Chapter 1876: 1864: Sowing Discord

Chapter 1876: Chapter 1864: Sowing Discord

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin both put on an expression of listening intently, while actually muttering inwardly that Qi Le’s ability to dodge the important and dwell on the trivial was truly impressive.

Anyone who didn’t know the inside story, hearing her speak like this, would only sigh that the ways of the world are unpredictable.

Those a bit softhearted would think that in this world she only has two blood relatives left; even if there’s some resentment, it should just be let go.

But Song Chongjin was not softhearted. Listening to Qi Le say all this, not a trace of emotion showed on his face.

Seeing Song Chongjin like this, Qi Le’s gaze flickered; she knew this was not someone who could be moved by a few words.

Her thoughts turned rapidly, and the words on her lips shifted into reminiscences of Qi Huan and their youthful days.

In her memories, Qi Huan was the youngest girl in the family, cherished by everyone. She had a naive and delicate temperament and adored this elder cousin of hers more than anyone.

Since childhood she liked to trail after her, a lively little tagalong.

Usually a soft and dainty little girl who wouldn’t even blush in front of outsiders, yet for the sake of her cousin she could quarrel with others—when she couldn’t outargue them, she’d come home sobbing.

The next time she heard some girl gossiping about Qi Le and happened to catch it, she would still defend her with reddened eyes and a choked voice.

Whatever gift this cousin Qi Le gave her, she would carefully keep and treasure.

Outside, she always took pride in Qi Le! Truly the most considerate little sister.

Qi Le went on to say that back then Qi Huan and Song Hong could be considered childhood sweethearts. They moved in the same circle, and at daily banquets or various festivals when everyone went out together, they always ran into each other.

Moreover, the two of them had their engagement set at a very young age—a maiden awakening to love, a youth stirred to affection. Whenever Song Hong saw Qi Huan outside, he would be unfailingly attentive and take care of her with meticulous thoughtfulness.

Who could see them and not say the two were a match made in heaven?

No one had expected that afterwards the Qi Family would fall, Qi Huan would be demoted to an official servant, and Song Hong would marry another.

Nor had anyone expected that Qi Huan and Song Hong would even have had a child!

At this point, Song Chongjin really couldn’t listen any further.

Though he had suffered greatly at the hands of Song Chunhua in his youth, all his longing for a mother had been fulfilled by Old Granny Zhang.

Old Granny Zhang fit his idea of a proper mother better—fiery, strong, fiercely protective. Her sincere heart and that bit of maternal gentleness were all given to her own child.

So, as for Qi Huan, it really couldn’t be said that there was any deep mother–son bond.

He was investigating the cause of Qi Huan’s death, first because she had given birth to him. That debt of life was already beyond repayment; all he could do was uncover the truth of her death and overturn the case for the Qi Family.

This was a kind of responsibility, something he had no choice but to do.

He considered himself a mature man, and the most important thing is to know what matters most!

In his heart, Qi Huan was more important than Song Hong and Song Chunhua. But naturally she couldn’t be compared with Yongzhu and his mother‑in‑law. Call him cold‑blooded or callous if one liked—when it came to Qi Huan, this birth mother, this was all he could do.

So at this moment, upon hearing Qi Le’s words, his first reaction was that Qi Le was merely trying to sow discord between him and Song Hong.

Only by shifting Qi Huan’s death onto Song Hong and the Emperor of Great Chu could she draw Song Chongjin over to her side—or rather, nudge his heart slightly in her direction.

But could it be that Qi Le didn’t know that there had never been any deep father–son affection between him and Song Hong to begin with?

The two of them each mixed calculation, weighing of interests, and mutual use into their dealings, maintaining a delicate balance.

What’s more, in all of this—was Qi Huan’s death truly unrelated to Qi Le?

Qi Le was not a foolish woman. She knew he wouldn’t believe these words, so why still say them?

Thinking this, Song Chongjin, puzzled, was about to look up at Qi Le.

Just as he lifted his head, Wang Yongzhu, quick‑eyed and quick‑handed, pinched him hard, instantly snapping him back to his senses, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.

