Chapter 261 - The Bai Family's Fall (2)

Last night, Lin Xiaofei was thinking back about the assassin, she wondered how he could enter the Qu residence so easily and without alarming the few guards stationed inside the mansion.

And after hearing what Gu Yan had just said now, she finally got the answers to her questions.

It was not because the assassin was skillful in hiding his presence and escaped the guards in the Qu mansion's noses, he was let in by someone from the inside and hence, easy access to kill her. 

Just like the assassins she encountered in the forest near the pond. 

Thinking back then, she remembered that Qu Xing Xu mentioned to her that the assassins she faced and was captured later disguised themselves as servants who were just hired in places that were not filled up yet.

That time, Qu Xing Xu didn't tell her who sent them, but they didn't come for her. They were sent by someone to go after his life. She also believed that Qu Xing Xu hadn't thought that it was the Bai family not until he got it right after further investigation.

However, what she was curious about was why did he let the Bai family stay alive for so long even after he found out their involvement with the previous assassination attempt and what happened last night?

As if he could read through her mind, Qu Xing Xu's familiar and old personal guard said, "The Bai family was part of the people who supported Master to take the role as the Duke years ago after his father died." 

That's understandable. Lin Xiaofei thought to herself. Being a young boy with little power to his hands in a mansion filled with smiling wolves and poisonous path, Qu Xing Xu needed every support he could get to take his rightful place as successor, even if that were to come from the very same people who made his life suffer.

Before she was married to the prince in her past life, Lin Xiaofei didn't know much about Qu xing Xu and the people inside the Qu mansion. However, just after she was married to Yu Fangzhu and got his trust, he confided in her and told her about the situation a few years back. 

Apparently, the few last months when Qu Xing Xu's father still reigned as the Duke, the Qu family hasn't been doing well even with how much the old patriarch tried to win as many battles for the kingdom. He squandered almost half of the money and treasures that were inside the treasury and even demanded to take some money from the few people who supported him back when he was younger and became his subordinates. 

It was an unsightly scene to see the grand Qu family fall to that kind of situation, but it was disgusting how Qu Ling Yu, Qu Xing Xu's father, stayed as the duke for a decade because of the Bai family's support amidst everyone's eyes on the Duchy.

"The Bai family is indeed powerful…" she subconsciously said. 

However, Gu Yan responded, "Not too powerful, but they indeed have some influence in the Qu residence before."

With how the Bai family was able to manipulate both Qu Ling Yu and Lady Su, the previous Duchess and Qu Xing Xu's mother, they were quite formidable to others and even to Qu Xing Xu who was still little at that time. But compared to before, his master no longer wants to ignore their misdeeds especially, after they tried to assassinate Lin Xiaofei.

…

Inside the Bai family mansion.

Old Patriarch Bai sat at the farthest and center seat in the hall. The room was crowded since the family was having a joyful feast and gathered along to await for the news of Lin Xiaofei's death from Bai Jia Li.

"Grandfather, since Little sister will finally get her chance to marry in the Qu family, will I get a spot inside the Ministry of Rites?" Bai Yu asked. 

Old Patriarch Bai put down his cup and looked at his grandson and laughed, "Just that? Why don't you aim to become the head of the Ministry of Personnel? Being in the ministry of rites sounds so boring. You should aim towards the position where you can lord over others, child."

Bai Yu hesitated a little. He had been wishing to be a part of the ministry of rites, not because he wanted power, he just wanted to have a position in the court and avoid being the only one in the family who had nothing to his name whilst also doing nothing. 

Being in the ministry of rites might sound boring to others since you only have to handle the ceremonies that took place in the imperial palace, but that was exactly what he was aiming for. To do nothing at all whilst still getting something out of his position.

On the other hand, if one were to go to the ministry of personnel, he would have to look over the lower ranking officials and see to their actions and judge whether to demote them or strip them off their rank which was quite a hassle for him.

"I still want to go to the ministry of rites." Bai Yu stubbornly said to his grandfather. "I already told Bai Jia Li about this. As soon as she marries Qu Xing Xu, she will mention my name and my desired position to the duke. I'm sure he will have to show enough face to his brother-in-law."

Old Patriarch Bai frowned. He didn't like that his grandson chose to be stubborn and got ahead of himself to discuss what position he wanted to Bai Jia Li. Being her older brother, Bai Yu spoiled his granddaughter too much and it was already given that Bai Jia Li would give the position he wanted.

Seeing that his father was about to bite his son's head off for being wilful, Bai Shuang slammed his palm against the wooden desk before him and angrily pointed his finger at Bai Yu.

"You useless brat! How could you go behind your father's back! I already told you that I will disown you if you pursue that fruitless dream and yet, you approached your sister to just tell her that? How foolish!" Bai Shuang scolded his son until his face was red with anger. 

"But--!"

"Bai Yu!" Madam Yi suddenly raised her voice, patting her husband's back, she glared at their son, "Go and apologize to your father and grandfather."

After getting scolded by his father and receiving his beloved mother's glare, Bai Yu knew they were trying to help him ease Old Patriarch Bai's anger by showing to the family that they were also angry at him. This way, no one would try to cut in and try to pour more oil to the fire.

Bai Yu quickly stood up from his seat. He walked to the center of the room and kneeled down, "Please forgive my impertinence, grandfather! Father! I was just too excited when I found out that once that girl from the Lin family is dead, Bai Jia Li will finally become the Duchess and marry Qu Xing Xu! I was also momentarily blinded to know that if that happens, Qu Xing Xu will finally become my brother-in-law."

Old Patriarch Bai and Bai Shuang still wanted to scold him, but understanding where the boy was coming from, they decided to let him dream for now. After all, the time when everything he said will soon come true after tonight.

Old patriarch Bai's anger was slowly thawing and just when he was about to speak, a cold and ruthless voice devoid of warmth suddenly spoke from the entrance of the hall.

"How bold of you to actually dream of becoming my brother-in-law… Are you not afraid of burning in hell?"

...

To my readers, 

I apologize because there's a glitch that affected the next chapter. The chapter was doubled.

DO NOT BUY IT JUST YET, because I'm going to need a help from my CE and delete the unnecessary words.

- Poisonlily