After delivering his harsh words, Qian Yuchuan turned and went back to his room. Before he left, he gave a deep, meaningful glance towards Qi Xiu's room.
Inside the room, Qi Xiu's expression was solemn. In just a few minutes, his situation seemed to have become even more precarious.
I have never met Qian Yuhan before.
He didn't hesitate to break into Qian Yuchuan's courtyard at night, trying to forcibly take me away. What for exactly?
Could it be just because I survived that strange man's murder attempt?
Sitting in the chair, Qi Xiu felt that the entire Qian Residence was like a giant whirlpool at this moment.
Qian Yuhan, Qian Yuchuan, Qian Yuzhe.
The three brothers were all scheming, harboring their own secret plans.
And the birthday banquet in two days might just be the moment when the three brothers completely collide.
"You plot and scheme against each other in a life-and-death struggle; why drag me into this? I am just an ordinary, poor scholar."
Helplessly massaging his temples, Qi Xiu heaved a short sigh.
I have yet to overcome this ordeal with Qian Yuchuan, and now Qian Yuhan has set his sights on me.
It seems I can't run away anymore.
Now, I can only take it one step at a time.
「Two days later.」
It was the sixtieth birthday of Mr. Qian, the head of the wealthy Qian Family in Baoho County. In this rather modest county town, the event had stirred nearly half the city's population. Both the Baoho County Magistrate and the Deputy County Magistrate announced they would personally attend the birthday banquet to offer their congratulations to Mr. Qian.
In the courtyard of the Qian Residence, a massive banquet area had been set up. Large red lanterns, adorned with the character for "longevity," hung from the towering gatehouse, welcoming the arriving guests. The banquet area was neatly laid with red carpets. Elegant yet rustic tables and chairs flanked both sides of the carpet. The tables were covered with red brocade tablecloths and adorned with exquisite metalware, beautiful porcelain, and finely carved wooden trays. Tall, ornately decorated screens surrounded the area, featuring beautifully painted scrolls depicting symbols of good fortune and prosperity. Red silk curtains and lanterns hung all around, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere.
As the house servants at the entrance announced "Distinguished guest arriving!" in loud, clear voices, guests were led to their seats. Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air.
「At this time, in Qian Yuchuan's small courtyard.」
Qi Xiu stood before the door, his hands in Sleeve Gathering.
Gong Yan leaned leisurely under the eaves, holding a plate of osmanthus and jujube paste cloud cakes, popping pieces into her mouth. Qian Yuchuan had gone to attend the birthday banquet. Gong Yan had stayed behind to accompany... or rather, to guard Qi Xiu.
Today was the last chance. Otherwise, once Qian Yuchuan returned, all hope would be lost.
"Kid, what are you looking at?" Sucking the crumbs from her fingers, Gong Yan noticed Qi Xiu's discreet gaze.
"Ah, it's nothing. Today is Mr. Qian's grand birthday. Isn't Miss Gong going to attend the banquet?" Qi Xiu offered a gentle smile.
"I have to watch someone, so of course, I can't go." Glancing at Qi Xiu, Gong Yan nonchalantly tossed the empty plate aside, stood up, and walked over. "If you ask me," she said, "you'd better just finish translating all the scriptures as soon as possible. I'll tell you a secret: my Eldest Senior Brother will be back soon. His temper isn't as good as mine or Senior Brother Yuchuan's. If you haven't finished translating the scriptures before he returns... tsk, tsk, tsk, then you'll really be in for it."
"I understand. However, I'd like to ask Miss Gong for a favor." Looking slightly embarrassed, Qi Xiu said awkwardly, "The table in this room is really too low, and my back can't take it anymore. Could you please help me lift the table? I want to prop it up a bit higher. I assure you, I will have all the scriptures translated by today."
Sizing up Qi Xiu, Gong Yan pondered for a few moments before nodding. "They always say scholars are good for nothing. A man who can't even lift the corner of a table... you're truly worthless."
