Ch 345: The Plan To Fake Death
Qi Zhen’er looked at the letter, her eyes full of doubt. She reached out to take it, but Du Xiuyuan quickly withdrew it.
“What kind of letter is so powerful that I can’t even look at it?”
Du Xiuyuan knew Qi Zhen’er was suspicious, but he wasn’t in a hurry to explain. He said slowly, “Don’t ask how powerful this letter is. Just know that it can help you get revenge, that it can help you.”
“I want Jiang Youning dead, I want Qi Yuan’er dead. Can this letter do that?” Qi Zhen’er stared at the letter.
“As long as you listen to me, I can help you.”
With a common enemy, they were allies.
Qi Zhen’er looked at Du Xiuyuan and smiled. “You have a grudge against Jiang Youning, and you also want her dead. So, you’re not entirely helping me. I can listen to you, but don’t think you can completely control me.”
Threatened by Chen Tang with her chastity, she didn’t want to be threatened by a second man.
“Good, that’s fine,” Du Xiuyuan nodded.
“Also, the revenge I want isn’t just against Jiang Youning, but also against Chen Tang of the Duke’s Mansion. Do you dare?”
Qi Zhen’er made her demands. She only knew about Du Xiuyuan’s relationship with Jiang Youning, not his dealings with the Duke’s Mansion.
This hit home for Du Xiuyuan. “Why wouldn’t I dare? I’ll help you get revenge, and you’ll help me succeed. The Duke’s Mansion? I don’t even care about them.”
Qi Zhen’er pondered. She didn’t know if Du Xiuyuan currently had the ability, but right now, she desperately wanted revenge.
“Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you!”
“Good, I agree! But I need to see my mother first. She needs to know I’m not dead, otherwise, I’m afraid that when news of my death reaches the Jun Wangfu, she won’t be able to handle it. Besides, if she knows beforehand, she can help me.”
Qi Zhen’er completely dispelled her doubts and decided to cooperate with Du Xiuyuan.
Du Xiuyuan thought for a moment. Letting Concubine Xue know in advance that Qi Zhen’er’s death was fake wouldn’t hurt. “Okay, I’ll arrange a meeting for you. After you return to the Jun Wangfu, don’t forget what I want.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll do what I promised.” Qi Zhen’er didn’t know what Du Xiuyuan wanted the compass for; she just wanted revenge.
In the Jun Wangfu, Concubine Xue was absent, making it much easier for Qi Yuan’er and Second Master Qi to talk. After asking Concubine Lan, and inquiring about the family’s situation, the father and daughter had their first truly heartfelt conversation.
After their conversation, Jiang Youning told Second Master Qi about Qi Yuan’er’s marriage to the Cheng Family.
Second Master Qi was stunned after hearing this. He hadn’t expected Qi Yuan’er’s marriage to be settled so quickly.
He didn’t know much about the Cheng Family, but upon hearing that it was Madam Cheng’s son, he immediately agreed.
He knew that Madam Cheng and Old Madam were close friends from their youth.
“That’s wonderful. Niece-in-law, your uncle thanks you,” Second Master Qi said sincerely.
After thanking her, he sighed. “Yuan’er, now that you’ve found a good family, Zhen’er is still missing.”
With Concubine Xue absent, after the important matters were discussed, Jiang Youning didn’t hide anything from Second Master Qi. “Second Uncle, Zhen’er isn’t dead. The Crown Prince found out that Zhen’er was abducted, but she hasn’t been found yet. Second Uncle, rest assured, I will definitely find Qi Zhen’er.”
Second Master Qi nodded. “Yes, I believe you. I hope Zhen’er is okay!”
Jiang Youning thought for a moment, then said, “Second Uncle, there’s something else I need to tell you about Qi Heng. I hope you will personally take his education seriously from now on.”
Qi Heng is a child; children are not at fault. He cannot be led astray by Concubine Xue.
Using this as an opening, she revealed how Concubine Xue had been influencing Qi Heng’s thinking.
Meanwhile, Concubine Xue, after being out for a while, was worried about Qi Zhen’er and was restless.
In Qi Zhen’er’s room, the more she looked, the more distressed she became.
