Chapter 340
"That's Qiu Jinyu's sister!" Upon seeing Qiu Jingyuan dismount from the carriage, a sharp-eyed citizen immediately recognized her.
"The one who went on a rampage with her horse a few days ago?" someone nearby called out loudly. "I heard it nearly caused a death, and luckily a strong man stepped in to chop off the carriage shaft."
"Yes, I didn't realize this young lady was so wicked." A few citizens who had witnessed the day's events quickly recounted the danger, even mentioning how Qiu Jingyuan had tried to buy lives with money.
Qiu Jingyuan also heard the discussions, but with Qiu Feng as her backing, she no longer felt as wronged as she did that day. "Feng Ge, teach these gossiping贱民 a lesson!"
"Alright." Qiu Feng indulgently patted Qiu Jingyuan's head. With a mere glance, two burly men in tight-fitting clothes shot out like gusts of wind.
With a few thuds, the citizens who had spoken first didn't even have time to react before they felt a sharp pain in their abdomens and were kicked away. Fortunately, the surrounding citizens cushioned their fall, and the kicked individuals rolled onto the ground after hitting the people behind them.
"Cough... cough..." An elderly man coughed painfully, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
The remaining few clutched their abdomens in pain, curled up on the ground, their faces pale and devoid of color, clearly showing the force of the kicks.
Hoo...
The rest of the citizens were terrified, instinctively taking several steps back.
Tongues and teeth still clashed. They usually had conflicts with others. The people of Longyou Dao were all martial, and fights were common after a few drinks.
However, even when fighting, they would at most exchange a few punches to the face, avoiding vital points. Unlike these guards, whose attacks were so vicious, they kicked someone until they vomited blood with a single blow. This was clearly aimed at taking a life.
"Serves you right, you贱民 for daring to slander this young lady's reputation with your reckless talk!" Seeing the fearful citizens, Qiu Jingyuan arrogantly lifted her chin, pointing at a few women. "And you gossiping old hags, what is my status? How dare you commoners discuss me? Slap yourselves!"
"You..." One of the loud-mouthed women trembled in fear and shrank back into the crowd. She did indeed enjoy spreading gossip and had even fought with some village women. But those were among women, and the village elders never got involved.
Another woman couldn't help but retort, "Don't you have any law?"
"Slap yourselves!" Qiu Jingyuan imperiously commanded.
The women cried out in panic, trying to run. But no matter how fierce and shrewish they were usually, facing these hardened martial artists was like surrendering.
With a few sharp slaps, the faces of the women who were hit immediately swelled and reddened. Some of the guards struck with great force, tearing their lips and causing them to bleed.
Seeing the citizens cowering in a ball, heads bowed and no longer daring to speak recklessly, Qiu Jingyuan's previous frustration dissipated somewhat. She planned to deal with that lowly girl Zhan Feiyu later.
"It's enough to vent your anger, no need to bother with these lowlifes. The main business is important!" Qiu Zongzhang spoke with displeasure, his slightly cloudy old eyes casting a reproachful glance at Qiu Jingyuan. She was truly spoiled, not knowing what was important.
Qiu Jingyuan, in a good mood, couldn't be bothered with the self-important Qiu Zongzhang and simply said to Qiu Feng, "Feng Ge, Zhan Feiyu's guards are skilled."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Qiu Feng's gloomy gaze fixed on the tightly shut gates of the Qiu residence. He was eager to meet the young girl who could tarnish Qiu Jinyu's reputation. He liked her ruthless style, not sparing anyone even after death. "Break down the door!"
Although the onlookers were shocked by Qiu Feng's arrogant actions, they dared not speak out again. These people were simply too ruthless.
Qiu Residence, Main Courtyard.
Zhan Feiyu was somewhat surprised by He Sheng's words. "They actually dare to break down the door?"
"I have no official position, I'm just a commoner," Qiu Zongxi snorted. As for his seniority, he disliked the third branch, so it was normal for them not to respect him.
"I'll have Grandpa Tie bring people to help!" Yang Xu had just climbed over the wall. Outside, there was a dense mass of people brought by Qiu Feng, all of them desperate characters from the martial world.
