Novel Full Chapter 1377: Side Story: Qi Xiuyuan (9)
Chapter 1377: Side Story: Qi Xiuyuan (9)
Hence, Qi Feng, who had planned to use this opportunity to advance, was fired from his position but remained in office. The reason why he remained in office was because Minister Qin interfered. Otherwise, once he was dismissed from office, it would be difficult for him to become an official again.
If he stayed in office, there would still be a chance for him to make a comeback. Most importantly, Minister Qin had interfered. Just this alone meant that it was only a matter of time before he returned to his official position.
However, this also pushed the Qi family to the center of the storm. Minister Qin’s reputation was foul, and Qi Feng’s actions were equivalent to standing on Minister Qin’s side. The officials who were hostile to Minister Qin could not do anything to him, but they could target Qi Feng.
After the Zhu family, Qi Feng made a few more enemies for himself. From then on, he was even more careful and did not dare to extend his reach beyond what was allowed.
The grievance of being dismissed from his position made Qi Feng’s eyes turn red with hatred. He knew that this was caused by the Zhu family because the two memorials submitted by Zhu Qing played a key role in this.
Old Madam Qi naturally found out that her son had been dismissed.
The person she was most proud of in her life was her son. Although her husband was also a jinshi, he died in the line of duty during the Imperial Court’s escape to the south a few years after becoming an official. As a result, she did not enjoy life because of her husband. Instead, it was her son who protected her all the way to the south. Because he was young and promising, was an official who followed the Imperial Court to the south, and his father died in the line of duty, he rose through the ranks very quickly. In just eight to nine years, he went from a jinshi to a fourth-rank imperial censor.
Hence, in Old Madam Qi’s heart, no one was more important than her son.
When she suddenly heard that her son had been dismissed, Old Madam Qi was shocked and panicked. She quickly got someone to go out to gather information and called Qi Feng back.
But before Qi Feng returned, Uncle Zhu brought over a letter.
Uncle Zhu handed the letter to Old Madam Qi and said respectfully, “Old Madam, this is a letter from Master Zhu to you. Please take a look.”
Old Madam Qi looked at him with a deep gaze. After a while, she asked the servant to take the letter.
As Old Madam Qi read the letter in her hand, she trembled slightly with a pale face. Uncle Zhu stared at her with his ink-black eyes and said, “Old Madam, Master Zhu said that he’s willing to let go of this matter and not settle scores over this. It’s entirely because of the two young masters that he’s only assisting from the sidelines. However, if the Qi family really can’t tolerate the two young masters, then it won’t be surprising that the Zhu family won’t rest until either they or the Qi family perishes.”
Uncle Zhu said indifferently, “Although my Zhu family comes from a line of martial artists, we’ve accumulated some connections since my grandfather joined the army. We have plenty of means to deal with a lowly imperial censor. Eldest Young Master and Fourth Young Master are the darlings of the two Masters Zhu, and the legitimate grandson of the old lady. Don’t let them become a knife against your necks.”
Old Madam Qi’s expression changed drastically. Thinking of Qi Xiuyuan’s illness over the past few days, she immediately understood the reason for her son’s dismissal. For a moment, her heart ached and she was overwhelmed with regret. All she did was gently probed Qi Xiuyuan, and Zhu Qing already caused Qi Feng to be dismissed. To think, if she hadn’t been able to control herself that day…
Old Madam Qi shivered and couldn’t help but clench the letter in her hand.
This was the evidence gathered by Zhu Qing, who had already discovered the real cause of Zhu Wan’s death—she had consumed medicine that induced bleeding, leading to postpartum haemorrhage.
Although Zhu Qing was angry that his sister had allowed Qi Feng to bully her, he understood her character. He would believe that she was so angry that she fell sick or vomited blood, but he wouldn’t believe that she bled to death due to fury.
At that time, because Qi Xiuyuan had made a solemn vow and he and Zhu Feng were in pain and anger, they did not think too much about it. However, when they returned to the border, as soon as they calmed down, they realized that something was wrong. After thinking about what their sister had instructed their nephew to say, they naturally sensed that something was amiss.
