Chapter 610 Defense
The appearance of an uninvited guest shattered the morning tranquility of the Qiu residence. The servants, rubbing their hands to keep warm, retreated to the sides in silence. They wouldn't fear the constables from Qianzhong Prefecture Yamen, but these officials clad in black brocade and wearing雁翎刀 (yanling dao) at their waists were enough to make them hold their breath in terror.
Lord Qiu, who had just finished breakfast, wore a slight frown. Qiu Bingde and Madam Wu, who had overslept, were still hungry, their faces equally grim. Such audacity within the Qiu residence could only belong to the Forbidden Dragon Guard.
A quarter of an hour later.
"The Eldest Young Madam does not recognize this person?" Chong Guang, the interrogator, asked with a half-smile, looking at Madam Wu, who sat upright in her chair. He unceremoniously grabbed Ma Qi's hair, forcing his head up to reveal his full face. "Take a good look, Eldest Young Madam, and then answer. Do you truly not recognize this person?"
Steadying her nerves, Madam Wu spoke again, "He is usually within the manor, and occasionally visits other residences. I truly have not seen this person."
Madam Wu also had her own dowry. Every month, the shopkeepers and stewards of the estates would come to report. Madam Wu would also inquire from behind a screen.
Seeing Madam Wu's firm denial, Chong Guang did not press further. He then interrogated several maids and old women, including the household steward and several other managers.
"Reporting to your lord, this humble one has never seen this person in the manor." The one who replied was the Qiu residence's steward. It was impossible for an outsider to enter or leave the Qiu residence without the steward's knowledge.
"Reporting to your lord, this servant has always been responsible for the sweeping and mopping of the courtyard, and has never seen this person." The maid speaking lowered her head, her expression filled with fear and unease.
The same answers came from several old women and maids from the inner courtyard. Madam Wu had always conducted herself with propriety and rarely met with outside men. Even when the shopkeepers managing her dowry businesses came to report, Mother Dong and the others would always be present in the room.
"Truly, they refuse to shed tears until they see the coffin." Chong Guang smiled faintly. As he finished the last word, everyone in the hall heard a scream.
Ma Qi, who was kneeling on the ground, writhed in pain, clutching his right leg. His voice was distorted with agony. Who would have thought that Chong Guang, who appeared kind, would be so ruthless, directly breaking Ma Qi's right leg?
Madam Wu's face turned pale from the shock. Women in the inner quarters rarely witnessed such scenes.
"I'll ask you one more time, did you come to the Qiu residence and meet the Eldest Young Madam?" Chong Guang's words were directed at Ma Qi, but his provocative gaze was fixed on Madam Wu, who sat in the room.
"This humble one is wronged..." Ma Qi's face was ashen with pain, but he still trembled as he answered Chong Guang's question. Even with a broken leg, he refused to admit that he had met Madam Wu.
Qiu Bingde frowned as he watched Chong Guang's interrogation. Indeed, the Forbidden Dragon Guard was so ruthless and merciless. Qiu Bingde could clearly sense that Chong Guang was targeting Madam Wu today.
Since the Forbidden Dragon Guard had brought the person, they would not allow him to quibble.
In less than a moment, Ma Qi, unable to withstand the torture, confessed.
"Utter nonsense!" Madam Wu stood up abruptly, her face grim, glaring at Ma Qi who was slandering her. "I don't care if you are spouting nonsense or have been accused by someone, but you will not stain me with this dirt!"
Qiu Bingde, however, began to waver. He cast an uncertain glance at Ma Qi kneeling below, then at his wife, whose face was tinged with anger. He finally understood why the Forbidden Dragon Guard had come to their door.
"It's alright if the Eldest Young Madam does not admit it." Chong Guang interjected with a smile. With a wave of his hand, two Forbidden Dragon Guards entered, their faces stern and their killing intent undisguised. If there were any children present, they would likely have been scared to tears.
Mother Dong, already feeling uneasy, watched the two Forbidden Dragon Guards walk towards her. Her legs went weak, and she collapsed onto the ground.
If Ma Qi, a grown man, could not withstand the torture methods of the Forbidden Dragon Guard, how could Mother Dong, an elderly woman, endure it? All her bones were brittle, and with a little force, they would break, possibly leaving her paralyzed for the rest of her life.
Madam Wu's expression changed drastically. She took two steps forward, blocking the two approaching Forbidden Dragon Guards, and shouted at Chong Guang, "What do you think you are doing? Are you trying to force a confession? This is the Qiu residence, and it is not your place to be presumptuous!"
Madam Wu invoked the Qiu family's name, hoping Lord Qiu would intervene. No matter how arrogant the Forbidden Dragon Guard was, they would have to show Lord Qiu some respect. Otherwise, it would not be so easy for them to leave the territory of Qianzhong Circuit.
Lord Qiu, who had remained silent throughout, looked at his eldest daughter-in-law, whose courage was bolstered by bluster. He didn't know whether to admire her boldness at this moment or call her foolish. Even now, she still tried to use the Qiu family's name to suppress the Forbidden Dragon Guard. If they hadn't possessed irrefutable evidence, how could the Forbidden Dragon Guard have appeared here?
Qiu Wangshu and Madam Ming remained silent. The couple had suspected last night that Qiu Huaixin's repeated near-death experiences were likely the work of the Wu family. How could they possibly speak up to protect the culprit now?
Madam Qiu held the same attitude. She sat impassively in the main seat, even picking up her teacup and leisurely sipping her tea. Qiu Huaixin was Madam Qiu's soft spot. If Madam Wu, or rather the Wu family, dared to harm Qiu Huaixin, they had touched Madam Qiu's soft spot. If the Forbidden Dragon Guard were not present, Madam Qiu would have skinned Madam Wu alive.
(End of this chapter)