The opposition was clearly hostile, and Yang Xu dared not gamble. Once a fight broke out, with swords and blades flying, they might seize the opportunity to kill.
"Qiu Feng brought a total of five hundred men. Are you trying to deliver everyone remaining in Xiangwu County to him in one fell swoop?" Qiu Zongxi glared at the worried Yang Xu, slapping the back of his head in anger. "If the sky falls, there will be someone to hold it up. What are you rushing for?"
Zhan Feiyu blinked blankly. If she hadn't been living in the Qiu residence all along, she would have retorted, "So what if I'm fat? Did I eat your rice or drink your water?"
At this moment, Zhan Feiyu, who was dependent on them, could only glare angrily, "Sir, they say the Solitary Fisherman is as fiery as a volcano, but I see you as someone who hides a knife in your words!"
Qiu Zongxi picked up his teacup and leisurely took a sip.
As for the banging at the door, Qiu Zongxi pretended not to hear it, his face open and without a trace of anger. "Qiu Feng has always been vicious and ruthless in his actions. He thinks that by acting so rudely, I will definitely lead people out to fight him."
This was like one side provoking and the other side striking first, eventually escalating into a mutual brawl. If it truly went to court, it would usually be a fifty-fifty judgment.
Qiu Zongxi did not think highly of Qiu Feng's petty tricks. He deliberately refused to get angry. He wanted to see how Qiu Feng would handle the situation once the door was broken down.
By status, Qiu Feng was the junior, and Qiu Zongxi was the elder. A junior bringing people to attack the elder's home was extreme filial impiety!
Moreover, Qiu Zongxi was a renowned master of calligraphy and painting, the Solitary Fisherman, enjoying great prestige among scholars and highly respected by them. Furthermore, he was the savior of the Emperor and Scholar Gu. For years, he had also protected the Yang family and their two grandchildren.
Such a venerable elder was now being so insulted by a junior from the third branch. Qiu Zongxi didn't need to do anything. Scholars across the land would condemn the third branch, and if the third branch wanted a smooth future in officialdom, they could dream on.
Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but laugh and sat back firmly in her chair. "I guess the third branch's coffin lids can't hold them down anymore!"
The Old Ancestor would surely crawl out of his coffin and scold the third branch severely. Qiu Feng's actions were simply digging his own grave, completely cutting off the third branch's path to rise.
How could such disloyal and unfilial people aspire to usurp the position of family head? Would the Qiu family members agree? If Qiu Feng dared to treat Qiu Zongxi like this, then if the third branch truly became the main lineage of the family head, would ordinary family members have any way to live, wouldn't they be worse than cattle and horses?
"A Nuan." Suddenly remembering something, Zhan Feiyu took out the Forbidden Dragon Guard token and handed it to He Nuan beside her. "You take the token and guard the courtyard entrance."
The people Qiu Feng brought were all desperate criminals. Once they rushed in, they would surely take advantage of the chaos to steal. Zhan Feiyu had many valuable items, and she didn't want these scums to benefit.
"Yes." He Nuan nodded and, holding the token, retreated.
After Qiu Feng's news reached Longyou Dao, Yang Shoucheng sent someone to secretly inform Commander Dou. Although Commander Dou was furious upon seeing the anonymous secret letter and cursed the sender's ancestors for eighteen generations,
He couldn't pretend nothing had happened when Zhan Feiyu's safety was involved. Who knew if this secret letter was from the Forbidden Dragon Guards.
In his helplessness, Commander Dou had to report it upwards. In the end, he did not send anyone to intercept Qiu Feng's group midway, allowing them to enter Weizhou smoothly with five hundred men.
However, in Xiangwu County, Commander Dou had made arrangements, deploying two hundred elite soldiers. Even if Qiu Zongxi and Yang Shoucheng fought to the death with the third branch of the Qiu family, Commander Dou would not interfere. He sent people here solely to protect Zhan Feiyu.
He Nuan also knew that Commander Dou had arranged for the卫所 people in Xiangwu County, which was why she was temporarily leaving.
