Breaking the mystery: "Ha! Your brothers, one of them is currently in power..."

At daybreak, Luo Ling went to the government office as usual. Luo Yuanlai reported that since last night, there had been many middle-aged men with fair skin and no beards disguised as commoners ten miles north of the government office.

Qin Weixi pondered these words carefully and asked, "Is the emperor still unconscious?"

Luo Yuan shook his head: "This morning, before the young master left the manor, Ah Xiao came by. He woke up last night at the hour of Chou after the imperial physician administered acupuncture, saying that his blood and qi were attacking his heart. But the empress immediately sent more imperial guards to guard the palace inside and outside."

Qin Weixi smiled faintly upon hearing this: "They're afraid I'll harbor resentment and plot treason!"

Luo Yuan continued, "At dawn, Zhong Ti from the Jingning Marquis's residence also came by. He is currently guarding the front yard. Several guards from the mansion saw him standing in the yard with a ten-foot-long long broadsword in his hand, looking just like the evil spirit Zhong Kui. Several of them went up to demonstrate their skills."

"Uncle Zhong?" Qin Weixi jumped up upon hearing this.

Feng Hua brought in a basin of hot water and said, "The young master sent people to protect and comfort the young lady! Uncle Zhong said before that his Mo Dao can deal with all villains and traitors, and he will take them down one by one. The good girl can just sleep soundly in the backyard."

Qin Weixi smiled upon hearing this: "Even if there are people in the palace with good intentions, they won't do anything at this time. It's just that some people are utterly devoid of conscience."

Luo Yuan had already quietly retreated. Upon hearing this, Feng Hua asked in surprise, "Miss, are you referring to the Liang family?"

Recalling yesterday's scene, Feng Hua was still filled with resentment. She spat and cursed with her hands on her hips: "The old Liang family, the old and the young, are all sores on their heads, pus oozing from their feet, and their hearts and lungs are rotten. I almost didn't see the sun today, and I almost ruined Miss's skin."

As she spoke, Feng Hua looked at Qin Weixi's one-inch-long wound, which was already wrapped in gauze, and frowned deeply. Soon after, she was pulled away with a smile by Pu Niang, who came to apply medicine to Qin Weixi.

Inside the Liang residence.

Last night, Liang Xi, covered in blood, was thrown off the carriage by the wealthy man from the Cheng Yi Marquis's mansion. He was then pointed at and gossiped about by men, women, and children who were heading to Gulou Street to see the lanterns. Filled with anger, he scrambled into his home.

Liang Shuwen and his son immediately learned from Liang Xi that the youngest daughter of the Duke of Dingguo was not dead.

Liang Xu looked at his younger sister, who had entered the palace unharmed during the day but whose legs were covered in wounds and who had been abandoned outside the mansion. Recalling all that had happened to him in recent days, he clenched his fists, his heart filled with rage, and knocked over a bowl of medicine that a maid had brought him.

Liang Shuwen and Qian were sitting by Liang Xi's couch when they were suddenly drenched in hot water.

"You unfilial son! What are you doing! Going to the Marquis of Chengyi's residence? That's where the Empress Dowager's father is, and her own nephew is!" Liang Shuwen shouted, feeling a splitting headache.

Madam Qian sobbed, “A jinx! A whole family of jinxes! My Hanyu has run away from home and her whereabouts are unknown. My Liang family is now all thanks to that Qin family! I said I felt uneasy after seeing that Luo family girl return to the manor at the palace banquet in the spring. It turns out it was that Qin family! And a few days ago, a maid suddenly disappeared from my courtyard. Do you know? It must be her doing!”

"Oh! What terrible things have I done!"

Madam Qian let out a wail, and Liang Xu roared, driving everyone serving them out. He slammed the door shut and said, "Mother! My Liang family is not finished yet!"

After a long silence, Liang Shuwen suddenly said, "Actually, the Qin family didn't do anything too wrong back then. In the end, my Liang family may be finished. Once His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne smoothly, what role will I, Liang Shuwen, play? My position as the current Grand Secretary is also coming to an end."

Upon hearing this, Liang Xu let out a cold laugh, recalling how his years of planning had vanished in an instant: "Father is truly the most foolish of all."

