They had been wandering around outside for quite some time and had spent quite a bit of money.
“Miss, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t we head back? Otherwise, the people at the Marquis’s residence will find another reason to reprimand you.”
Yunshui couldn’t help worrying whenever she thought about it.
In the Marquis’s residence, it wasn’t just the concubines, the Marquis, and the Madam who could set rules for the young lady. The Old Madam disliked her just as much and was always looking for various excuses to punish her.
“After setting such a huge trap for them at Yunwu Mountain today, do you think they’re already gathered in the ancestral hall, preparing to punish me according to family law?”
Hearing this, Yunshui shook her head vigorously.
“No, no! Miss, you absolutely cannot go back!”
She would be beaten to death!
“I have no intention of returning for the next couple of days.” Qu Jinshu sneered.
This was when their tempers were at their worst. She would simply stay away and leave them with nowhere to vent their anger.
“Then, Miss, are you planning to…?”
“I asked you to buy so much food earlier, and I even bought some clothes. It was all because I planned to spend the night at an inn. Come on, let’s go.”
After arriving at the inn, Qu Jinshu asked for hot water and quickly took a bath, carefully avoiding her wounds.
Yunshui also bought some medicine for her injuries, which she applied to the wounds.
“Yunshui, take some loose silver coins and find a few children. Teach them to spread a story. Whoever manages to spread it the farthest will receive the most money.”
Qu Jinshu beckoned Yunshui over and whispered some instructions into her ear.
Upon hearing them, Yunshui’s face lit up with excitement.
“Miss, I’ll take care of it right away!”
Within less than an hour, a piece of shocking gossip had spread through the streets and alleys.
General He had been demoted, and the reason behind it was that he had abandoned Prince Jing to save the legitimate daughter of the Qu family. He had actually sacrificed his military career for his deep love for the young lady of the Qu family!
…
Meanwhile, at the Marquis’s residence…
Everyone had gathered in the ancestral hall.
More than a dozen household guards were stationed at the entrance, waiting for Qu Jinshu to return. The moment she stepped through the gates, they were to escort her straight to the ancestral hall for questioning.
However, they had waited from noon until afternoon, then until nightfall. Now, it was already the middle of the night, yet there was still no sign of Qu Jinshu.
“As her maid, why don’t you even know where she’s gone?”
Qu Zhao was in an irritable mood. He paced back and forth before stopping to interrogate Bitao.
Kneeling on the ground, Bitao answered fearfully, “This servant doesn’t know. My young lady didn’t tell me where she was going.”
Qu Jinshu had punished her by making her kneel for the entire morning. Her knees were already so numb from the pain that she could barely feel them. Now she had to continue kneeling in the ancestral hall. She was practically on the verge of breaking down.
“You don’t even know where your own mistress has gone. What does the Marquis’s residence keep you around for?”
Qu Zhao kicked her.
Tang Moying, who had been standing silently to the side, finally couldn’t hold back any longer. She looked coldly at Qu Zhao.
“Second Young Master, even when beating a dog, one should consider its owner’s face.”
“Owner? What exactly are you in this household?”
Qu Zhao glanced at Tang Moying, his tone even more contemptuous. “As a concubine, you don’t even know where your own daughter is. You’re just as useless. Hurry up and find her for me! She’s caused me so much trouble. I want her dead!”
Thinking about how he would have to participate in the wrestling competition a month later, he wished he could kill Qu Jinshu right now.
Tang Moying brushed her sleeves, her voice carrying a hint of sarcasm. “If Second Young Master were willing to spend a little more time practicing diligently, you wouldn’t have to rely on Jinshu for everything.”
Although her daughter had disobeyed her today, which had made her furious, seeing Qu Zhao get humiliated by her daughter’s actions made Tang Moying feel considerably better.
“You old woman! What did you say? Are you insulting me?”
Only then did Qu Zhao realize what she meant. He glared furiously at Tang Moying.
Yet Tang Moying continued looking at him provocatively.
“Enough! You’re all family. What kind of behavior is it to bicker among yourselves?”
Gao Qionghua shot Tang Moying a meaningful glance before continuing, “Concubine Tang, Zhao’er is only concerned about Jinshu. Why must you be so aggressive toward him?”
Hah! There she went again, putting on that same hypocritical act.
