Chapter 61 Thoughts
Qiu Heng glanced at Xue Han with a puzzled look.
Is the Imperial City Guard really that strict?
Xue Han felt a little uncomfortable being stared at.
He wouldn't interfere with his subordinates' private affairs if they did their official duties well, but Miss Qiu Liu—
Xue Han suddenly froze.
What about Qiu Liu, the sixth daughter?
Why didn't he want her to go directly to Hu Si?
Meeting the girl's clear, bright eyes, Xue Han suddenly felt a little flustered.
Was it because he felt guilty that he spent more time with her, leading to other misconceptions? Like... Xin Yue?
My first wish is for a peaceful world; my second wish is for good health; my third wish is to see you often when I am old.
He saw what was on her mind, but those words weren't meant for him.
Why did he take it to heart and ponder it repeatedly?
"Lord Xue."
A gentle female voice rang out, like a spark suddenly warming the boy's heart. He grabbed his teacup and took a few sips; the cool tea calmed him down.
"Sixth Miss Qiu, please speak."
Qiu Heng paused for a moment, then said, "I'm done."
"That's settled then." Xue Han stood up. "Once I find out, I'll have Hu Si talk to you... uh, you can just go directly to Hu Si in the future."
Qiu Heng watched silently as the young man strode to the door, a sense of confusion creeping into her heart: Was Lord Xue's statement somewhat contradictory? Should she go directly to him or to Hu Si in the future?
Also, now that everything has been said, shouldn't she be the one leaving...?
Hu Si looked at Xue Han, who had suddenly opened the door, and asked the same question: "Where are you going, sir?"
Xue Han paused, then turned to look at Qiu Heng.
Qiu Heng tactfully walked over and said, "Then, Lord Xue, you're busy. I'll head back now."
"Let Hu Si take you."
"No need, I sneaked out."
Qiu Heng put on her veiled hat, waved her hand, and went downstairs.
Xue Han walked back to the elegant room and sat down silently.
Hu Si stood by the window, looking out, his mouth never stopping: "I was wondering why Miss Qiu Liu was dressed differently than usual; turns out she snuck out. Wasn't she afraid of running into thieves by herself? Luckily, the capital is quite safe, and there are many women out and about... But Miss Qiu Liu is a noble lady from the Earl's mansion, yet she directly told us she snuck out..."
"Hu Si".
"Please speak, sir."
"Go and investigate the Marquis of Xiping's residence."
"yes."
With Hu Si gone, the room was finally quiet.
The silence made Xue Han feel increasingly uneasy.
Could it be that he has developed romantic feelings for her?
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Xue Han frowned deeply.
Is it just my imagination?
The boy raised his hand and pressed it to his chest, feeling his heartbeat.
It's an illusion—that's what he told himself.
Hu Si found out the situation in just one day.
After hearing the report, Xue Han said calmly, "Go and tell Miss Qiu Liu."
Hu Si was stunned: "Aren't you going to tell him yourself, sir?"
Xue Han glanced at him and said, "I have things to do."
"No, sir, wasn't Miss Qiu Liu looking for you?"
"Miss Qiu Liu is looking for someone who can get things done; it doesn't matter who it is."
Even after Hu Si saw Qiu Heng, he was still wondering: Why did the adult suddenly go crazy?
Qiu Heng was completely unaware of Xue Han's troubles and was pleasantly surprised to receive news so quickly: "What did Commander Hu find out?"
"Didn't your second daughter and the fourth son of the Marquis of Xiping's family previously intend to discuss marriage? After that matter fell through, the Marquis of Xiping's wife arranged for someone to marry that cousin—" Hu Si couldn't continue.
It's really hard for him to say something like administering drugs to a young lady in her boudoir to induce an abortion.
I understand. The adults just couldn't bring themselves to say it, which is why they assigned this task to him.
That's outrageous!
Hu Si looked indignant.
"What did you do to that young lady? Did you perhaps force her to have an abortion?" Qiu Heng asked, guessing, seeing Hu Si's strange expression.
