Zhan Feiyu's unexpected sword thrust momentarily stunned Yin Wuyan. The little girl with the chubby cheeks he remembered seemed to have grown up. Though her cheeks were still plump, her eyes now held a touch of youthful clarity, and her voice was no longer the soft babble of an infant.
Completely oblivious to Yin Wuyan's thoughts lost in memory, Zhan Feiyu grew more convinced of her plan. "If it's truly the Wu clan that's apprehensive, then all it takes is to arrange a good marriage for the Third Young Master. The Wu clan will surely interfere."
There wouldn't even be a need for an actual engagement. As soon as news of it spread, the Wu clan would be unable to resist. Once they made a move, it would be much easier to catch them red-handed.
As for choosing a candidate, Zhan Feiyu was utterly clueless. She could only look at Yin Wuyan pitifully. There was nothing her big brother couldn't do in this world.
"Meddling." His voice, usually filled with cold mockery, held only indulgence and helplessness as he looked at Zhan Feiyu. Yin Wuyan agreed not for Qiu Huaixin, whom he had only just met, but ultimately for the grand strategy in Qianzhong Prefecture.
Every move Zhan Feiyu made was being watched. Thus, the news of Yin Wuyan's appearance at the Qiu family's separate residence spread like wildfire. Various parties speculated about Yin Wuyan's identity. His trustworthiness in Zhan Feiyu's eyes led many, including Qiu Huaixin's own deduction, to believe that Yin Wuyan was from the Gu family, sent by Scholar Gu.
Qiu Residence, Rear Courtyard.
Madam Wu had already dismissed the servants. She frowned as she read the message on the slip of paper. Then, she opened the lid of the incense burner, took the tinder from wet nurse Dong, ignited the paper, and dropped it into the burner until it turned to ash.
"Madam, rest assured, the manor will not trace anything back to us," wet nurse Dong said softly as she helped Madam Wu wash her hands and then offered her hand cream. "Everything at home has been tidied up. Even if that day comes, it won't implicate you."
Madam Wu's face was grim, and she remained silent. Her usually dignified and simple appearance took on a cold, sinister air due to her gloomy expression, causing wet nurse Dong to hesitate to speak further. She could only step aside and stand in silent attendance.
The thought of two chess pieces, nurtured for years, being rendered useless pained Madam Wu. Especially the shallow wound on Qiu Huaixin's neck. This made Madam Wu resent Zhan Feiyu even more for her meddling. If she hadn't intervened, the matter would have been settled long ago.
"Since the manor is to entertain Zhan Feiyu, take the bird's nest from my storeroom and send it to the front yard for the cooks to stew into a soup. Consider it an extra dish," Madam Wu said, standing up and speaking with a gentle smile, instantly reverting to the image of the virtuous and benevolent eldest daughter-in-law of the Qiu family.
If it were to entertain ordinary female guests, it would naturally be more convenient for Madam Wu, the eldest daughter-in-law, to appear. However, Zhan Feiyu's identity was special. Moreover, she was a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations and now held an official title. Therefore, even as a guest at the Qiu residence, she did not require female attendance. Zhan Feiyu directly sat at the men's table and went to Master Qiu's study, a privilege that even Madam Wu, the eldest daughter-in-law, did not possess.
Zhan Feiyu had saved Qiu Huaixin's life, so it was only natural for Master Qiu and Madam Qiu to host a grand banquet for Zhan Feiyu at the manor. However, in the eyes of the outside world, Master Qiu's actions were more about forging ties with Scholar Gu, who was behind Zhan Feiyu.
"Father is personally going to greet them?" Not only was Qiu Huaixin stunned, but Qiu Bingde was also taken aback. Although Zhan Feiyu was an honored guest, Qiu Bingde, as the eldest son of the Qiu family, represented the Qiu manor. His going to the entrance to greet her was undoubtedly showing great respect to Zhan Feiyu.
Qiu Huaixin suddenly reacted, "Father is doing this because of the person accompanying Zhan Feiyu?"
Master Qiu put down his official documents, his eyes showing a hint of admiration. He smiled warmly and said, "You met him once before at Tianjing Lake. What do you think his identity is?"
If he had been questioned like this by Master Qiu in the past, Qiu Huaixin would have only thought of slipping away. However, in the future, he would also represent the Qiu family in visiting old friends and relatives. Qiu Huaixin pondered for a moment before replying, "For Father to go to the entrance to greet him so solemnly, this person must either have an official position equivalent to Father's or come from a distinguished background."
But considering Yin Wuyan's age, even the exceptionally talented Scholar Gu back then could not have become his equal at the age of twenty.
