There was a commotion outside the door. The servants who had been overjoyed just moments before were now filled with terror. The official carrying a knife had a fierce look on his face and did not look like he had come to deliver good news.
Yun Jinglan and Old Marquis Su exchanged a glance, and the latter gave her a reassuring look, "Let's see how things go first."
Su Yunyi hadn't left the city much since the imperial examinations, occasionally meeting up with friends, but mostly spending his time with Qiuqiu catching fish in the moat. Logically, the officials wouldn't question him; they assumed it was a misunderstanding.
However, when Lord Su saw the token hanging from the waist of the leading official, his expression changed. "Why is Lord Gao here?"
The servant was blind; he mistook anyone wearing similar official robes for a government official. But this Master Gao was different.
Gao Xun is the commander of the Imperial Guards, so it must be quite a big deal for him to personally arrest someone!
Gao Xun glanced around, his gaze lingering on Qiu Qiu the longest, but the last person he looked at was Su Yunyi. "Reporting to the old Marquis, someone has accused your second young master of cheating in the examination. His Majesty has ordered me to come and summon the second young master to the yamen for questioning."
"However, this matter is quite complicated, and until the truth comes out, Young Master Su will probably have to endure some hardship for a while."
Su Yunyi frowned and defended himself: "Lord Gao, isn't there some misunderstanding?"
"Lord Gao, my son Yunyi doesn't need to cheat, nor would he. There must be some misunderstanding; someone must be deliberately framing my son!"
Cheating in the imperial examinations was a capital offense!
The atmosphere in the entire front hall immediately became tense, especially with Gao Xun's dark face and silent demeanor. Given his infamous reputation, there was a real fear that he might resort to violence and forcibly take Su Yunyi away.
The Su family was on tenterhooks, wondering if Gao Xun would reveal anything!
"ha!"
Holding Dong Xiao, Qiu Qiu stood at the back. Unable to reach Gao Xun's clothes, she could only make noise to attract attention. Sure enough, Gao Xun was drawn to Qiu Qiu's noise. Yun Jinglan tensed up, glaring at Qiu Qiu; this was not the time for her to act foolishly.
Who knew that instead of restraining herself, Qiuqiu beckoned to Gao Xun with her finger.
That unlucky kid! This guy is the living devil of the capital!
What's even more shocking is that Gao Xun actually went there!
"Excuse me, madam, I need to speak with Qiuqiu for a few minutes."
Yun Jinglan: "???"
Does Qiuqiu know Gao Xun?
Even the old Marquis Su, who always brought Qiuqiu with him, was stunned. He hadn't even exchanged many words with Gao Xun, so how come he could have private conversations with Qiuqiu?
Just how vast is her network of connections in the capital?
Qiuqiu and Gao Xun's acquaintance began with an accident. The girl Gao Xun secretly loved was the younger sister of Consort Yun in the palace, but Consort Yun's rank was low and she rarely saw her family. Qiuqiu was bold enough to help carry letters home for her.
Yun Guiren's younger sister is very skillful and always loves to make small toys for Qiuqiu. For a period of time, the bamboo dragonfly that Qiuqiu always carried with her was a gift from Yun Guiren's younger sister.
Despite Gao Xun's imposing stature and ability to stop children from crying at night, he only dared to harbor secret crushes. He wanted to spend a fortune to buy Qiu Qiu's bamboo dragonfly, and when no one was around in the palace, he told Qiu Qiu and Princess Funing a long story about his difficult unrequited love.
Touched by this, Gao Xun immediately gave Qiu Qiu the bamboo dragonfly. The next day, he even brought home two bamboo-woven animals, a little pig and a little monkey, which he didn't like. From then on, Gao Xun unilaterally declared that he and Qiu Qiu had become close friends despite their age difference.
He recently discovered that Qiuqiu could understand him, which made him feel ashamed, so he reduced their contact.
Qiuqiu was furious about Gao Xun's sudden hot-and-cold behavior and even considered breaking off their friendship. She's now quite glad she didn't act impulsively.
