The two hid in the furthest, most inconspicuous corner.
A servant, looking left and right to ensure no one was around, took a large pouch of powder from his waist.
He then opened the lid of a wine jar and sprinkled the powder inside.
One jar wasn't enough, so the man proceeded to open the lids of over a dozen more wine jars.
Seeing this, Qin Yun’s heart sank.
It was obvious the man was up to no good.
Putting aside what the powder was, his furtive actions made it clear it was nothing good.
Those dozen jars of fruit wine were large; if they were ruined, how much effort would be wasted!
Qin Yun grew increasingly indignant.
She signaled to Xiao Ju, who understood instantly.
Then, she circled around, preparing to intercept the man.
While the man was still opening the wine jar lids, Qin Yun began to ponder, stroking her chin.
The other party was a man, and she and Xiao Ju were both women without martial arts.
If they truly came to blows, she and Xiao Ju would surely lose.
Not only would they be unable to apprehend the man, but they might also suffer physical harm.
Qin Yun felt her pockets. She had left in a hurry and had just changed her clothes, forgetting to bring any medicine.
It seemed she would have to outsmart him.
Qin Yun looked around. There were no handy weapons nearby.
However, there was a thick layer of dust on the ground.
Got it!
A stroke of inspiration hit her. She scooped up a few handfuls of dust and stuffed them into her pocket.
Then, she took off her belt.
The wine cellar was dim, not very bright. The man hadn't noticed anyone approaching.
When they were still three meters away from the servant, Qin Yun gave Xiao Ju a look.
Xiao Ju nodded, then suddenly stood up and charged towards the servant, using the momentum of her run to collide forcefully with him.
The servant, not expecting to be attacked from behind, stumbled and fell flat on his back.
Seeing this, Qin Yun grabbed a handful of dust and fiercely threw it into the man's eyes.
"Ah!" With dust in his eyes, he couldn't open them.
Seeing this, Qin Yun delivered a heavy punch to the man, followed by a swift chop to knock him unconscious.
The entire process went smoothly.
Looking at the fallen man, Qin Yun smiled triumphantly.
She tossed her belt to Xiao Ju. "You tie him up, I'll go get someone."
"Yes, young master!"
Soon, Qin Yun found the steward and explained the entire situation.
The steward brought a group of people to the wine cellar.
Seeing the bound servant, he was very pleased.
"Well done. You two have performed a great service. What are your names? I will commend you to the master and young master later."
"Steward, I saw him put powder into this jar of wine. I don't know what kind of medicine it is. This jar of wine might be unsalvageable!" Qin Yun spoke to herself, shifting everyone's attention to the wine.
The steward glanced at the jar of wine before him, then ordered it to be moved out. After checking all the other opened jars to ensure they were safe, he had them resealed.
During this time, Qin Yun and Xiao Ju quietly left.
Lingering any longer would only expose their identities.
After leaving the wine storage,
The two returned to the carriage.
"Young master, who sent that man? If we leave like this, can the steward handle it?"
"If he can't even handle such a small matter, is he fit to be a steward?" Qin Yun smiled.
Xiao Ju said no more, wisely keeping silent.
"After we return, call Qing Shan and Hong Fu, and we'll go to Autumn Moon Restaurant!"
"Yes!"
The back courtyard of the Zhuangyuan Mansion.
Xiao Ju quietly alighted from the carriage and hurried back to the mansion.
Qin Yun waited inside the carriage.
From afar,
Leng Ye watched Qin Yun's every move.
Finally, seeing Qin Yun bring Qing Shan and Hong Fu to Autumn Moon Restaurant, he turned back to relay the news to Xie Qianmo.
It could be said that Xie Qianmo was fully aware of Qin Yun's every action.
Inside Jingxin Hall.
Xie Qianmo had already received Qin Yun's itinerary from Leng Ye.
"Find someone to protect her secretly!"
"Yes, my lord!"
Xie Qianmo lowered his gaze and asked again, "Did Ouyang Siqing and Qin Yun both go to see that boy last night?"
"Yes, my lord. The situation seemed very tense at the time. I don't know what Lord Ouyang heard, but as soon as Scholar Qin left the room, he fainted!"
Ouyang Siqing fainted? What did Qin Yun and that boy, Xie Jing'an, discuss in the room?
What did Ouyang Siqing hear that caused such a strong reaction!
"Did you hear their conversation?"
Leng Ye shook his head. "Scholar Qin and the Second Prince's conversation was inside the room. Your subordinate did not hear it. However, after Scholar Qin came out and saw Lord Ouyang, he seemed very surprised. Lord Ouyang only said one sentence before fainting!"
"What sentence did he say?" Xie Qianmo was somewhat anxious at this moment!
He had a feeling, a premonition, that these three were hiding something from him!
"Lord Ouyang said... Yun'er, I missed you after all! Lord Ouyang was in tears at the time!"
Hearing this, Xie Qianmo's mood soured considerably.
It felt as if his treasure had been trespassed upon!
However, what puzzled him most was what exactly Qin Yun and Xie Jing'an had discussed?
To get an answer, Xie Qianmo, without delay, went to see Xie Jing'an.
Arriving at Xie Jing'an's hall,
He found the room filled with wine jars.
Xie Jing'an was currently asleep in a corner, clutching a wine jar, his face flushed red.
Seeing this scene, Xie Qianmo slightly furrowed his brows.
He instinctively suspected that this matter was related to Qin Yun.
"Wake him up for me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Qianmo quickly stopped himself. "Never mind, you can leave first."
"Yes!" Leng Ye turned and departed.
Only Xie Qianmo and Xie Jing'an remained in the room.
Approaching Xie Jing'an, Xie Qianmo gently squatted down.
"Jing'an, wake up...!" Xie Qianmo's voice was gentle!
He was being so gentle because he wanted to take advantage of Xie Jing'an's drunken state to get some information.
Xie Jing'an pushed away Xie Qianmo's hand and mumbled, "Don't bother me."
"Jing'an, you seem very upset. Can you tell me about it?"
In his stupor, Xie Jing'an heard a gentle voice!
In his memory, this voice was always serious, exuding authority. Why was it suddenly so gentle today!
Xie Jing'an groggily opened his eyes.
He saw Xie Qianmo and rubbed his eyes, finding it hard to believe.
He opened his eyes again, shook his head, and still saw Xie Qianmo.
"Imperial Uncle, why are you here?" Xie Jing'an slowly sat up.
"Thinking of something sad? Why are you drinking so much? Can you tell me what happened?"
Although Xie Jing'an was groggy with drink, he still knew what to say and what not to say!
Qin Yun had committed a capital offense.
How could he dare tell his Imperial Uncle?
"Imperial Uncle, I'm fine. I've just been confined for too long, and I've been feeling a bit down, so I'm drowning my sorrows in wine."
Seeing that Xie Jing'an refused to tell the truth, Xie Qianmo's expression turned cold, and he stood up. "Is that so? You still have the leisure to drink. I don't see you looking upset at all!"
Xie Qianmo's sudden change caught Xie Jing'an off guard.
Imperial Uncle was fine just a moment ago; why did his expression change so suddenly?
Did he say something wrong?
"Imperial Uncle, when can I go out? I'm tired of staying in this room!"
"I heard that Qin Yun visited you last night?" Xie Qianmo got straight to the point.
"Yes!" Xie Jing'an seemed to understand!
So, the wolf in sheep's clothing was not after the wine, but after Qin Yun!