It had only been eight or nine years since the Qi family moved south to the capital with the Imperial Court. As their foundation was not deep, not many of the servants who served in the Qi Residence were hereditary servants. Most of the servants who had been replaced were sold to farmsteads. As it had not been long, it was very easy for him to find them.
The Qi Residence in Madam Wu’s control was like a sieve. Although it was difficult for Zhu Qing to investigate some things, it could be done as long as he was willing to spend time and energy.
Half a year ago, they had already found out about the bowl of medicine that Zhu Wan had drunk before she died. Naturally, they knew that the culprit was Madam Wu, but Qi Feng had indulged her despite knowing.
Uncle Zhu had handed Old Madam Qi a rubbed copy of the evidence. This was Zhu Qing telling her that they’d found out that his sister had been killed by Qi Feng and Madam Wu. Also, they had physical evidence and witnesses. They only tolerated Qi Feng continuing to get away with the crime on account of the two children. If something happened to the two children, the Qi family’s ties with the Zhu family would be completely severed. That would be the time when the Qi family would be thoroughly wiped out.
How could Old Madam Qi not know that Zhu Qing was only willing to suppress this matter because he didn’t want the two children to have a father convicted of killing his wife? Her heart felt like it was on fire. At the thought that such a huge piece of evidence was in the Zhu family’s hands, how could her son amount to anything great?
Seeing that Mother Qi was lost in thoughts with fear written on her face, Uncle Zhu retreated in satisfaction.
Since she had caused the Eldest Young Master to fall sick due to fear, Master Zhu naturally had to return the favor.
Old Madam Qi was advanced in age. In addition, her health had suffered when escaping south with the Imperial Court. In the past few years, she was in a good state all thanks to careful nursing of her health with the aid of physicians. After being frightened by Zhu Qing’s letter and threatened by Uncle Zhu, trepidation caused her to fall ill before Qi Feng returned.
For Qi Feng, this was a case of bad things coming in succession. Originally, he had already been dismissed from his post. If his mother passed away now, he’d have to observe filial mourning1. What would be the difference between this and being dismissed from officialdom?
His hatred for the Zhu family reached its peak. He felt that if Zhu Qing hadn’t interfered, he wouldn’t be suffering like this.
Seeing that he was furious, Old Madam Qi didn’t dare to tell him about the Zhu family threatening her, lest it intensified the conflict. After all, the Zhu family had something on Qi Feng.
She could only grab his hand and instruct him to treat Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoran well. She said, “Xiuyuan is your eldest son. Since he’s already eight years old, it’s time to hire a teacher for him to commence his learning journey. As for Haoran, bring him back, too. You and Madam Wu have to pay more attention to the two children. Xiuyuan is the eldest son. If he wants to leave home for his career in the future, let him go. But there’s no need for Haoran. As the youngest son, it’s only right that he stays close by his parents’ side.”
Seeing that he was indifferent, Old Madam Qi could only say, “My son, our family is indebted to the Zhu family. Back then, it was all thanks to the Zhu family that we were able to escape to Lin’an safely. W—we can’t be ungrateful.”
Qi Feng asked with a twisted expression, “Mother, do you also think that your son has been relying on a woman to protect the Qi family until now?”
When Old Madam Qi heard this, she was filled with heartache and regret.
Talented since a young age, Qi San was arrogant to begin with. Before the Imperial Court fled south, the Qi family and the Wu family were already talking about marriage. Although they were not engaged, the marriage was already 70-80% confirmed. Who would have thought that Great Jin would abruptly press in on the borders and Emperor Jingyan would suddenly interfere with military affairs and randomly mobilize troops, causing them to lose ten cities at the border within three days?
In less than half a month, the Great Zhou Empire was in grave danger. As the family of officials, they were naturally terrified and uneasy. How could they still be in the mood to talk about marriage?