The death of Madam Wu brought complete calm to the situation in Qianzhong Circuit, at least from a moral standpoint. The Qiu family could no longer hold a grudge against the Wu family for Qiu Huaixin's incident, as Madam Wu had already paid with her life.
In the early morning, several carriages passed through the city gates and, leaving the official road, headed north.
"The mountains and rivers will meet again, Miss Zhan, until we meet again!" a clear voice rang out. Qiu Huaixin stood before his carriage and cupped his hands in a bow to Zhan Feiyu.
From this intersection, Zhan Feiyu's carriage would continue north towards the capital, while Qiu Huaixin's carriage would head southeast, representing Lord Qiu in visiting old friends in Nanyezhou. oГg
It had not yet winter when they entered Qianzhong Circuit, but now the surroundings were a vast expanse of white. The wind howled, carrying snowflakes, making one shiver with cold.
"Third Young Master, may your journey be safe. Farewell," Zhan Feiyu smiled, returned the bow, and, with He Nuan's assistance, boarded her carriage. She looked back at the handsome noble gentleman beneath the white cloak and couldn't help but continue with a smile, "..."
...
The news of Old Madam Wu's visit to the prison quickly spread from the Prefect's yamen to the families in Qianzhong Circuit. This was, of course, intentionally leaked by Prefect Jiao.
"Big Brother, even the Forbidden Dragon Guard couldn't find anything unusual?" Zhan Feiyu was not surprised. Madam Wu's methods were truly secretive.
It was normal for Prefect Jiao's dispatched physician, Doctor Luo, to find nothing amiss, but for the Forbidden Dragon Guard to also fail to detect any abnormalities, it seemed these noble families were indeed not to be underestimated.
In recent years, Yin Wuyan had led the Forbidden Dragon Guard in many confiscations and purges, and he naturally knew the survival methods of these families. Especially those prominent families that had existed since the previous dynasty, even the women in their inner chambers held many secret medicines.
However, the Emperor abhorred the corrupt practices within the harem, and this top-down influence meant that each family also strictly managed their inner households. Once incidents like harming concubine-born sons, abusing servants, or poisoning were exposed, the official career of the man of the house was over.
If one cannot sweep their own room, how can they sweep the world? If one cannot even manage their own household affairs, how can they be expected to govern a region and benefit the populace? Therefore, Yin Wuyan was not surprised by Madam Wu's methods.
"Madam Wu might commit suicide," Yin Wuyan said in a deep voice. Seeing Zhan Feiyu frown slightly, he broke it down for her. "Madam Wu is Old Madam Wu's youngest daughter. From her food and lodging to her education, she was no less than her brothers..."
Even though there were old scholars who said that a woman's virtue lay in her lack of talent, noble daughters of prominent families were all talented and virtuous. Some women's talents even surpassed men's, but they were unable to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations due to their status.
The Wu family had also meticulously cultivated Madam Wu. From her birth and early education to her marriage after coming of age, the Wu family had invested a large amount of money and effort in her. Now, it was time for Madam Wu to repay her family.
Zhan Feiyu nodded in understanding. Having been an ordinary person from her past life to this one, she couldn't comprehend this kind of family cohesion. At least, she couldn't do what Madam Wu did, to bear all the blame for her family and then calmly face death.
"You just focus on your studies. We, along with Lord Gu, will handle these matters," Yin Wuyan said, gently stroking the young girl's head. His cold phoenix eyes held a rare warmth.
It was good for the young girl to be like this, to put herself first. Whether it was her family, her future husband, or children, the most important thing was for herself to live well.
Sensing Yin Wuyan's care for her, Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but smile.
"You gave me a peach, I will repay you with jade." Madam Wu had done something to harm Qiu Huaixin for the sake of the Wu family. From this moment on, she had placed the Wu family first, ranking Qiu Bingde and Chen Ge'er behind her. Therefore, Zhan Feiyu would not be surprised even if Madam Wu committed suicide.
On the other side, the news also reached the Qiu residence. Lord Qiu had not yet returned from the Provincial Administration Office. Madam Qiu had summoned all three of her sons, Qiu Bingde and his brothers, and then had the messenger repeat the news word for word.
"Your subordinate takes his leave." The messenger bowed and withdrew from the main hall.
Madam Qiu looked with heartache at her eldest son, who had become much thinner in just a few days. Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she spoke calmly, "Madam Wu took all the blame to exonerate her Wu family. Bingde, Chen Ge'er is also of an age to understand things. You don't need to hide it from him."
Ultimately, Madam Qiu was furious. Madam Wu could die and be done with it, but as a mother, did she not think of the child she carried for ten months?
She died cleanly, but how was Chen Ge'er to conduct himself? The Qiu family had forced his mother to her death? Madam Qiu gritted her teeth in hatred at this thought. Fortunately, her years of cultivation allowed her to maintain her composure.
"Mother is right. Brother, if you continue to worry about Chen Ge'er, and he later hears rumors, he will think our Qiu family forced his mother to her death!" Qiu Wangshu sneered, making no attempt to hide his disdain and dislike for Madam Wu and the Wu family.
The two families were originally related by marriage. Even if they weren't of the same spirit, they could at least support each other. But what was the result? The Wu family actually tried to harm their younger brother. Qiu Wangshu was filled with anger just thinking about it. If it weren't for the current turbulent situation in Qianzhong Circuit, Qiu Wangshu would have already retaliated against the Wu family.
Qiu Huaixin was still a bit dazed. Previously, when Madam Wu went to the villa, Qiu Huaixin had assumed she was worried about her daughter, Madam Wu.