Chapter 53: Sowing Dissension

Qu Xin wore a perfectly composed smile on his face and bowed to Chi Yuan, "Excuse me, sir. Such a scandal has occurred in the mansion. It is truly a misfortune for our family."

The smile seemed gentle, but there was a coldness in his eyes.

Chi Yuan said, "Since someone has died, this is no small matter. Let the Dali Temple investigate, so that we can give an explanation to the deceased and the Marquis' Mansion."

Upon hearing this, Qu Xi did not back down, his smile still intact. "Your Excellency, why not go back and ask the Dali Temple Minister for the written documents? Although my mansion is not a big deal, it is not something that others can do whatever they want."

Chi Yuan knew in his heart that it would be impossible to investigate this Marquis' Mansion.

Even if we investigate and wait until he reports, we won't find anything useful.

His eyes involuntarily drifted to Qu Ling beside him.

Seeing that she looked calm, she stood there quietly.

But Chi Yuan felt that although she seemed to be an outsider, she was actually the one in control.

He turned his gaze to the dead Liu Xuan again.

No sympathy.

Since he didn't like Qu Ling, he should have clearly rejected the marriage. If he agreed to the marriage, he shouldn't have gotten involved with other women.

There is a fixed number for all causes and effects in the world.

Chi Yuan was not persistent and bowed, "I will take my leave first."

Qu Xi looked at Chi Yuan's departing back, the smile on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by a hint of contemplation.

"Dad, why don't you let Lord Chi investigate?" Qu Ling asked softly.

Her eyes were too frank.

The slight doubt that arose in Qu Xun's heart disappeared again.

However, he still asked, "Does this matter really have nothing to do with you?"

Qu Ling shook his head, "Dad, if I could marry into the Duke's Mansion, it would be a great destination for me. How could I kill him?"

She looked gloomy and her eyes were filled with tears.

"Looking at the entire capital, my cousin is also a rare good husband."

Lie without blinking.

"You don't care about his relationship with Lianzhi?" Qu Li always felt something was wrong.

"It's nothing to worry about," Qu Ling said, "As long as I can secure my position as the Crown Prince's wife, it doesn't matter who my cousin is thinking about."

Qu Xi looked at his daughter carefully, but could not see any trace of lying on her face.

"I'm sorry," Qu Xi nodded with relief, and then said, "Dad was just angry when he said you should marry Liu Xuan. Now that he's dead, your marriage is naturally invalid."

"You won't blame Daddy, will you?"

Qu Ling said, "Of course not. Everything in the Marquis' Mansion depends on you. You must be doing this for the good of everyone."

She always had a genuine smile on her face.

Qu Xin was so delighted that she felt her daughter was well-behaved and sensible.

"Don't worry, Dad will find a better marriage for you in the future." Qu Xin promised.

Qu Ling smiled slightly and responded obediently.

"Go and see your grandmother. Tell her slowly about what happened today." Qu Xi instructed.

"yes."

On the way to Yunsong Hall, Guanqi leaned close to Qu Ling's ear and said with a smile, "Congratulations, young lady."

Qu Ling raised the corner of his mouth, but deliberately said, "The prince I was engaged to is dead, what's there to congratulate?"

Guan Qi immediately forced a sad expression and wiped his eyes, "Ah, our girl, she has such a hard life."

The way she acted mischievously was really funny.

Qu Ling walked briskly, "It's not over yet. Go find out who is serving Lin Jianyuan."

Guanqi dropped his joking expression and nodded seriously.

When they arrived at Yunsong Hall, Cuilu was walking back and forth at the door with an anxious look on her face.

As soon as she saw Qu Ling, she hurried over to greet him, "The old lady drank the tranquilizer and fell asleep. The news just now has made this servant tremble with fear. I don't know how to speak to her in front of her."

After she became a concubine, her demeanor changed completely. She became radiant, bright, and refreshed.

She didn't care even if Qu Xin hadn't stayed overnight in her room.

"Just say what you want to say," Qu Ling stepped in, "Keeping it secret won't last long."

Cuilu's mind moved slightly, but she nodded in response.

She didn't dare to say it. It would be better to leave this hot potato to the older girl.

Qu Ling knew what she was thinking, and since she was still useful, he didn't point it out.

The old lady had woken up and was half leaning against the head of the bed with a headband wrapped around her neck. She looked in good spirits.

As long as the engagement banquet is over, all the troubles will be solved.

He sighed softly again, feeling a little regretful that he couldn't see the two children get engaged in person.

Ever since she fell in the Buddhist temple that day, her waist has become difficult to move and she needs the help of a maid to even stand up.

"Grandma! Something bad has happened!"

Qu Ling knelt in front of the couch with red eyes, his voice choked with sobs, "The Duke of Su's Mansion is plotting a rebellion."

When the word "treason" came out, the old lady was so scared that she almost stood up.

"What treason? Why would someone rebel when things are going well?"

She was old and injured, so she couldn't stand the shock. Her face turned pale and she covered her chest with her hands, gasping in pain.

"My cousin fell to his death, and the Duke was arrested for illegally raising soldiers and horses," Qu Ling lowered her head and wiped away tears, "and my aunt was divorced."

Qu Ling only said scary things.

If the old lady were frightened to death, it would be a double blessing.

The old lady let out a roar from her throat, "No..."

She actually struggled to get up, but due to her back injury, she fell back heavily onto the pillow, her face contorted in pain. "Where's your aunt? Where's Axuan?"

Qu Ling quickly supported her, tears streaming down his face. "Thankfully, my aunt wasn't implicated and imprisoned, so she escaped unscathed. She's now settled in Linjian Garden. As for my cousin, Dad said he'd give him a proper burial."

"What a sin!" The old lady burst into tears, her claw-like hands pounding the bed, making it clatter. "A wonderful family is broken up just like that. What sin did I commit? I've been a vegetarian and a Buddhist, so why did my daughter end up like this?"

Tears streamed down her face. "Go prepare the sedan chair. I want to go see the bright moon."

"Grandma, you can't do that," Qu Ling held her hand. "The imperial physician said that if you move again, your back will be completely broken, and you'll never be able to stand up again."

She comforted him, "Fortunately, things haven't reached the worst point yet. However, Grandma, please be careful that the Madam doesn't harm Aunt."

The old lady gnashed her teeth in hatred. "What else does this evil woman who stirs up trouble want? Can't she tolerate a poor person whose family has been destroyed?"

Qu Ling told the whole story of how Qu Mingyue wanted Qu Lianzhi to be buried with her.

The old lady blurted out, "She should be left to die, slut."

She blamed Qu Lianzhi.

Although Liu Xuan is a grandson, he is also a boy with a bright future. He is many times more important to her than a little girl.

Qu Ling's eyes were filled with sorrow. "The mansion is having a bad year right now. Why don't we send our granddaughter to Guoqing Temple to pray for blessings and ward off disasters?"

She said, "I've been dreaming about a woman lately. She calls me A-Ling and claims to be my mother. I guess it's because I didn't go to pay my respects to her on her death anniversary, so I'm angry."

The old lady froze suddenly, remembering everything she had experienced in the Buddhist temple.

"You should go quickly."

Qu Ling nodded meekly, "My granddaughter also plans to light a candle for my cousin. After all, they almost became husband and wife."

The old lady slumped back onto the pillow, exhausted. "Go ahead and donate more money for the incense."

When Qu Ling walked out of the room, he heard the sound of porcelain breaking behind him.

The old lady smashed the medicine bowl.

The corners of her lips curled up slightly, and she was in a good mood.

She wanted to pray for blessings, but there were more than just Liu Xuan who needed salvation.