Wu shi had planned to have dinner with Qiu Bingde, but he was dining with Lord Qiu, Qiu Wangshu, and Qiu Huaixin in the front courtyard that day. Wu shi had no choice but to have her maid light candles and continue waiting in her room.
The moon rose above the willow branches, and the inner courtyard was quiet. The Qiu family had strict rules; after the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), servants were not allowed to move around freely. If there was anything urgent, it had to be reported to the steward.
However, tonight, under the cover of darkness, a maid in a green jacket cautiously avoided the patrolling guards and entered the courtyard, her expression finally relaxing.
After entering the room and paying her respects, Die Cui looked at Wu shi, who was reading by the candlelight. "Madam."
Without lifting her gaze from the scroll, even though it was late, Wu shi was still dressed as neatly as she had been during the day. She looked dignified and elegant, but lacked a certain earthly charm.
"Have they dispersed in the front courtyard?" Wu shi asked in a gentle voice. The Qiu family father and sons had dinner together, and even Madam Qiu did not join them. As the eldest daughter-in-law, it was naturally inappropriate for Wu shi to dine with her father-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Die Cui was a senior maid serving in the front courtyard. She was born into the Qiu family. Her mother managed the needlework in Madam Qiu's courtyard, and her father was in charge of the household's flowers and plants. Wu shi had used some means to gain Die Cui's allegiance and have her pass information from the front courtyard to her.
"Replying to Madam, tonight the master and eldest young master drank three pots of wine. Afterward, Madam sent for tea, and the master and the others drank tea in the study. Since the servants were dismissed, I don't know what they discussed." Die Cui was not foolish. She could pass on information, but it was absolutely impossible for her to eavesdrop on the conversations of the Qiu family father and sons. If she were discovered, at best she would be expelled from the Qiu mansion, and at worst, she would be sold off.
She glanced up at Wu shi, knowing that her answer would not satisfy the Madam. She continued in a low voice, "However, Shisong went in midway. I took the opportunity to glance into the study. The eldest young master and the others were in good spirits, and the third young master had a smile on his face."
Wu shi put down the book in her hand and looked at Die Cui, who was bowing her head with a humble expression. "Why did Shisong go in?"
When his three sons were young, Lord Qiu had selected companions for them. In the future, these companions would become their most loyal subordinates. Shisong was Qiu Huaixin's attendant. If nothing unexpected happened, Shisong would be Qiu Huaixin's steward after the family division.
Qiu Bingde's attendant was Shizhu. Qiu Bingde would entrust Shizhu with confidential matters. Wu shi had hinted at this before, but in Qiu Bingde's view, men handled external affairs, and women managed internal affairs. He naturally would not let the women of the household worry about external matters.
"Shisong handed a letter to the third young master, and then he withdrew from the study. I don't know anything else." After Die Cui finished speaking, Granny Dong took out a plain purse and handed it over.
"You've come all this way late at night. Take this to buy some fruit and pastries," Granny Dong said with a kind smile. After placing the purse in Die Cui's hand, she personally escorted her out. Only after watching Die Cui leave into the night did she turn back into the room.
"Madam, it's almost the end of the Hai hour. The eldest young master might be staying in the front courtyard tonight." Granny Dong looked at Wu shi with concern. Wu shi had been busy in the third branch all day and had waited in her room for more than two hours that night.
"If my husband doesn't come back to sleep, he will definitely send word. Granny, you don't need to worry. Let the servants go rest. Just leave two people outside." Wu shi smiled when she thought of Qiu Bingde. Although her husband lacked ambition and drive, he was the most considerate, which brought a hint of shyness to Wu shi's eyes.
When Qiu Bingde returned, the surroundings were quiet. Shizhu walked ahead with a lantern, illuminating the way. "Young master, Madam's room is still lit."
Rubbing his temples, although he had drunk de-alcoholizing tea, he had been forced to drink a few cups of wine by his two younger brothers' antics. Qiu Bingde was still a little dizzy. He had intended to sleep in the inner room connected to the study.
Qiu Bingde looked at the two maids who had come with the lantern. They were the trusted senior maids by Wu shi's side. "Alright, I'll go myself. You go back and sleep."
"Yes, Young Master." Shizhu bowed and stepped aside. He had already sensed Madam's displeasure towards him. However, Shizhu was Qiu Bingde's most trusted subordinate. No matter how displeased Wu shi was, her influence could not extend to the outside.
After Wu shi personally helped Qiu Bingde wash up, the couple lay in bed more than half an hour later.
