Qin Shuying had speculated many times about the Zhou family’s massacre, and the possibility that Lu Changxuan had personally orchestrated it was the greatest.

First, at that time, not long after Lu Changxuan married Qin Yaoyao, he obtained an official position of the sixth rank. This absolutely could not have been because he was the son-in-law of the Qin residence. Xu Shi would never be so kind-hearted as to give an official position to a concubine-born daughter’s husband. In other words, if Qin Yaoyao and Lu Changxuan were truly deeply in love, Xu Shi would only try every means to suppress Lu Changxuan. Lu Changxuan obtaining an official position should mean that he and Xu Shi had reached some kind of agreement.

Second, during the period when the Zhou family met with disaster, Lu Changxuan frequently stayed out all night. Sometimes when Qin Yaoyao asked a few more questions out of concern, he would even be evasive and dodging. The Qin Yaoyao of that time hadn’t paid attention to this, but thinking about it now, there were quite a few suspicious points.

At that time, although Concubine [Zhou] had passed away, the Zhou family cared greatly for Qin Yaoyao. That Qin Yaoyao could get the hang of business so quickly was naturally due to considerable guidance from the Zhou family. Xu Shi had openly and secretly praised several times that the Zhou family was truly wealthy. Qin Yaoyao hadn’t taken Xu Shi’s words to heart—no matter what, the Zhou family were merchants, while the Qin residence was an official family. How could an official family possibly be poorer than merchants?

The Qin Yaoyao of that time still didn’t understand the Qin residence’s financial straits and Xu Shi’s greed. Those words from Xu Shi were merely hinting to Qin Yaoyao that she should find ways to get some money from the Zhou family to send to Xu Shi, or that the Zhou family should show more filial respect to the Qin residence.

Although the Zhou family wasn’t a household of great wealth and nobility, they were still worth tens of thousands in family fortune. Uncle Zhou single-handedly supported a family that had been dirt poor. Concubine Zhou was several years older than Uncle Zhou, and had originally become a concubine out of desperation. Uncle Zhou vowed not to let his own children repeat the same mistakes, so he was very meticulous in cultivating his pair of children. He sent his son to study, and also hired a teacher for his daughter at home, teaching her everything from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting to proper etiquette and manners.

Uncle Zhou was a businessman and quite shrewd. He had once subtly suspected Lu Changxuan, but Qin Yaoyao at that time felt her marriage was blissful and wholeheartedly defended Lu Changxuan.

Only two or three years after marrying, Uncle Zhou’s entire family met with disaster. And at that time, Qin Yaoyao happened to need to restock goods and had gone to the outskirts of the capital. By the time she received the news and rushed back, Uncle Zhou’s entire family had already turned to ash along with that shop.

After Uncle Zhou’s family perished, the authorities had also examined the scene, only finding the remnants of some gold and silver jewelry. The jewels were destroyed, and the gold and silver weren’t worth much either.

Even so, this was far from enough to compensate for even one percent of the Du family’s losses.

Qin Yaoyao had suspected at the time that Uncle Zhou’s family couldn’t possibly have had only those possessions—there should have been quite a bit of cash and silver. Could it be that most of it was in banknotes that were burned by the fire? Only this could explain it.

After finding Ziteng, she quickly arranged for people to search for clues.

Now that so much time had passed, no useful clues remained. However, since Qin Yunyun had spoken that way before Qin Yaoyao’s death, there must have been a reason.

Qin Shuying said to Nanny Fu: “Nanny, Shopkeeper Jin handles affairs most properly. Just do as I’ve instructed. You should do this and that…”

Ziteng had been silently following behind Qin Shuying the entire time, her eyes full of sinister coldness.

Finding the Che family, finding evidence—when Miss was arranging all these matters, she had never concealed anything from herself. Being able to arrange this matter so quickly, she had also contributed quite a few ideas.

Regarding those things Miss had told her, Miss had never doubted them at all. Whatever she said, Miss would believe.

