Chapter 605 Stubbornness
Once a person becomes stubborn, even nine oxen cannot pull them back. The fact that Madam Qi could, over the years, shoulder the entire family like a man, wearing herself down from a youthful girl to the sickly and aged woman she is now, clearly shows the stubborn side of her nature.
If she were to die, what would become of her husband? What about the two children? Thus, upon learning that Qi Changlin intended to invite friends to his birthday banquet, Madam Qi conceived this idea: to pave the way for her family with her own death.
After hearing He Sheng's account, Qiu Huaixin's handsome face showed undisguised mockery and a cold sneer. "So I became the fall guy. Madam Qi drugged the wine and then slept in my bed. By then, she would be dead, proving her innocence. The Qiu family, to avoid trouble, would have no choice but to appease Qi Changlin."
Furthermore, with the Qiu family's cover-up, such a scandal would surely not spread, and Madam Qi would not have to worry about her reputation after death. It was a pity that she, a country woman with limited vision, had no idea that she was merely a pawn in the hands of the Wu family.
Once she died, the Wu family would spread the matter far and wide, thereby ruining Qiu Huaixin's reputation and preventing him from inheriting the Qiu family.
Zhan Feiyu looked sympathetically at the thoroughly manipulated Qiu Huaixin. Compared to the dissolute reputation of Jiao Lianping, Qiu Huaixin had a slightly better reputation in Qianzhong Prefecture, but only slightly. Otherwise, Madam Qi would not have chosen him.
After all, only such dissolute young men would commit the absurdity of molesting a friend's wife. If this had happened to Jiao Lianyu, the outside world would not have blamed Jiao Lianyu. Instead, they would have speculated whether Madam Qi, the woman, had framed him. Otherwise, why would the second young master Jiao fancy a crude country woman?
"Madam Qi calculated accurately. If this matter were truly my doing, the Qiu family would have to compensate Qi Changlin with a wife and also take good care of her two children, preventing them from being bullied by a stepmother in the future. If Qi Changlin were to achieve success in the imperial examinations later, the Qiu family would also have to offer him support."
Speaking of which, Qiu Huaixin also felt relieved. With the Wu family's covert arrangement, Madam Qi would have no worries about the future. It was not surprising that she would face death with equanimity.
"Miss Zhan, do you know where Ma Qi is now? And where are the sisters-in-law who went to the countryside that day?" Qiu Huaixin inquired. To catch a thief, one must seize the stolen goods; to catch an adulterer, one must catch them in the act. He needed to find all these people, otherwise, his word would have no credibility.
Zhan Feiyu nodded and couldn't help but look at Yin Wuyan. Even if the person was no longer in the hands of the Imperial Dragon Guard, they were surely under their surveillance.
"These people will be sent to the manor tomorrow," a cold, emotionless voice replied. Yin Wuyan's words clearly indicated a desire for them to leave.
After the mess that occurred during the day, especially since it was related to the Wu family, Qiu Huaixin's desire to seek a clear answer from Zhan Feiyu was one aspect. Another was that he did not want to return to the Qiu manor, did not want to see his elder sister-in-law, Madam Wu, and did not know how to face his elder brother, Qiu Bingde.
But upon meeting Yin Wuyan's cold phoenix-like eyes, Qiu Huaixin suddenly wilted. He could hide for a while, but not forever. He should still go back.
A moment later, the carriage slowly departed from the villa and headed towards the Qiu manor.
In the carriage, Shi Song looked at the solemn Qiu Huaixin and asked in surprise, "Didn't Young Master plan to stay at the villa for the night?"
This was Qiu Huaixin's plan when he arrived, but thinking of Yin Wuyan's oppressive gaze, Qiu Huaixin couldn't help but shiver. He pretended to be nonchalant and shrugged his shoulders. "The day's events have spread throughout Qianzhong Prefecture. If I don't go back, my mother will surely worry."
Hearing this extremely filial reply, Shi Song felt something was wrong, but the third young master's words also made sense.
On the other side, at the entrance of the villa, after seeing Qiu Huaixin off, Zhan Feiyu walked leisurely along the corridor towards the courtyard where she was staying. "Actually, even without this scheme from the Wu family, Lord Qiu would still hand over the Qiu family to the eldest young master. The third young master is not suitable, nor does he have such ambition."
It was not that Zhan Feiyu looked down on Qiu Huaixin, but after several encounters, she had seen a few things. Not having official status was his first shortcoming.
Secondly, Qiu Huaixin's disposition was unrestrained and casual, lacking shrewdness and calculation. He might have friends all over the world, but he was more easily exploited by his friends. Lord Qiu would never hand over the Qiu family to Qiu Huaixin; it would truly be a case of selling oneself and still counting the money for the buyer.
Yin Wuyan paused and looked sideways at the young girl walking beside him. His tone was low and calm, as if he were casually conversing. "Does Little Yu know Qiu Huaixin very well?"
Completely unaware of the narrowing of Yin Wuyan's phoenix-like eyes at that moment, Zhan Feiyu grinned. "Not really. I've only met him a few times. However, the third young master's aspirations are not in this area."
She couldn't even be considered familiar, let alone understand him. However, Zhan Feiyu, as an outsider, had a clear perspective, while the Wu family was blinded by their own involvement.
