The capital city.
The Qingping Marquis's Residence.
When a new emperor ascends the throne, some are promoted, some are demoted, and some are even beheaded and have their property confiscated.
For a time, one could see one prison cart after another leaving the capital, carrying prisoners being exiled or banished...
Some are happy, some are sad.
What drew everyone's attention and puzzled them was the Qingping Marquis's residence.
The Qingping Marquis's family has always been loyal to the old emperor. This time, the loyal old emperor's faction has been demoted or even beheaded, but the Qingping Marquis has stood firm.
The news caused quite a stir in the capital.
Some even say that the Marquis of Qingping was the one who entered the palace to poison the late emperor.
Marquis Qingping had no way to appeal, so he locked himself in his house and cried out against the heavens, but no one believed him.
If you weren't the mastermind behind the new emperor's death, why did he kill so many people and demote so many others, while you remained unscathed?
Amidst the conflicting opinions, the new emperor issued an imperial edict: appointing Qi Yunxiao, the eldest son of the Marquis of Qingping, as his heir.
When the imperial edict was issued, everyone was stunned once again!
The restaurants and teahouses were in an uproar.
Who is Qi Yunxiao?
"Isn't Qi Yunheng the eldest son of the Marquis of Qingping's family?"
"Have you forgotten? The young and deceased first wife of the Marquis of Qingping also gave birth to a son, but I heard that he was an ugly monster at birth!"
"real?"
"How could this be fake? I heard his face is completely blackened, like a stern-faced benefactor. Some even say he's the King of Hell with a black face, an ominous sign..."
"But the current Lady of Qingping Marquis has also given birth to a son, Qi Yunheng, who is not only handsome but also exceptionally talented in literature. Why doesn't the new emperor bestow the title of legitimate son upon him, but instead appoints the ugly Qi Yunxiao as the heir apparent of the Marquis's mansion?"
"There's definitely something going on here, we just don't know it yet..."
With so many people speculating, the Qingping Marquis's residence couldn't withstand the repeated probing and had no choice but to close its doors and not come out.
Little did they know that chaos had already broken out in the backyard of the Marquis's mansion.
Lady Qingping smashed an entire set of Ru porcelain teaware, and also smashed two blue and white plum vases!
"Who told the new emperor about the existence of that bastard?"
"He hasn't shown his face in the capital for so many years, how could anyone still remember him?"
Lady Qingping suddenly turned her gaze toward the Marquis of Qingping.
"Tell me, did you say something to the new emperor?"
Marquis Qingping nearly plucked his head of black hair bald: "Even if I'm stupid, I know I can't be the first to stick my neck out at this time. Would I do something like that?"
Lady Qingping thought about it and agreed.
But who exactly was behind this?
How could they suddenly bestow the title of heir apparent upon that bastard?!
Just then, the steward reported, "My lord, madam, the young master has returned."
"What?" Lady Qingping's expression changed.
Could it be that bastard's doing?
Marquis Qingping frowned as well: "I was just looking for him. Call him in, I want to ask him what happened."
Seeing the steward go to fetch someone, Lady Qingping was so angry that she smashed another newly served Jun kiln teacup.
"What prince? Did I acknowledge him?"
Marquis Qingping shouted angrily, "Enough! The imperial edict has been issued, and you still won't admit it? Who do you think you are?"
"Are you upset that our family wasn't exiled, and you want to fight for exile for our whole family?"
Lady Qingping was so frightened that she froze and dared not cause any more trouble.
The old woman, who was familiar with the business, immediately stepped forward to clean up the broken teacups, feeling a pang of heartache.
This fine tea set costs several hundred taels of silver; if even one piece is broken, it becomes incomplete and worthless.
The lady isn't very good at making money, but she's quite good at smashing things.
Before long, a young man in black brocade robes wearing a veiled hat strode into the back hall. After seeing Marquis Qingping, he removed the veiled hat and greeted him, saying, "Greetings, Father; greetings, Madam."
Marquis Qingping looked at his son with a complicated expression: "Get up."
The young man in brocade robes looked up, his expression calm. That dark forehead belonged to none other than Xiao Yunqi.
The son with the dark forehead, whom they only saw twice a year, started managing his mother's dowry at the age of fifteen. Over the years, he has supported the entire Qingping Marquis's mansion with the income from this dowry.
It would be a lie to say that he has no ability.
However, in this dynasty, those with facial disfigurements are not allowed to enter the palace as officials, which effectively cuts off Qi Yunxiao's official career.
It is precisely for this reason that Lady Qingping has not taken Qi Yunxiao seriously over the years.
What use is an eldest son who poses no threat to his own son's position as heir apparent?
It's just about accumulating capital for my son's future promotion!
But no one expected that the Marquis of Qingping's repeated memorials requesting that Qi Yunheng be named heir apparent had been suppressed, but this time, when the new emperor ascended the throne, he suddenly issued an edict!
Qi Yunxiao, with his dark forehead, has actually become the crown prince!
How could anyone not be surprised?
No wonder Lady Qingping lost her composure.
It really felt like the meat in my mouth had been taken away!
Qi Yunxiao, using the alias Xiao Yunqi, traveled to various places. He already had his own power base and was already aware of the news that he had become the heir apparent.
However, when Marquis Qingping asked about the imperial edict concerning the heir apparent, he had to pretend he didn't know anything.
"My son is unaware of being named heir apparent."
Marquis Qingping and his wife exchanged a glance, unsure whether to believe their son's words, who had a stoic expression.
In the end, the two of them stopped pursuing the matter. Marquis Qingping coughed and said, "Well, you should submit a memorial to His Majesty, telling him that you have facial defects and are not suitable to inherit the position of heir apparent, and ask His Majesty to rescind his decree."
Qi Yunxiao already knew he was not valued, but these words still sent a chill down his spine.
"Father, do you know what the consequences will be for my disobedience?"
At best, they'll be demoted; at worst, they'll be beheaded!
Even if they dislike me, they wouldn't force me to my death just for the position of heir apparent, would they?
The Marquis of Qingping was irritated: "Then what do you suggest we do? If you were to appear before His Majesty in this state, would His Majesty ever give you an important position? You're wasting your title!"
Qi Yunxiao became even more irritated and retorted, "Father, you are a man of imposing appearance. Have you been given any important responsibilities all these years?"
That's quite embarrassing.
Who in the capital doesn't know that Marquis Qingping is a carefree and unrestrained man?
He never managed anything; he just collected his meager salary.
It's embarrassing to tell anyone.
"How dare you speak like that?" Marquis Qingping immediately exploded.
Would a biological father expose someone's shortcomings to their face?
Qi Yunxiao stopped arguing and instead looked at the aggrieved and indignant Lady Qingping: "Madam, did you order someone to kill my wife?"
"What did you say?" Marquis Qingping wondered if he had misheard.
"When did you get a wife?"
Qi Yunxiao sneered and looked at his muddle-headed father: "It's normal that Father doesn't know about this. That wife was married with the help of Madam."
"My wife also gave birth to triplets for me, one boy and two girls, who are now over six years old."
"What did you say?" Qingping Hou's head was buzzing again from the shock.
He glanced at Qi Yunxiao with suspicion, noticing his serious expression, which didn't seem like he was joking. Then he looked at his wife.
The moment Lady Qingping was exposed, her guilt and embarrassment were noticed by the Marquis of Qingping.
Marquis Qingping was stunned: "You... what exactly is going on?"
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