Not forgetting to mock Qi Xiu, Gong Yan walked over to the desk in the room. With a gentle lift of her hands, she raised the entire desk.
"Thank you, Miss, thank you," Qi Xiu repeatedly thanked Gong Yan as he quickly approached the desk.
SWISH—
The dense ink hidden in his sleeve suddenly splashed out.
Her hands were occupied. Utterly unsuspecting that Qi Xiu, a weakling, would dare to attack her, Gong Yan was caught off guard. Her eyes were instantly soaked in ink.
"You..." Gong Yan's expression turned to one of shock and anger. Is this brat actually courting death?!
Her lips pressed tightly together, the moment the ink sealed Gong Yan's eyes, Qi Xiu stepped forward. His hands instantly turned a deep, bruised color, veins bulging and muscles rippling. Black Sand Palm, at full power!
CRACK!
With no mercy, he delivered a fierce and decisive double palm strike, heavily striking her ears. Blood instantly burst from Gong Yan's ears.
"AH!"
A massive sensation of vertigo struck her, and she lost her vision and hearing. Amidst her screams, all Gong Yan could do was desperately protect her vitals.
He bent his knees, leaned forward, and lowered his stance to avoid injury from Gong Yan's potential counterattack. Qi Xiu then locked his gaze, tensed his entire body, clenched his palms into fists, and swung with all his might.
Heart-penetrating Fist!
RIIIP—
The unrestrained force of the punch tore through her clothing and ripped her flesh, causing Gong Yan's chest to cave in instantly.
"Ugh..." A mouthful of blood spewed out. The severe impact to her heart caused Gong Yan to lose consciousness immediately.
Seeing Gong Yan collapse, Qi Xiu, who had been holding his breath, relaxed and began gasping for air.
If it weren't for this woman underestimating me, thinking I was just a scholar with no strength to truss a chicken, this surprise attack would likely have been very difficult to succeed...
The encounter lasted only a few seconds, but the sheer danger and excitement made Qi Xiu feel as if his heart was about to leap out of his throat.
I need to leave quickly. If Qian Yuchuan comes back midway, then it's all over.
Glancing at the unconscious Gong Yan, Qi Xiu turned and left the room.
But he had barely taken a few steps when Qi Xiu suddenly stopped. He turned to look at Gong Yan lying on the floor inside the room.
Better to be pursued by one person than two...
His brow slowly unfurrowed. Biting down hard on the tip of his tongue, Qi Xiu abruptly turned and went back inside the room.
More than ten seconds later, Qi Xiu rushed out of the room with an ashen face. Without looking back, he left the small courtyard and plunged into the overgrown grass and trees.
The Qian Residence was very large. So large, in fact, that even Qi Xiu, who had been there many times and was very familiar with it, had to concentrate to recall a sufficiently hidden path.
I can't stay in Baoho County any longer.
I am now in an irreconcilable feud with Qian Yuchuan.
I must leave as soon as possible.
Passing through a corridor with white walls and green-tiled eaves, he knew that a few hundred meters more would lead him to the side door out of the Qian Residence.
But just as Qi Xiu was considering his next destination, at the end of the corridor, a slightly hunched figure leaning on a short staff was standing there with a smile, seemingly having waited for him for quite some time.
"Mr. Qi, you're really quite capable to have escaped from my good-for-nothing brother's hands. Tsk, tsk."
Seeing Qian Yuhan blocking his path, Qi Xiu's heart nearly sank to rock bottom. Out of the wolf's den and into the tiger's lair indeed.
"Cough, cough. Mr. Qi, you needn't be tense. I am different from that brutish brother of mine. I have come to you with a genuine desire to collaborate." Sensing the wariness in Qi Xiu's eyes, Qian Yuhan coughed lightly and continued, "However, this isn't the place to talk. You probably don't want to be caught and brought back, do you? My place is relatively safe. Would Mr. Qi care to accompany me?"
After silently analyzing the situation before him, Qi Xiu shrugged helplessly. "Very well, then I must impose on you, Young Master."
"Heh heh, Mr. Qi, you're too courteous."