But if there was a solution, Qiu Huaixin would not have come to Zhan Feiyu in distress. He had made many friends over the years, but with the current situation in Qianzhong Dao, Qiu Huaixin could not go anywhere else. Only Zhan Feiyu was a place where he didn't have to worry about any information being leaked.
"We'll take it one step at a time, but neither my second brother nor I will accept the position of family head. It rightfully belongs to Eldest Brother." Qiu Huaixin's attitude was firm.
Over the years, he had seen how hard Qiu Bingde had worked and how much his eldest brother had sacrificed to become a qualified heir. Why should his eldest brother bear the mistakes made by the Wu family?
"He who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight." Zhan Feiyu also agreed with this. Qiu Bingde was indeed more suitable than Qiu Huaixin and Qiu Wangshu. However, Brother Chen was a tricky problem. Mother and son's affection was inseparable, and no one could guarantee that Brother Chen would not seek revenge on Qiu Huaixin in the future.
"Miss." Just then, He Nuan walked in from outside. After saluting Zhan Feiyu, she reported, "Old Madam Wu has arrived and is at the entrance of the別院."
Qiu Huaixin stood up abruptly, his face looking extremely grim. "I'll go to the entrance to see!"
Watching Qiu Huaixin hurry out, Zhan Feiyu also got up. He Nuan followed, taking the cloak from the young maid and tying it for Zhan Feiyu before following her out the door.
Unlike her usual grand entrances, Old Madam Wu today rode in a most ordinary green silk carriage with only two maids inside. Outside, besides the coachman, there was only one steward who had accompanied her.
It was early winter and cold. Old Madam Wu was advanced in age. At this moment, whether it was due to the cold or something else, her face was tense, making her appear even more stern and aged.
Qian Mama and the head maid, Baolian, who were serving in the carriage, kept their heads down and dared not speak. Old Madam Wu held a hand warmer, but the two of them sat idly all the way. The cold wind blew in through the gaps, making their hands and feet numb with cold. After serving Old Madam Wu at the Wu residence for so many years, Qian Mama and Baolian had never suffered like this before.
As the gate of the別院 was opened again, Old Madam Wu, with a grim expression, finally showed a change in her demeanor and handed the hand warmer to Baolian.
"Madam, this old servant will go down and take a look first." Qian Mama hurriedly got out of the carriage. Her legs and feet, stiffened by the cold journey, had lost all sensation. The pain from jumping off the carriage made Qian Mama's face contort, but she couldn't afford to care about that now.
Catching sight of Qiu Huaixin approaching from the opened gate, Qian Mama quickly said, "Madam, Third Young Master is coming."
Upon hearing this, Baolian also quickly helped Old Madam Wu out of the carriage. Old Madam Wu had not uttered a word throughout the bumpy and arduous journey, and Baolian, as a servant, dared not complain.
After the news of Wu shi's arrest reached the Wu family, not only the masters were anxious and worried, but the servants were also in a state of panic. If the Qiu family sought revenge, their Wu family would likely be in danger as well.
Qiu Huaixin had met Old Madam Wu several times before and had visited the Wu family. He had even paraded through the streets with the younger generation of the Wu family. At that time, Old Madam Wu had a kind face and was exceptionally generous to the younger generation.
But standing at the entrance of the別院 now, Qiu Huaixin looked at Old Madam Wu as she alighted from the carriage. She was the same person, but she had aged so much that Qiu Huaixin could hardly believe it, as if she had aged more than ten years overnight, transforming from a vigorous old lady into a withered old woman with one foot in the grave.
"Huaixin, it is my fault for not disciplining my daughter properly." Old Madam Wu said in a hoarse voice, shaking off Qian Mama's supporting hand and staggering forward a few steps.
"Old Madam, be careful of your footing!" Qiu Huaixin quickly stepped forward and stopped Old Madam Wu, who was about to kneel before him.
Her lips trembled for a moment, and Old Madam Wu's wrinkled hand grasped Qiu Huaixin's hand. The words of apology reached her throat but were swallowed back, leaving only her tear-filled eyes looking at Qiu Huaixin with guilt and self-reproach.
Zhan Feiyu stood in the corner, holding the hand warmer, and whispered to He Nuan as she looked at the helpless and uneasy Qiu Huaixin, "The older the ginger, the spicier it is."
"Third Young Master has little experience," He Nuan calmly agreed. Third Young Master was the youngest son of Master Qiu. His peers all followed his lead, and the elders were all kind and benevolent. He had never encountered the wickedness of human nature.
It was normal for Third Young Master to be unable to cope with Old Madam Wu's show of weakness. If Master Qiu or Madam Qiu were here today, Old Madam Wu's ruse would have been completely ineffective.
In the early winter, the wind was cold. Qiu Huaixin could not bear it standing in the wind, let alone Old Madam Wu.
A quarter of an hour later, the charcoal stove in the main hall of the別院 was lit, and hot tea was served.
Zhan Feiyu shamelessly sat aside with the hand warmer, ignoring Qiu Huaixin's pleading gaze.
Perhaps it was the warmth of the room that finally restored some of Old Madam Wu's energy. As for Zhan Feiyu, the "bystander," Old Madam Wu could only pretend not to see her. Today, she wanted to see Qiu Huaixin, who was sitting in the main seat.
"Zixian is my youngest daughter. It is I, her mother, who did not teach her well, which led Zixian to commit such a grave mistake. Now, for a white-haired person to send off a black-haired person is what I, an old woman, deserve." Old Madam Wu had lost the frail appearance she had at the entrance. Although her face was still pale, her posture was upright, and her expression and voice had returned to normal.
Old Madam Wu looked at Qiu Huaixin. Beneath her silver hair, her aged face once again showed self-reproach and guilt. "Zixian's fate is what she deserves. Huaixin, I have come uninvited today for Brother Chen."
Baolian placed the wooden box she had been holding on the table next to Qiu Huaixin, then retreated to stand behind Old Madam Wu.
"Huaixin, you don't need to rush to refuse." Old Madam Wu spoke first. Perhaps thinking of Wu shi, her voice choked slightly, but this weakness lasted only for a moment.
Old Madam Wu explained, "The land deeds, property deeds, and bank notes in this wooden box are my private property. Before coming, I had already divided these assets into two. If Brother Chen does not hold a grudge in the future, you can give him half of these assets on my behalf, which can be considered my compensation to him as his maternal grandmother. If Huaixin resents you in the future because of Zixian's matter, or even takes action, these assets will be my compensation to you for that unfilial daughter."