Liang Shuwen suddenly raised his eyes and stared intently at the only remaining eldest son in the mansion: "What do you want to do?"

Liang Xu narrowed his eyes, only smiling and remaining silent.

*

After noon, Sparrow Tong, who had disappeared during the day, suddenly returned to the Luo residence carrying a sack on his waist. Meanwhile, Wood Boy, who had secretly entered the capital with Zi Jin the previous night, noticed something amiss in the city and instead of returning directly to the Luo residence, went straight to the Cheng Yi Earl's residence to seek out Fa Cai.

Upon learning that Lu Yu and her daughter had returned to the capital safely, Tao Qingyun took it upon herself to disguise Lu Yu as a cook in the mansion and hid her youngest daughter in the east wing of her own residence, delivering three meals a day without fail. It wasn't until this afternoon that she secretly returned to the Luo residence with Mu Tong and Zi Jin.

Queshe called Zijin over and together they brought the burlap sack that was making strange noises to Tingyu Pavilion. Before Qin Weixi could speak, Queshe exclaimed, "Miss Zijin, quickly untie him so he doesn't suffocate."

Zi Jin walked over suspiciously, circling around and loosening the hemp rope: "What is this thing?"

Que She gulped down a large bowl of water and said to Qin Weixi, "Madam, it's Zhuang Shijun."

"What? Uncle Zhuang?" Qin Weixi exclaimed in surprise and hurried over.

Counting the days, the letter my brother sent to Jiangnan is still on its way.

Que She continued, "Since Bitan returned to the capital, the Marquis has been keeping a close eye on the movements in the suburbs, fearing that Zhuang Shijun might notice something amiss and return to the capital with Bitan and A Xia. However, the Marquis is not certain that Zhuang Shijun will return to the capital; he has only instructed us to keep a close watch on the movements within the city or any suspicious individuals."

"Until today, Songyang said that there was a skinny old beggar sitting outside Woxue Pavilion with a stick, sitting there all day without eating or drinking. The Marquis found it strange and asked me and the people who had seen Zhuang Shijun in Jiuqu to identify him. When I looked, it was indeed Zhuang Shijun."

"But when he saw me and Jiuqu, he treated us like enemies, driving us away with sticks. We were at a loss, fearing it would arouse suspicion in the palace." Que She touched his nose at the end, "So we had no choice but to tie him up and bring him back..."

Qin Weixi looked at the old beggar in front of him, whose face was covered with scars and half of his face was ruined, but he recognized him as Zhuang Shijun by the clear eyes that were still there.

At this moment, Xia, who was in Tingyuxuan, also came upon hearing the sound. Looking at the person she remembered seeing in Jiangnan who resembled the advisor beside the head of the family back then, she suddenly couldn't stop crying.

"It's him... Miss, it's him."

Qin Weixi, her eyes already red, gently helped Zhuang Shijun up, but he seemed to have been frightened and kept wailing and clutching his head.

"Uncle Zhuang, it's me! Uncle Zhuang...it's Weixi!"

"Father! Uncle Zhuang, do you still remember your father, Qin Heng, Duke of Dingguo!"

After their parting at the canal shore that year, Zhuang Shijun, with his refined and amiable face and lively conversation with her, was indeed as Ah Xia had described that day.

Qin Weixi, sobbing softly, gripped Zhuang Shijun's arm tightly and gently comforted him.

“It’s me! Uncle Zhuang.”

In an instant, Zhuang Shijun's clear eyes, hidden beneath his dirty face, quickly looked over. Then, the master and servant locked eyes, and slowly, two clear tears streamed down his face.

"Miss!"

Qin Weixi was already in tears, and helped him step by step to the chair by the window, but still smiled and said, "It's me, I'm still alive."

Zhuang Shijun stared in disbelief at the now-grown girl before him and at A-Xia beside him, her voice choked with sobs. He slowly said, "Then, Your Highness..."

Qin Weixi forced a smile: "My brother is gone."

Zhuang Shijun was trembling all over, his face covered in tears. Seeing this, Qin Weixi hurriedly instructed Feng Hua and Pu Niang, who had arrived one after the other, to prepare food and clean clothes.