...
The gate of the Qiu residence was still sturdy, but even so, it couldn't withstand their brute force. With a bang, the two gates crashed down.
"Charge in!" Someone shouted. In an instant, over a hundred people rushed in. It was likely that many of them intended to take advantage of the confusion to steal some valuable items; no one would complain about having too much money.
"They actually dare?" The citizens watched the scene in shock. Qiu Zongxi had lived in Xiangwu County for nearly ten years, and the citizens of Xiangwu County were well aware of his status. The prefect would send gifts to him every year.
And these people dared to break open the gates of the Qiu residence. The few citizens who had been beaten and were now being helped up were no longer angry. They didn't even respect Elder Qiu, let alone ordinary citizens like themselves.
"Quick, report to the authorities!"
"Yes! Let Magistrate Gao come!"
A few citizens worried about Qiu Zongxi's safety dashed towards the alley entrance. Fortunately, Qiu Feng did not stop them; instead, he directed his men to carry the coffin into the Qiu residence.
...
Qiu Jingyuan had been blocked by Yang Xu at the door the last time she came, not even entering the gates of the Qiu residence.
Now, walking in the main courtyard, Qiu Jingyuan finally felt she had gained back some ground. What if they didn't let her in? She had still managed to enter!
Another person who was overjoyed and carried away by his excitement was Qiu Zongzhang. He surveyed the surroundings like a host, shaking his head in disdain from time to time, as if looking down on the impoverished Qiu residence.
"Who taught you chess?" Qiu Zongxi looked at Zhan Feiyu with exasperation. Bored while waiting, he decided to play chess, but who knew that Zhan Feiyu, who was so gifted in literature, was actually terrible at chess!
It wasn't that Zhan Feiyu didn't know how to play chess, but her skill level...
Zhan Feiyu placed a black stone with great flourish and grinned at Qiu Zongxi, "No one is perfect, and besides, the imperial examinations don't test piano or chess."
Zhan Feiyu had no talent for calligraphy, but she made up for it with diligence. Qiu Zongxi couldn't find many faults with her official script.
As for painting... Qiu Zongxi gave up after teaching her twice. Her work was too mechanical, lacking any spirit or artistic conception. Now, looking at Zhan Feiyu's chess game.
Qiu Zongxi dropped his white stone, his face filled with disdain. "Let Xiao Xu play with you. You're two of a kind!"
"Zhan Feiyu!" A triumphant voice sounded from outside the door. Qiu Jingyuan strode in and immediately saw Zhan Feiyu in the main seat.
Qiu Jingyuan had been blocked by Yang Xu at the door the last time she came, not even entering the gates of the Qiu residence.
Now, walking in the main courtyard, Qiu Jingyuan finally felt she had gained back some ground. What if they didn't let her in? She had still managed to enter!
Another person who was overjoyed and carried away by his excitement was Qiu Zongzhang. He surveyed the surroundings like a host, shaking his head in disdain from time to time, as if looking down on the impoverished Qiu residence.
"Who taught you chess?" Qiu Zongxi looked at Zhan Feiyu with exasperation. Bored while waiting, he decided to play chess, but who knew that Zhan Feiyu, who was so gifted in literature, was actually terrible at chess!
It wasn't that Zhan Feiyu didn't know how to play chess, but her skill level...
Zhan Feiyu placed a black stone with great flourish and grinned at Qiu Zongxi, "No one is perfect, and besides, the imperial examinations don't test piano or chess."
Zhan Feiyu had no talent for calligraphy, but she made up for it with diligence. Qiu Zongxi couldn't find many faults with her official script.
As for painting... Qiu Zongxi gave up after teaching her twice. Her work was too mechanical, lacking any spirit or artistic conception. Now, looking at Zhan Feiyu's chess game.
Qiu Zongxi dropped his white stone, his face filled with disdain. "Let Xiao Xu play with you. You're two of a kind!"
"Zhan Feiyu!" A triumphant voice sounded from outside the door. Qiu Jingyuan strode in and immediately saw Zhan Feiyu in the main seat.