Chapter 356
Zhan Feiyu arrived on time. Although Qiu Jingyuan had prepared herself mentally, she was still flustered and anxious when she saw her. "Qian Shipeng's matter has nothing to do with me. I had no idea he would go to the yamen. If you want to blame someone, blame the Qian family!"
"Justice has its own head, and debts have their owner. Miss Qiu need not worry," Zhan Feiyu replied with a smile. Her amiable attitude finally eased Qiu Jingyuan's anxiety.
After a while, in the reception hall.
"When I was young?" Qiu Jingyuan was surprised and looked at Zhan Feiyu, not understanding why she was asking about her childhood. However, Qiu Jingyuan had nothing to hide.
As the young lady of the Qiu family, although she was from the third branch, she was the only girl of her generation and was naturally pampered and doted upon.
She learned the arts of Qin, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting, as well as poetry and songs. However, Qiu Jingyuan was willful and impatient, only learning the superficial aspects. Madam Qiu, who doted on her daughter by her side, could not bring herself to discipline her.
Speaking of Qiu Jinyu, Qiu Jingyuan's somewhat childish face instantly turned cold. There was sadness, nostalgia, and an indescribable sense of release. "Big Brother always studied in the front courtyard with his tutors. He only came to the back courtyard on the first and fifteenth of each month. He was the pride of Grandfather and Father, so how could he linger in the inner chambers?"
Qiu Jinyu was exceptionally talented, achieving the title of Xiao Sanyuan at a young age. While Qiu Jingyuan was proud, she was also jealous. Furthermore, she harbored resentment due to Qiu Feng's situation.
In Qiu Jingyuan's heart, her cousin Qiu Feng was more like a protective elder brother. Qiu Jinyu was merely the hope of the third branch; she respected him but lacked closeness.
Now that Qiu Jinyu was dead and Qiu Feng was missing, Qiu Jingyuan's delicate face showed a hint of resentment. "I once heard the servants say that Cousin was also extremely diligent when he studied. He also wished to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations, but Grandfather and Father would not allow him to shine, so as to suppress Big Brother's brilliance. Even with his talent, Cousin could only be Big Brother's right-hand man."
Qiu Jingyuan was naturally arrogant and overbearing. She was jealous of her elder brother Qiu Jinyu, sympathized with and pitied Qiu Feng who had protected her since childhood, and had even secretly tried to sabotage Qiu Jinyu's county and prefectural examinations.
However, she was too aware of Grandfather Qiu Shao's high hopes for Qiu Jinyu. No matter how favored she was, she was just a girl who would eventually marry out. Compared to her elder brother Qiu Jinyu, she could only retreat to a distance of one arrow shot.
Suddenly, Qiu Jingyuan looked up, her fists clenched. She looked at Zhan Feiyu and asked, "Are we, the third branch, finished?"
"His Majesty will send an imperial envoy to Qianzhong Circuit. If there is no wrongdoing, there will naturally be no trouble," Zhan Feiyu gave a neutral answer.
If the Qiu family's third branch was unaware of Qiu Jinyu's involvement with barbarians as a spy, His Majesty might be lenient. However, if the third branch colluded with the enemy and committed treason, let alone the third branch, the entire Qiu family would be implicated.
A mocking smile curved her lips. As if recalling past events, Qiu Jingyuan's expression became somewhat dazed. "Everyone in Qianzhong Circuit envied my Qiu family background. But now, what use is a good background? When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact?"
Even though she was unwilling to believe it, Qiu Jingyuan understood in her heart that the Qiu family's third branch was at its wit's end. As a daughter of the third branch, even if she were lucky enough to survive and not be exiled or sold, her status would be worse than that of a village girl. She was the daughter of a criminal!
"Zhan Feiyu." Qiu Jingyuan spoke again. "Why did Qian Shipeng escort me back to Qianzhong Circuit? Auntie refused, and even if Qian Shipeng were foolish, he would know this trip was unprofitable!"