He had almost forgotten Qi Le’s Soul Capturing Technique!

If he really did look up and met Qi Le’s gaze… Song Chongjin did not dare to think further.

After pinching Song Chongjin awake, Wang Yongzhu instead lifted her head and met Qi Le’s eyes head‑on. Neither humble nor overbearing, she said, “If Your Majesty the Queen summoned us couple here today just to say these things, then I think we can end it here! What happened back then is already decades past; people must look forward. For Your Majesty to provoke the feelings between my husband and his father like this—what exactly is your intention?”

Qi Le was taken aback for a moment, not expecting Wang Yongzhu to speak first. She swept a glance at Song Chongjin and couldn’t help showing a trace of contempt and mockery. “Why does Lord Song not dare look at This Palace? Is it that you have no face to meet my eyes, or…?”

After speaking, she sighed. “Forget it, it’s This Palace who has overthought it! Great Chu has always emphasized filial piety. Song Hong is your birth father; you have your difficulties as well. I shouldn’t have pressed the matter!”

Bi Zhu, ever quick on the uptake, stood up at once to smooth things over. “Your Majesty, the banquet is about to begin. I fear Lord Song and his party must make preparations to take their seats. You should also get ready. The delegation of Lord Song will not be leaving any time soon; there will be plenty of chances to meet again later. Why not let Lord Song and Lady Wang return for now?”

Qi Le had called Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu in today purely to probe them, to sound out the two.

After that round of testing, she already had some measure of them. Hearing what Bi Zhu said, she nodded in agreement.

Since Qi Le still needed to have her hair and makeup done, Bi Zhu requested permission to personally escort the two out.

The three walked in silence along the way, with Song Chongjin saying nothing, his mood seemingly low.

Only Wang Yongzhu held on to Bi Zhu, pointing at whatever she saw along the path and asking curious questions.

They were all courtyards and furnishings of no consequence, so Bi Zhu casually explained them one by one.

Wang Yongzhu also tried to pry from Bi Zhu what the King of the Grasslands and Qi Le liked in their daily life, but Bi Zhu glossed over it all.

Wang Yongzhu was not annoyed and let it slide with a smile.

After seeing them as far as the courtyard arranged for the delegation, Bi Zhu took her leave and turned back to Qi Le’s palace.

She relayed, word for word, all the questions Wang Yongzhu had asked along the way, as well as her own answers.

Qi Le listened and only after a long moment did a faint smile appear. “I really underestimated her before. This daughter‑in‑law of my younger sister is not to be taken lightly. Tell me, between that couple, who do you think is actually in charge?”

Bi Zhu paused, furtively glanced at Qi Le, then said cautiously, “In this maid’s view, Lady Wang seems the more forceful one!”

Qi Le nodded, thought for a while, then said, “Keep an eye on her for me outside the palace. In a few days I’ll summon her again and see what she’s really about.”

Bi Zhu’s heart leapt in alarm, but her expression remained steady as she hurriedly voiced her assent.

By now Qi Le had already been dressed anew by the Maids. Because this was a banquet between two nations, Qi Le was not in her usual household attire.

Instead she wore the clothing of the grasslands, a robe of peacock blue, with hints of golden light glimmering when she moved.

Her hair was styled in the fashion of the women of the grasslands, with colorful gemstones tied into it.

It made her seem all the more unparalleled in her noble bearing.

Standing beside her, Bi Zhu seemed dull and colorless by comparison.

The Maids at her side were long used to Qi Le’s beauty, yet even they were momentarily dazed by her in such grand attire.

Even the King of the Grasslands, who came in hurriedly, could not help but lose focus for a moment when he saw Qi Le. A flash of amazement and nostalgia swept through his eyes.

He quickly reined it in, but his expression had softened somewhat. Laughing heartily, he stepped forward and swept Qi Le into his arms. “My Queen is still this beautiful! No one in this world can rival you!”

Qi Le showed no surprise at the sight of the King of the Grasslands. Even when he pulled her into his arms, she merely stood there, cool and aloof; hearing his praise, she did not look the least bit pleased with herself.

Instead she asked, “What brings the Great King over here?”