Qin Weixi still had a smile on her lips as she held Zhuang Shijun's hands tightly, squatted down and whispered, "Uncle Zhuang, Axia Mutong and I are still alive, as is Zijin. Uncle Zhuang, do you still remember that girl whose eyes would light up with a smile whenever she saw Mutong?"

Zhuang Shijun nodded repeatedly.

Qin Weixi pulled Queshe behind him again: "Uncle Zhuang still has Queshe, do you remember her? Everyone in the Jingning Marquis's mansion is one of our own, you will no longer be homeless and displaced."

"And Xiao Jiu Bao..."

Qin Weixi spoke gently, word by word. Zhuang Shijun, initially shocked and confused, gradually smiled.

Luo Yuan helped Zhuang Shijun, who was covered in filth, to clean him up. He watched Zhuang Shijun wolf down his food, and when he returned to Tingyuxuan, even though his face was half-ruined and his back was hunched over like an old man, his wise eyes and refined demeanor remained, despite the ten years of wandering.

Qin Weixi had already instructed Luo Yuan to let Zhuang Shijun rest well after he had eaten, but Zhuang Shijun insisted on returning to Tingyuxuan to see the only remaining bloodline of the family head in the world.

Zhuang Shijun knelt down in front of Qin Weixi with a thud, and said in a trembling voice, "Miss, it was my fault for not being able to keep the Duke!"

Qin Weixi smiled and Luo Yuan helped him up: "Uncle Zhuang, I have so many questions for you, but you've come all the way from Jiangnan back to the capital, so you need to rest well."

Zhuang Shijun shook his head: "No, Miss! Now that I know you are still alive, I have something very, very important to tell you."

"Before the old Duke passed away, he met the late Emperor, who was then the Crown Prince, who had secretly visited the mansion. On that day, the old Duke dismissed many servants in the front courtyard because of the late Emperor's visit. My father was a little worried about this, so he ordered me to stand guard outside."

"Everything was normal during this period. Late Emperor’s laughter could still be heard from the old Duke’s house from time to time. Not long after, the late Emperor came out and went around to the backyard. He was laughing and joking with the old Duke under the eaves, seemingly wanting to retrieve the wine buried in the backyard."

"It was at this moment that a dispute seemed to have occurred inside the house. After a short while, I saw His Highness the Crown Prince come out of the house. However, His Highness the Crown Prince at that time stood under the eaves for a long time as if nothing had happened before going to find the late Emperor."

"At the time, I felt something was amiss and was about to go inside to take a look when the late Emperor followed the Crown Prince back to the old Duke's room. Then I..."

At this point, Zhuang Shijun's face suddenly filled with hatred and rage: "Then I heard the late Emperor suddenly let out a mournful cry! He said that Le Jin had passed away..."

"When my father and I went in, the old Duke was already dead, his eyes wide open!" Zhuang Shijun said through gritted teeth. "Miss, the old Duke was clearly angered to death by the current emperor."

Qin Weixi remained stunned for a long time. The cup of hot tea that he was about to hand over slipped from his hand and shattered into several pieces.

He stared at Zhuang Shijun in astonishment, and after a moment asked only one question: "So Father knew about it too?"

Zhuang Shijun choked up and said, "Back then, the Duke strictly ordered my father and me to keep this a secret and investigate it in secret. But at that time, there were only the current emperor and the old Duke in the room. There was no third person who could testify. But in the days that followed, until the incident came to light, when the Duke mentioned the current emperor to me, he no longer had the smile he used to have."

Qin Weixi asked, "Does your brother know about this?"

Zhuang Shijun said, "The young master probably doesn't know. At that time, the Duke told me that no matter how big the problem was, he would take care of it, so that he and his sister could live in peace."

"Lord Zhuang, who murdered you?"

A deep voice suddenly rang out outside Tingyu Pavilion, and soon Chu Yening walked in, exuding a chilling aura. He arrived in riding attire, and blood still trickled down his fingers from the black wrist guards on his hands, dripping silently to the ground.

Qin Weixi shivered suddenly, and then heard him say, "It's not my blood. It's a few spies sent by the Empress in the palace to stalk the Marquis's residence."

Zhuang Shijun stared blankly at the face in front of him that resembled General Chu Lanzhe for a moment, then quickly said, "He is a eunuch with excellent lightness skills! Although he tried his best to hide the fact that he was a eunuch, I saw that the inner garment he was wearing that day was specially made for the palace! Not long after the Duke was summoned to the palace, this man sneaked into the Qin family's outer courtyard and threw me into the lake."

