The Captain of the Palace Guards stepped forward and knelt on one knee, "To report back to His Majesty, it was my subordinate who was ignorant and offended several lords. At this mont, all the lords have safely returned ho. My handling of the situation was inappropriate, and I hope His Majesty will conduct a strict investigation!"
The eyes of all the officials were fixed on the Captain of the Palace Guards.
This was like slapping one’s own face!
To seize people first, then release them, and afterwards to take the initiative to admit fault—who would believe that nothing was amiss?
Despite the reason, it allowed Qin Yi to heave a sigh of relief in secret!
He was also extrely curious; with the ability of the Captain of the Palace Guards, capturing a few courtiers should have been as easy as turning over one’s hand. Moreover, the Captain of the Palace Guards had brought a large group of n to encircle the Guiyuelou (Osmanthus Moon Building), yet in the end, they failed to find Qin Yu’s figure.
Where on earth did Qin Yu go?
Those who knew the truth of the matter were curious about this but had no one to ask, so they had to suppress their questions in their hearts.
Naturally, the most frustrated among them had to be people like Lord Cao and others.
"It’s really strange, Qin Yu had clearly drunk that wine and was taken away by two ladies, how did he escape? I just can’t make sense of it!" Lord Yuan was sowhat exasperated.
However, Lord Cao snorted coldly, "You can’t make sense of it? I find it even more incomprehensible! The agreed ti ca and went without him showing up, and when he did arrive, he even got us involved. Tell , what exactly happened?"
"How would I know what happened?"
Lord Yuan was equally troubled, "You tell , what should we do now?"
"What else can we do, just deal with it!" Lord Cao said irritably, with a look that was neither eyes nor nose.
"Alright, enough from both of you,"
Lord Gao jumped in to diate, "This matter involves that person... Now that soone above is taking the heat for us, at most we will face a deduction of our salary, and there shouldn’t be any serious consequences. What we need to guard against is the further actions of that person. Everyone should take care of themselves now!"
Upon hearing this, everyone’s expression changed in unison, and none had the energy to argue any further.
How could they forget? Behind Qin Yu stood that person... It seed that for the ti being, they would need to toe the line and conduct themselves properly.
While the officials were abuzz with discussion, Qin Yu had just alighted from his carriage, looking at the gates of the Qin Family’s Mansion as though it were another world.
"Lord Qin, please!"
From behind, Zhang Zhongding stepped forward with a clasped fist and said loudly, interrupting Qin Yu’s reverie.
A bit awkwardly, Qin Yu returned the gesture and invited Zhang Zhongding inside, "It is a rare visit from my capable nephew to my residence; how can I not invite you inside? Co, co, co, accompany inside for a visit; let at least show my appreciation!"
"This... Perhaps we shouldn’t,"
Zhang Zhongding began to decline, but was earnestly dragged by the hand toward the mansion by the straightforward Qin Yu.
"Forget about these tedious formalities. I, Qin Yu, am a simple man. You extended a hand to in my mont of crisis, an act of great kindness that I, Qin Yu, will never forget. I might not understand big principles, but the so-called brothers who share a heart, in my view, are exactly like this! Today’s pot of wine, you must drink whether you wish to or not!"
With these words spoken, whatever Zhang Zhongding had wanted to refuse seed to change his attitude at the last mont!
He laughed heartily, "Good! It’s hard to find Lord Qin showing such consideration for his young nephew. In that case, I shall follow orders rather than defer. This wine, your young nephew shall drink!"
The two entered the Qin Family’s Mansion together.
Within the Qin Family’s Mansion, due to last night’s uproar that sent everyone into a panic, Mrs. Qin had not slept a wink all night and had sent word early in the morning of her intentions to enter the palace. Since the procedures to enter the palace were complicated unless summoned by an imperial edict, even in the best circumstances, it would take a day or two. There was nothing she could do but fret.
As she was anxiously unsettled, she suddenly heard from the gatekeeper that the master had already returned, filling Mrs. Qin with joy as she hurriedly rushed out to et him.
Unexpectedly, she saw a young man stride into the mansion alongside Qin Yu.
The mont he saw her, Qin Yu burst into hearty laughter, "Shuang’er’s mother, co and et Master Zhang! Had it not been for his enormous help, perhaps your husband would still be eating free als in jail today."
Mrs. Qin’s brows twitched, she wanted to cry but felt as though she had run out of tears the night before and couldn’t bring herself to shed any more. She wanted to scold him, but since an outsider was present, she had to maintain so dignity for her husband. She could only stand there glaring.
Seeing this, Zhang Zhongding couldn’t help but chuckle, stepped forward, and cupped his fists, "Nephew Zhang Zhongding pays respects to Mrs. Qin. I’ve co uninvited, please forgive my intrusion."
Mrs. Qin was sowhat perplexed, "Zhang Zhongding? Which Zhang Zhongding?"
She had only heard the Empress ntion the na Zhang Zhongding Yesterday, could it be that she was so fortunate to et the man himself today?
The anger in Mrs. Qin’s heart dissipated in an instant as she fixed her gaze on the young man without blinking.
The young man stood half a head taller than Qin Yu, not very old, with wheat-colored skin, dimples flashing when he smiled, wearing a dark blue robe that was the typical attire of martial n of the tis, looking exceptionally forthright and smart.
Zhang Zhongding felt a bit awkward, as he had not anticipated that rely ntioning his na would provoke such an inquiry.
This also caused Qin Yu considerable embarrassnt; he quickly pulled Mrs. Qin aside and whispered,
"What are you blabbering about here? This is Master Zhang Zhongding, the second son of the commander of the Imperial Guard, Lord Zhang. Sothing happened Yesterday, and it was Master Zhang who lent a helping hand. Go and prepare a feast, I need to have a good drink with him."
"Is he really the second son of the commander of the Imperial Guard, Lord Zhang? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?"
Mrs. Qin was overjoyed, like a person desperate for sleep who had found a pillow. She had just been thinking about finding a way to et Master Zhang and now he had shown up at her doorstep.
"Would I dare to speak carelessly! Of course, it’s him, now go and get the feast ready, quickly!"
Qin Yu urged.
Turning around, he noticed Zhang Zhongding growing impatient as he kicked a cobblestone by the roadside. Qin Yu then realized that it was quite impolite to keep a guest waiting while he talked to Mrs. Qin.
He quickly coughed twice and loudly invited Zhang Zhongding to the main hall.
Zhang Zhongding casually observed his surroundings as he followed, taking in the sights along the way.
"Uncle, the layout of this mansion truly has its own unique character, a distinct flavor," he remarked.
No wonder he would say such a thing, as the Qin family had previously sold nearly everything valuable they owned to raise money for Qin Hao, leaving the mansion an empty shell with the plants either dead or withering. Mrs. Qin found it a waste to let the garden go unused and had decided to clear out the flower beds to grow so vegetables, making the barren garden indeed quite ’unique.’
"This, well... that is, I am a simple man, and I don’t understand these things, heh heh," Qin Yu didn’t quite know how to respond, so he quickly diverted the conversation.
Zhang Zhongding didn’t linger on the topic. He proceeded to the main hall and made a shallow toast with Qin Yu.
Qin Shuan’er, upon receiving the news that her father had gotten into trouble, hastily took leave with Su Pan’er from the palace and headed straight for the Qin Family’s Mansion. As she stepped through the gates, she saw Zhang Zhongding slapping backs and calling her father ’brother.’"
The man and the woman suddenly t without any warning or preparation.
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