Chapter 159 The Foolish Girl Who Doesn’t Know Her Limits

Chapter 159: An Ignorant and Reckless Girl

Qiu Heng walked in and bowed to the Earl Yongqing: "Grandfather."

"Heng'er, is there something you need at this time of night?"

"Granddaughter heard about something."

"Oh, what is it?" The Earl Yongqing gestured for Qiu Heng to sit.

Qiu Heng sat down without standing on ceremony, her expression turning serious: "Granddaughter heard that the Prime Minister's mansion found a commoner to be a concubine for Third Master Fang, and that she killed herself on the night of his seventh-day memorial..."

Unlike the shock and fear the Old Madam and the others had shown upon hearing this, the Earl Yongqing merely raised an eyebrow, picked up a fava bean, and tossed it into his mouth.

The crushed bean released a nutty, savory aroma, but Qiu Heng felt sick to her stomach.

She looked at the indifferent Earl Yongqing, her tone somber: "This commoner is said to have killed herself for love, but I suspect that she was forced."

The Earl Yongqing nodded slightly: "That's not surprising. The deathbed marriage didn't succeed, and she was just a commoner. The Prime Minister's Madam, grieving over the loss of her only son, might have found some relief in having the woman join him in death."

Fearing that Qiu Heng might think him heartless toward Qiu Fu, the Earl Yongqing added defensively: "Common women have no backing, like driftwood or ants. That's why your grandfather is so determined to pass down the title—it's for the benefit of future generations, so that the girls in the family have some support when they marry."

"Grandfather's intentions are well-meaning."

The Earl Yongqing sighed deeply: "If only the others were as reasonable as you, Grandfather would have fewer worries."

Qiu Heng also sighed deeply.

"What's the matter, Heng'er?"

"Granddaughter is worried."

"Worried about what?"

"From what you said, the Yan family was destroyed by the Prime Minister's mansion, and Miss Liu died, while Uncle just lost his position—" Qiu Heng watched as the Earl Yongqing's face darkened, "Grandfather, I fear the Prime Minister's mansion hasn't gotten enough satisfaction from our estate. There may be more payback to come."

The Earl Yongqing's face clouded over, his eyebrows furrowed, and he didn't feel like talking.

He knew well the danger of offending the Prime Minister's mansion. His eldest son losing his job was just a warning to the Earl's estate; given some excuse in the future, Chancellor Fang could easily destroy them.

The Earl Yongqing felt both fear and bitterness.

"Grandfather, let me try."

The Earl Yongqing was taken aback: "Try what exactly?"

Third Master Fang was already gone; there was no chance for a deathbed marriage.

"The Prime Minister's Madam has been kind to me. She's grieving over her son's death, and I want to try to comfort her. As the senior daughter-in-law of the Prime Minister's mansion, she's run the household for years. If I can win her favor, perhaps the mansion won't trouble our estate anymore."

Hearing this, the Earl Yongqing shook his head repeatedly: "The Prime Minister's Madam is a noble lady from a high family. Her outward cordiality is just her breeding. If you think it's special treatment for you, that's too naive."

Qiu Heng smiled faintly, her tone earnest: "Grandfather, A Heng is not naive."

The young girl with twin buns still bore a childish air, but her clear black-and-white eyes held a certain drive. Different people might interpret it differently, but the Earl Yongqing saw ambition.

"There's no harm in trying, wouldn't you agree?"

"You probably can't even get through the Prime Minister's mansion's gate, and the Madam is unlikely to be in the mood to see anyone." The Earl Yongqing poured cold water, yet a flicker of inexplicable hope stirred within him.

Though he knew it was unlikely, who wouldn't wish for good fortune to come true?

"Granddaughter has considered all that."

"Very well, then, do as you wish. But remember, don't offend the Prime Minister's mansion further..."