Ziteng looked at Qin Shuying’s retreating figure with a complex expression, her heart both warm and aching.

After clearly explaining matters to Nanny Fu and seeing her grave expression, Qin Shuying just smiled: “Alright, Nanny, things must always proceed step by step. You shouldn’t worry so much.”

Nanny Fu smiled and seemed to agree with Qin Shuying’s words, saying: “Miss, when going to the Xu residence, have Ziteng and Hong Juan accompany you.”

Qin Shuying was silent for a moment, then said: “Hong Juan won’t go. Lu Ye will.”

Nanny Fu sighed softly. Although Miss trusted Hong Juan on the surface, when it came to important matters, she still didn’t dare to completely rely on her.

If Miss had had such wariness back then, how could things have come to…

Nanny Fu cut off her wandering thoughts.

Nanny Fu went out to handle affairs, and Ziteng followed beside Qin Shuying.

Qin Shuying had Ziteng call Lu Ye over as well, saying: “Lu Ye, the day after tomorrow we’re going to the Xu residence. You and Ziteng will accompany me together. Go down and prepare well.”

Lu Ye’s expression was quite strange, but she respectfully agreed: “Yes, Miss.”

Qin Shuying naturally noticed this. “Do you have something to say?”

Lu Ye then said: “Miss, Fifth Miss Xu is the most detestable. This servant dislikes her the most.”

“Then do you think I should go or not?”

Lu Ye said: “Miss is so formidable now. Give her a taste of her own medicine and get back both principal and interest—that’s what should be done. Miss, whatever you want this servant to do, tell me early, and this servant will definitely do it well!”

Qin Shuying smiled slightly. “We’re not going to fight. What do you mean ‘get back both principal and interest’!”

Lu Ye said seriously: “Miss is right. Fighting at the Xu residence wouldn’t be worthwhile. But if she comes here and we fight at the Qin residence, this servant wouldn’t be afraid.”

Qin Shuying pursed her lips in amusement. “That’s good then. Come here, let’s discuss this together.”

Lu Ye nodded vigorously.

Ziteng also smiled. She knew that Qin Shuying had previously always brought herself out because she trusted her and trusted her capabilities. Now, Miss was planning many things, and having just herself alone wasn’t enough. Lu Ye had sufficient loyalty but lacked some insight and ruthlessness.

Miss was cultivating Lu Ye.

Qin Shuying said: “Then I’ll tell you—going to the Xu residence, there’s a possibility of losing one’s life. Are you afraid?”

Lu Ye shook her head without hesitation: “This servant’s life belongs to Miss. Whatever Miss tells this servant to do, this servant will do. This servant is not afraid.”

Qin Shuying paused for a moment.

A servant of humble birth had such a heart of repaying kindness like a gushing spring for a drop of water. Xu Shi had received so many benefits from Qin Yaoyao, received so many benefits from Qin Yongzhou’s family, yet in the end wanted to take their lives!

“Very well, then I’ll tell you what kind of situations we might encounter when we go to the Xu residence, and how you should respond. These next two days, don’t concern yourself with other matters—just firmly remember these things.”

Lu Ye hurriedly nodded: “Yes, Miss.”

Ziteng couldn’t help but recall the situation when she first accompanied Qin Shuying to Duke Chu’s residence. At that time, Qin Shuying had spoken to her in the same way, going through all the possible situations they might encounter at Duke Chu’s residence.

Unexpectedly, Miss had speculated five or six scenarios, and one of them actually came to pass.

It was also fortunate that Miss had speculated with her beforehand. When the situation occurred, she was able to methodically follow the previously envisioned steps, ultimately taking the risk and achieving complete victory.

“Ziteng, where my explanations are incomplete, you supplement them. These next two days, give Lu Ye a good lesson.”

Ziteng said: “Yes, Miss.”

The female protagonist’s path of revenge is fraught with dangers.