"Cough cough cough cough." Hu Si choked and coughed incessantly.
Qiu Heng poured him a cup of tea: "Commander Hu, speak slowly, there's no need to rush."
Looking at the calm-looking girl, Hu Si's lips twitched violently.
I never expected red bean cake to be like this!
This made Hu Si speak without restraint: "Yes, it was the drug that was given to that cousin to induce an abortion, but she was unlucky and suffered a postpartum hemorrhage..."
Qiu Heng's expression was rather unpleasant.
No matter what, that young lady shouldn't have lost her life.
First, he tried to trick Qiu Xuan into marrying him, but when that failed, he forced the girl to take medicine to have an abortion in order to clear the way for future marriage negotiations. This resulted in the girl's death, and in the end, nothing happened to the Xiping Marquis's mansion.
"Ever since that cousin died, the Lady of Xiping Marquis has frequently gone to burn incense and pray to Buddha. Young Master Zhao the Fourth had a considerable argument with his mother over that cousin's death and is away from home most of the time..."
"Thank you for your hard work, Commander Hu." Qiu Heng didn't bring any snacks this time, but handed over the hundred-tael silver note she had prepared.
Hu Si pushed it away as if it were a hot potato: "How can I take Qiu Liu's money—"
"Why can't we have it?" Qiu Heng asked.
Hu Siyi was stunned.
You can't exactly say that the adults are happy to work for free, can you?
"Commander Hu, please accept this. There's no reason for you to have worked so hard for nothing. You might need my help again in the future, so if you don't accept it, I'll feel embarrassed to ask again."
Unable to refuse, Hu Si pulled out a ten-tael silver note: "Then it doesn't need to be a hundred taels of silver, ten taels is already a lot."
This girl is really generous; she throws out a hundred taels right away, isn't she afraid of being robbed?
Seeing that Hu Si accepted the money, Qiu Heng felt relieved and prepared to take her leave.
"By the way, our Imperial City Guard has contact points on several main streets. If Miss Qiu needs to contact our lord again, you can send someone to deliver a message..." Hu Si said the one closest to the Yongqing Marquis's residence.
"Thank you for informing me, Commander Hu."
Back at the Imperial City Guard, Hu Si went to see Xue Han, but unexpectedly saw the eunuch Xue Quan and quickly pretended that he had never been there.
Xue Quan came here for a reason.
Surprisingly, two families approached him, subtly expressing their desire for Xue Han to become their son-in-law.
Although he didn't like either of those two families, it reminded him that his son was of marriageable age.
"I heard there was a little trouble on the night of Qixi Festival?"
"There are quite a few minor issues, which is unavoidable during holidays when there are many people." Xue Han was unsure whether Xue Quan was asking about Qiu Xuan falling into the water, so he gave a vague answer.
Xue Quan smiled and said, "Han'er must have handled it well, as many girls have noticed."
Xue Han cast a puzzled look at him.
"Hahaha." Xue Quan laughed and patted Xue Han's arm. "Two families have approached me these past two days, wanting to arrange a marriage for you."
Arranging a marriage?
Xue Han's heart skipped a beat.
"What's with your reaction? I'm arranging a marriage for you, not asking you for money," Xue Quan said, puzzled.
"I do not wish to marry at the moment."
Xue Quan's smile vanished: "Why is that?"
"My child is not yet of age, and I have many official duties to attend to. I think we should wait two years before making a decision."
"It's not too late in a couple of years. I'll carefully choose a good marriage for you."
After Xue Quan left, Hu Si tiptoed in and coughed when he saw the boy who was lost in thought.
"My lord, I have just returned from seeing Miss Qiu Liu."
Xue Han looked at Hu Si, who was smiling and had dimples showing.
His subordinate always seemed to be in a cheerful mood.
"Hu Si, come drink with me."
At the dinner table, Hu Si stopped the young man who was drinking one glass after another: "Sir, is something on your mind?"
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