Chapter 131

Chapter 131: Administering the Drug At the Duke of Dingguo's residence. Madam Qin had turned the entire household upside down, yet still could not find Qin Pei. She found the Duke of Dingguo in his study. "Lu Zhong, do you know that I could bring charges against you?" "What evidence do you have that I was the one who abducted Qin Pei?" The Duke of Dingguo sneered. "Rather, it's you who sent people to pursue and kill, even harming the innocent. I could be the one bringing charges against you!" After speaking in indignation, the Duke of Dingguo ordered Madam Qin to get out. He was deeply vexed now. Xie Yunting was nothing but a rogue—no matter what he said, it was useless, and he couldn't very well discuss his own family affairs with Xie Yunting. Qin Pei's wife had already come crying before Madam Qin several times. Qin Pei knew all about the shady things Madam Qin had done—otherwise, she wouldn't be in such a hurry to find him. She couldn't guarantee what Qin Pei might say to Lu Zhong. If Qin Pei betrayed her, she would truly be completely at Lu Zhong's mercy. The Duke of Dingguo harbored the same thought. He needed Madam Qin's nod of approval for his son to be recognized and restored to the family name, and this was the perfect opportunity to lock Qin Pei away and interrogate him. Several days had already passed. He had Qin Pei locked in a pitch-black room where one couldn't see one's own hand in front of one's face. Only when meals were delivered each day did Qin Pei catch a glimpse of light. Qin Pei was a man of considerable perseverance—even under such conditions, he hadn't uttered a single word. Since the Duke of Dingguo hadn't managed to pry out anything useful, he naturally wouldn't release him. Both husband and wife wished they could skin the other alive, yet neither could do anything about it. Madam Qin couldn't get the person back, nor could she extract any information. She had no choice but to take her people and return to her natal family. Upon seeing her elder brother and sister-in-law, Madam Qin poured out her grievances. "That heartless Lu Zhong—he wronged me back then, and now he wants to bring his bastard son back. Qin Pei's fate is unknown right now. Brother, you must help me." Qin Shaoyuan said this was going too far. "That Lu Zhong truly doesn't hold our Qin family in any regard!" Madam Qin agreed. But her sister-in-law, Wang Shi, said, "If you ask me, sister, if you had arranged someone for your husband years ago, how could things have come to this?" "What are you saying, sister-in-law? If not for our Qin family, where would Lu Zhong be today? Marrying me was already him marrying above his station, and he still wants three wives and four concubines—dream on!" Madam Qin found her sister-in-law's words unpleasant. "Do you have some grievance against me, sister-in-law?" Wang Shi did indeed have many grievances. Over the years, the Qin family had cleaned up after Madam Qin's messes countless times. Troubles Madam Qin stirred up had to be handled by the Qin family, and her Wang family had to pitch in as well. And Madam Qin was far too obsessive. Lu Zhong had received favors from the Qin family, true, but Lu Zhong also had his own abilities. Madam Qin insisted on Lu Zhong's undivided devotion, yet she hadn't managed to bear a healthy son—how could Lu Zhong be content with that? "I just hope you can see things more clearly. You and your husband have been together for most of your lives. If you keep making trouble now, won't you just make a spectacle of yourself for all of Bianjing to laugh at?" Wang Shi spoke with earnest sincerity. "The Qin family is not what it used to be. It can no longer indulge your antics. Meanwhile, your husband still has his abilities. Now it's the Qin family that needs his support. For the sake of how the Qin family has treated you well in the past, stop this fuss—can you?" The moment she finished speaking, both Qin Shaoyuan and Madam Qin were displeased. "Why are you siding with outsiders?" Qin Shaoyuan shot her a glare. "Lu Zhong may be valued by the Emperor now, but the Emperor is old. In the past, we always valued civil officials—only this Emperor favors military officers. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—Lu Zhong is old too. How much longer can he throw his weight around?" A military officer who can no longer go to battle would sooner or later be cast aside. Faced with her husband's lack of understanding, Wang Shi could only sigh. Madam Qin continued to plead. "I beg you, brother, to step in for me. Whether it's Qin Pei or Xie Yunting, I will never allow that bastard son to return to the Duke of Dingguo's residence!" Qin Shaoyuan said he would take care of it, and immediately gave orders for people to search for traces of Qin Pei. As for Xie Yunting, he planned to try courtesy before force. After all, Xie Yunting was the most unreasonable of men, and making an enemy of him at this time would be unwise—especially since the marriage between the Qin family and Xie