“Master, I have something important to report.” After Bai Mei got to know of the situation, she hurriedly went to report to Jiang Yeqian. “Qi Qingyao’s sister, Qi Qingzhu, and her husband’s family, have all been murdered yesterday night.”
Jiang Yeqian, “…”
They were… murdered?
Jiang Yeqian could not hide his shock when he heard this.
After a moment of silence, he said, “Li Ruoxuan went to Linquan Village yesterday and then Qi Qingzhu and her entire family were killed the same night. He really hasn’t changed. Always doing things viciously and speedily without considering the consequences.” He had said that he was having a meal with a friend, but thinking about it now, how could anyone believe a word that came out of his mouth?
Bai Mei said, “Ma Sanye of Linquan Village went to the Qi Residence just now. He is presently in Qi Qingyao’s carriage on their way back to the village.”
Jiang Yeqian heard this and his expression darkened for an instant before it turned unreadable. His gaze was endlessly deep and after a moment of silence, he said, “Li Ruoxuan killed Qi Qingzhu and her entire family with the purpose of testing her. He wants to see if she had really severed all ties with the Qi family. She ended up making the journey, which means Li Ruoxuan knows he has targeted the right people.”
“Master?” Bai Mei asked awkwardly whether they should take any action, given the master was always curious about that woman and her relationship with Li Qinglian and the elusive divine physician. If they did not do anything now, the State Preceptor would take the initiative.
“She likely has severed all ties with the old Qi family.” Jiang Yeqian thought about it for a moment and said, “But it all depends on her performance in Xingli Village.”
That was what he said.
Jiang Yeqian knew deep down, however, that if Li Ruoxuan was behind what happened the previous night, then he likely already has someone watching over the Qi Residence. It was likely that the news of her and Si Jin and the village head returning together had already reached Li Ruoxuan’s ears at the first moment.
Considering his usual style, nothing was likely to happen during her trip back to the village. It was probably because Si Jin was still by her side that she would be safe.
Everything would happen when she returned to the village.
It was possible…that he would be waiting for her…
…
On their way back, Qi Qingyao was silent, only occasionally peeling back the carriage curtains and looking at the scenery outside, seemingly a little anxious. She did not speak and neither did Ma Sanye. Ma Sanye leaned against the cushion in the carriage and closed his eyes as he began taking a nap.
The continuous running around today had completely exhausted him, both physically and mentally.
The carriage arrived in Baishui Town, and went straight to Linquan Village. She intended to send Ma Sanye back first so when they were nearing the village, Qi Qingyao woke the village head.
Before Ma Sanye got off the carriage, he pondered for a bit before looking at Qi Qingyao seriously and saying, “I still must say this—if the other party really did kill Qi Qingzhu and her entire family as a warning to you, or to lure you out… If you go now, it means you would have walked into their trap.”
Qi Qingyao said with a smile, “We’ve already acted according to the other party’s calculation the moment we left the door.” Her tone was nonchalant.
Ma Sanye still had something he wanted to say.
Qi Qingyao continued, “Since they made it clear that they’re targeting me, then I’ll…just wait for them to come out.” Assuming that Qi Qingzhu’s death was the bait to lure her, then she would similarly make herself the bait to lure out the schemers.
She wanted to see if Li Ruoxuan was the one who did this!
Ma Sanye asked, “What happens after they show themselves?” He thought that they would definitely be members of the nobility of Qingzhou City. Even if Qi Qingyao was able to establish herself in Qingzhou City, she still…had no backer! This was a dead-end!
Qi Qingyao shrugged and smiled dauntlessly. “The other party forced me to admit that my relationship with the Qi family still exists. This is just because they’re trying to get something from me, be it information or something else. Or maybe they’re just trying to grasp my weakness.”
Ma Sanye, “…” You knew all this, yet you…
Qi Qingyao hugged Ma Sanye briefly and then took out a banknote from her bosom. She stuffed it into Ma Sanye’s hands and then smiled calmly and said.
“As a human being, I will no doubt have weaknesses, and things that I care about.”
Ma Sanye, “…”