Chapter 253 Analysis

Chapter 253: Analysis

With a sharp crack, the entire Earl's residence was stunned.

Could the Elder Earl have suffered inhuman torture in prison and gone mad? Why else would he strike his eldest son the moment he returned home?

First Master Qiu covered one side of his face, sharing the same question: "Father, what is wrong with you?"

Earl Yongqing sneered: "You have the nerve to ask me what's wrong? While I was locked up in prison, what did you, as the eldest son, do?"

First Master Qiu felt deeply wronged: "I, along with Second Brother and Third Brother, took turns visiting you every day. The warden only allowed one person at a time..."

"Visiting was enough? How long has Sixth Girl been out of prison? As the eldest son of the earl's house, did you not think about your old father still being in prison?"

First Master Qiu's lips moved.

Was he blaming him for not trying to secure his release?

But right now, he didn't even have an official post. The only connection he had was with the Vice Minister of Personnel, to whom he had married his concubine-born daughter as a second wife.

That son-in-law said he would arrange a post for him once the earl's house had weathered this storm. If he used all his effort on getting his father out, his own appointment might not come through.

More importantly, Qiu Heng had already been released. The old father, who had been imprisoned because of this girl, would be released sooner or later. It wasn't worth putting in a lot of effort for that.

After hitting his eldest son, Earl Yongqing turned to his second son.

Second Master Qiu stood there honestly, head down, silent.

Thinking about it, the second son had visited him in prison and brought him food. As the second son, he had done nothing particularly praiseworthy or blameworthy. Earl Yongqing snorted and struck Third Master Qiu with his hand.

Third Master Qiu had been mentally prepared. As soon as he saw the slap coming, he dodged quickly, so the slap that should have landed on his face hit his shoulder instead.

Third Master Qiu was secretly satisfied.

If he had completely dodged, his father would have been angry. But if it hit his face, his father would also be angry. This was just right.

But unexpectedly, Earl Yongqing followed up with a kick to Third Master Qiu's calf.

"Father, why are you hitting me? You didn't even hit Second Brother!"

After hitting the eldest brother, shouldn't it be by order of seniority?

"You're asking me why I'm hitting you?" Earl Yongqing pointed at Third Master Qiu. "On the day Sixth Girl was imprisoned, who were you carrying that bedding to give to?"

Third Master Qiu: "For Xue Han."

"Now do you know why I'm hitting you?" Earl Yongqing demanded angrily.

Heaven knows, when he saw his youngest son leave with the bedding and then return, he was actually a bit moved, but then he watched that rascal walk right past him.

"But that wasn't my bedding, I was just helping—"

"Enough!" The old madam could no longer bear it. "The Earl's return should be a joyous occasion. Must you turn the whole household into chaos during the New Year holidays?"

Earl Yongqing looked at the old madam with displeasure.

"Grandfather, were you released by an imperial decree?"

Qiu Heng spoke up, immediately drawing Earl Yongqing's attention to her.

Earl Yongqing's face darkened: "Sixth Girl, you seem to have had a good New Year."

"Do you know why you were released?"

Qiu Heng didn't follow Earl Yongqing's lead, and instead, she led Earl Yongqing off-topic: "Why else? It must be His Majesty's boundless grace and mercy."

Qiu Heng's expression turned serious: "I am a bit worried."

Earl Yongqing asked instinctively: "Worried about what?"

"During the New Year, although His Majesty reduces administrative affairs, there are various sacrificial ceremonies and banquets, so he is even busier than usual. How could he suddenly think that Grandfather was still in prison? Could it be related to the recent rumors outside—"

"What rumors?"

Qiu Heng recounted the rumors caused by the attack on the street: "Could His Majesty have heard these rumors and then released Grandfather?"

Upon hearing this, Earl Yongqing felt as if struck by a blow. All his anger was replaced by terror.

If he was released because of such rumors, wouldn't His Majesty despise the Yongqing Earl's residence?

