Chapter 130 Negotiation

Chapter 130: Negotiation

Earl Yongqing had spent the past two years sucking up to Chancellor Fang over the matter of inheriting the title.

With his thick skin and humble attitude, he had at least managed to get Chancellor Fang to acknowledge him. To Earl Yongqing, he figured Chancellor Fang might agree to help him someday.

Upon hearing that Qiu Heng had offended the Prime Minister's Madam, Earl Yongqing felt like the world had ended.

"You—" Earl Yongqing pointed at Qiu Heng, but meeting the girl's clear, black-and-white eyes, his rage hit a wall, and his finger shifted to Fang Zhou. "You damn worthless slave, are you trying to destroy this household?"

Fang Zhou kept her head down and said nothing.

The Elder Madam had been angry at Qiu Heng, but Earl Yongqing's actions shifted her anger to confusion.

Even now, the Elder Earl hadn't yelled at the Sixth Girl?

Yes, it was Fang Zhou who had struck the Prime Minister's Stewardess, but Fang Zhou was the Sixth Girl's maid, so it was the Sixth Girl's fault. Just as when the Sixth Girl caused trouble, people wouldn't bother with a young girl—they'd come straight to her, the Elder Madam.

Why was the old man so easy on the Sixth Girl?

The doubt that had arisen countless times since Qiu Heng was brought back hit its peak at this moment.

"Someone, throw this worthless slave out of the house!" Earl Yongqing ordered sternly.

Earl Yongqing wasn't any less angry at Qiu Heng, but a man who didn't care about looking bad and could swallow his pride knew how to pick his battles.

His three sons were average and hadn't done anything worthwhile, and the grandkids were even more hopeless. Instead, this long-lost youngest granddaughter, found after years, kept surprising him.

He was still watching to see what the Sixth Girl would become, and acting like a tough grandpa and scolding her would backfire.

Two old maids stepped up to drag Fang Zhou out, but Qiu Heng stopped them: "Grandfather, I have something to say to you alone."

Earl Yongqing scowled at Qiu Heng.

Was the Sixth Girl about to beg for a little maid?

They locked eyes for a second, and Earl Yongqing nodded.

He wanted to see what she'd use to bargain.

Once Qiu Heng and Earl Yongqing had gone to the western room, the Elder Madam slammed her teacup down on the table.

What couldn't she hear? That brat totally disrespected her, her own grandmother!

In the western room, only Qiu Heng and Earl Yongqing remained, the thick curtain blocked out sound and sight.

"What do you want to say, Heng'er?" Earl Yongqing asked flatly.

He valued this girl, true, but he couldn't let her get too full of herself.

"What happened today was Fang Zhou's fault, no doubt. But Fang Zhou is no ordinary maid to me; she's a friend I grew up with. I hope Grandfather, for my sake, will let me handle her punishment." Qiu Heng chose her words carefully.

To her, Fang Zhou was more than a playmate—she was family, a sister.

But she couldn't let Earl Yongqing, a man who only cared about gain, know that.

Having a weakness meant someone could use it against you.

Earl Yongqing gave Qiu Heng a wry smile: "Heng'er, you should know, it's because I value you that I only punished your maid. If it were your sisters who offended the Prime Minister's manor, they wouldn't have the energy to worry about a maid."

Hearing this, Qiu Heng smirked slightly.

She had asked to speak with Earl Yongqing alone, not stupid enough to think a simple plea would work. What got Earl Yongqing's attention was profit.

"Grandfather, there's something I forgot to mention."

"Go on."

"During the autumn hunt, I saved Princess Rongning. His Majesty asked me what reward I wanted, and I couldn't think of anything then. He said I could come back to him about it later, and as long as it was fair, he'd grant it."

Earl Yongqing was shocked: "His Majesty truly said that?"

Qiu Heng nodded.

Earl Yongqing still couldn't believe it: "Didn't His Majesty already allow the Earl's manor to participate in next year's autumn hunt—"

"His Majesty said that wasn't a reward; I just brought it up, and he agreed offhand."

Earl Yongqing: !

After getting over his shock and excitement, Earl Yongqing stared at Qiu Heng with a deep gaze: "Why didn't you tell me when you got back?"

"So much went down at the hunt, I forgot."

Earl Yongqing didn't push her on whether it was true, his voice full of regret: "You should have asked His Majesty for what you wanted then."

"I grew up in the countryside and didn't know what to ask for. Ask for too little and I'd lose out, ask for too much and I'd tick him off, so I thought I'd come back and discuss it with Grandfather."

Earl Yongqing perked up at that.

He had to admit, this girl always surprised him.

As for whether she was telling the truth, what did it matter? Those honest, simple ones at home were utterly useless.

"Grandfather." Qiu Heng called softly.

Earl Yongqing looked seriously at the girl addressing him.

"Using His Majesty's reward to let Fang Zhou off—what do you say?"

Earl Yongqing agreed right away.

"I'm not finished yet."

Qiu Heng actually enjoyed negotiating with Earl Yongqing, because he didn't mix in emotions or face. As long as the stakes were high enough, she always got what she wanted.

"Fang Zhou is my maid. In the future, within the Earl's manor, I don't want anyone else to discipline her for me."

"That's natural; the manor doesn't hold Fang Zhou's deed," Earl Yongqing said, unconcerned about Fang Zhou's fate. "But if she causes trouble, you, as her mistress, must bear the consequences."

Qiu Heng smiled lightly: "Isn't that what I'm doing now?"

Earl Yongqing paused, then laughed.

"What was the final word from the Prime Minister's manor?" Earl Yongqing finally thought to ask.

"Miss Fang wants me to go daily to change the dressing for the stewardess Fang Zhou injured. I'll go tomorrow."

Earl Yongqing looked at Qiu Heng with a complex expression: "Don't you think that's humiliating?"

Qiu Heng said indifferently, "What's so special about that? I've bandaged up injured donkeys back in the countryside, let alone people."

Her casual tone made Earl Yongqing fall silent for a long moment before he sighed, "What a shame, Heng'er. If only you were a boy."

Qiu Heng didn't respond.

She couldn't be bothered to argue with Earl Yongqing about women being equal to men—it was a waste of breath.

The two finished their conversation and returned to the main hall.

"Alright, Heng'er, take Fang Zhou back and discipline her properly."

The old lady was stunned.

While waiting, she had wondered if Sixth Girl might have managed to protect her maid, but seeing the old man let it go so easily still seemed unbelievable.

"Earl, you're being far too lenient with Sixth Girl. Her maid caused such a big trouble. If there's no punishment at all, how will you manage the servants in the future?"

"Fang Zhou isn't a household servant; she's Sixth Girl's personal maid." Earl Yongqing swept his gaze around, his tone warning, "If any of you forget your place as servants, don't blame the Earl's estate for being ruthless."

"Earl—"

"Enough, this matter is settled. Heng'er, you may return to your room."

"Grandfather, Grandmother, I'll take my leave now." Qiu Heng bowed gracefully and, as she reached the door with Fang Zhou, paused, "Nanny Yu, come along."

Nanny Yu, who had been in despair since returning, startled and instinctively glanced at Earl Yongqing and the old lady. Seeing they paid her no heed, she hurriedly lowered her head and rushed to Qiu Heng.

Once Qiu Heng had left and the servants in the room had withdrawn, the old lady hurried into the inner chamber, retrieved a dried black donkey hoof she had hidden for ages, and flung it at Earl Yongqing.