"Grandfather, rest assured, Granddaughter knows her limits." Qiu Heng stated her purpose for coming to the Earl Yongqing, "I'm just worried that if I go to the Prime Minister's mansion again, Grandmother might find out and stop me—"

At the mention of the Old Madam, the Earl Yongqing's eyes turned cold: "Your grandmother is getting senile. If she tries to stop you, Grandfather will handle it."

"Thank you, Grandfather. I won't disturb your rest any longer."

After Qiu Heng left, the Earl Yongqing picked up a fava bean and stared at it, lost in thought.

Could A Heng really win the favor of the Prime Minister's Madam?

He found it hard to convince himself.

The Earl Yongqing tossed the bean into his mouth and crunched it loudly.

The next day, the sky was overcast, and the wind grew stronger. On the entire street where the Prime Minister's mansion stood, white banners fluttered wildly, paper money drifted through the air, and mourners still came in an unending stream.

Qiu Heng, wearing a plain white cloak with a dark pattern, arrived at the side gate of the Prime Minister's mansion.

Having visited several times in recent days, the gatekeeper immediately recognized Qiu Heng. Compared to the barely polite treatment she'd received before, now he looked at her askance: "It's Sixth Miss Qiu, huh? No one has time to entertain you now."

"I'm looking for Nanny Su."

"Nanny Su?" The gatekeeper waved her away dismissively. "Nanny Su is busy with a dozen things and has to attend to the Madam. She has even less time. Go on back now."

A noble young lady showing up during a period of mourning—how odd.

"Tell Nanny Su that I've brought what the Madam needs most, something related to Third Master."

The gatekeeper's expression shifted instantly: "How dare you! Using Third Master as an excuse to see Nanny Su! Get out of here, or you'll regret it!"

Qiu Heng pressed a money pouch into the gatekeeper's hand: "Please, just pass the message. Whether to see me or not, Nanny Su can decide."

The pouch felt heavy in his hand. The gatekeeper curled his lip, wondering if it was just a bag of copper coins. He opened it without ceremony in front of Qiu Heng, and his eyes went wide.

It was a pouch of silver ingots!

He quickly stuffed the pouch into his sleeve and finally looked Qiu Heng over properly.

This girl was far too generous. Was the Earl of Yongqing's estate so wealthy?

Qiu Heng curtsied: "I appreciate your trouble."

"Wait here." Even for a gatekeeper of the Prime Minister's mansion, this gift was no small matter. He went off to deliver the message.

"What the Madam needs most? Related to Third Master?" Upon hearing the message, Nanny Su's first thought was of Fang Zhou's savory dumplings.

Then, a surge of anger rose within her.

That pair of little vixens, mistress and maid! When Third Master was alive and craved that dish, they put on airs. Now they come knocking—why didn't they come earlier!

"Nanny Su, should I send her away or see her?"

Nanny Su sneered: "See her, of course."

If it were just about meeting her, she wouldn't have the time. But since the third young master was mentioned, if she didn't go see her and give that wretched girl a good scolding, she'd be in a foul mood all day.

Qiu Heng didn't wait long before she saw Nanny Su.

"It's been a while, Nanny Su. You've lost some weight."

Nanny Su's face was stern, her gaze cold. "Sixth Miss Qiu, what brings you to the Prime Minister's residence today?"

"I heard that the third young master of your household passed away from illness. I was worried about Madam Yang, so I came to see her."

"Worried about our madam?" Nanny Su found it amusing, absurdly so, but in the current atmosphere of the residence, she couldn't laugh. Her face darkened instantly. "Sixth Miss Qiu, perhaps the previous invitations to the Prime Minister's residence gave you the wrong impression. What standing does our madam have, and what standing do you have? Not only is our madam in distress now, but even in normal times, do you think you can just see her whenever you wish?"

An arrogant little fool who doesn't know her place. She still thinks it's like when the third young master was alive and she was useful. Now that the third young master is gone, the Earl Yongqing's household will soon face the prime minister's wrath. No need to be nice to this girl anymore.