Tang Moying had nothing but disdain for Gao Qionghua’s outwardly benevolent yet secretly malicious behavior. She simply turned her face away.
“Enough. Stop arguing! What kind of conduct is this for an unmarried young lady, staying out all night? Qu Sheng, send people out to look for her! Once she’s found, bring her back by force. I want to interrogate her personally.”
Old Madam Qu struck the ground with her cane, reminding Qu Sheng, who had remained silent all this time.
Qu Sheng was also seething with anger. He nodded. “Mother is right. I’ll send people out immediately. That unfilial daughter must be brought back before dawn!”
Most of the Qu family members were simply watching the spectacle unfold.
The Old Madam’s methods of punishing people were terrifying.
Qu Jinshu could have done anything else, so why did she have to provoke both the Old Madam and the Marquis? Wasn’t she practically asking for trouble?
Tang Moying’s expression was unpleasant.
If they tormented Qu Jinshu, they were also humiliating her.
But when she recalled how that unfilial daughter had defied her earlier that day, her anger flared up again.
Forget it. Let her suffer a little. That way, she would learn who she could rely on and wouldn’t dare disobey her again in the future.
“Where is Ya’er?”
Old Madam Qu glanced around but couldn’t find Qu Ya. Frowning, she asked the question.
Qu Tong was quick to answer. “Grandmother, Brother Xiujun was injured, so Eldest Sister went to visit him.”
“What nonsense!” Old Madam Qu struck the ground with her cane again.
“How improper! She’s the legitimate daughter of a marquis’s household, an unmarried young lady, yet she’s still staying at an unmarried man’s residence this late at night. What kind of behavior is that?”
Qu Tong strongly disagreed. “Grandmother, he’s not just some outsider. He’s Brother Xiujun! You practically watched him grow up. Surely you can trust his character. Besides, Brother Xiujun was injured protecting Eldest Sister this time. If someone hadn’t refused to help him, he wouldn’t have ended up so badly injured.”
As he spoke, Qu Tong shot Tang Moying a venomous glare.
Tang Moying sneered inwardly. They were the ones who were incompetent, yet they blamed her daughter for being too capable?
“That’s one matter, and this is another. It doesn’t excuse Ya’er from disregarding her own reputation.”
Old Madam Qu gave a look to the elderly servant behind her. The woman immediately understood and led some people out to look for Qu Ya.
“Grandmother, I think Eldest Sister and Brother Xiujun make a perfect couple. Even if something happens between them, it wouldn’t matter…” Qu Tong continued muttering.
However, Old Madam Qu, shot him a fierce glare. “Foolish! Has the Marquis’s household spent so much effort cultivating your eldest sister merely to marry her into the General’s household?”
“That boy from the He family is only a backup option for your eldest sister. Only after she fails to become a prince’s consort will the He family be considered. Do you understand?”
“Mother, Tong’er is still inexperienced and has a narrow perspective. This is a failure on my part as her mother. I will reflect on my shortcomings.”
Gao Qionghua immediately raised her hand to gently pat Old Madam Qu’s back, soothing her.
The Old Madam’s expression softened considerably. She glanced at Gao Qionghua with satisfaction. “It’s still you who knows how to be considerate.”
“Qu Sheng, you have a good and capable wife. Qionghua manages so many affairs in this household. You should visit her courtyard more often. Don’t waste your time on those useless women who will never amount to anything.”
As she spoke, she deliberately glanced toward the women standing not far away. Among them were Tang Moying and several other concubines.
Tang Moying was furious and wanted nothing more than to argue back. However, seeing that Qu Sheng had no intention of speaking up for her, she could only swallow her grievances.
One day, she would make that old woman and Gao Qionghua kneel before her and beg for mercy.
“Not only is the position of a prince’s principal wife vacant, but there is also an available position the Crown Prince’s secondary consort. Qu Sheng, you should make more connections. Pay attention to Zhao’er, but don’t neglect Ya’er either. Do you understand?”
“Mother is absolutely right.” Qu Sheng nodded quickly. He had always treated his mother’s words as unquestionable orders.
“Qionghua, find some time to bring gifts to the He family as a token of gratitude. If they bring up the marriage between the two families, just keep them waiting.”
“I understand,” Gao Qionghua replied.
“That’s enough. I’m tired. You may all leave. Qu Sheng, you stay.”
Soon, everyone began leaving one after another.