Chapter 151 Cry for Help

Chapter 151: Begging for Help

Lord Qiu was somewhat surprised: "Fu'er? What's wrong? Has she gotten into trouble?"

Lord Yongqing laughed heartily: "Fu'er has always been well-behaved; how could she cause trouble?"

Lord Qiu forced a smile.

If he said Yun'er and Ying'er were well-behaved, he wouldn't deny it, but calling Fu'er well-behaved—it seemed the old man had something up his sleeve.

Lord Yongqing spoke bluntly to his eldest son: "The Chancellor's residence wants to take Fu'er as a concubine for Third Master Fang."

Lord Qiu's expression shifted: "Father, this won't do!"

"Why not?"

"Fu'er is, after all, my legitimate daughter. If this gets out, not only will people laugh at us, but He'er in the palace will be embarrassed too."

"Don't bring up He'er." Lord Yongqing's face turned cold. "What use is she in the palace? It's good enough if she doesn't bring shame on the estate."

"If people find out, the estate will surely be ridiculed..."

"And when I kick the bucket, and you end up a nobody, won't you be ridiculed then?"

Lord Qiu fell silent.

"Getting laughed at now is temporary. Losing the title might get you mocked at first, but after a while, who'll remember the Yongqing estate? Your kids suffering forever—that's permanent."

Lord Yongqing took a sip of tea, not worried his son would say no: "The Chancellor said that if we become in-laws, he'll definitely help with the title."

Lord Qiu's eyes lit up.

Though he knew the Chancellor's residence would offer benefits, hearing it firsthand hit different.

"Eldest son, I swallowed my pride and busted my ass for you." Lord Yongqing looked at his eldest son with a smirk. "Did you hear about what happened with Heng'er?"

Since they're all girls from the same house, is it okay for a niece to be a concubine, but your own daughter doing it is shameful?

Lord Qiu's face turned red.

Lord Yongqing and the old lady hadn't been talking lately. He had his wife quietly ask around and found out a little.

Since it was improper for a noble lady to become a concubine, and it didn't work out, he played dumb. Now things had changed again.

"The whole estate rises and falls together." Lord Yongqing gave his son a hard look. "But don't forget, eldest son, the one who really gets the long-term wealth is your line."

"Yes, I know you're doing this for the kids. Fu'er's situation is in your hands, Father."

"Go tell your wife, so she doesn't kick up a fuss."

Lord Qiu left his father and went to his wife Zhao's courtyard. Sending the servants away, he told her about Fu'er.

"Can it really fix the title issue?"

"Chancellor Fang is the top minister, the Emperor trusts him a lot. If he can't fix it, nobody can."

Zhao clenched her teeth: "Alright."

Lord Qiu smiled: "I'm glad you're not against it, dear."

"It's all for you and Song'er, husband." Zhao let out a soft sigh. "It's just too bad for Fu'er."

If only it were Yun'er or Ying'er instead, but she couldn't tell her husband that.

"Yeah, yeah, you're the sensible one, dear."

"Wasn't it supposed to be the sixth miss? Why did it suddenly change to Fu'er?"

Zhao had managed the household for years and had her sources, but she didn't know the specifics.

"The Chancellor's residence thinks Fu'er is more suitable."

"I'll call Fu'er over to tell her. You know, husband, Fu'er has a stubborn temper. If she's unwilling, you'll need to help persuade her."

Lord Qiu nodded.

When Qiu Fu received the summons, she was about to head to Qiansong Hall.

"You all go ahead first," she said to her sisters, then followed the maid.

Entering the room and seeing Lord Qiu there, Qiu Fu felt a strange unease.

During the day, her father was either at the office or out socializing; she rarely saw him with her mother.

A sense of dread crept into her heart as she curtsied: "Father, Mother."

"Fu'er, sit."

Qiu Fu sat silently.

Looking at her cold, distant daughter, Zhao felt a pang in her heart.

This girl was growing more estranged from her.

Zhao glanced at Lord Qiu, who signaled for her to speak.

"Ahem, it's like this. The Chancellor's residence has taken a liking to you..."

Qiu Fu stared at Zhao in disbelief: "Mother, what are you saying? You want me to be a concubine to the Chancellor's Third Master?"

Had she misheard? A mother saying this to her daughter?

How could such an absurd thing happen?

"Mother, are you still asleep?"

She was a noble lady of the estate—going to be someone's concubine?

Zhao's face darkened: "Listen to yourself!"

"You should listen to yourself!"

Qiu Fu raised her voice, igniting Zhao's temper: "A child's marriage is decided by the parents! Don't throw a tantrum!"

"You say marriage, but is this a marriage? It's becoming a concubine!"

Her mother's face twisted before her eyes, as if possessed by a demon. Qiu Fu turned to look at Lord Qiu.

Lord Qiu sat upright, his expression stern, like an outsider.

"Father—" A voice in her heart told her not to hold onto false hope, yet Qiu Fu still called out with a glimmer of hope.

Lord Qiu forced a smile, his tone gentle: "Fu'er, Father knows this is hard on you, but it's for the sake of the Earl's estate. You've grown up in luxury, with servants waiting on you hand and foot. You wouldn't want to see the manor decline, would you?"

"It's not just me who's lived in luxury and had servants. Hasn't Qiu Song enjoyed the same?" Qiu Fu sneered. "The same luxury, but you want to sell me off as a concubine to secure my brother's future title? You can sell that story to Eldest Sister, but don't try to fool me!"

"You little—" Lord Qiu wanted to lose his temper but also tried to maintain the image of a kind father. Torn, his expression twisted, so similar to Zhao's expression.

Qiu Fu instinctively stepped back, giving up all hope in her parents.

"Is this how you treat your parents? Don't you have any love for your own brother?" Zhao couldn't bear hearing Qiu Fu drag her younger son into this and scolded her.

"I don't have parents like you!" Qiu Fu covered her face, turned, and rushed out.

"Look at her!" Zhao's face turned livid.

Lord Qiu's expression was no better. He stood up hastily: "Go get her back! This is all your doing, spoiling her!"

The couple hurried after her.

Qiu Fu ran swiftly, heading straight for Qiansong Hall.

Grandmother, save me, save me—

Tears spilled out, carried away by the wind, flowing into her mouth—bitter and salty—but the girl hiking up her skirt as she ran had no time to wipe them away.

She was afraid her parents would catch up, leaving her no chance to even cry for help.

Grandmother, save your granddaughter!

Along the way, servants cast surprised glances at the fourth young miss.

Qiu Fu ignored everything and burst into Qiansong Hall.

The old lady, munching on snacks happily surrounded by her granddaughters, was startled: "You girl, what's the rush?"

Qiu Fu threw herself down, clutching the old lady's legs: "Grandmother, save Fu'er!"

The old lady's hand, holding the snack, froze: "What's wrong?"

Qiu Fu wiped her tears, not caring that her sisters were present and would shame the main branch. She said between sobs: "Father and Mother want to send me as a concubine to the Third Young Master of the Chancellor's Mansion!"