There would surely be a reckoning later.

With this thought, Earl Yongqing lost all desire to vent his anger. He entered the house dejectedly.

The old madam asked Qiu Heng with a heavy heart: "Heng'er, did His Majesty really release your grandfather because of the rumors?"

"I am just speculating. Allow me to ask Brother Ling and Xue Han for details."

When the old madam heard that Qiu Heng intended to go out, her eyelids began to twitch. But matters involving the emperor couldn't be taken lightly. After a moment's hesitation, she said: "Then invite them to come here."

Qiu Heng readily agreed: "Alright."

That very day, she wrote a letter and had someone deliver it to Prince Kang's residence.

Ling Yun received the letter and came to the residence with a low profile, meeting Qiu Heng in the flower hall.

Once the others were dismissed, Qiu Heng asked directly: "Brother Ling, have you heard the rumors outside?"

"The rumors that your attack was arranged by His Majesty?"

"Yes."

"I've heard them. I'm also surprised that such rumors arose."

Ling Yun didn't say it explicitly, but his meaning was clear: the rumors had nothing to do with him.

Qiu Heng hadn't thought Ling Yun was behind it either. After all, being involved in such rumors would not benefit her.

"I wonder who this mysterious figure is. They think quite highly of me."

"A Heng has abilities that make people value her. But from now on, you must be extremely careful when going out. After I go back, I'll select a capable guard to be your driver."

"There's no need—"

Ling Yun said seriously: "Otherwise, I'll worry."

Seeing how insistent he was, Qiu Heng had to agree: "Thank you, Brother Ling."

With enemies in the dark and us in the light, if she took a carriage in the future, she indeed needed a driver who could handle sudden emergencies. Just because Uncle Zhang is reliable doesn't mean he should be subjected to such excitement at his age.

Ling Yun did not stay long and left the Earl of Yongqing's mansion by carriage.

Xue Han walked to the Earl of Yongqing's mansion.

In the capital, you couldn't ride a horse freely on the streets. Given his pace, for short distances it was easier to walk than to take a carriage.

A carriage bearing the insignia of the Prince Kang’s mansion passed by, and Xue Han glanced at it coldly.

From the direction it was heading, someone from Prince Kang's mansion had gone to the Earl of Yongqing's mansion?

Were they also invited by A Heng, like him?

Xue Han, carrying gifts, entered through the side gate of the Earl's mansion and met Qiu Heng waiting in the parlor.

Qiu Heng glanced at the gifts.

“It's the New Year—I couldn't come empty-handed,” Xue Han explained, feeling strangely awkward.

He hadn't expected to be invited to her house. Since it was the New Year, he couldn't help but think of a son-in-law showing up with New Year's gifts...

Awkwardness mixed with a hidden joy.

“Grandma didn't want me to go out, so I had to ask you to come instead. My grandfather has been released. Any news on that?”

Xue Han nodded. “I was just looking for an opportunity to let you know. When His Majesty learned of those rumors, he was furious and immediately fired Di Sheng and released the Earl of Yongqing.”

“So Grandfather's release really was because of the rumors. What about the Imperial City Bureau—”

“The Imperial City Bureau is back in my foster father's hands.”

“Xue Han, let's analyze this. The attack on me, the rise of the rumors—who are the beneficiaries and who are the victims so far?”

Qiu Heng took a plump chestnut from the snack box and set it in front of her. “That day, when the horse panicked on the street, if you hadn't intervened, I would have either revealed my skills or crashed into people, carriages, walls, or trees, hurting innocent people or even myself.”

She then placed a red date. “Your foster father got the Imperial City Bureau back.”

Xue Han also placed a red date. “The Earl of Yongqing has been released.”

Qiu Heng immediately placed a chestnut. “His Majesty is even more displeased with the Earl of Yongqing's mansion, especially with me.”

Xue Han picked up a chestnut, hesitated for a moment, then put it down. “His Majesty has lost even more popular support.”