Volume 3, Chapter 175 – Qin Qingfen’s Arrangements

Qin Qingfen looked at Chi Xiyan with furrowed brows. “Moreover, why did you return so late? Did the investigation not go smoothly?”

It was already nighttime, and in Chi Xiyan’s own courtyard, there was no one else around.

By the faint light, Chi Xiyan could just make out Qin Qingfen’s face.

This middle-aged woman who had raised her was now shrouded in shadow.

Chi Xiyan lowered her eyes slightly. “Aunt, the investigation went smoothly. I didn’t encounter any obstacles.”

“Then did you discover any results?” Qin Qingfen asked. “What exactly is that girl’s background?”

“Her name is Yu Lizhi.” Chi Xiyan said, “Sixteen years ago, she was found and raised by a peasant woman. The timing basically matches when that Chi family young lady went missing.”

“Is it truly so?” Qin Qingfen frowned. “What about that jade hairpin? Did you investigate it?”

“I investigated it. The jade hairpin Aunt mentioned has been with Yu Lizhi since she was found.” Chi Xiyan pondered for a moment, then took out the jade hairpin. “Now, that jade hairpin is in my hands.”

“Give it to me!” Seeing the jade hairpin in Chi Xiyan’s hand, its familiar style made Qin Qingfen’s complexion instantly change dramatically.

Qin Qingfen quickly stepped forward, wanting to snatch the jade hairpin from Chi Xiyan’s hand.

Chi Xiyan furrowed her brows and stepped back, dodging Qin Qingfen’s grab. “Aunt, what do you want to do?”

“Xiyan, give it to me.” Qin Qingfen looked at Chi Xiyan with a serious expression. “Be good and listen to Aunt. We need to dispose of this thing early.”

“Aunt…” Chi Xiyan looked at Qin Qingfen with furrowed brows. “You want to destroy this hairpin?”

“Not just this hairpin.” Qin Qingfen said, “Everything that threatens us should be dealt with in advance.”

Chi Xiyan took a deep breath and said, “Aunt, I don’t think that’s necessary.”

Qin Qingfen’s complexion became rather ugly. “Xiyan, are you now unwilling to even listen to me?”

Chi Xiyan shook her head slightly. “Aunt, please hear me out first. That girl won’t become our obstacle. On the contrary, she can become our support.”

“Xiyan.” Qin Qingfen sighed. She said, “You’re just too soft-hearted. When I agreed to let you study medicine, I didn’t want you to learn that useless Buddha-like compassion.”

Her words paused, then she said earnestly, “Xiyan, I watched you grow up. I know you’re a good child. Aunt doesn’t want to force you to do things you don’t like.”

“Aunt…” A hint of surprise surged on Chi Xiyan’s face.

“However…” Qin Qingfen’s tone suddenly shifted. She said, “Precisely because I watched you grow up, there are some things I must teach you.”

“Xiyan, do you remember how your mother died?”

“Do you remember what your true purpose here is?”

Hearing this, Chi Xiyan lowered her eyes slightly. Her voice deepened somewhat. “I remember.”

“Of course I remember.”

“My purpose in staying with the Chi family is to investigate my mother’s cause of death and reclaim everything that belonged to her.”

Qin Qingfen said sternly, “Since you’re clear on this, you should understand how important what you’re doing is. We can’t take any risks.”

“I understand, Aunt.” Chi Xiyan said, “After staying with the Chi family for over ten years, I’ve long since stopped making such mistakes.”

“I’ve already made her sign a dao contract that can guarantee her loyalty to me. She’ll become support for my control of the Chi family, not an obstacle.”

Rеad on ΚаtRеαⅾinɡСαfе

“So…” Chi Xiyan put away the jade hairpin in her hand. “So this jade hairpin cannot be destroyed.”

“Xiyan!” Qin Qingfen’s complexion changed slightly. She hurriedly said, “You’re confused! She’ll become your greatest obstacle, not because of whether she’ll harbor different intentions toward you, but because of her bloodline!”

“As long as Chi family blood exists in this world, she’s a threat to you! Because your surname is Qin, not Chi!”

Chi Xiyan shook her head again. “No, Aunt. I understand Old Master Chi. Compared to bloodline, the Chi family values ability more.”

“No matter how much Old Master Chi favors his own bloodline, he won’t hand the Chi family to an ignorant, unworldly village girl.”

“Conversely, if Old Master Chi truly cherishes his biological blood, and that Chi family legitimate daughter stands on our side, then I can more easily gain Old Master Chi’s trust and control the Chi family.”

Listening to Chi Xiyan’s words, several hints of astonishment flashed through Qin Qingfen’s eyes. “Xiyan, what do you want to do? You couldn’t be thinking of…”

“Yes, exactly what you’re about to say, Aunt.” Chi Xiyan said, “I took that jade hairpin to personally verify this matter with Chi Jingwen.”

“And after that, I’ll personally bring back the Chi family’s true eldest young lady.”

Chi Xiyan finished speaking calmly.

After hearing this, Qin Qingfen’s complexion changed slightly.

“Xiyan… you!”

“Aunt.” Chi Xiyan interrupted her. “I’m not a child anymore. Naturally, I’ve considered everything you mentioned.”

