"Imperial Younger Sister, what are you doing?" Qi Zonghao hurried over upon hearing the news.
Seeing Qi Qiuxin with disheveled hair and a fierce expression, like a madwoman from the marketplace, and various items and fragments scattered all over the floor, he couldn’t help frowning, gestured for the Palace Attendant to withdraw. No place to set foot in the room, he closed the door behind him and stood at the entry, his gaze upon Qi Qiuxin brimming with disapproval.
Having come back to her senses from her madness, Qi Qiuxin, with no time to compose herself, hurried towards Qi Zonghao. In her haste, she stumbled over the fragments of a wooden table and fell to the ground, a sharp piece of wood piercing her calf. Blood immediately stained her skirts red, and pain forced a grimace from her.
Qi Zonghao’s brows furrowed, and displeasure showed on his face, yet he did not move forward to help her up.
With tearful eyes, Qi Qiuxin looked at Qi Zonghao, her grievous words swallowed back upon meeting his deep gaze. She struggled to her feet and limped over to him, grabbing his sleeve and pleading, "Imperial Brother, I must marry Prince Chen, can you help me, please?"
Qi Zonghao’s lips were pursed in silence, his eyes deep as abysses.
He knew all too well, women like the Imperial Younger Sister, who had only beauty but were arrogant, domineering, and brainless, wouldn’t even be desired by him. Even if accepted, they would only be seen as playthings; amused with when in good spirits and completely disregarded otherwise. And as for Long Xuanmo, naturally he wouldn’t forsake the talented Princess Chen for the Imperial Younger Sister.
Alas, women as intelligent and unparalleled as Princess Chen come once in a century. Long Xuanmo truly struck lucky. But, in the end, who Princess Chen will belong to, remains to be seen.
"Just help me, dear Imperial Brother," Qi Qiuxin, seeing that Qi Zonghao remained mute, shook his sleeve as she begged.
Suppressing the irritation in his eyes, Qi Zonghao spoke with a tone of helplessness, "Imperial Brother can help you obtain Long Xuanmo, but you must agree to a condition."
"As long as Imperial Brother helps me get Prince Chen, not just one condition—I would agree to a hundred," Qi Qiuxin said without a second thought.
Qi Zonghao looked straight at Qi Qiuxin and said in a heavy voice, "Before you have Long Xuanmo, you must not provoke Princess Chen!"
"Have you, like Prince Chen, been enchanted by that whore?" Qi Qiuxin was taken aback, then yelled out loud.
"Silence!" Qi Zonghao’s face darkened, "Look at what you’ve become? How is it becoming for a princess of an entire nation to refer to someone as a ’whore’?"
Qi Qiuxin opened her mouth but, upon meeting her brother’s piercing gaze, promptly shut it, looking at him with tear-filled eyes on the verge of crying.
In the end, she was his sister born of the same mother, and he had loved her for so many years. Seeing her like this, Qi Zonghao couldn’t help but sigh deeply and said softly, "She will ultimately be my woman. I need her to help me dominate the world. You must not provoke her. If you ruin my plans, don’t blame me for not taking into account our sibling relationship. Do you understand?" As he spoke, his tone grew harsh and cold, his eyes gleaming with a shadowy, ominous light.
Qi Qiuxin turned pale, trembling uncontrollably. The excruciating pain from her untreated leg wound increased, coupled with a spreading sense of fear that swiftly enveloped her mind and body, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
She knew that her Imperial Brother was exceedingly callous by nature, even towards her and their mother, he had little affection to speak of, let alone for others; they were only tools for his use. Moreover, Qi Zonghao was notoriously fierce and ruthless, even the Emperor dared not provoke the Imperial Brother lightly. If she did indeed spoil his plans, the Imperial Brother would surely kill her.
"I... I remember..." Qi Qiuxin replied timidly, head bowed.
For the first time since childhood, Qi Zonghao scolded his sister like this, and looking at her pitiful state, he felt remorseful. However, this matter was of great importance; if he did not warn her in advance, given her nature, she would certainly disrupt his plans, which he would not tolerate.
He reached out to touch Qi Qiuxin’s hair to comfort her, but seeing her unkempt hair, Qi Zonghao withdrew his hand, "The birthday of Emperor Dongchu is in half a month. During this time, I will help you obtain Long Xuanmo. Stay obediently in the post house. Without my direct orders, you are not allowed to leave."
Qi Qiuxin nodded her head.
"Alright, I will have the Doctor come in and treat your wound," Qi Zonghao said softly. "And do not throw things around anymore. The post house is full of Dong Chu’s people. Should news spread, it will damage your reputation, and Long Xuanmo will think even less of you."
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