Qin Yining and Mu Jinghu exchanged a glance, their gazes simultaneously falling on the jade placard in Qin Yining’s hand.

“It must be this thing that brought people here, but I don’t know what the real reason is.” Qin Yining frowned with worry.

Mu Jinghu said indifferently, “Since you find it suspicious, then just don’t bother with it. Simply refuse them—I don’t believe that Qiu family person can force their way in?”

Qin Yining was amused by Mu Jinghu’s straightforward attitude.

“We came here to investigate. Now that we have a lead, how can we avoid it?”

Her purpose for this trip was to investigate Sifang Bank. Sifang Bank was an old establishment with a hundred-year history, operating in a nostalgic manner and being so mysterious that it hadn’t left a single trace in the martial world. Even Pang Xiao’s scouts had been sent off to the completely unrelated Guinan region.

Now that they’d come to Jianchuan City and finally found some leads, she still wanted to know what kind of background the Qiu family had. How could she easily give up?

Thinking of this, Qin Yining stood up and called Jingzhe in. “You several split up and go into the city to discreetly inquire about the Qiu family. Whether big or small matters, any news is good—I just want to know anything related to the Qiu family.”

Jingzhe nodded, then said with some concern, “If we go out, what about the Princess’s safety here?”

Qin Yining smiled, “It’s fine. I still have Young Master Mu by my side.”

“Rest assured, I’ll stay and protect the Princess,” Mu Jinghu promised earnestly.

Jingzhe had almost reached the point of blind trust in Qin Yining’s wisdom. Since Qin Yining said Mu Jinghu could protect her, he naturally believed it. He immediately went out to arrange the information gathering.

Qin Yining then took Bingtang, Ji Yun, and Mu Jinghu to meet the “Master Qiu” who had come from the Qiu family.

Since Qin Yining was married and had traveled north and south with Pang Xiao, having seen all kinds of situations, she naturally didn’t wear her veil hat indoors. This time she hung the “Entry to Sichuan Placard” at her waist sash as a dress ornament and slowly entered the main hall of the courtyard compound with her round fan in hand.

In the main hall, two middle-aged men in fine clothing stood with their backs to the door, talking, with their attendants beside them offering agreeable responses.

Perhaps hearing footsteps, just as Qin Yining’s group reached the corridor, the older, medium-built man with a short beard turned around.

His eyes and brows originally carried some arrogance, but the moment he saw Qin Yining’s appearance, he immediately froze in place. The harsh words that were about to emerge from his thin lips were swallowed back down. His mouth gaped open in a stunned, vacant expression.

Qin Yining frowned slightly, used her round fan to cover half her face, and turned aside in displeasure.

Ji Yun and Bingtang immediately blocked in front of Qin Yining, shielding her from those crude, lustful gazes.

The other man was slightly better, but his eyes still roamed between Qin Yining, Ji Yun, and Bingtang. He was about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, with eyes that were overly active, making him appear too slick.

Though both men’s appearances could be considered proper, they were both types that Qin Yining found distasteful at first sight.

The leading man with the short beard came to his senses, coughed, his face flushing red as he forced himself to appear refined and cupped his hands. “Miss, I am surnamed Qiu, given name Feizhen. I am the eldest of the sixth branch of the Qiu family. You may address me as Master Qiu. This is my cousin Feiyu. May I ask who this miss is?”

Hearing these two men’s names, Qin Yining knew they were of the same generation as Qiu Feishan. She indeed hadn’t come to the wrong place. She just didn’t know what Qiu Feishan’s purpose was in luring her here.

Ignoring these two men’s gazes, Qin Yining walked to the main seat and sat down, coolly inviting the two to also sit. “My husband’s family name is Pang. You may address me as Madam Pang. I wonder what important matter brings you to my door?”

Upon hearing this, Qiu Feizhen and Qiu Feiyu realized that Qin Yining wore a married woman’s hairstyle. They had been so captivated by her stunning beauty that their attention had been completely drawn away, missing such an obvious detail.

Qiu Feizhen coughed and straightened up with refined bearing. “Madam Pang must be from out of town, yes? What is your relationship with Feishan?”

Qin Yining lowered her eyes and said coolly, “That seems to be none of your concern?”

Qiu Feizhen and Qiu Feiyu were truly surprised now.

In Jianchuan City, they had never encountered such a situation. Usually when they wanted to do or say something, who didn’t flatter and praise them? As long as they were willing, countless young ladies and married women would be willing to follow them.

But this beauty not only didn’t give them a pleasant expression, she acted completely aloof and unapproachable. They had seen many noble people in the Qiu family, but had never seen someone so good at putting on airs.

Qiu Feizhen glanced at the maple leaf jade pendant hanging on Qin Yining’s skirt. “Since you’re wearing Feishan’s Entry to Sichuan Placard, you must be Feishan’s good friend, perhaps a business partner? Ah, since you’re Miss Feishan’s friend, how can we neglect you by letting you stay in an inn? Our mansion is spacious with plenty of guest rooms. Madam Pang, please come with us to the mansion now.”

He stood up, flicked his sleeve, and made an inviting gesture.

Qiu Feiyu also stood up, clearly certain that Qin Yining would follow them.

Seeing these two men’s behavior, Qin Yining realized the Qiu family must have considerable power locally. Otherwise, mere collateral descendants wouldn’t have such attitudes. Did they really think themselves so precious?

Qin Yining said, “Thank you for your kind intention, but there’s no need to trouble your household. We’re quite comfortable staying here.”

Qiu Feizhen and Qiu Feiyu were once again coldly treated, their hearts immediately growing restless. Qiu Feizhen was both angry at Qin Yining’s failure to appreciate their favor and couldn’t help but keep looking at her appearance, feeling that her every word and expression was alluring.

He couldn’t help but think to himself: That Pang fellow is far too blessed with beauty. What kind of person has Qiu Feishan met outside?

Obviously, Qiu Feizhen hadn’t connected “Madam Pang” with “Madam Pang.”

“Madam Pang, you’d better not be stubborn. Such failure to appreciate kindness won’t work in this territory,” Qiu Feizhen said patiently with a still relatively gentle attitude, earnestly advising, “Haven’t you seen how many locals dare to refuse our Qiu family’s invitation? Since you’ve come to Jianchuan and are friends with Miss Qiu, you must be here to do business and seek profit. If you offend people, what money will you make?”

Though his words seemed to be considering Qin Yining’s interests throughout, one didn’t need to think to know how conceited and arrogant he was at this moment.

Qin Yining grew somewhat impatient, especially with this strange man who kept staring at her with lewd eyes while talking to her.

Qin Yining smiled without warmth. “That’s not something you need to worry about. I have other matters to attend to. Please leave.”

Qin Yining stood up to leave as she spoke.

Who knew that Qiu Feiyu would sidestep to block the doorway, wearing a smile on his face as he said eagerly, “Don’t leave! Madam Pang, since we’ve met, it’s fate. Our Qiu family’s wine house has just brewed some fine wine. Why don’t you honor us by having a few drinks with us brothers? If so, what business of yours couldn’t succeed?”