Chapter 339
Outside the entrance to the Qiu residence.
The surrounding commoners stood on both sides of the alley. An aunt, unaware of the situation, whispered, "Who are these people? The New Year has just passed, and they're carrying a coffin. How inauspicious!"
"Yes, this is bad luck. They'll probably have bad luck all year and have to go to the temple to pray." An old woman with white hair nodded in agreement. As people age, they become more superstitious.
"Keep your voice down. They probably aren't good people," the uncle standing at the front kindly reminded them.
These people were different from the group that came to cause trouble before the new year. Not only did the uncle who spoke remember, but many of the onlookers also remembered. The troublemakers back then were relatives of eight ruffians, and the deceased were also thugs. To put it bluntly, their deaths meant one less menace.
But the people in front of them were all dressed in fitted attire, with swords at their waists or sheathed at their sides. Each of them was burly and had a fierce expression. They were all formidable martial artists who should not be provoked. Crucially, there were already over a hundred people at a glance, not to mention the dense crowd at the entrance of the alley, which looked to be another hundred people.
"No matter who they are, if they come to the Qiu residence to cause trouble, I'll be the first to object!" a strong man who had stood on the city wall to resist the barbarians shouted. They were not ungrateful cowards.
When the old Mr. Qiu defended the city wall, he was still on the wall directing the defense. This was an immense favor that the people of Xiangwu County remembered deeply.
Inside the spacious carriage, charcoal fire was burning, and there was steaming hot tea on the low table, along with several plates of delicate pastries.
Qiu Jingyuan, who had been feeling stifled for several days, listened to the discussions outside and cursed angrily, "These ignorant peasants! Why didn't the barbarian army break through back then and kill a few more? Then we'd see if they'd still meddle in other people's business!"
Qian Shi, sitting beside her, was shocked. She probably hadn't expected Qiu Jingyuan to utter such cold-blooded and heartless words.
However, when she met Qiu Feng's sinister and gloomy eyes, the cold, bloodthirsty gaze made Qian Shi feel as if she had been stared at by a venomous snake. Qian Shi suddenly felt a chill run through her body and quickly lowered her head to avoid his gaze.
"Poor mountains and bad waters breed wicked people!" Qiu Zongzhang agreed with a face full of wrinkles, showing supreme disdain and contempt. "No wonder that old scoundrel Qiu Zongxi has lived here for eight or nine years. Hmph, birds of a feather flock together!"
Although they were of the same generation, Qiu Zongxi had suppressed them to the point where they couldn't lift their heads. It wasn't just the people of the Qiu family; even within the same academy, the same prefecture, all the scholars in Qianzhong Circuit were completely overshadowed by the talented Qiu Zongxi.
How could the light of fireflies dare to compete with the sun and moon!
Qiu Zongxi was the sun and moon, while they, his peers, were useless fireflies. Moreover, Qiu Zongxi was from the direct line of the Qiu family, while Qiu Zongzhang was from a neglected collateral branch.
Even after many years, Qiu Zongzhang could still recall the scenes from his childhood studies. Whenever Qiu Zongxi went out, he was surrounded by a throng of talented young scholars and beautiful women, composing poems, reciting verses, and enjoying flowing wine cups... all filled with an indescribable elegant charm.
Qiu Zongzhang had also wanted to join this circle, but he was always excluded. Those scornful and dismissive glances, that condescending and indifferent attitude—Qiu Zongzhang still gritted his teeth in hatred when he thought about it.
The memories from the past caused Qiu Zongzhang's expression to contort slightly, making his aged face appear even more acrimonious and ferocious. "What are you waiting for? If they don't open the door, let them break it down!"
This time, he had brought enough people. Qiu Zongzhang intended to seize the opportunity to take revenge on Qiu Zongxi. That old scoundrel, everyone said he was magnanimous, bah! In Qiu Zongzhang's opinion, he was a hypocrite, a true villain!
If Qiu Zongxi truly didn't covet fame and fortune, and didn't care about power, why didn't he introduce him to the classmates and friends he had made?
Qiu Zongxi didn't want to be an official, but he had always planned to pursue a career through the imperial examinations. Unfortunately, his luck was poor. Qiu Zongzhang had hoped Qiu Zongxi could help introduce him to one or two court officials. He was also a candidate who had passed the imperial examinations. If he could get a vacant position in the Ministry of Personnel, even a seventh-rank county magistrate, it would be fine.
As long as Qiu Zongxi was willing to help, after three years, if his performance evaluation from the Ministry of Personnel was good, he could be promoted. Within ten years, he could be transferred to one of the Six Ministries and serve as an official under the Son of Heaven.
Qiu Zongzhang had even thought that once he became an official in the capital, and Qiu Zongxi remained in Qianzhong Circuit, they, as cousins, could complement each other. Of course, since he would be an official in the capital and have direct access to the Son of Heaven, the family's connections and resources would naturally be centered around him. One day, when he entered the Grand Secretariat and became a trusted minister of the Emperor, he would definitely reciprocate to the family. The Qiu family might even become a prominent family in the capital, with the prospect of becoming marquises and prime ministers within reach!
But Qiu Zongzhang never expected Qiu Zongxi to be so cold-blooded and heartless. Not only did he stop him, but he also prevented his family from seeking official positions for him, thus cutting off his path to an official career!
Qiu Feng mockingly looked at Qiu Zongzhang, whose eyes were filled with hatred and a desire for revenge, and sneered, "Second Grandfather, you are the one in charge. Everything follows your command. If Second Grandfather intends to break down the door, just give the order!" "I..." Qiu Zongzhang's expression instantly turned extremely unpleasant, as if his throat had been choked.
Although Qiu Zongzhang spoke harshly, Qiu Zongxi's authority had been established for a long time. Even though they hadn't seen each other for over a decade, the scenes of being severely disciplined by Qiu Zongxi back then were still vivid in his mind. Even if Qiu Zongzhang had the courage of a leopard, he wouldn't dare to be disrespectful to Qiu Zongxi. After all, Qiu Zongxi was a genuine scholar, while Qiu Zongxi was accomplished in both literary and martial arts, and his fists were as hard as his temper.
"Feng Ge, let me go!" Although Qiu Jingyuan was only twelve years old, she was the undisputed mistress of the third branch. Qiu Zongzhang, who relied on his seniority, only dared to bully the younger members of the collateral branches. Qiu Jingyuan completely ignored him.
Thinking of the humiliation she had suffered before, Qiu Jingyuan no longer felt the cold. She got up and was about to get out of the carriage.
Qing Hong, who had been waiting by the carriage, heard the movement and immediately stepped forward to lift the curtain, helping Qiu Jingyuan out of the carriage. "Miss."
Qiu Feng also got out closely behind her. As for Qiu Zongzhang, he was now like a turtle withdrawing into its shell, picking up his teacup and drinking tea.
Qian Shi hesitated. By rights, she should have gotten out, but she was unwilling to offend Qiu Zongxi and Yang Xu. However, she was, after all, related by marriage to the third branch, and Qiu Feng's sinister gaze sent a chill through Qian Shi's entire body.
After a while, Qian Shi still got out of the carriage and gave a signal to the martial attendants beside her. The two of them retreated to a corner and stood there.
Qiu Jingyuan looked at the guards standing neatly in two rows. Their bloodthirsty and肅殺 aura finally brought a smile to Qiu Jingyuan's face. "Feng Ge, thank you."
"You are my cousin. Why be so polite between us? Bullying you is bullying our third branch."