Chapter Sixty-One: Who Is the Real Beneficiary?

“Y-Young Miss!” The servant boy was panic-stricken, but dared not flee. Trembling, he stepped forward to pay his respects.

“What did you take from Shui Ruolan?” Qi Rongzhi fixed her gaze on him, her voice cold. How convenient—she hadn’t even needed to search, and here he was.

“The… the sachet!” The servant dared not conceal it. Stammering, he finally confessed.

“And what was its use?” Qi Rongzhi’s eyes glinted.

“To… to lure Miss Shui outside.” The boy had already been prompted by the old maidservant by Qin Yuru’s side.

“And then?” Qi Rongzhi’s eyes narrowed.

“Then… someone was to abduct Miss Shui. After all, Miss Shui is only a guest in the General’s estate, not anyone important.” Part of this was what the maidservant had hinted, the rest was the clever servant’s own guesswork.

Shui Ruolan’s current status was merely that of a distant relative staying in the general’s estate. She was of little consequence; even if something happened to her, if she disappeared, it would hardly be considered a major affair for the estate. The only one related to her by blood, the old madam, was gravely ill. Even if something befell Shui Ruolan, she would be powerless to act.

Qi Rongzhi understood at once what Qin Yuru intended. “Who found the person for this deed?”

“T-The young master!” The servant hung his head.

“That wretched woman truly is a vixen; even now she won’t let my brother go.” Connecting the dots, Qi Rongzhi gritted her teeth. Even if the matter was eventually uncovered, it wouldn’t be traced back to Qin Yuru. Rather, it might implicate her own household. If she hadn’t been shrewd enough to seek out the servant, she and her mother would only find out after her brother had already caused trouble.

“Give me the sachet!” Qi Rongzhi ordered coldly.

“M-Miss…” The servant shrank back.

Chunxi stepped forward, extending her hand and speaking sharply: “Hand over the sachet to the young miss. Or do you think Miss Qin can still protect you here?”

In the Prefect Qi’s household, everyone knew the eldest young lady was the most favored. Even if Qin Yuru could shield him in the General’s estate, here, no one would dare.

The servant dared not resist any longer. He stretched out his hand, and a delicate sachet dropped into his palm.

Chunxi snatched it and handed it to Qi Rongzhi.

Qi Rongzhi accepted it carelessly, the corners of her lips curling into a cold smile. Qin Yuru wanted to plot against Shui Ruolan with her brother’s help? In that case, she would be the oriole waiting behind the mantis.

“Since my brother found you, you must know some details?” Qi Rongzhi’s expression grew even colder.

“I-I know a little…” The servant was terrified.

“Come here!” Qi Rongzhi beckoned.

He dared not refuse, leaning in to listen, nodding as he grew paler and paler, but he had no choice but to obey…

“Miss, the eldest young lady has sent for you again!” Qingyue came in to report.

Qin Wanru glanced at the sky outside the window. Dusk had not yet fully fallen, but the light was already dim; soon, darkness would cover everything. Any worshippers who weren’t staying on the mountain would have already descended by now. As for those remaining, most would be back in their lodgings. After all, the guests lodging here were all women, and the surrounding area was occupied by villagers. Even if one wasn’t a noble lady, it was improper to be out at this hour.

“Let’s go and see.” Qin Wanru rose to her feet.

“Miss, do you really want to go out at this hour?” Qingyue asked anxiously.

“It won’t take long.” Qin Wanru smiled faintly and left, Qingyue hurrying after her.

Outside the door, the maidservant sent by Qin Yuru waited. Upon seeing Qin Wanru, she smiled ingratiatingly. “Second Miss, the eldest young lady has something important to tell you. That’s why she’s sent for you again and again. If you truly don’t wish to hear it, I shall go inform her.”

She made as if to leave, but her eyes darted slyly over Qin Wanru, her posture wavering between going and staying.

A cunning old woman—against an inexperienced young girl, she would have been very effective. Curiosity is natural, and for a girl not yet grown, such bait was irresistible.

Qin Yuru was clever in picking her people.

“Let’s go, then.” Qin Wanru said.

“Second Miss, please follow me!” The maidservant grinned, delighted that her quarry had been snared.

“Where is my sister?” Qin Wanru asked, feigning ignorance.

“She’s just ahead, in the pavilion.” The maidservant replied, leading the way. It truly wasn’t far—just up ahead.