Going outside, she overheard servants talking about Qi Yuan’er’s marriage, which made her furious.
She had only been in the Capital City for a short time, and Qi Yuan’er had already found a match, while her own daughter’s fate was unknown.
Just then, the Steward came and said that someone was looking for her outside.
Concubine Xue went out angrily. The visitor was a young maid who didn’t say anything, only handing her a note before leaving.
Before Concubine Xue could react, the maid was gone. She opened the note, and instantly, she was shocked.
The note was written by Qi Zhen’er, asking her to leave the mansion; Qi Zhen’er would come to see her and specifically instructed her not to let anyone know.
Qi Zhen’er was alive, able to write a note, meaning she was fine.
Concubine Xue was both excited and happy. Secretly tucking the note into her sleeve, she told the Steward, “Tell Second Master that I’m feeling upset, and I’m going out to look for my daughter.”
After saying this, she ignored the Steward and left.
Seeing that he couldn’t stop her, the Steward went back to report.
Second Master Qi was talking to Jiang Youning about Qi Yuan’er’s marriage when the Steward came. “Madam, Second Master, Concubine Xue has left the mansion. She said she’s feeling upset and wants to go out to look for her daughter. I couldn’t stop her.”
“That woman!” Second Master Qi was so angry that he was about to go out and look for her.
“Second Uncle, I’ll send people out to look for her. You just wait here for news.”
Jiang Youning stopped Second Master Qi and had the Steward send people out to find Concubine Xue.
Going out to find Qi Zhen’er; that sounds like something Concubine Xue would do.
The Steward responded and left, immediately sending several servants out to search.
At this time, Concubine Xue was walking down the road, looking around. The note said that Qi Zhen’er would come to see her after she left the mansion.
Just as she was getting anxious, a pair of hands suddenly grabbed her. “Mother.”
“Zhen’er!” Qi Zhen’er was wearing a hooded hat, and Concubine Xue didn’t recognize her. If it weren’t for that call of “Mother,” she might have screamed.
Qi Zhen’er didn’t respond, pulling Concubine Xue into a dilapidated house.
“Zhen’er, you’re alright? That’s wonderful!” Concubine Xue hugged Qi Zhen’er and cried.
Qi Zhen’er pushed Concubine Xue away. “Mother, don’t worry, I’m fine. I don’t have time to talk now. I’ll only tell you this: If news of my death gets out, you go to Jiang Youning for revenge. I…”
Before she finished, Concubine Xue hurriedly interrupted. “What, news of your death…”
“Listen to me. I won’t die, but if news of my death gets out, you use it to cause trouble for Jiang Youning, ruin her reputation, and let everyone in the Capital City know that she’s a murderer!”
“I understand. But what about you?” Concubine Xue understood Qi Zhen’er’s meaning. As long as her daughter wasn’t dead, she could cause havoc!
“Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’ll find a way to return to the mansion. Now Jiang Youning can’t drive me away from Haicheng. Alright, we can’t stay here long. If we’re discovered, it won’t be good. Go back quickly. I’ll explain everything else when I return to the Jun Wangfu!”
Concubine Xue hugged Qi Zhen’er. “Be careful. Mother will definitely help you get revenge. You must be careful!”
Qi Zhen’er nodded, removed her hood, and quickly left.
Concubine Xue adjusted her clothes and headed back to the Jun Wangfu.
The servants sent by the Steward happened to see Concubine Xue on the road and brought her back to the mansion.
Second Master Qi was relieved to see Concubine Xue brought back. “What were you looking for outside? Don’t cause any more trouble!”
As a concubine, Second Master Qi truly cared for her. His anxious emotions weren’t feigned.
Concubine Xue knew that obeying Second Master Qi was best at this moment. She lowered her head and obediently accepted his scolding.
Second Master Qi didn’t want to say more and stopped after a few words.
No wonder Concubine Xue was favored; she knew how to make a man cherish her.
Jiang Youning glanced at the West Courtyard as she left. Mu Junxing was already waiting for her in Changxin Courtyard. “Youning, it was Qi Zhen’er. She gave Concubine Xue a note, asking her to meet outside the mansion.”
