Seeing Qin Yining’s confident and composed appearance, Lu Dehan couldn’t help asking curiously, “Boss, do you have a way to deal with Madam Lu?”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded. “Mm, I need to discuss this matter with my father later, but you don’t need to worry. Just go about your daily life peacefully. Madam Lu wants to target me, so she’ll only think of ways to go against me. As for your situation, it’s just intimidation—she wants you to sell the residence to her to make our Qin family lose face.”

“Sigh!” Lu Dehan sighed upon hearing this. “Boss, you wealthy noble families really live exhausting lives.”

Lu Dehan was straightforward, saying whatever came to mind, which made Qin Yining unable to help but laugh.

After seeing Lu Dehan off, Qin Yining instructed Qiu Lu, “Go wait in the front courtyard for my father. When you see him return, immediately come tell me, and tell my father I have something to discuss with him.”

Qiu Lu nodded emphatically and hurried out.

After Qin Huaiyuan returned to the mansion, Qin Yining hurried over and told him about today’s events, finally saying with worry:

“Father, this Second Master Lu is not someone easy to get along with. It appears he wants to befriend you, but actually he’s acting to sow discord. How should we respond?”

Li Qitian had brought in Great Yan surrendered officials specifically to balance the power between the three factions: established families, former Northern Ji officials, and nobles with military merit. If the Great Yan surrendered officials favored any particular side, it would cause Li Qitian’s strong displeasure.

But once Lu Heng sent this invitation, regardless of whether Qin Huaiyuan attended the appointment or not, if it reached Li Qitian’s ears, it would probably be misunderstood as Qin Huaiyuan having close relations with the Lu family.

If Lu Heng had considered the Qin family even a little, he would never have sent such a blatant invitation.

Qin Huaiyuan slowly picked up his tea bowl, took a sip, and asked unhurriedly, “What do you think we should do?”

Qin Yining smiled. “Daughter is asking for Father’s guidance here. How is it that Father is asking me instead?”

Qin Huaiyuan looked at Qin Yining with mock anger. “Are you still playing innocent in front of your father? Don’t you already have a solution? Speak up and let me see if we father and daughter are thinking along the same lines.”

Hearing Qin Huaiyuan say this, Qin Yining smiled and said, “Actually it’s quite simple. His doing this is nothing more than wanting to sow discord between you and His Majesty. If you don’t attend the banquet, it shows you look down on the Lu family. But if you go, it will certainly make His Majesty displeased with you. So daughter thought of a way to turn his scheme against him.”

Qin Huaiyuan’s eyes lit up as he put down his tea bowl and looked at Qin Yining with a beaming smile.

Qin Yining continued, “Didn’t Madam Lu also say that if Lu Dehan doesn’t sell the residence to her, she’ll kill Lu Dehan? She’s supposedly a lady from a great family, yet she can act so arrogantly. I should teach her a lesson too, to prevent her from constantly jumping around and annoying me.”

“So you want to use this matter to deal with Madam Lu as well?”

“Exactly.” Qin Yining nodded decisively, moved closer to Qin Huaiyuan, and whispered a few words.

After listening, Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help but pinch Qin Yining’s cheek. “Little girl, how did you think of all this? We father and daughter thought of almost the same thing.”

Qin Yining giggled. “Because I’m Father’s daughter, naturally we father and daughter think along the same lines. Father, what do you think of my idea?”

“Since you thought of the same thing as me, it’s naturally good.” Qin Huaiyuan rarely made a joke. “Rest assured, I’ll personally reply to Lu Heng shortly, saying I’ll set the location at the third floor of Drunken Immortal Tower and arrange to meet him tomorrow.”

“Good. Father’s approach is perfectly proper and won’t offend the Lu family. Leave the rest to daughter to plan.”

Qin Huaiyuan nodded with relief.

Qin Yining had someone book the entire second floor of Drunken Immortal Tower for tomorrow. Then she called Jingzhe and the other three over and whispered a few words to them.

Upon hearing this, all four respectfully nodded in agreement. After assigning tasks to each, soon the next afternoon arrived.

Qin Yining sat by the window of a second-floor private room, watching Qin Huaiyuan waiting on the first floor.

A stick of incense before the appointed time, a luxurious carriage slowly stopped in front of Drunken Immortal Tower.

Several servants came forward—some placing footstools, others lifting curtains—everything orderly, displaying the magnificence of a great household.

A young gentleman wearing a sky-blue cloak with white fur collar descended from the carriage—it was Lu Heng.

Qin Huaiyuan stood downstairs at Drunken Immortal Tower. Seeing him, Lu Heng quickly approached and bowed. “This must be Minister Qin? This humble one is Lu Heng, paying respects to Minister Qin.”

“Second Master Lu, no need for such courtesy.”

“Today this humble one intended to show respect to Minister Qin, but who knew Minister Qin would have to spend money to arrange a banquet. This humble one is truly ashamed.” Lu Heng cupped his hands.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled. “This old man has long wanted to visit your mansion but haven’t had the time. Meeting at Drunken Immortal Tower today is perfectly appropriate. This old man has reserved the entire third floor. Young Master Lu, please come with me.”

“Yes, Minister Qin’s consideration is thorough.”

Qin Huaiyuan and Lu Heng exchanged pleasantries as they walked through the main hall, up the steps. When they reached the second floor, Lu Heng instinctively glanced toward the private rooms and noticed maids and servants at the doors, knowing the second floor was operating as usual.

Lu Heng didn’t think much of it and went to the third floor with Qin Huaiyuan.

Qin Huaiyuan was steady and experienced, learned and scholarly, and gentle and composed in speech. As long as he wished, he could get along with anyone.

Lu Heng, however, was well-traveled and knowledgeable, with an elegant and noble temperament. His every gesture exuded naturally born dignity, and with his extraordinary conversation filled with substance, if one set aside matters of position, Lu Heng and Qin Huaiyuan truly conversed most enjoyably.

At this time, Madam Lu received some news.

“What did you say? That bastard dares to despise my wishes and even dares to go to Drunken Immortal Tower with that Qin family girl to sign transfer documents!”

“Yes. That Lu Dehan is stubborn, saying what he agreed with the Qin family is settled, and no matter how much silver we offer, Lu Dehan will sell the residence to the Qin family. Our people all saw the Qin family girl go to Drunken Immortal Tower to meet that Lu Dehan.”

Madam Lu trembled with rage.

“Bah! Such lowly flesh dares to share the Lu surname? He’s not worthy! Someone come!”

Madam Lu’s voice was extremely shrill.

Outside, servants and attendants responded.

Madam Lu said, “Bring all the mansion’s guards and fighters, call all the servants, grab weapons, and follow me to Drunken Immortal Tower!”

At this moment, Qin Yining was sitting bored by the window, drinking tea while pondering.

She figured that without discussing serious matters, Father and Lu Heng should already be conversing enjoyably by now. She wondered if the big fish on that side had taken the bait yet.

Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly heard commotion downstairs. Pushing open a crack in the window to look down, Qin Yining actually saw twenty to thirty servants surrounding a magnificent vermillion-wheeled carriage stopped in front of Drunken Immortal Tower.