More and more people gathered to watch. Amid the crowd, Qi Wang even spotted a few familiar faces—servants from Wu Wang’s and Zhou Wang’s residences.
This farce couldn’t be allowed to continue. He could only coldly say, “If there is something to discuss, why doesn’t Yongping Marquis come inside this prince’s residence and explain it clearly?”
He should have asked Qi Zhen to come inside in the first place, though Qi Zhen likely wouldn’t have agreed anyway.
Now things were really spiraling out of control.
Sure enough, Qi Zhen gave a cold snort and mocked, “Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare! I only came to tell Your Highness that this girl harbors deep affection for you and reports everything without holding back! She even informs Your Highness of how many meals are eaten in my household each day and what snacks we’re served. This official is terrified!”
The onlookers instantly erupted.
Wow, this Han Yue’e really crossed the line!
Does she have that little trust in the Qi family? Reporting to her lover even about trivial things like daily meals? That’s just disgusting!
Han Yue’e could barely hold herself together.
She never imagined that Qi Zhen would choose this method to respond to Qi Wang’s secret scheming.
It was… It was practically a public slap to Qi Wang’s face! And a slap that left no retreat, no room for negotiation—pure provocation.
Qi Wang saw it too.
Qi Zhen’s words were cunning, sharp, and vicious!
He was clearly implying that Qi Wang had planted spies in the Qi household, watching their every move.
If this got out, how would others take it?
What would his brothers think? What would the Emperor think?
Everyone would assume he was wildly ambitious—planting eyes and ears in a minister’s household.
It was a vile move. Every court official has secrets they don’t want exposed—if every prince acted like this, inserting informants into their homes, wouldn’t it mean there was no privacy at all? Everything under the eyes of Qi Wang?
Excellent. Just excellent.
Qi Zhen was truly ruthless. Absolutely no mercy!
Qi Wang glared at Qi Zhen coldly and demanded, “Yongping Marquis, you’d best have proof for what you’re saying! Otherwise, it’s slander against a royal prince—you know how serious a charge that is!”
Qi Zhen, unflinching, stared him down and replied sternly, “What kind of proof does Your Highness want?! The letters Han Yue’e sent you to inform you that my daughter was gravely ill and moved out of the estate? Or proof that Han Yue’e attempted to burn down my family’s ancestral shrine and drive away my eldest daughter?!”
The atmosphere between them was so tense it looked like a fight could break out at any moment.
The onlookers were thrilled, practically wishing for a fight.
Luckily, Qi Zhen took a step back, gave a cupped-fist salute toward Qi Wang, and said, “Since Your Highness is so fond of this girl, and since she is also devoted to Your Highness, then our Yongping Marquisate will grant your wish. As of today, she is returned to you! From now on, anything concerning her has nothing to do with our Yongping household!”
With that, Qi Zhen turned and left with his men.
Lord Yuan of the Five City Patrol rubbed his nose awkwardly—dead embarrassed.
Qi Zhen may have left, but he, the one in charge of law enforcement and public order in the capital, was left to deal with the mess.
He cursed inwardly, but on the surface had to start dispersing the crowd.
But would the crowd leave?
Of course not! This drama wasn’t over!
Yongping Marquis had delivered the girl to the Prince—now what would he do with her?
If he was so fond of her, he’d better show it!
Han Yue’e was frozen to the bone, her eyes red as she looked pleadingly at Qi Wang—pitiful and delicate.
Qi Wang, on the other hand, looked murderous. He glanced at Han Yue’e with gritted teeth.
Qi Zhen had tossed her at his doorstep in front of half the capital, and publicly declared their secret affair—if he didn’t take her in now, the rumors alone would bury him.
By tomorrow, the imperial censors would be spitting their lungs out in court.
But even if she entered his residence, she couldn’t come to harm.
If she died, the entire world would think he seduced her, then silenced her.
D*mned vile!
Yongping Marquis was d*mned lacking in virtue!
Not wanting to look at her another second, Qi Wang turned and stormed back into the manor.
Eunuch Xu gave Jinbao a look, and Jinbao immediately arranged for Han Yue’e, Lian’er, and the others to be brought inside.
Then he went to speak with Lord Yuan and ordered the gates shut tight.
Han Yue’e, on the verge of tears, red-eyed, timidly asked Jinbao after entering the residence, “Gonggong… I wonder what His Highness…”
Plans for her?
She knew all too well what the Prince was like.
To him, a pawn was only useful as long as it had value. Once useless, it would be discarded.
And now, she was no longer useful.
Jinbao gave a hollow smile and said blandly, “Miss, people like us don’t get to know what His Highness is thinking. Just wait.”
Han Yue’e’s face went completely pale.
Lian’er was even worse off. At least Han Yue’e had been in the carriage—Lian’er had been forced to run behind it. Her shoes were worn through, and her heels were covered in blood blisters.
Seeing her mistress so distraught, Lian’er quickly comforted her: “Don’t be afraid, Miss. His Highness will surely take good care of you.”
Yes, they’d risked so much because of his promises.
Whether it was spying on the Qi family or trying to win over Qi Jin’s favor, they had done it all.
Han Yue’e gave a bitter smile. She knew exactly what she was worth to Qi Wang.
Her mission had failed—and worse, their connection had been exposed early, plunging Qi Wang into scandal. He would not be pleased.
If she had any remaining value, it could only be related to Qi Yuan…
Just then, Jinbao returned and gave her a quick once-over. “Miss Han, come with me. His Highness wants to see you.”
Han Yue’e followed him with difficulty to Qi Wang’s study.
Qi Wang was seated at the long desk. Beside him was a large porcelain scroll jar, nearly waist-high, filled with rolled-up scrolls.
When he heard someone enter, he lifted his eyes slightly and asked blandly, “What’s going on?”
Han Yue’e wanted to cry, but didn’t dare. She bit her lip, calmed her emotions, and finally said, “Your Highness! There’s something wrong with Qi Yuan!”
Qi Wang paused, then replied, “What do you mean?”
Han Yue’e knew this was her only chance. She dared not waste it. Crawling forward on her knees, she knelt before the desk and looked up at him. “Your Highness, Qi Yuan is nothing like the timid and weak girl you described! She returned in glory, with great fanfare!”
