn’t help laughing.
Then Qi Zhen stepped out from behind the screen.
A father-in-law rarely viewed his future son-in-law favorably.
Granted, this son-in-law was different from ordinary men, his status was extraordinary.
But his daughter wasn’t an ordinary girl either!
Naturally, he had to stand up for her and ensure she received every bit of respect she deserved.
After taking a seat, he asked: “Your Highness, given your current situation, I’m afraid it won’t be possible to discuss a wedding anytime soon, will it?”
The question was originally meant to protect Qi Yuan’s interests.
Xiao Yunting nodded sincerely before explaining: “However, now that the Ren family has completely lost its reputation and credibility, clearing the Lu family’s name will no longer be particularly difficult.”
Qi Zhen wasn’t so optimistic.
He glanced at Qi Yuan. “Old Master Lu has been missing for over a month now, hasn’t he? If he were still alive, he would have found some way to send word back. Even if circumstances made it difficult, after so much time he should have figured out a method.”
The implication was clear.
The chances were that Old Master Lu had already met with disaster.
And if he were dead, the trail would end there.
Qi Yuan frowned and recounted what had happened when Zhao Xing had been captured.
Softly, she said: “Originally, they only needed to kill Wen Mingfeng. At first, that seemed to be exactly what they intended. But after we discovered Rouge Alley, their actions no longer matched that objective. They even dispatched another group of people to continue searching for Wen Mingfeng…”
Xiao Yunting met her gaze.
Instantly, both understood what the other was thinking.
Exactly.
Duke Cheng’s household had also been acting on behalf of the Crown Prince and had taken direct action.
Could Duke Cheng’s estate be the one that framed Old Master Lu?
If so, then Wen Mingfeng, as both an illegitimate son and one personally cultivated by the Crown Prince within Duke Cheng’s household, might possess crucial evidence.
The more Xiao Yunting thought about it, the more excited he became. “I understand now!”
He abruptly rose to his feet. “I will uncover the truth no matter what. Yuanyuan, I’m going to the Northwest.”
He had to find Old Master Lu.
Something was wrong with the flow of information from the Northwest.
So many people had been sent out, yet not a single useful report had returned.
That was far too strange.
Unless someone was deliberately blocking all channels of communication.
Which meant that Old Master Lu might still be alive.
Just as he was preparing to leave, Qi Yuan immediately said: “Don’t worry. Leave Wen Mingfeng’s side of things to me.”
“Whether he’s hiding evidence or not, I’ll find it even if I have to dig three feet into the ground.”
Xiao Yunting suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
Qi Zhen immediately rolled his eyes.
Wonderful.
So this future father-in-law simply didn’t exist, did he?
Could these two not see him standing right here?!
He promptly got up and physically pulled Qi Yuan away.
Only then did Xiao Yunting realize he had gotten carried away.
He hurriedly apologized to Qi Zhen.
Qi Zhen didn’t dare be too harsh.
After all, this was Emperor Yongchang’s most favored imperial grandson.
Still, he awkwardly maintained the dignity of a future father-in-law.
“My daughter is no ordinary young woman. Everything must be done according to proper etiquette. She absolutely must not be slighted. Your Highness should exercise greater restraint.”
Xiao Yunting smiled and readily agreed.
Then, beaming with happiness, he added: “Please rest assured, Marquis. I regard her as I regard myself. If that day ever comes, there will be no Emperor and Empress, no rule that women of the inner palace may not interfere in government.”
“There will only be two sovereigns ruling together.”
Where was his antique display shelf?!
Qi Zhen completely abandoned his pretense.
D*mn it!
Could an imperial grandson really say something like that?!
If his heart had been even slightly weaker, he would have dropped dead on the spot and gone to meet his ancestors!
Where was his display shelf?!
Qi Zhen could barely stay standing anymore.
Before, he had always joked around.
He wasn’t some ignorant country bumpkin who had never seen the world.
But this time he was serious.
Good heavens!
Wasn’t Xiao Yunting basically saying that if he became Emperor, Qi Yuan would be an Emperor too?!
Those words absolutely must not get out!
Otherwise, the entire Qi family would end up joining their ancestors underground!
He staggered over and grabbed hold of the nearby screen for support, staring at the two of them with extreme vigilance.
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