Her daughter's words were a bit harsh, and Qin Xie was a little worried. She was afraid that her daughter would be blinded by hatred and take the wrong path. "Have you been running around outside all this time just to get revenge on the Marquis of Pingyang? My daughter, please don't do this. I'm afraid you'll ruin yourself. Mother hopes you will always be happy."
Qin Wan smiled and comforted Qin Xie: "Don't worry, mother. I am not blindly ignoring other things and only focusing on revenge. I have a plan. What's more, he is not worthy. I sacrificed my life to avenge him."
Qin Xie was relieved to see that her daughter really didn't care.
But since the topic of bringing Pingyang Hou down came up, Qin Sheng brought up the matter of going to the border to investigate: "I just got news this morning that several families have disappeared at Wuguan."
Qin Zhan asked, "People are missing? There are frequent wars at the border, and even in times of peace, there are small groups of bandits causing trouble. It's normal for some people to go missing. The spies specifically reported this. Did they find anything?"
Qin Sheng said, "Originally, the spies didn't pay attention to this, but they overheard that the people looking for him were from Pingyang Marquis Mansion."
Qin Wan was puzzled: "People from Pingyang Marquis' Mansion? Many people at the border know them?"
Qin Zhan explained to his granddaughter, "Marquis Pingyang has been stationed at the border for eight years, so he must have his own mansion. He is well-known at the border, so it's not surprising that some of the servants in the mansion know him. Moreover, when he returns, as long as the mansion there was not built by the court, there is no need to take it back, and he will naturally stay there."
Qin Wan had been in charge of the Lu family for many years, but she had never known that there was a mansion on the border: "I have never heard of it."
"That's what they bought when they arrived at the border." Qin Xie whispered, "Your grandfather also bought his house at the border. The generals' houses at the border were often dilapidated. If they rebuilt it, it would be taken back when they left, so they bought it themselves."
"Is it very cheap?" Qin Wan was curious. She knew the Lu family too well. If it wasn't cheap, how could Lu Yan buy the house without disturbing his family?
Qin Zhan stroked his beard and said, "Houses at the border are cheap, but large houses are not easily available. However, money can be made quickly at the border, especially for generals. After a battle, there are a lot of spoils. If you can capture a town, it is not impossible to become rich overnight."
Qin Wan pondered, "So the Marquis of Pingyang is probably not as poor as he appears to be."
"Or maybe there's something else that's taking up a lot of money, and he can't take it out." Qin Zhan had another guess.
Several people present had this guess, but no one said it out loud, as this involved treason.
Qin Wan changed the subject and asked about the missing people: "How did the spies determine that there was something fishy about the missing people?"
Qin Sheng lowered his voice and said, "The spies got some information at the border, so they were looking for them. But the neighbors said they had moved away a long time ago. Later, they discovered that people from the Pingyang Marquis' Mansion were looking for several families."
"They say the families who originally lived in the back alley of Pingyanghou are probably runaway slaves, but it's rare for runaway slaves to leave with their families. Furthermore, the spies couldn't find any records of these runaway slaves in the government household registration archives, so it's certain they're looking for civilians."
The population mobility at the border is relatively large, and the official household registration files are not so complete, but the records on slavery are complete.
There is no other reason. Those who can afford to use slaves are all wealthy families. Rich families will not move easily. If there is an accident, someone will report to the police. It is impossible that there will be no movement at all.
The only people who are ignored are ordinary people, but it is very abnormal that ordinary people would attract so much attention from the Pingyang Marquis' Mansion.
Qin Wan said thoughtfully, "So the information we found out is related to these missing people?"
"right."
Qin Sheng stopped there, saying that some of the information was uncertain, so he couldn't say it for the time being, but based on what he had found out so far, Marquis Pingyang might have been holding back something big at the border.
Either he has some ulterior motive, or he has caused a great disaster.
Qin Yan came over with a glass of wine, interrupting such a heavy topic.
After everyone had lunch, Qin Zhan, Qin Sheng and Qin Xie began to prepare to enter the palace.
In addition to the three of them, Qin Sheng's children can also enter, but his two sons are used to the freedom outside and don't want to go to the palace to be restricted.
Qin Wan could also enter the palace to attend the palace banquet, but she didn't want to go. Today was New Year's Eve and the streets were particularly busy. Her several dim sum shops and milk tea shops were not closed. She could make some money while it was so lively.
Of course, they still have to work during the Chinese New Year, and the remuneration Qin Wan gives is very generous. No one is unwilling to work in the store during the Chinese New Year. Even outsiders who hear about the remuneration would wish they could work in Yuchuan Tea or Piaoxiangju and get ten times the salary!
The streets are bustling, and the palace is also very lively at this moment.
After the routine greeting process, it was time for singing and dancing.
The court officials also took this opportunity to make friends and chat.
On such occasions, seats were filled according to official rank and title. In previous years, Xuanwu Marquis Qin Zhan could not sit with his son. This year, Qin Sheng was named Crown Prince, and Qin Xie was named Crown Prince's Consort.
After entering the palace, Qin Sheng's seat moved forward following the Xuanwu Marquis, among the group of nobles. Qin Xie also sat in the front on the side of the female relatives.
The powerful Prince Xuanwu is very different from the fourth-rank official before. Now with these two things combined, he can be considered a top-ranked official among the nobles.
Therefore, there were many people coming to toast at this time, young and old, and some even asked about Qin Wan's marriage.
"Come, come, Lord Qin, come and see my son." An earl pulled his son and started selling in front of Qin Zhan.
Duke Du pulled on Prince Du and pushed the Earl aside with his butt, pushing Prince Du forward. "Look at this one of mine! He's the Crown Prince! As soon as your granddaughter marries in, I'll abdicate immediately and let him inherit the Dukedom. My wife also said that your granddaughter will take charge of the household once she marries in, and we old couple will go out and play."
Qin Zhan's face was as black as the bottom of a pot: "You guys, you have the nerve to marry my granddaughter? Get lost."
Duke Du said with a playful smile: "Uncle, look at my son, he's really good and can drink a lot! Come on, give Marquis Xuanwu a drink!"
Duke Du took out a large bowl from somewhere, poured a full bowl of wine into it, and stuffed it into Prince Du's mouth.
Prince Du was stunned and had no power to resist as his old father forced him to drink a large bowl of liquor.
“Ahem…”
Prince Du kept coughing, and it was unclear whether it was because the strong liquor made his throat uncomfortable or he was simply choking.
"And my grandson!"
Another marquis came over with his grandson and surrounded Qin Zhan.
Not far away, Lu Yan saw the father and son of Marquis Xuanwu being surrounded by people. At the women's table, Qin Xie was also surrounded by some nobles, and they were talking happily.
Lu Yan didn't understand why a woman he didn't want, an abandoned woman, was so popular!
"Lord Lu, congratulations."
Someone came over from behind him, carrying a drink.
Lu Yan turned around and saw Zhao Qi, Ren Liu, Qian Si and other former comrades. A smile lit up his face. "It's been a while since we last met. How are you all?"
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