Chapter 416

Chapter 416 – Reporter

Chapter 416 Reporter

“Why are you acting so recklessly?” Upon seeing his eldest daughter approaching, Qu Zhizhen stopped in displeasure and reprimanded, “Where are your manners? What happened to the rules you’ve learned before?”

“Father, brother… how could he…” Qu Qiuyan, with tears in her eyes, felt wronged as she spoke. She wiped her tears with a handkerchief, but they continued to fall. She choked up and couldn’t speak for a moment. Frustrated, she stomped her foot in anger.

“Why call him ‘brother’? He should be called ‘second brother.’ What happened to your second brother?” Qu Zhizhen was dissatisfied with his daughter referring to Qu Mingcheng as her brother, as if Qu Moying was an outsider.

In the past, Qu Zhizhen didn’t pay much attention to it. He had almost forgotten about the daughter who was raised on the farm. She had a weak presence, and he disregarded the fact that Qu Qiuyan called Qu Mingcheng her brother.

But recently, he had started to pay more attention to this matter.

“How could the second brother do this? That maid… because of her, I ended up like this. He actually… helped her call for a doctor, took care of her, and I heard he even sent her flowers. And now she’s living with the second brother. What is he trying to do?”

Qu Qiuyan angrily reported.

She was driven by anger to seek out Qu Mingcheng, but she unexpectedly ran into Qu Zhizhen on the way.

She had just heard from Qing Ju that since Qu Mingcheng brought Qing Mei back, she had been treated like an honored guest. Not only did they call for a doctor, but they also sent flowers and gifts.

Qu Qiuyan ordered someone to beat Qing Mei, but Qu Mingcheng treated her so well. Qu Qiuyan felt as if her face had been slapped hard and couldn’t bear this humiliation.

Qing Ju, standing behind her, cautiously moved away from her, holding a handkerchief in her hands, keeping her head low and motionless. She appeared like a loyal maid.

She had only added some exaggeration to the news she had gathered.

This time, she almost lost her life because of Qing Mei. How could she not hate this sudden appearance of Qing Mei? If it weren’t for the fact that Lady didn’t have any other personal maids by her side, it would have been Qing Ju who sacrificed her life this time.

If Qing He were still here, Qing Ju knew very well that she would be the scapegoat. She had to be grateful that she was the most useful person by the third lady’s side now.

Although they had survived the ordeal, the maids in charge were in trouble, and the entire family was sold off. It was said that when they were carried away, the maids in charge were already on the brink of death.

Most of the people in Furong House were personally chosen by Lady Yu. Whether it was the maids in charge, Qing He, Qing Mei, or even the rough maids in the courtyard, Qing Ju had a great relationship with them all.

Qing Ju and Qing He had grown up with Qu Qiuyan, and they had also been taken care of by the maids in charge when they were young. Although they each had their own thoughts now, their bond remained. Especially since Qing Mei suddenly appeared and gained the favor of the third lady and the second young master, they were privately unhappy.

And now, in order to protect Qing Mei, the second young master had pushed the maids in charge away. This made Qing Ju even more disheartened.

She had added some additional details to the news she had gathered. Since the second young master was so determined to protect this maid, it was normal for him to have a relationship with the third lady. However, she was just a loyal maid to the third lady. She had no relationship with the second young master. When the second young master pushed her away to bear the blame, Qing Ju started to have reservations about Qu Mingcheng.

“Your second brother is keeping a maid?” Qu Zhizhen was confused and didn’t understand Qu Qiuyan’s meaning. He furrowed his brow and said, “Nonsense! Instead of focusing on her studies, where would he find a maid? Go back home first, I will handle it.”

This matter was indeed inappropriate. Qu Zhizhen wanted his son to study well and have a successful future. He didn’t want him to be led astray by a maid.

But it was still too early for that now.

In noble families, to ensure that the future heirs would be successful, it was often forbidden to involve oneself with maids and such at this stage.

“Father, it’s the maid I beat the other day. After the second brother took her away, he kept her by his side, pampering her with good food and drink. He even humbled himself to serve and protect her.” Qu Qiuyan stomped her foot and angrily explained, feeling that she had to regain her reputation somehow.

“What nonsense!” Qu Zhizhen finally understood this time and his face grew cold. A mere maid had the audacity to influence the relationship between his daughter and son.

Based on this alone, this person could not be allowed to stay.

“Someone, go and drive that maid out of the Easte Mansion and sell her to those traveling merchants. Tell the second young master to focus on his studies and forget about these trivial matters,” Qu Zhizhen turned to the servant beside him and commanded.

The maid could only be taken away by selling her to traveling merchants. Qu Zhizhen didn’t want this maid to remain in the capital any longer.

The servant acknowledged and hurriedly went to deliver the message to the East Mansion.

Qu Qiuyan felt relieved when she heard this. She wiped away her tears and bid farewell to Qu Zhizhen. It would be best if her father could handle this matter. Let’s see how her second brother would protect a mere maid now.

Thinking about how her second brother was so protective of a maid, Qu Qiuyan felt deeply unhappy, especially since she believed the maid had another master.

Why would her second brother bring a maid with another master to her side?

