Qin Yining smiled and said, “I know. Although we outsiders don’t understand the inner courtyard disputes of the Qiu family, Qiu Feishan deliberately led me to this place, presumably not simply to let me observe how ‘harmonious’ her family members are. That person has always refused to suffer losses. Since she guessed that the Prince and I wanted to investigate the origins of Sitong Bank and gave me such a clue to lead me here, she must want to use me to help her do something to achieve mutual benefit.”
Just like how Sitong Bank wanted to establish itself with the Pingnan Army but couldn’t force Pang Xiao, and couldn’t go through other channels, so they made such a big detour, tricking Pang Xiao into robbing Sitong Bank’s goods himself, making Pang Xiao triumphantly accept Sitong Bank’s compensation in the end, coaxing Pang Xiao to happily accept Sitong Bank’s sponsorship of the Pingnan Army.
Now, Qiu Feishan was playing the same game. This showed how deeply this woman could control people’s hearts and how far-reaching her schemes were, making them all fall into her trap, and in the end having to smile and accept reality to achieve mutual benefit.
Although it was “mutual benefit” and their side didn’t suffer losses.
But this feeling of being manipulated was truly uncomfortable.
As for Qiu Feishan’s background, Qin Yining now had some guesses, but since she was no longer curious about Qiu Feishan, she was too lazy to think about it much.
“Princess Consort, what should we do now?” Bingtang said somewhat nervously, “Those Qiu family people are too domineering. That Governor Wú came slowly and left quietly. Just after the Qiu family people left, this servant momentarily forgot about Governor Wú. When I went back to look for him, who knows how long ago he had run off. It’s clear we can’t count on the local government now. This servant worries that the Qiu family will seek opportunities to retaliate against you, and we don’t have any exit passes. How can we get out?”
“I think the same.” Qin Yining nodded.
Mu Jinghu said, “Then let’s check out of this inn and find another reliable place to stay.”
Qin Yining nodded, “Let’s do that, though I feel this might not be very useful either. In this place of Jianchuan, the Qiu family’s influence is too great. Even if we leave this inn to stay elsewhere, they can still find out where we are.”
Qin Yining’s jade-white finger tapped the table as she pondered for a moment: “Although I know Governor Wú is useless, now I can only think of a method that’s not really a method. Let’s find an inn or guesthouse relatively close to the Governor’s office and move there. Hopefully, the Qiu family will show some restraint considering the Governor’s office is nearby.”
Everyone nodded. This was indeed a last resort when there were no other options. In a place where the Qiu family could be called local emperors, they truly couldn’t find a second method.
“We still need to quickly find a way to get an exit pass.” Qin Yining rubbed her temples.
Qiu Feishan had led them here and given them an entry pass representing the identity of the Qiu family’s eldest miss, but deliberately didn’t give them an exit pass, clearly wanting to trap them here.
What benefit would it be to Qiu Feishan for her to be trapped in Jianchuan?
While Qin Yining was deep in thought, Bingtang and Ji Yun went to repack the luggage they had just finished organizing.
Mu Jinghu’s luggage was simple—just a small bundle containing a set of replacement clothes. His weapons and silver were carried on his person. This was his usual habit, convenient for dealing with unexpected situations. Being worried about Qin Yining, he didn’t leave at this moment but stayed in the room, choosing an unobtrusive corner to sit.
Soon, those who had gone out to scout returned: “Reporting to the Princess Consort, there’s an inn two streets away from the Governor’s office that still has empty courtyards available. If it’s a guesthouse, we haven’t found one yet and would need to spend more effort negotiating.”
Given the urban planning of various places, finding an inn two streets from the Governor’s office was already quite good. Qin Yining knew it wasn’t easy to find and nodded.
“Then let’s go there. We’ll check out here and leave immediately.”
“Yes.”
Qin Yining stood up, took her veil hat and put it on. Over there, Jingzhe led people to check out while they boarded the carriage prepared at the courtyard gate.
After Qin Yining’s group left, the inn’s proprietor walked out from a side door, crossing his hands as he watched the direction the group had gone and let out a soft sneer. He turned back to tell the servers to watch carefully, then headed toward the Qiu family’s direction.
At this time, the Qiu family’s main residence was also not quiet.
Several elderly men sat upright in the round chairs on both sides of the main hall. Qiu Yuanqing and the Qiu Yuanming couple who had just returned to the mansion all stood in the lower position. Qiu Feiyue, who usually mingled with Qiu Feizhen, also stood in an inconspicuous place with his head lowered, looking like he was being lectured.
One elderly man leaned on his walking stick, his graying goat beard trembling with anger.
“Although Feizhen is absurd, when he goes out he’s still a man of our Qiu family. For men, bumps and bruises are common. Even if he got some flesh wounds or a bloody head, we could accept it. But being kicked in that place because of molesting a young woman is truly too unseemly. In my opinion, Feizhen shouldn’t be allowed to go out anymore in the future.”
“I think so too.” Another white-haired old man said tremblingly, “Feizhen usually doesn’t do anything proper. Look at the eldest branch’s Feishan—that little girl knows more about making progress than Feizhen. He only knows how to fight cocks and walk dogs, truly detestable.”
Qiu Yuanming and his wife both lowered their heads, pouting in dissatisfaction.
Having their precious son spoken of this way, no doting parents would want to hear it.
Qiu Yuanming said, “One thing is one thing. Feizhen is indeed ignorant. But isn’t he still much better than others in our Qiu family who kill and commit arson? Besides, Feizhen isn’t the only one enjoying good fortune. How can you compare Feizhen to a crazy girl who hasn’t been home for over two years?”
“Exactly.” Old Lady Qiu also said, “Whatever my Feizhen is like, he’s still a man. However he plays, it’s not excessive. Even if he killed someone, haven’t we Qiu family whitewashed many such incidents? But Qiu Feishan is different. She’s been restless since childhood, first causing her mother’s death, then her father’s death a few years later. She’s a girl but doesn’t act like one, dressing neither male nor female all day. Ever since she left home and caused trouble everywhere, even the clan head was so angered by her that he went into seclusion. Don’t compare just anyone to my Feizhen.”
These clan elders were all advanced in years, having seen all kinds of people in their lifetime. Even so, they were still quite angered by the Qiu Yuanming couple.
No wonder they could raise such a son—these two weren’t good material to begin with.
However, they were all old now. Although they had seniority, they had no real power. Their era had passed. Even if they talked themselves hoarse, the younger generation still had to be willing to listen.
The clan head hadn’t appeared for two years, and all power had fallen into Qiu Yuanqing’s hands. Even they had to depend on Qiu Yuanqing’s words to live. They didn’t just have themselves to worry about—they also had younger generations in their families.
The clan elders all shook their heads, momentarily not knowing what to say.
Seeing the clan elders being so tactful, Qiu Yuanqing respectfully said, “Uncles and great-uncles, now that such a big incident has occurred and many people in the city have seen it, how do you think we should handle the aftermath?”