"Later, I pretended to be unconscious after being stabbed several times, until an old fisherman with a little granddaughter rescued me. Only then was I safe."

Qin Weixi suddenly remembered the old fisherman he had seen outside Shuiyun Tower on the day he returned to the capital. It turned out that everything was preordained by fate.

Just then, Jiuqu, whom they hadn't seen for many days, suddenly appeared like a ghost in the courtyard of Tingyuxuan. Upon seeing Chu Yening, her tightly furrowed brows relaxed: "My lord! Doctor Dong sent me here immediately. Some time ago, two palace servants sent by the palace sneaked into your study today after you left. Laosong and I had already received your orders and were hiding in the shadows. After the two palace servants left, Doctor Dong went into the study and carefully inspected it."

At this point, Jiuqu's face, already tanned dark red from the sun in Yongzhou, suddenly flushed red: "Then Doctor Dong discovered that these two audacious bastards had actually poisoned the writing brush that the Marquis uses to write! Doctor Dong said that this poison is odorless, and if inhaled, it will kill the person in their sleep within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yening gave a cold laugh, and after a moment said, "Go and inform Songyang to deliver my heartfelt words to the Chen residence tonight!"

Gu Han also came to report at this time: "Miss, Young Master Yao from the Liang family hid in the filth buckets that are transported out of the mansion for cleaning every day and managed to sneak in. He was discovered by the guards at the side gate."

Qin Weixi was still reeling from what Jiuqu had said about the poisoning. She asked, "What did he do?"

Gu Han said, "Young Master Yao has already changed his clothes and is waiting in the main hall, saying that he will only speak when he sees Miss."

Qin Weixi immediately settled Zhuang Shijun and Chu Yening and went to the main hall together. This time, Yao Zizhu put aside his usual carefree attitude and said to the two of them seriously: "...I have heard about what happened yesterday. I also have an important matter to attend to. If this young marquis hadn't eliminated all the spies outside your Luo family's gate, I wouldn't have had the courage to sneak into that chamber pot."

Yao Zizhu gagged as he said this: "And that young master Liang has been keeping a close eye on me ever since he was stripped of his official post!"

Qin Weixi said, "It's alright, you're safe now. Yesterday I said something to Liang Xi, and Liang Xu should think that we've always believed that his sister was responsible for the murder at the Star Gazing Tower back then."

Upon hearing this, Yao Zizhu's eyes darted around, and just as she was about to step forward, Chu Yening stepped in front of her, his brows furrowing slightly: "Get to the point."

Yao Zizhu then whispered, "Last night, Miss Liang returned to the manor covered in injuries, which angered the eldest son of the Liang family, who threw a tantrum all night. I waited outside the door until the third watch before I overheard the two of them plotting something. That imperial edict concerning the three great families was actually ordered by the Emperor to be searched for! But they still haven't found it..."

Qin Weixi and Chu Yening both looked up at him in an instant.

Seeing this, Yao Zizhu chuckled twice and said, "I came here today to say that if this iron certificate can be found, the Qin family should share a piece of the pie with me when they make a comeback, and my father's life should be spared."

Qin Weixi suddenly smiled faintly: "How should we divide it? My Qin family has nothing now."

Yao Zizhu cleared his throat and quickly began to speak in a very professional manner: "Ha! Your brothers include Luo Zhanshi, a high-ranking official, the Crown Prince's sworn brother, and a future emperor's confidant! A future emperor, holding the power of life and death! Tao Qingyun, the Empress's nephew who can walk around the capital with impunity! Another cousin who is incredibly wealthy! And this and this..."

He kept glancing at Chu Yening, who was sitting in the armchair drinking tea: "This future husband is the illustrious Marquis of Jingning!"

"Xiao Mei... Miss Qin, how dare you say you have nothing!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yening suddenly smiled.

-----------------------

Author's note: I'll soon be writing one of the scenes where the brothers work together to protect the Seventh Sister. I was really looking forward to it when I was conceiving the outline [starry eyes].

Thank you for reading, everyone. [Heart][Red Heart] I'll keep updating daily and try to update as often as possible.