Yunting was still a complete mess. To this day, Xie Yunting still hadn't given a definitive answer. Qin Shaoyuan sent someone to the Xie residence to invite Xie Yunting over for a talk, preparing to discuss the matter of the marriage. By the time Xie Yunting received the invitation, he had already finished his conversation with Cui Zeyu. "Since you've made your decision, I'll cooperate with you fully. But what about Sister Cui—will you tell her about the plan?" Xie Yunting asked. "I'll find an opportunity to tell Sister." Cui Zeyu said. "Right now, I need to meet with Lu Zhong." He had already made up his mind and was ready to begin arranging what came next. "Meeting the Duke of Dingguo is easy enough—he's been looking for you all along anyway." Xie Yunting said he could arrange it. The next day, Xie Yunting brought Shuanzi to the Qin residence. As soon as he arrived, Qin Shaoyuan warmly invited him inside. "Today there's no one else—just this old man and you. Let's have a few good drinks together." Qin Shaoyuan gave Xie Yunting full face, seating him at a table laden with fine wine and good food. Xie Yunting glanced at Shuanzi, who sat down as well. "Then I thank Lord Qin. My elder brother said the Qin family was hosting a banquet today and told me to come enjoy the good fortune. Lord Qin won't mind, will he?" "Don't mind at all, don't mind at all—please, eat." Since they had already taken their seats, how could Qin Shaoyuan dare to drive them away? The Qin family had already offended Xie Yunting before; if the marriage wasn't settled now, the Qin family would become a laughingstock throughout Bianjing. Shuanzi began wolfing down his food. Xie Yunting also drank deeply. "Fine wine!" After several rounds of drinks, Qin Shaoyuan himself was somewhat tipsy. He grabbed Xie Yunting and poured out his grievances—how difficult things had been for him, and on and on at length—until finally he brought up his two granddaughters. "You can take your pick of either one. The wedding day is fast approaching; you must let us prepare in advance. Otherwise, when the time comes, we'll be scrambling and it won't look good. Don't you agree?" "That's for you all to arrange. Your family first said the third young lady, then the fourth young lady—how would I dare name which one I want?" Xie Yunting showed no sign of drunkenness. He had guessed before coming today that Qin Shaoyuan would bring this up. Qin Shaoyuan was troubled. "Matters of marriage must be to your liking." "Lord Qin is mistaken—the question is whether the Qin family wants to marry off their daughter. If you don't wish to, you can go straight to The Emperor. I wouldn't mind at all!" Xie Yunting held grudges, and he remembered everything the Qin family had done before. Seeing that persuasion was useless, Qin Shaoyuan could only pour wine for Xie Yunting and instead brought up the matter of Lu Zhong's recent visits to the Xie residence. "I hear from my sister that my brother-in-law has been frequenting the Xie estate lately. Some matters are between husband and wife—even I, as his brother-in-law, find it hard to intervene. Yunting, don't get involved either, alright?" "Lord Qin is mistaken again. I have no connection whatsoever with the Duke of Dingguo—how could I possibly meddle in his household affairs?" Xie Yunting made to leave. "You keep saying things that sour the mood. Enough, enough—I see no point in continuing this drink!" As he moved to leave, Shuanzi immediately stood up as well. Xie Yunting gave him a look, and Shuanzi ran out to saddle the horses. Qin Shaoyuan hastily pulled Xie Yunting back to his seat. "Alright, alright, I won't speak of these things. The Qin family was indeed remiss in their conduct before. I'll punish myself with three cups—you just drink one, how about that?" Seeing Qin Shaoyuan lower his posture and knowing the Qin family was frantic over the marriage alliance, Xie Yunting drained his cup in one go. His tolerance for alcohol had always been excellent. He planned to leave as soon as Shuanzi returned, but before long, his head began to spin. When he looked at Qin Shaoyuan again, the man before him was starting to blur into double images. Damn it. He had been careless. That bastard actually had the nerve to drug him! Xie Yunting overturned the table with one shove. As a military officer, he could still hold himself upright through sheer force of will. Qin Shaoyuan had painstakingly set up this scheme—he had to make Xie Yunting and his granddaughter's union a fait accompli. Not only would he secure the marriage, but he could also use it to hold leverage over Xie Yunting. The Qin family's servants swarmed in, surrounding Xie Yunting in the middle. But they had underestimated Xie Yunting's martial skill. Three or five of them were no match for him. Yet the drug's effects surged through him, and Xie Yunting's knees buckled. Fortunately, Shuanzi returned just in time. "Big brother, what's wrong?" Shuanzi drew his sword. "You bastards—what did you do to my big brother?"