Chapter 281: An Old Lady Makes Trouble 1
The scene in Chunjiang Restaurant that afternoon was witnessed by the people on the second floor. Naturally, it was inevitable for it to be circulated around.
Young Master Han heard about it when it reached his residence and instantly sighed with emotion. “People have gone insane these days.”
A member of the family who had just come from the toilet asked curiously, “What are you guys talking about?”
Young Master Han explained the incident succinctly and clearly. “A beautiful young woman named Qi Qingyao was with Lu Yan at Chunjiang Restaurant this afternoon. Then she reduced Jiang Siliu to tears with her shameless bragging!!”
The person asked, “Who’s Qi Qingyao?”
Young Master Han rolled his eyes and said, “You still don’t know who Qi Qingyao is? You’re really late to the party! Qi Qingyao is the maid who stole the show at Jiang’s residence the other day.”
The person widened his eyes skeptically. “F*ck, that’s her?”
“She’s Qi Qingyao!”
The name was common and lackluster, yet it had been creating waves in Qingzhou City these past two days! It was truly quite impressive.
After the news reached the Yulong Gang…
Third Brother Yu was the leader of the Yulong Gang. He listened to this news and after hearing all of it, he sat in his chair, dazed for a moment. After giving it some thought, he cradled his forehead helplessly and said, “She’s from a common village, how does she have the guts to face the Jiang family head-on? I have to give it to her.”
Old Xie the Eighth said, “She even dined with Lu Yan. And I heard Master Lu even paid for it.”
Third Brother Yu sighed and said, “Despite utterly shredding Lu Yan in public, Master Lu still treated her to a meal. I wonder if there’s something wrong with his head.”
“According to our informants throughout the city, the two of them had also gone to Yuexiu Fabric Shop together and bought a few rolls of fabric, which were also paid for by Master Lu.” Old Xie the Eighth suddenly recalled something and added, “Yes, there is one more thing. Lu Yan currently lives in the house on the Eighth Street of the Upper East Side.”
Third Brother Yu really could not understand the current situation. “Didn’t he lose that house to the little lady?”
“Exactly!!” That was where the problem was.
Old Xie the Eighth said solemnly, “I’ve asked the government office and the title deed to that house is still currently in Qi Qingyao’s hands, but not only had Lu Yan moved in, but all of his servants who had been dismissed also seem to have returned to work.”
“???”
Third Brother Yu glanced at Old Xie the Eighth, his gaze mirroring his confusion.
This Qi Qingyao was an exotic blossom. She not only cured Heir Pei, but also built a house in her village. Now, she even has something going on with Master Lu! Is she really someone from Linquan Village?!
Third Brother Yu pondered for a moment then asked, ” Does Qi Qingyao’s family back in Linquan Village know about this?”
Old Xie the Eighth shook his head and said, “Qi Qingyao came to Qingzhou City after she severed ties with them. They probably don’t know that their daughter has struck it rich.”
“Pass this news to them! I want to know the woman’s reaction through her family,” Third Brother Yu instantly ordered.
Old Xie the Eighth was a little hesitant to do this on his own. “Then, what about Lu Yan living in her house, Third Brother? Do we spread this news?”
Third Brother Yu thought about it for a moment. “The public doesn’t know that the title deed is under her name. As long as Lu Yan is living in that house, it’s as if he’s announcing to the world that she has become his concubine.”
Old Xie the Eighth immediately cupped his fist and bowed. “Alright, I understand, leader,” he said.
Just as Old Xie the Eighth was about to leave, Third Brother Yu suddenly called out for him to stop.
Old Xie the Eighth asked, “Leader?”
Third Brother Yu rubbed his lower jaw. His demeanor solemn, he said, ” I remember the report you guys gave me last time. Her grandmother… she’s still living with her other relatives in Qingzhou City.”
“That’s right.” Old Xie the Eighth nodded.
Third Brother Yu went into deep thought again for a moment before saying, “In that case, send someone to spread this news to the old madam deliberately, tell her that her granddaughter has struck it rich! We’ll see what the old woman does, then observe Qi Qingyao’s reaction.”
“Yes.”
“Wait a minute.” Third Brother Yu called out again.
Old Xie the Eighth asked, ” Is there something else? Leader?”
Third Brother Yu mulled it over for a moment and said, “Send someone to the Jiang residence to discuss this with Second Master Jiang. Since this girl has offended their young lady, ask him if he requires the Yulong Gang to help him retaliate. Also, tell him that we might be able to catch the divine physician Su Hexiao.”
Old Xie the Eighth was so shocked that cold sweat formed on his forehead. “But… Leader, the other forces have already sent so many people last night to gauge her, and all of their men died! If you send someone to retaliate now, you will…”
Third Brother Yu gave Old Xie the Eighth’s skull a sharp rap. “Are you stupid? If open methods don’t work, why not try discrete ones? Don’t you know how to use poison? You could even do it a roundabout way and poison the girl’s old lady! Wasn’t she able to cure Heir Pei? In that case, let us find out if she is the divine physician Su Hexiao!
“If we do that…” Old Xie the Eighth felt that it was somewhat inappropriate—they could not afford to offend Heir Pei and the Lu family! The Lu family’s power had holds all throughout Northern Liang! The connection between Lu Yan and this woman was currently too complicated and the situation unclear. They should not act rashly.
“That old woman will die soon anyway and it doesn’t look like she’ll live long. Just use her as a chess piece!” Third Brother Yu said. “But you have to discuss this with Second Master Jiang first to see if we need to help them retaliate.”
“Understood.” Old Xie the Eighth nodded.
He immediately went off to carry out his orders, sending one person off for Linquan Village while another went to the western region.
…
The old madam was Qi Boli’s mother, and her mother had passed away some decades ago. Her aunt was quite good-looking back in her heyday and had married into the Jin family as a concubine. Her days passed peacefully enough. Her aunt had lived a long life and just passed away a few months ago. The old madam attended the funeral and then stayed around the Jin family since she was already there, and just like that, she spent several months in that area.
The Jin family started off with nothing in the western district of Qingzhou City thirty years ago. They made their fortune from selling coffins. The coffin business was fairly decent given Qingzhou City was quite the chaotic mess. They had even become famous in the western district over the past couple of decades. Everyone knew about “Western Jin Coffins”. The Jin family had connections to several dieners in Qingzhou City. Most of the time, however, assassins who died in action… did not require coffins, but only a mat! One would only need to roll them up in a mat, then dig a hole and dump them inside!
The old madam was sitting inside the house as she assisted the Jin family’s granddaughter to comb the cotton thread that would be used to patch the soles the next day.
After going at it for a while, she yawned. The old madam thought to herself that she would have a nap later on. However, she received an unexpected visit from her neighbor Madam Zhang after a while. When she arrived, the first thing she did was ask, “Madam, when will you be going back?”
“I’ll be heading back after the new year. Although things have been convenient in the city, I’m still not quite used to it.” The old madam knew that her aunt had lived a long life and, after she died, an old lady like her was not really welcome at the Jin’s home. After all, who would want an elderly granny who was unrelated by blood in their home? However, city life had been comfortable so she was a little unwilling to go back home.
Madam Zhang took a seat and began chattering. “Don’t you feel that things have not been that peaceful in the city recently?”
The old madam yawned again as she thought privately, ‘Why are you telling me this?’
Madam Zhang also had no intention to beat around the bush and went straight to the point. “Hey, madam! I want to ask you something.”