Zhan Feiyu's unexpected sword thrust momentarily stunned Yin Wuyan. The little girl with the chubby cheeks he remembered seemed to have grown up. Though her cheeks were still plump, her eyes now held a touch of youthful clarity, and her voice was no longer the soft babble of an infant.
Completely oblivious to Yin Wuyan's thoughts lost in memory, Zhan Feiyu grew more convinced of her plan. "If it's truly the Wu clan that's apprehensive, then all it takes is to arrange a good marriage for the Third Young Master. The Wu clan will surely interfere."
There wouldn't even be a need for an actual engagement. As soon as news of it spread, the Wu clan would be unable to resist. Once they made a move, it would be much easier to catch them red-handed.
As for choosing a candidate, Zhan Feiyu was utterly clueless. She could only look at Yin Wuyan pitifully. There was nothing her big brother couldn't do in this world.
"Meddling." His voice, usually filled with cold mockery, held only indulgence and helplessness as he looked at Zhan Feiyu. Yin Wuyan agreed not for Qiu Huaixin, whom he had only just met, but ultimately for the grand strategy in Qianzhong Prefecture.
Every move Zhan Feiyu made was being watched. Thus, the news of Yin Wuyan's appearance at the Qiu family's separate residence spread like wildfire. Various parties speculated about Yin Wuyan's identity. His trustworthiness in Zhan Feiyu's eyes led many, including Qiu Huaixin's own deduction, to believe that Yin Wuyan was from the Gu family, sent by Scholar Gu.
Qiu Residence, Rear Courtyard.
Madam Wu had already dismissed the servants. She frowned as she read the message on the slip of paper. Then, she opened the lid of the incense burner, took the tinder from wet nurse Dong, ignited the paper, and dropped it into the burner until it turned to ash.
"Madam, rest assured, the manor will not trace anything back to us," wet nurse Dong said softly as she helped Madam Wu wash her hands and then offered her hand cream. "Everything at home has been tidied up. Even if that day comes, it won't implicate you."
Madam Wu's face was grim, and she remained silent. Her usually dignified and simple appearance took on a cold, sinister air due to her gloomy expression, causing wet nurse Dong to hesitate to speak further. She could only step aside and stand in silent attendance.
The thought of two chess pieces, nurtured for years, being rendered useless pained Madam Wu. Especially the shallow wound on Qiu Huaixin's neck. This made Madam Wu resent Zhan Feiyu even more for her meddling. If she hadn't intervened, the matter would have been settled long ago.
"Since the manor is to entertain Zhan Feiyu, take the bird's nest from my storeroom and send it to the front yard for the cooks to stew into a soup. Consider it an extra dish," Madam Wu said, standing up and speaking with a gentle smile, instantly reverting to the image of the virtuous and benevolent eldest daughter-in-law of the Qiu family.
If it were to entertain ordinary female guests, it would naturally be more convenient for Madam Wu, the eldest daughter-in-law, to appear. However, Zhan Feiyu's identity was special. Moreover, she was a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations and now held an official title. Therefore, even as a guest at the Qiu residence, she did not require female attendance. Zhan Feiyu directly sat at the men's table and went to Master Qiu's study, a privilege that even Madam Wu, the eldest daughter-in-law, did not possess.
Zhan Feiyu had saved Qiu Huaixin's life, so it was only natural for Master Qiu and Madam Qiu to host a grand banquet for Zhan Feiyu at the manor. However, in the eyes of the outside world, Master Qiu's actions were more about forging ties with Scholar Gu, who was behind Zhan Feiyu.
"Father is personally going to greet them?" Not only was Qiu Huaixin stunned, but Qiu Bingde was also taken aback. Although Zhan Feiyu was an honored guest, Qiu Bingde, as the eldest son of the Qiu family, represented the Qiu manor. His going to the entrance to greet her was undoubtedly showing great respect to Zhan Feiyu.
If he had been questioned like this by Master Qiu in the past, Qiu Huaixin would have only thought of slipping away. However, in the future, he would also represent the Qiu family in visiting old friends and relatives. Qiu Huaixin pondered for a moment before replying, "For Father to go to the entrance to greet him so solemnly, this person must either have an official position equivalent to Father's or come from a distinguished background." Huaixin suddenly reacted, "Father is doing this because of the person accompanying Zhan Feiyu?"
Master Qiu put down his official documents, his eyes showing a hint of admiration. He smiled warmly and said, "You met him once before at Tianjing Lake. What do you think his identity is?"
If he had been questioned like this by Master Qiu in the past, Qiu Huaixin would have only thought of slipping away. However, in the future, he would also represent the Qiu family in visiting old friends and relatives. Qiu Huaixin pondered for a moment before replying, "For Father to go to the entrance to greet him so solemnly, this person must either have an official position equivalent to Father's or come from a distinguished background."