"With the four principles of aspiring, diligent study, correcting faults, and criticizing goodness, if even one is achieved, there would be no disaster today." Yin Wuyan's clear and cold tone was filled with undisguised mockery. It was fortunate that Qiu Huaixin, such a dissolute young man, was in Qianzhong Prefecture. This was the Qiu family's territory. If he were in the capital, he would have been schemed against until not even the dregs remained.
Why did it feel like Big Brother disliked Qiu Huaixin so much? Zhan Feiyu blinked her eyes and looked at him with confusion. What met her gaze was his handsome face under the moonlight, his chiseled, resolute features, his soaring eyebrows, his narrow, cold phoenix-like eyes, his high-bridged nose, and his thin lips slightly pursed. Every feature exuded an extreme cold indifference, yet it was all within Zhan Feiyu's aesthetic standards.
Looking at the little girl who was staring blankly with her head tilted up, Yin Wuyan helplessly rubbed Zhan Feiyu's head. "Watch where you're going."
Zhan Feiyu, coming back to her senses, gave an embarrassed smile and then quickened her small steps to follow Yin Wuyan. However, she couldn't help but glance at him, wondering which young lady would marry Big Brother in the future.
...
Compared to the harmonious atmosphere at the villa, the atmosphere at the Qiu manor was exceptionally somber.
A hurrying maid slipped and twisted her ankle. She hissed in pain but could only endure it and stride into the room. "Reporting to Madam, there has been no news of the third young master from the front courtyard."
Madam Qiu's expression grew even more displeased. She waved for the maid to withdraw. Such a major incident had occurred, and this rascal still hadn't returned!
"Mother, third brother is usually a bit unruly, but he acts with a plan. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been a happy escape today." Compared to the gentle and virtuous nature of the eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Wu, Qiu Wangshu's wife, Madam Ming, had a more flamboyant personality, and her voice was clear and loud, which was pleasing to hear.
Madam Qiu took the teacup handed to her by Madam Ming and took a few sips of tea. Her expression softened a little. She put down the teacup and patted Madam Ming's hand. "If Huaixin had even a third of Wangshu's composure, I wouldn't have to be so worried."
Raising children for a hundred years brings ninety-nine years of worry. With Qiu Huaixin's unreliable nature, Madam Qiu felt she had much to fret about. How could someone not return home immediately after such a major incident, but instead go to a villa to find a young girl? Fortunately, Zhan Feiyu's age was a factor, otherwise Madam Qiu would have started to have wild thoughts.
"When third brother gets married in the future and has a wife to manage him, Mother won't have to worry. Then I'll accompany Mother on trips. The scenery of Qianzhong Road is beautiful. We can see flowers in spring and snow in winter. Mother, don't blame me for not being talented then." Madam Ming's teasing lightened the atmosphere in the room.
Even though Madam Wu was grinding her teeth in hatred and annoyed by Madam Ming's flattery, her face remained gentle. "Second sister-in-law is right, Mother. You don't need to worry. Husband and second brother are in the front courtyard. If anything truly happens, Husband will personally go to the villa to bring third brother back."
Madam Qiu nodded, but thinking of what happened today, even though it ended without incident, it was ultimately detrimental to her reputation. The people sent to the capital to gather information had probably already arrived, but it was a wasted trip. The Gu family of Nanling would certainly no longer agree to this marriage.
In the study in the front courtyard, with such a major incident occurring, not only did Lord Qiu return early from the Provincial Administration Office, but Qiu Bingde and Qiu Wangshu also returned to the Qiu manor immediately.
Qiu Wangshu was devoted to landscapes and nature, and by rights, he should have had the most carefree disposition. But at this moment, his face was dark. He slammed the teacup onto the table with a bang. However, when he met his father's cold, piercing gaze, Qiu Wangshu quickly called for servants to come and clean the table. His submission was so natural.
Qiu Bingde couldn't be bothered to look at his second brother, who tended to explode when faced with trouble. He said to Lord Qiu, "Father, I've already sent people to keep watch. The events that happened in the village were spread throughout Qianzhong Prefecture shortly after. I don't know if the person behind this scheme is too stupid or too arrogant."
After all, this was still the Qiu family's territory. The Qiu family might not investigate, but once they did, they could dig up the culprits from underground.
"To scheme against Huaixin again and again, Father has been too merciful these years, otherwise, these people wouldn't dare to jump around so brazenly!" Qiu Wangshu possessed a sharp, decisive ruthlessness in his bones. At this moment, his words were filled with killing intent. If Lord Qiu gave the order, he could make Qianzhong Road flow with blood for three days!
It was no wonder Qiu Wangshu was so furious. He was extremely protective and couldn't stand to see Qiu Huaixin being bullied repeatedly. Not to mention the distant past, but even Zhan Feiyu, who was temporarily staying at the villa.
Unknown numbers of people were grinding their teeth in hatred, wanting to flay Zhan Feiyu alive. Yet, she was still living well, and no one dared to show themselves. The Imperial Dragon Guard was not just for show. Qiu Wangshu now hoped that Lord Qiu would unleash the merciless ferocity of the Imperial Dragon Guard, to teach these clowns a lesson.
(End of this chapter)