This person actually took her for a courtesan to amuse himself!

Anger erupted in Qin Yining’s heart. Her pale fingers gripping the round fan tightened repeatedly, barely restraining herself from slapping him across the face.

After all, she was unfamiliar with this place, and observing the demeanor and bearing of these two men, even though those sent to gather information hadn’t returned yet, it was clear that the Qiu family held a high position in Jianchuan City. It was better to avoid trouble when possible. Since no actual harm had been done, she would let it pass.

Qin Yining said coldly, “Master Qiu, please do as you wish.”

She spoke no more, wanting to avoid further entanglement and moved to go around him again.

Qiu Feiyu lightly nudged Qiu Feizhen, and when Qiu Feizhen looked back in confusion, he tilted his chin toward Qin Yining. The meaning was all too obvious.

These two brothers usually mixed together and understood each other’s temperament perfectly. Though Qiu Feizhen had some hesitation earlier, being so encouraged by Qiu Feiyu turned his three parts of desire into seven parts.

Indeed, they had never seen such a beauty in all their years in Jianchuan City. Previously they thought that girl Qiu Feishan’s appearance was already devastatingly beautiful, but today they encountered someone even more rare! And so gentle as water!

This Madam Pang’s husband must have burned high incense—otherwise how could he have such good fortune with beauties!

Grumbling internally, Qiu Feizhen directly grabbed Qin Yining’s sleeve.

Qin Yining was furious and flung him off with force.

Ji Yun and Bingtang also became anxious, protecting Qin Yining between them. Mu Jinghu’s hand moved to the soft sword at his waist, his usually gentle eyes now seeming covered with a layer of ice, threatening to explode at any moment.

Qiu Feizhen wasn’t annoyed at all; instead, he found Qin Yining’s reaction quite appealing. Having previously seen too many women who fawned over him, encountering someone with thorns today only heightened his interest. His tone was full of lewdness and teasing:

“Madam Pang, don’t be angry. I see you’ve traveled thousands of li to come here—you must be seeking something. Tell me, in Jianchuan City, if you want to accomplish anything, who else can you turn to besides our Qiu family? Though you carry that Entry to Sichuan Placard unique to Qiu Feishan’s branch, Qiu Feishan isn’t here after all. Even if she’s the legitimate daughter of the main branch, always dressed as a man coming and going, she’s still a fake man, isn’t she? In the end, won’t she still pack up and marry someone, leaving her line extinct?

“Though I’m from the sixth branch, my relationship with Second Uncle is beyond question. If you’re willing to have a drink with me and we chat about life through the night—both of us getting our pleasure—why not? As long as I’m satisfied, even if you want the stars and moon, I can pluck them down for you. How about it, little beauty?”

The more Qiu Feizhen spoke, the closer he leaned toward Qin Yining. In his breathing, he seemed to smell the soft feminine fragrance, stoking all his fires to gather in one place. He couldn’t help but loosen his nostrils and take a deep breath.

“Mm! So fragrant, you… Ah!!”

Before he could finish his words, he felt himself flying through the air.

His lower abdomen exploded in pain, so severe it went numb for a moment. He screamed as he fell to the ground, spreading his legs and covering his vital parts with both hands, trembling so much he couldn’t speak a word.

Mu Jinghu withdrew his foot, strode forward, and delivered another kick to the spot his hands were covering.

“Bastard! What kind of thing are you!” Mu Jinghu wasn’t satisfied with just kicking twice—he raised his palm and slapped him across the face.

Qiu Feizhen immediately spat out blood mixed with several teeth.

However, at this moment, apart from screaming in pain, he couldn’t say anything else.

Mu Jinghu’s movements were too fast—even Qin Yining hadn’t reacted.

Qiu Feiyu was also shocked by Mu Jinghu’s sudden action, standing frozen in place as if rooted to the ground. He didn’t even dare to help Qiu Feizhen up, only trembling as he called to the servants behind him: “Quick, quick, this is, this is murder! Quick!”

The servants showed more courage—one supported Qiu Feiyu to flee first, while two others rushed to lift Qiu Feizhen and ran off.

Their shouting and Qiu Feizhen’s continuous cries of pain echoed through the courtyard, drawing the innkeeper and waiters over.

Seeing that the person being carried out was actually Master Zhen of the Qiu family, the innkeeper’s face immediately turned pale with fright.

Mu Jinghu coldly watched the group’s retreating figures, still not feeling satisfied. Pang Xiao had entrusted Qin Yining to his protection—that was his responsibility. Not a hair on her head could be harmed, let alone today’s encounter with such a shameless lecher!

If he could watch Pang Xiao’s wife being molested and do nothing, would he still be human?

The more Mu Jinghu thought about it, the angrier he became, cursing: “That Qiu family probably isn’t any good family either, raising such scum!”

Qin Yining sighed, “Don’t be angry anymore. Whether it’s great families or small ones, the clan’s descendants are always a mixed bag.”

As they spoke, Jingzhe and the others who had gone out to gather information returned.

Jingzhe said in a low voice, “This Qiu family in Jianchuan City is extraordinary. It’s said that before the Northern Ji dynasty was established, the Qiu family already had a hundred years of heritage. Passed down to today, they must have at least two to three hundred years of history. Some of their clan members have gone out to develop elsewhere, but more stay in Jianchuan City living as young masters.”

“That’s right, Princess. It’s said their family wealth rivals that of a nation. This entire Shu region has essentially become the Qiu family’s territory. That Entry to Sichuan Placard is a rule established by the Qiu family beyond the travel permits. Correspondingly, you need an ‘Exit from Sichuan Placard’ to leave through Jianchuan Pass’s city gate.”

Qin Yining was shocked to hear this. The jade pendant in her hand was an Entry to Sichuan Placard. If leaving the city required an Exit from Sichuan Placard, wouldn’t their group be trapped in this city? Remember, the terrain here was impossible to cross—entering and leaving could only be done through the city gate and checkpoint.

Qin Yining frowned, “Doesn’t this make the Qiu family the local emperor here?”

Jingzhe nodded, “Exactly so. When I went out to investigate, the people here know very little about outside affairs. They seem to only know the Qiu family of Shu region and not who the current emperor is or what his name might be. They’re extremely indifferent to the imperial court but hold the Qiu family in high esteem.”

“Doesn’t the local prefect manage this?”

“Can’t manage it! From what I gathered, it seems that any local officials who come to take office but refuse to be manipulated by the Qiu family or accept their benefits end up dying due to the treacherous terrain!”

Qin Yining fell silent upon hearing this.

This was simply inconceivable.

The Shu region wasn’t some barbarian land like Java. Seeing how prosperous the local people were and how fertile this place was, if it were the local prefect’s achievement, he would surely be a capable minister governing in peaceful times. But now it seemed that the Qiu family’s ambitions in the Shu region were greater than any family she had ever encountered. Even the Lu family she met in the capital wasn’t this arrogant.

Bingtang’s brow furrowed with worry, “This is bad. We just crippled that lecher. If what Jingzhe says is true, haven’t we stirred up a hornet’s nest? With the Qiu family’s power, they probably won’t let us off easily.”

Just as Bingtang finished speaking, loud shouting came from the courtyard: “Who is it? Who dares to commit violence!”