Qianzhong Dao.
From Qi Changlin carrying a coffin to accuse them to the arrest of the Wu clan, Qianzhong Prefecture was now calm, but this calm before the storm made people's hearts turn cold.
Looking at the "uninvited guest" before her, Zhan Feiyu, holding a warm hand warmer, sat on a chair and said in surprise, "You want to stay here?"
In just a few days, Qiu Huaixin, the spirited and distinguished young master, looked exceptionally dejected. The dark circles under his eyes showed he hadn't slept well these past few days, wilting like a frost-bitten eggplant.
"If it's inconvenient, I can just stay for one night." Qiu Huaixin picked up the teacup and drank a mouthful of hot tea, finally regaining some spirit. He was probably so stifled that he didn't care about airing his dirty laundry anymore. "My elder brother has always said he owes me."
Qiu Bingde had taken leave from the yamen during this period. Wu Shi was his wife, and even Qiu Huaixin, his younger brother-in-law, had tried to kill her. Who knew if she had used Qiu Bingde's name to commit evil deeds? Qiu Bingde had been busy with this matter these past few days, reviewing everything he had handled at the yamen over the years just in case.
"It's normal for the eldest young master to feel indebted." Zhan Feiyu looked at the depressed Qiu Huaixin, not understanding. Husband and wife are one. Qiu Bingde had not noticed his wife's ill intentions, which almost led to Qiu Huaixin being killed. This was his dereliction of duty.
Qiu Huaixin's bloodshot eyes glanced at Zhan Feiyu, "My elder brother wants me or my second brother to inherit the Qiu family."
Qiu Wangshu was devoted to mountains and rivers, so after sensing Qiu Bingde's intentions, he immediately expressed his thoughts to Lord Qiu. His ambition was not here.
This burden instantly fell on Qiu Huaixin. Upon hearing this news, Qiu Huaixin was completely distraught. He didn't even have a scholarly title. The only good thing he had over a dandy like Jiao Lianping was that he was self-disciplined. He had hardly engaged in drinking, gambling, or visiting brothels.
But if he had to inherit the family business, Qiu Huaixin would rather go drinking, gambling, and visiting brothels.
"My elder brother owes me is one aspect, and the other is that he is worried that Chen-ge'er will hold a grudge against me in the future." Qiu Huaixin couldn't help but glance at Zhan Feiyu as he said this.
Before meeting the "scum" Zhan Feiyu, Qiu Huaixin might have thought his elder brother was being overly concerned. How old was Chen-ge'er to hold grudges and seek revenge on his own uncle in the future?
But looking at the intelligent young girl before him, Qiu Huaixin couldn't say that Qiu Bingde's foresight was unnecessary. After all, his former sister-in-law was imprisoned because of him, and perhaps the Wu family would also be ruined because of this.
Chen-ge'er had already started his studies. Although Madam Qiu had imposed a gag order in the manor, this news would surely reach Chen-ge'er's ears. Whether he held a grudge now or suppressed his hatred in his heart to seek revenge later, it would be a troublesome matter for Qiu Huaixin.
Hearing this, Zhan Feiyu could understand Qiu Huaixin's frustration. A rare hint of sympathy appeared on her delicate and pretty face, "It's not wrong for the eldest young master to think this way. If the Qiu family is divided in the future, you will be from a collateral branch."
Looking at the current three branches of the Qiu family, one could see the gap between the collateral branches and the direct lineage. Once Qiu Bingde became the head of the Qiu family, and Chen-ge'er, as the eldest son of the family head, it would be too easy for him to subtly create obstacles for Qiu Huaixin.
To put it more alarmingly, a gentleman's revenge is never too late. If Chen-ge'er waited until Qiu Bingde grew old and he himself took charge, he might not be able to deal with Qiu Huaixin, but could he not deal with his children?
One was the head of the Qiu family, and the other was merely a member of a collateral branch. The former could probably make the latter unable to establish himself in Qianzhong Dao with just a word. In a more serious case, it could even lead to the ruin of his family.
Even if Qiu Huaixin or his children had the ability to withstand this revenge in the future, it would still be a falling out between brothers for the Qiu family, a source of internal strife that would bring disaster to the family.
Qiu Huaixin gloomily drank another cup of hot tea and placed the teacup back on the table with a "snap." "Father has not yet agreed to elder brother's proposal, but there have been some rumors in the clan these past few days."
The Qiu family was different from other families. The position of the Qiu family head had always been held by the most capable. Although Qiu Bingde was somewhat mediocre in talent, under the teachings of Lord Qiu over the years, Qiu Bingde had achieved some success in the yamen. With a few more years of tempering, he would definitely be able to take on the position of family head, especially with Lord Qiu's protection when facing difficulties.
Even if collateral descendants had talent in their studies, it would take at least ten to twenty years to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations. Even if they became Jinshi in the top three, with the support of the family, they would have to start as minor officials of the seventh or eighth rank. Even if they smoothly climbed to the fourth rank, they would be around forty years old.
In comparison, Qiu Bingde at this age would have already secured the position of family head and his official rank would be at least third rank. This was the natural advantage of the direct lineage. The family's connections, resources, and money were all concentrated on one person, and collateral descendants, no matter how capable, could not catch up.
With the Wu clan's incident, no matter how united and stable the Qiu clan was, everyone had their own selfish interests. Qiu Bingde couldn't even control his wife, let alone a large family? Of course, this was also because the three brothers of the Qiu family were not exceptionally talented, which prevented them from suppressing their clansmen.
First, the collateral third branch colluded with the enemy and committed treason, and now there was the matter of Wu Shi attempting to harm her brother-in-law. The Qiu family had indeed been plagued by internal and external troubles for over a year.
"Then what are your plans?" Zhan Feiyu thought about it. This was indeed a difficult problem. Qiu Bingde and Qiu Huaixin's worries would not happen now, but no one could guarantee that Chen-ge'er would not hold a grudge or seek revenge.
However, the tricky part was that Chen-ge'er was still a child. This revenge might happen ten or even twenty years later. Qiu Huaixin was in a dilemma, unable to prepare or not prepare, a no-win situation.
Qiu Bingde had probably thought it through carefully. If he gave up the position of family head, Chen-ge'er would not have the ability to seek revenge in the future. Moreover, since Madam Wu had made the first move to harm him, it was not unreasonable for Chen-ge'er to lose his position as the eldest son of the family head, as his mother was the one who committed the evil deed.