Qiu Huai Xin's expression did not change much, even though a traitor had appeared in the Qiu family and he himself had nearly lost his life. "The two related individuals committed suicide by poison."
This meant the trail had gone cold. Qiu Huai Xin could not stay at home because of this. Perhaps this was Lord Qiu's strategy to lure the snake out of its hole. However, besides Shi Song, there were four other people secretly protecting Qiu Huai Xin, so it was unlikely the assailant would dare to strike again.
Mentioning this, Qiu Huai Xin glanced at the cold-faced Yin Wu Yan. After pondering for a while, he spoke to Zhan Fei Yu, "There's no better day than today. Miss Zhan, do you have time to speak privately?"
The words were directed at Zhan Fei Yu, but the intention was clear: he wanted Yin Wu Yan to excuse himself. It was said that one only regrets not having read enough when the time comes to use knowledge. Qiu Huai Xin felt he had wasted his years only when he needed to investigate something. Besides Shi Song, he had no one else useful around, especially if he wanted to avoid the Qiu family.
Uh…
Zhan Fei Yu was slightly stunned, then replied, "Third Young Master, please forgive me, but I never hide anything from Big Brother."
Now it was Qiu Huai Xin's turn to be taken aback. If Zhan Fei Yu were truly a young girl, it would not be strange for her to rely on and trust an elder. But who was Zhan Fei Yu?
She had killed barbarians, tricked Cai Zhi Yuan, and remained composed even when facing the powerful Lord Qiu. Her sudden display of being like an ordinary young girl truly surprised Qiu Huai Xin.
However, after a moment's thought, he understood. Zhan Fei Yu trusted the person in front of her immensely.
After a moment of hesitation, and still wanting to find out the truth, Qiu Huai Xin nodded. "Then please wait a moment, both of you. I'll be right back."
Without waiting for Zhan Fei Yu's agreement, Qiu Huai Xin turned and walked quickly back towards the pavilion. He was going to bid farewell to Jiao Lian Yu and the others.
No one dared to object to the Third Young Master of the Qiu family leaving. Even if they were unhappy, they would not show it.
Zhan Fei Yu, however, felt a bit helpless. She had planned to stroll around with Big Brother, but now there was an uninvited guest, the Third Young Master. "Third Young Master has always been rather capricious."
Calling it capricious was also due to his background in the Qiu family. For years in Qian Zhong Dao, his word had been law, and others always accommodated him. Even though Qiu Huai Xin was asking Zhan Fei Yu for a favor, he never considered that she might refuse or be displeased.
"It's alright." Yin Wu Yan would not stoop to arguing with a scion of a noble family. Furthermore, the assassination attempt on Qiu Huai Xin was also being investigated by the Imperial Guards. It was just that this was the Qiu family's territory, and investigating matters related to the Qiu family yielded almost no progress. Since Qiu Huai Xin was willing to disclose information, Yin Wu Yan intended to listen.
A quarter of an hour later, at the teahouse.
Perhaps due to his inexperience, or perhaps out of trust in Zhan Fei Yu, Qiu Huai Xin spoke as soon as he sat down. "There was a traitor among my father's personal guards. Both my father and elder brother believe it was the work of the Qiu family's enemies."
Lord Qiu had only three sons. His eldest son, Qiu Bing De, was now an official of the court and the future heir of the Qiu family. If anyone dared to assassinate Qiu Bing De, the Qiu family would surely investigate thoroughly with the full might of the clan. This was Lord Qiu's sensitive point, an inviolable bottom line.
"You think it was someone else?" Zhan Fei Yu's gaze was fixed on Qiu Huai Xin. If it wasn't an enemy of the Qiu family, then the motive for attempting to kill Qiu Huai Xin might be a personal vendetta.
However, given Qiu Huai Xin's status and personality, Zhan Fei Yu didn't believe he would have made a mortal enemy. Moreover, bribing Lord Qiu's personal guards was not something an ordinary person could accomplish.
Yin Wu Yan sat silently to the side, playing with his teacup. He had reined in his aura, and unless someone specifically looked his way, people would forget that a third person was present.
Qiu Huai Xin was not paying attention to Yin Wu Yan at the moment. He unconsciously lowered his voice and said to Zhan Fei Yu, "Although this might sound outlandish, I suspect the killer might be my sister-in-law."
Zhan Fei Yu's eyes widened as if she had seen a ghost. She stared at Qiu Huai Xin in disbelief. Was he really telling an outsider like her this? If this were to spread within the Qiu family, it would undoubtedly cause immense chaos.
Amused by Zhan Fei Yu's shocked expression, Qiu Huai Xin felt his mood relax. He leaned back lazily in his chair. "You don't believe it either, do you? Sister-in-law treats me very well, but I always feel there's a barrier between us. Especially this time, when Father and Elder Brother plan to send me out to study."
The so-called studying abroad was actually to broaden Qiu Huai Xin's horizons. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Moreover, Qiu Huai Xin was not suited for scholarly pursuits, so he could only gain knowledge through experience.