“What does my sister want to speak to me about?” Qin Wanru followed unhurriedly, her steps slow so that the maidservant had to pause every few paces.

“Well… I don’t know. She said it was important—perhaps something… not meant for others’ ears, between you two.” The maidservant invented.

“Something secret between my sister and me?” Qin Wanru stopped, as if pondering this.

She halted; the maidservant and Qingyue both stopped as well.

“Second Miss, let’s go over first,” the maidservant urged nervously, glancing toward their destination. The eldest miss had told her to hurry.

Qin Wanru resumed walking, and the maidservant breathed a sigh of relief. The timing was just right; the eldest miss had already sent for the second miss once before, so summoning her again now would draw just the right attention. If they were late, the effect would be lost.

“Oh, I remember now—does she want to talk about Miss Qi?” Qin Wanru asked suddenly, stopping again, her face alight with sudden understanding.

The maidservant was vexed but forced a laugh: “Second Miss, I truly don’t know. How could the eldest miss tell me such important things? I’m not her chief steward.”

“Oh, you’re not my sister’s confidante?” Qin Wanru looked her up and down. “I don’t recall seeing you before. Are you truly from her household?”

“I’ve only served the eldest miss for a few days, and I’m just an ordinary servant. It’s normal you haven’t seen me,” the maidservant replied, growing more anxious as she recalled the eldest miss’s promise.

“Second Miss, if you want to know, just come with me!” If she didn’t bring the second miss over, she’d never get the position she’d been promised.

“Let’s go, then!” This time, Qin Wanru did not make things difficult and strode forward. The maidservant relaxed and led the way.

Qin Wanru asked nothing more. As they rounded a bend, she saw the pavilion ahead, with Qin Yuru inside—it was a conspicuous spot, right where all the worshippers would pass by. Anyone coming this way could see clearly.

“Second Miss, look, the eldest miss is right there!” The maidservant pointed, smiling.

Qin Wanru stopped again, her brows drawing together slightly. “Why is there a man in the pavilion?”

From a distance, not only was Qin Yuru there with her maid, but also a plainly dressed man in peasant clothes, his back to them so his face couldn’t be seen.

“This…” The maidservant was stunned; she hadn’t expected a man to appear in the pavilion.

“We’ll wait a while. After my sister finishes her business, we’ll go over.” Qin Wanru stepped back to the moon gate they’d just exited; Qingyue followed quickly.

The maidservant hesitated, but not knowing what Qin Yuru intended, she too retreated to the moon gate, though she couldn’t help but secretly peek outside.

From afar, they saw Qin Yuru speak a few words to the man. She then stood, her gaze sweeping in Qin Wanru’s direction, but Qin Wanru was certain she couldn’t be seen from there. The pavilion was in an open spot, but looking back from the open area, it was hard to see clearly.

After a few more words, Qin Yuru hurried away with the peasant man, her maid in tow.

The maidservant was dumbfounded. This wasn’t how the eldest miss had planned it—what was going on now? What was she to do with the second miss?

“Why would my sister leave with a man at this hour?” Qin Wanru emerged from behind the maidservant, her expression turning cold. “Who is that man?”

“I-I don’t know… I really don’t…” The woman’s tongue trembled.

“You serve my sister, yet you know nothing? What use are you?” Qin Wanru’s face grew even darker. Though young, she exuded a formidable presence.

She strode to the pavilion. Within, there was only a teapot and two cups on the stone table.

“Search the area, see if anything is amiss!” Qin Wanru ordered.

The maidservant and Qingyue hurried to obey, searching around, but found nothing.

“If anything happens to my sister, you’re finished!” Qin Wanru’s gaze fell on the maidservant, icy and sharp.

The woman shivered all over. “I-I really only came to fetch you, miss. I truly don’t know what happened to the eldest miss. I…”

She was so frightened her eyes glazed over.

“Well? Aren’t you going to report to the old madam? Have her send people to search for my sister!” Qin Wanru snapped.

The words jolted the maidservant into action. She hastily ran toward the old madam’s quarters in a panic, startling many of the guests. Seeing this, some curious onlookers followed her in, and it was immediately clear that trouble had occurred in the General’s estate again. After so many incidents, everyone was eager to see what would happen next.

Qin Wanru did not follow the maidservant. After a moment’s thought, she took Qingyue and hurried after Qin Yuru in the direction she had gone.