Was her second brother under the influence of some other woman? Qing Mei looked fine before, but after Qing Ju’s reminder, Qu Qiuyan suddenly felt that the maid had a seductive and mysterious aura. She didn’t seem to have a good background, so why was she brought to Qu Qiuyan’s presence?

Qu Qiuyan wasn’t a young master, so there was no point in sending such a seductive maid to her. Unless there were benefits involved, only then would it make sense to send her over.

After careful consideration, Qu Qiuyan realized that the benefits she possessed, which her second brother didn’t, were the ability to get close to Crown Prince. In the future, when she entered Crown Prince’s Mansion, her personal maid would accompany her. Did this mean that the maid could establish a connection with His Highness?

This thought sent a shiver down Qu Qiuyan’s spine. She felt a surge of resentment towards Qu Mingcheng, who didn’t protect his own sister but protected a maid sent by an unknown woman.

What was going on in his head?

If this were before, Qu Qiuyan wouldn’t have listened to Qing Ju’s words. But recently, Qu Mingcheng had even ordered her to be confined in Furong House to prevent her from speaking to Crown Prince. Just based on this, Qu Qiuyan was willing to listen to Qing Ju’s advice.

Her second brother had truly changed. He had other women now and neglected his own sister.

“In a few days, your fourth sister will go to the palace to pay respects to Dowager Dowager Consort Qu. You should go as well.” Qu Mingcheng called out to the content Qu Qiuyan.

“To pay respects to Dowager Consort Qu?” Qu Qiuyan looked up at Qu Mingcheng in astonishment.

“Dowager Consort Qu is ill. She has been close to our family in the past and treated you and your sisters well. It’s normal for you to visit her together with Moying. Be cautious in your words and actions in the palace, follow your fourth sister, and be careful not to make any mistakes or get into trouble again.” Qu Zhizhen advised.

Two daughters, one involved with Crown Prince and the other with the Lord Yun. Qu Zhizhen couldn’t decide whether it was good or bad.

But at this point, he couldn’t control the situation. He needed to find the maximum benefit.

Qu Qiuyan entering the Lord Yun Mansion would stabilize her position, and it seemed normal for her to follow Qu Moying in Qu Zhizhen’s eyes.

However, these words sounded harsh to Qu Qiuyan. Why should she follow Qu Moying, a blind girl who grew up in the village? What made her deserving of her company, someone who was pampered and cherished since childhood?

But looking at her father’s expression, she knew that even if she said something, he wouldn’t listen. So, she decided not to speak up.

With a faint smile, she pretended to be obedient, saying, “Yes, Father. I will make the necessary preparations!”

With a slight narrowing of the eyes and a mocking curl of the lips, Qu Moying was about to enter the palace again. Not bad! Perhaps there would be an opportunity? That place was beyond the reach of grandmother and father.

Dowager Consort Qu liked Qu Moying, but not all the palace staff may share the same sentiment towards Qu Moying…

“What? Qing Mei is being sold off?” Qu Mingcheng abruptly stood up; his expression extremely displeased.

“Yes, it’s the Second Master’s decision. Qing Mei has already been taken away with a group of people. They’ve left the mansion.” the servant whispered, observing Qu Mingcheng’s darkening face.

“Where are they taking her?” Qu Mingcheng clenched his teeth, his frustration evident.

This matter had nothing to do with father. Why would he get involved? Moreover, this was happening in the East Mansion, and father had never interfered with its affairs nor is it appropriate for him to do so.

Someone must have stirred up trouble and spread false information to father.

“She has been sent to the merchant’s place. I heard they plan to sell her off to those wandering traders and take her away from the capital,” the servant reported with increasing caution, noticing his young master’s furious expression and taking a step back cautiously.

“Who is responsible for this?” Qu Mingcheng exclaimed with anger.

“I heard that it was the third lady who said something to the Second Master, and that’s why he became angry and sent people over,” the servant replied.

“What a mess!” Qu Mingcheng grew even more exasperated. His sister was truly useless. Not only did she fail to assist him, but she also caused trouble. Now even his father was taking action against the maidservants by his side.

There was no doubt that the situation had been exaggerated. However, he could not directly confront his father or attempt to rescue Qing Mei from him. All he could do now was come up with a plan.

He forcefully slammed the table, turned around, and strode out. He needed to find a solution at this critical moment.

Qu Mingcheng left the East Mansion on horseback, heading directly towards the city. Once outside the city, he reached the main road and turned into a small intersection. There, he found a large garden surrounded by numerous towering pine trees.

Despite the picturesque scenery as autumn breeze stirred, Qu Mingcheng had no interest in admiring it. He dismounted and approached the garden gate. As a servant noticed his arrival, the person hurriedly went inside to report. After a short while, a young steward-like figure emerged and greeted him with a smiling bow.

“Is your lady not present?” Qu Mingcheng furrowed his brows and inquired.

“The lady is still in the capital, not here. Do you have any urgent matters?” the steward asked, his smile unwavering.

“Indeed, there is something urgent. The maid named Qing Mei, whom your lady recommended to me last time, is now being sold by my father. Hurry and send someone to redeem her. If you delay, it will be too late,” Qu Mingcheng said, his frustration evident.