Furthermore, Lord Qiu's status was special. As a Provincial Administration Commissioner and a trusted minister of the Emperor, every move Lord Qiu made was being watched. Among the entire Qiu family, Qiu Huai Xin was the most suitable to travel abroad.
"Are you going to represent Lord Qiu on this trip?" Zhan Fei Yu could understand why Qiu Huai Xin suspected his sister-in-law, Madam Wu. Qiu Bing De was the eldest son and had already entered officialdom, but in terms of true ability, Qiu Bing De only possessed the capacity to maintain the status quo.
In terms of talent, Qiu Wang Shu was more gifted, but he had no interest in an official career and preferred a life of leisure. As for Qiu Huai Xin, he had always been doted upon by Lord Qiu and Madam Qiu. It was not unusual for parents and elders to favor their youngest son, especially since their hopes were placed on the eldest son. Thus, they indulged their youngest son.
However, if Qiu Huai Xin were to represent Lord Qiu in visiting old friends and relatives, it would signal that Lord Qiu intended to groom his youngest son. This might cause Madam Wu to become defensive and wary.
Madam Wu, as a woman of the inner chambers, would not possess such great capabilities. Zhan Fei Yu's gaze deepened. Seeing Qiu Huai Xin nod, she continued to ask, "You want to investigate the Wu family?"
"Yes. This is Qian Zhong Dao. If I investigate the Wu family here, Father and Elder Brother will surely know." Qiu Huai Xin wanted to use Zhan Fei Yu's help to investigate the Wu family, or more precisely, to use the Imperial Guards to investigate. Otherwise, this matter would remain a lingering concern in his heart, and over time, it might affect his brotherly affection.
Qian Zhong Dao was currently a region with various powers entrenched. Even if the Imperial Guards investigated the Wu family, it would not arouse much suspicion. However, what if the investigation revealed that the Wu family was indeed responsible?
"Let's not worry about it for now. We'll investigate first." Qiu Huai Xin stood up and bowed solemnly to Zhan Fei Yu. The usually carefree and unrestrained Qiu Huai Xin was rarely so serious. "Miss Zhan, please keep this matter confidential. If you ever need my help, Huai Xin will repay you with his life."
Having resolved a concern, or rather, having passed this troublesome matter to Zhan Fei Yu, Qiu Huai Xin's expression seemed much more relaxed as he left. He heard that Jiao Lian Yu and the others were still at Tian Jing Lake and went there with Shi Song.
Standing by the window and watching Qiu Huai Xin leave with a swagger, Zhan Fei Yu rolled her eyes speechlessly. "Isn't he afraid I'll tell Lord Qiu about this? Besides, once the Imperial Guards get involved, the Emperor will surely know..."
Her voice trailed off, and Zhan Fei Yu suddenly turned her head, her dark eyes widening slightly. Pointing a finger at her own nose, she asked in disbelief, "Was I manipulated by Qiu Huai Xin?"
"Only half so." Yin Wu Yan affectionately rubbed the young girl's head and stood behind her, looking at the bustling pedestrians outside the window. "If what Qiu Huai Xin said is true, Lord Qiu would only suspect the Wu family, not Madam Wu, the eldest daughter-in-law. Moreover, the Emperor knowing about this matter would only benefit the Qiu family, not harm it."
The princes in the palace were all engaged in fierce competition. The Emperor himself had ascended the throne through bloody battles. But as a father, he absolutely did not want to see his sons slaughtering each other.
If the Qiu family also experienced fratricide, the Emperor would only feel that he had failed as a father, seeing that his subjects' families were the same.
Zhan Fei Yu nodded in understanding. For Lord Qiu, on one side were his eldest son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, and on the other was his youngest son whom he had doted on for many years. Both were equally precious to him.
If the Wu family was responsible, and Madam Wu managed to clear herself, Lord Qiu would surely not make things difficult for her. Qiu Bing De might even protect his wife. But for Qiu Huai Xin, who could not tolerate any wrongdoing, this was an outcome he was unwilling to accept. Therefore, he would rather have the Imperial Guards investigate.
"I will have someone investigate this matter," Yin Wu Yan said, unwilling for Zhan Fei Yu to worry about unrelated people and matters.
Even with the intervention of the Imperial Guards, it might not be possible to find out. Firstly, Madam Wu was a woman of the inner chambers. Secondly, her identity was that of the Qiu family's eldest daughter-in-law. Once the matter was exposed, the clues would be cut off, making it difficult for the Imperial Guards to investigate.
"Actually, we can take a more unconventional approach," Zhan Fei Yu's eyes darted around, and she smiled smugly at Yin Wu Yan. "Killing always has a motive. If Madam Wu is the mastermind, she must be worried that Qiu Huai Xin will replace Qiu Bing De as the heir in the future."
The Qiu family was different from ordinary noble families. It was not just the main branch; even collateral branches, as long as they had the ability and the support of the entire clan, could serve as the clan leader. This was also why the third branch had been hostile towards the main branch for many years, wanting to replace them. The Qiu family never suppressed the capable; it depended on whether you had the ability.