After all, I need their help!
Even though Dong Xiao was holding her, Qiu Qiu was still shorter than Gao Xun and had to look up at him. She missed Shisan terribly. Otherwise, she could show Gao Xun what it meant for Qiu Qiu to lower her noble head.
Gao Xun knew he was in the wrong. He didn't know how to coax a child, so he could only imitate the voice of a woman on the street and speak to Qiuqiu, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Chirp snorted and turned her face away, throwing a little tantrum.
Su Yunyi, who seemed about to be arrested, pinched her cheek and chuckled her little hands. Sis, this is not the time for you to throw a tantrum. Your brother is waiting for you to save him!
Chiu Chiu, realizing what was happening, gave Gao Xun a meaningful look, then pulled a small bamboo grasshopper from her pocket and waved it in front of Gao Xun. "Want one?"
Gao Xun's eyes lit up, and he coughed lightly: "Right after the results were announced, candidates from the Dali Temple filed a complaint against Young Master Su, Gao Wenyan, and Jin Fengnian for cheating in the examination. Lord He has already gone to the palace to meet the Emperor."
Chiu Chiu shook her head. Her second brother was so capable, he wouldn't copy others!
There's no need for Wen Yan to ask; they're all promising players she has her eye on. As for Jin Fengnian… Qiu Qiu doesn't think he has the guts.
[The case is solved; it was a frame-up!]
[A blatant frame-up!]
Chiu Chiu was so angry she wanted to slap the scoundrel for daring to bully her brother!
Beat him up!
Gao Xun fanned Qiuqiu: "Don't be angry. I'll handle things with the government; they definitely won't let your brother suffer any injustice, so..."
Before Gao Xun could even finish speaking, Qiu Qiu had already proactively handed the bamboo grasshopper to him.
She gave Su Yunyi a look: "We have connections in the government, we're not afraid!"
Su Yunyi, being upright, had nothing to fear. He was simply astonished by Gao Xun's attitude; it was truly terrifying!
Gao Xun carefully placed the bamboo grasshopper away and became much more polite to Su Yunyi: "Please trouble Second Young Master Su to come with me."
Su Yunyi didn't struggle and hoped that this matter could be resolved as soon as possible to clear his name.
Just as they were about to leave, Qiuqiu suddenly grabbed Gao Xun's clothes.
Gao Xun sighed helplessly: "I will take good care of your second brother. I will not hit him, nor will I allow anyone to torture him."
Chiu Chiu wants much more than that!
Two little hands clenched into fists, then suddenly the thumbs popped out, the chubby little hands intertwined, and brought close to Gao Xun.
Gao Xun: "?"
Chiu Chiu raised an eyebrow and patted her chest.
It's unclear what strange consensus they reached, but Gao Xun nodded solemnly: "Then it's settled. I will definitely clear your second brother's name and save your friends. You must also keep your promise to me."
"You can't act like a brat just because you're a child!"
Chuchu nodded vigorously and hugged her!
The Su family can swear to God they really didn't hear Qiuqiu's thoughts, so how exactly did they communicate without any problems?!
With this question in mind, Su Yunyi left with Gao Xun in a daze.
The family gathered around Qiuqiu, and Yun Jinglan asked worriedly, "What did you promise Lord Gao? Is there any danger?"
For Gao Xun to get involved, Qiu Qiu must have paid a heavy price!
His Majesty certainly wouldn't allow the Marquis's faction to interfere in matters involving Yun Yi, and the neutral Gao Xun would have a easier time investigating. He could also protect him should anyone try to harm him. It would be best if Gao Xun agreed to help, but we can't let Qiu Qiu be put in danger!
The family watched Qiuqiu nervously, as if she were about to embark on some dangerous mission.
Chirp waved its hand, "No danger!"
Cheer up, everyone! I'm off to play matchmaker!
Everyone: ? ? ?
Chirp chirp as a matchmaker?!
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