Chapter 399: Chapter 396: Hiring a Stealth Ghost for Security

“Existing favors should not be wasted,” Qin Liuxi briefly spoke about the gang led by Li Jiang and their shameful conduct, emphasizing the tumors Li Jiang carried on his back.

“These two are burdened with the guilt of taking lives as well,” Qin Liuxi pretended to be terrified and said, “Mr. Yu, being a parental official, must stand up for us innocent common folk who are defenseless. Otherwise, who knows who will be the next wrongful death.”

Yu Qiucai’s mouth twitched slightly.

Others might truly be defenseless, but you have the type that can kill people effortlessly with just a mere word.

Li Jiang and his gang were terribly frightened; how did he find out?

Meanwhile, seeing Yu Qiucai addressing that young man as ‘Master’, and recalling the threats previously made by the young man, Li Jiang suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Yu Qiucai, of course, wouldn’t waste the favor Qin Liuxi had given him, instructing his personal soldiers to seize the men and deliver them to the county government for severe interrogation.

The personal soldiers carried out the order, binding and taking the men away immediately.

Mrs. Wang and Qin Meiniang were utterly dumbfounded.

This scene seemed like an illusion.

“Mr. Yu, why are you here?” asked Qin Liuxi upon seeing him still in official attire, laughing as he spoke.

Yu Qiucai immediately laughed, saying, “You know, my wife is further along in her pregnancy, and her appetite hasn’t been great lately. By chance, one of our servants noticed a new preserved fruits shop here, bought some, and they were very well received by my wife. After hearing her praises, I thought I’d bring some back for her before returning home.”

“Such a loving husband,” Qin Liuxi smiled and told Mrs. Wang and the others, “Mother, you heard him; please wrap up some of each for Mr. Yu, and put it on my tab.”

Mrs. Wang, having recognized Yu Qiucai, was shocked at Qin Liuxi’s apparently close relationship with him. Upon hearing this, she quickly directed Qin Meiniang to package the preserved fruits.

Yu Qiucai was dazzled.

He glanced towards Ruyi Pavilion, then at Mrs. Wang, his eyes widening, “Mrs.Qin?”

Mrs. Wang smiled and bowed to him, “Mr. Yu, I dare not bear the title of ‘lady’.”

“No, it’s you and the master…” Yu Qiucai pointed at the two.

“Let’s talk inside the shop,” said Qin Liuxi.

Yu Qiucai stumbled into the shop, struggling to wrap his mind around everything.

When he first encountered Mrs. Wang facing difficulties upon entering the city, he had inquired about the Qin family. He could only sigh in dismay, though feeling little pity.

Being close to a ruler is akin to accompanying a tiger. Serving near a Saint, though beneficial for promotions, carries risks as well. A slight misstep could lead to defamation without requiring much evidence or reason.

Thus, people like Qin Yuanshan were not the first, nor would they be the last. As the Saint grew older and more suspicious, officials treaded on thinner ice, and incidents like this increased.

It’s common in the capital for high towers built to collapse soon after.

Knowing the ins and outs, he had brushed this aside since he knew of the Qin Family yet lacked close relations, being aware of their old home in Li City but never bothering to delve further.

But now, it seemed he had stumbled upon something significant.

With Mrs. Wang managing Ruyi Pavilion and being addressed as ‘mother’ by the master, yet all Qin family males over twelve were exiled; who then was the master?

A realization suddenly dawned on Yu Qiucai.

He looked at Qin Liuxi, who smiled slyly and asked, “Have you figured it out, Mr. Yu?”

Yu Qiucai shuddered and said, “Mrs. Qin is your…”

“My legitimate mother,” said Qin Liuxi.

“And you? I recall the Qin family males were exiled.”

“I am a girl, naturally not included in the exile list.”

“Oh.” Yu Qiucai took a couple of steps back, albeit having had some guesses, hearing it from her directly still took him by surprise.

The master he respected and admired was a girl.

Mrs. Wang didn’t know how to react.

“I belong to the female Dao, and have been under Qingping Temple since young. I didn’t clarify this to you earlier for convenience in my actions,” Qin Liuxi smiled, “And they are my kin in the secular world.”

Yu Qiucai took a deep breath and bowed, “Forgive my dullness for not seeing it earlier.”

“I often dress as a man and am also a monk. You are not to blame for not noticing—many people are unable to discern it,” she explained.

Yu Qiucai grinned sheepishly, admitting to himself that her appearance indeed revealed no typical feminine gentleness; even her demeanor didn’t, but to his surprise, she was a girl.

Qin Meiniang finished packing the preserved fruits. Seeing this, Qin Liuxi took them over and handed them to Yu Qiucai, saying, “These preserved fruits are made from my own recipes, suitable for all ages. Let your wife enjoy their sweetness.”