Qi Qiuxin was stunned and it took quite some time before she came back to her senses. Clasping her swollen cheek, she burst into hysterical crying and screaming at Qi Zonghao, "Imperial Brother, I am your legitimate younger sister. Now, for the sake of a lowly..." Seeing the cold gaze sweeping over from Qi Zonghao, she hastily corrected herself, "Now, for the sake of an outsider, you actually struck me. Could it be that in your heart, your own legitimate younger sister means even less than an outsider?"
"Silence!" Qi Zonghao spoke icily, "Many people can attest that you brought this upon yourself. You have no proof and are causing an uproar here about Princess Chen framing you. Don’t forget, there are plenty of Dong Chu people in the posthouse. If this spreads, do you want to cause Xiliang even more disgrace?"
It was true that he cherished his Imperial Younger Sister, but Princess Chen could help him seize the world, and when compared to the world, his sister meant practically nothing.
Qi Qiuxin was dazed, staring blankly at Qi Zonghao whose face was shrouded in darkness, devoid of his usual gentle warmth, a confusion mixing with an inexplicable panic in her heart.
"Instead of going crazy, you’d do better to think about how to deal with what comes next."
"What comes next? What else could happen?"
Looking into the confused eyes of Qi Qiuxin, Qi Zonghao silently shook his head, now realizing how hopelessly foolish his Imperial Younger Sister was, "This incident has become known far and wide. Soon, our father the Emperor and domestic officials will be aware, and you should prepare yourself mentally to face the wrath and condemnation from the Emperor and the officials."
"Father has always loved me the most, and even if he finds out, he would not bear to scold me. As the most noble princess of Xiliang, what can those lowly people do to me? Besides, I was framed by Yang Mengchen, and Father will definitely avenge me!" frёewebηovel.cѳm
Qi Qiuxin had always been thoughtless, self-centered, and selfish. Relying on the love from the Emperor and Empress of Xiliang, she regarded no one except Qi Zonghao, even wantonly executing Xiliang citizens. At this moment, she was completely oblivious to the gravity of the situation, her mind solely focused on the humiliation she endured and how she would take revenge on Prince Chen and that contemptible Yang Mengchen.
Seeing that his Imperial Younger Sister was still so full of herself, Qi Zonghao didn’t know what to say to her, choosing instead to purse his lips and remain silent.
Reluctant as he was to admit it, both in terms of national power and military strength, Dong Chu was indeed more formidable than Xiliang, especially after the great battle years ago severely weakened Xiliang, leaving it far inferior to Dong Chu.
Over the years, Dong Chu had been innovating with technologies like cement, paper-making technique, printing, various crops... and Emperor Dongchu encouraged the Dong Chu people to develop agriculture vigorously, support commercial trade, improve irrigation, reform the administration, and so on. Dong Chu was obviously growing stronger and richer by the day, incomparable to Xiliang—even if he possessed firearms, he wouldn’t dare to wage war against Dong Chu rashly.
Moreover, Long Xuanmo had defeated the Three Kingdoms Allied Army at the tender age of ten, making him a renowned god of war, excellent in both the literary and military arts. After years of experience, he had probably become invincible, and even Qi Zonghao could not match him. This was why he longed for Long Xuanmo’s death more than anyone else, but alas, Long Xuanmo was too powerful for him to act rashly.
However, as long as he obtained Princess Chen, he would effectively have Long Xuanmo tightly in his grip, and Qing’an Country would have no choice but to support him. By then, dominating the world would be a walk in the park.
Qing’an Country was too strong and separated by a vast ocean; no Emperor of the four countries dared to attack Qing’an Country easily. Fortunately, Qing’an Country had no ambition to conquer the mainland, rather the four Emperors repeatedly sought to win Qing’an’s favor, and they naturally treated the Qing’an royal family with great courtesy.
Seeing Qi Zonghao fall silent, his expression changing as he evidently pondered over matters, Qi Qiuxin closed her mouth and did not dare to disturb him.
"Rest well, and do not cause any more trouble before we leave tomorrow, or else do not blame me for disregarding our sibling bond," Qi Zonghao warned Qi Qiuxin coldly before standing up and walking out, at the same time giving strict orders to the Palace Maid to attend to Qi Qiuxin, and instructing the guard to stand at the door and prevent Qi Qiuxin from leaving the room.
This time Xiliang had lost eight cities, and with his sister causing such a scandal, he likely could not escape blame either.
Qi Qiuxin lay in bed, hearing Qi Zonghao’s command, feeling as though the entire world had abandoned her, her heart aching with misery and resentment.
Although she had insisted on marrying Prince Chen, this entire affair had been orchestrated by her Imperial Brother. Now, not only had the plan failed, but she also faced such humiliation. Her brother offered no comfort, didn’t consider avenging her, and instead protected that contemptible Yang Mengchen. How could she not feel aggrieved? How could she accept this?
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