A twelve-year-old girl. For the first twelve years of her life, she lived a life of pampered nobility as an official's daughter. Qiu Jingyuan was arrogant and domineering. She wanted whatever she liked, forced others, and took what they cherished. What of it? She was the young lady of the Qiu family; that was her capital!
Therefore, Qiu Jingyuan rarely used her brain. It was only at this moment that she finally discovered something amiss. The third branch was about to fall, so why was Qian Shipeng still getting involved? He escorted her back to Qianzhong Circuit from thousands of miles away; what was he plotting?
Before Zhan Feiyu could speak, Qiu Jingyuan smiled self-mockingly. "Even if I hadn't returned, I know the third branch is now like a rat crossing the street, with everyone shouting to beat it. Everyone else avoids us. Even if Qian Shipeng wanted to take advantage and make a profit, the third branch has collapsed, but the Qiu family still exists. Qian Shipeng is merely a庶子 (shùzǐ - son of a concubine) from a merchant family. It's impossible for him to get a share."
Whether it was the connections or wealth of the third branch, even if it were not sealed by the court, the main branch of the Qiu family would handle it. It was not for outsiders to pounce like hyenas and share the spoils.
"If Miss Qiu is willing to meet Qian Shipeng, I am willing to vouch for you," Zhan Feiyu offered a condition. Qian Shipeng was currently hiding in Prefect Pang's residence.
Even though Zhan Feiyu came to visit, she couldn't see him. However, it was suitable for Qiu Jingyuan to appear.
"Alright, I promise you. I will make Qian Shipeng withdraw the lawsuit." Qiu Jingyuan immediately agreed, thinking Zhan Feiyu was trying to save He Nuan. However, with Zhan Feiyu's promise, Qiu Jingyuan would agree no matter how difficult it was.
Half an hour later,
Qiu Jingyuan, accompanied by Dong Yan, a maid, and guards, went to Prefect Pang's residence. Zhan Feiyu waited for news in a teahouse one street away from Prefect Pang's residence.
"Is Miss trying to test Qian Shipeng?" He Sheng also sat by the window and handed the freshly poured tea to Zhan Feiyu.
Taking the cup to warm her hands, Zhan Feiyu looked at the passersby outside the window. "Based on the current situation, Qiu Shao and his son are indeed not related to the barbarians."
...
"Zhan Feiyu." Qiu Jingyuan suddenly spoke again. "Why did Qian Shipeng escort me back to Qianzhong Circuit? Auntie refused, and even if Qian Shipeng were foolish, he would know this trip was unprofitable!"
A twelve-year-old girl. For the first twelve years of her life, she lived a life of pampered nobility as an official's daughter. Qiu Jingyuan was arrogant and domineering. She wanted whatever she liked, forced others, and took what they cherished. What of it? She was the young lady of the Qiu family; that was her capital!
Therefore, Qiu Jingyuan rarely used her brain. It was only at this moment that she finally discovered something amiss. The third branch was about to fall, so why was Qian Shipeng still getting involved? He escorted her back to Qianzhong Circuit from thousands of miles away; what was he plotting?
Before Zhan Feiyu could speak, Qiu Jingyuan smiled self-mockingly. "Even if I hadn't returned, I know the third branch is now like a rat crossing the street, with everyone shouting to beat it. Everyone else avoids us. Even if Qian Shipeng wanted to take advantage and make a profit, the third branch has collapsed, but the Qiu family still exists. Qian Shipeng is merely a庶子 (shùzǐ - son of a concubine) from a merchant family. It's impossible for him to get a share."
Whether it was the connections or wealth of the third branch, even if it were not sealed by the court, the main branch of the Qiu family would handle it. It was not for outsiders to pounce like hyenas and share the spoils.
"If Miss Qiu is willing to meet Qian Shipeng, I am willing to vouch for you," Zhan Feiyu offered a condition. Qian Shipeng was currently hiding in Prefect Pang's residence.