"Why did you drink so much wine?" Wu shi's voice was soft and filled with concern. In the darkness, the sharpness in her eyes was no longer concealed. Her husband had an average tolerance for alcohol, and it was easier to get information from him when he was drunk.
Qiu Bingde was feeling sleepy, but thinking of his wife waiting for him all night, he forced himself to stay alert and replied, "It was all Huaixin's mischief. He suffered an unjust disaster again this time, and Father indulged him, so we drank too much."
Wu shi did not dare to underestimate her father-in-law. Although Lord Qiu always had a gentle demeanor, after many years in office, he was the Governor of Qianzhong Circuit. No matter how gentle Lord Qiu was, his decisive moments were still chilling.
Wu shi knew little about the affairs of the yamen, but she knew everything about the third branch's affairs from her maiden family. Qiu Guangping was merely a bookworm and had not participated in the unsavory affairs of the third branch, yet he was still imprisoned and escorted to the capital for trial.
Wu shi knew that this was Lord Qiu's doing, an attempt to completely eliminate the third branch. Furthermore, the third branch was accused of colluding with the enemy and treason. Even if Lord Qiu acted ruthlessly, no one would criticize him; they might even praise him for upholding justice and eliminating his own kin, calling him a good official!
Qiu Bingde's eyes were half-closed, and sleepiness overtook him. He did not notice Wu shi's abnormality. "Father intends to follow Scholar Gu's example and have Huaixin represent the Qiu family in visiting some old friends and acquaintances."
Zhan Feiyu was young and a girl, yet she could travel. Qiu Huaixin was already of marriageable age. In the past, Lord Qiu was reluctant and worried, as Qiu Huaixin was somewhat unreliable.
It was fine when they were in Qianzhong Circuit; this territory was the Qiu family's. Who would dare to disrespect the third young master of the Qiu family? But once they left Qianzhong Circuit, not to mention whether Lord Qiu's enemies would target Qiu Huaixin, there were also bandits and villains along the way. If Qiu Huaixin met with any misfortune, Lord Qiu would surely regret it.
"What?" Qiu Bingde said it casually, but Wu shi's expression suddenly changed, and her voice became sharper.
However, she immediately realized she was too agitated and changed the subject. "Huaixin has never left home. When he went to Longyou Circuit to deliver New Year's gifts to his paternal uncle, Mother fell ill from worry."
Under the thin quilt, Wu shi's hands were clenched into fists. What did it mean to represent the Qiu family in visiting old friends? Was Father going to hand over the Qiu family's network of contacts to Huaixin?
The more Wu shi thought about it, the more unpleasant her expression became. Yet, as the eldest daughter-in-law, she could neither say nor do anything.
Qiu Bingde truly did not think about power struggles. Hearing Wu shi's worried words, he smiled and affectionately patted Wu shi's arm. "Don't worry, since Father is letting Huaixin go out, he will definitely provide him with enough manpower. Safety is not a concern. They say that traveling ten thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books. Huaixin should grow up."
The Qiu family also had hidden guards. Qiu Bingde was always accompanied by two guards for protection, but even Wu shi had never seen them. Qiu Wangshu and Qiu Huaixin each had one. However, this was only within Qianzhong Circuit. Once they went out, Lord Qiu would definitely increase the manpower.
The reason Lord Qiu made up his mind this time was also because of Dou shi's death. The infamy of forcing an elder to death had almost been pinned on Qiu Huaixin, which indirectly showed that among the Qiu family members, Qiu Huaixin was the easiest to be manipulated.
It was fine for now when the Great Qing Dynasty was peaceful, but when the Emperor eventually had to establish a Crown Prince, the court situation would change drastically. Even though the Qiu family was far away in Qianzhong Circuit, they would be implicated. At that time, if Qiu Huaixin remained as he was now, and was exploited and manipulated by someone, he might drag down the entire Qiu family.
"Did third brother also agree?" Wu shi's tone sounded relaxed and somewhat curious, but her expression was hideously distorted under the cover of darkness.
Although Wu shi knew very well that Lord Qiu would not let Qiu Bingde go, firstly, he was an official and could not abandon his duties as a judicial commissioner.
Secondly, Qiu Bingde was the eldest son, the future heir of the Qiu family. Once he went out to contact Lord Qiu's old friends, he might be impeached by censors for Lord Qiu forming factions and engaging in illicit activities.
But even though she knew this, the thought of Lord Qiu's network of contacts possibly falling into Qiu Huaixin's hands, coupled with Lord Qiu and Madam Qiu's favoritism, might mean that the position of family head would change in the future!
Thinking of this, a hint of murderous intent suddenly appeared in Wu shi's eyes, but it was quickly concealed.