“I believe this is the most appropriate and safest way to handle things.”

“Aunt, this time, leave it to me to handle.”

Chi Xiyan had already made up her mind.

Qin Qingfen could see this from those eyes.

“Xiyan… you’re truly like your mother.” Qin Qingfen said, “Both the same stubborn temperament.”

“Aunt.” Chi Xiyan said, “I have my own plan. I won’t act recklessly. I also hope Aunt can respect my thinking.”

Qin Qingfen fell silent.

In the darkness of night, all was quiet.

The only sound was the rustling of a breeze in the distance.

After a brief silence, Qin Qingfen broke the heavy atmosphere first.

“Xiyan, you’ve grown up and have your own ideas now. You won’t listen to everything Aunt says like when you were little anymore.”

“You’re right. The future head of the Chi family should naturally have their own ideas, not blindly follow the instructions of a woman like me confined to the inner quarters.”

Qin Qingfen sighed lightly. “I know your temperament. Since you’ve made up your mind, Aunt has no way to persuade you. Fine, fine. Today, let’s pretend Aunt never said any of this to you.”

Joy appeared on Chi Xiyan’s face. “Thank you, Aunt.”

“Ah… The child’s grown up, has ideas now, won’t listen anymore.” Qin Qingfen sighed repeatedly, muttering. She waved her hand at Chi Xiyan and turned to leave.

Chi Xiyan watched Qin Qingfen leave the entire time, finally returning silently to her own room.

Rеаԁ οո ΚαtRеaⅾіոgСаfe

She sat on the edge of her bed, once again taking out that jade hairpin.

Looking at this jade hairpin, Chi Xiyan recalled that innocent, naive girl and the comfortable, soothing fragrance on her body.

“Chi family legitimate daughter… and the future controller of the Chi family…”

Chi Xiyan’s eyes dimmed slightly.

Whether one was the Chi family legitimate daughter had no absolute connection to whether one could control the Chi family in the future.

Most of the Chi family’s upper echelon actually knew that Chi Xiyan wasn’t the Chi family legitimate daughter.

Over ten years ago, an accident occurred at the Chi family ancestral home.

The Chi family’s protective formation suddenly shattered. A conflagration of red lotus karmic fire nearly burned the entire Chi family ancestral home to ashes.

No one knew what happened that night.

Outsiders only knew that the Old Master Chi, the Chi family first wife, and the Chi family second young lady who was the Chi family’s second-in-command all perished together in that red lotus karmic fire.

After that, the eldest young master Chi Jingwen reluctantly took over the precarious Chi family.

To mourn his deceased wife, he dismissed all his concubines and remained unmarried to this day.

He raised his surviving only daughter as the Chi family’s sole heir.

Now, over ten years later, that sole heir of the Chi family had grown into adulthood.

The name of Fairy Xiyan, exceptional in both alchemy and sword, was renowned throughout Beihe Commandery.

However, outsiders didn’t know that the Chi family’s true eldest young lady had already vanished from the Chi family ancestral home sixteen years ago.

Chi Xiyan wasn’t Chi Jingwen’s daughter. Chi Xiyan had known this since she was very young.

Chi Jingwen never planned to hide it from her.

Chi Xiyan’s mother was the Chi family’s second young lady who perished in the sea of fire over ten years ago.

Her name was Chi Jingyun.

Chi Jingyun had shown extraordinary talent from a young age. Following beside Old Master Chi, she was deeply valued by him and was recognized as the Chi family’s second-in-command.

In many people’s eyes, Chi Jingyun was more suitable to become the Chi family heir than her brother Chi Jingwen.

However, all of this ended in that karmic fire.

Chi Xiyan had no memory of her mother’s appearance.

She’d been raised by her wet nurse Qin Qingfen from childhood. When Chi Xiyan grew more knowledgeable, Qin Qingfen revealed her identity to Chi Xiyan and told her everything she knew.

The karmic fire over ten years ago was a conspiracy, one to seize property and position.

Under Qin Qingfen’s secret guidance, Chi Xiyan slowly grew up.

She worked hard studying all kinds of knowledge, studying alchemy, studying management, studying swordsmanship, all to prove her value to Chi Jingwen and gain his trust.

She would investigate the truth of what happened back then and reclaim what belonged to her mother.

Rеаԁ οn КαtRеаdіոgСafe

For this, she had to utilize everything she could.

“Hah…”

Chi Xiyan let out a long breath.

“Old Master Chi left for the royal capital on urgent business a few days ago. He won’t return in the short term. This matter isn’t urgent.”

Yu Lizhi… She still needed to plan carefully.

…

On the other side,

After leaving Chi Xiyan, Qin Qingfen’s face became shrouded in gloom.

“Xiyan…” She murmured, her eyes complex.

“I truly don’t want you to follow your mother’s old path. Your mother was too kindhearted back then… that’s why she met such an end.”

Qin Qingfen crossed through the manor, arriving at a secluded place in the Chi family estate’s back courtyard.

In a small room, a man dressed in servant’s clothing sat at a table.

He appeared to be in his thirties, with a light beard. A faint scar was vaguely visible on his neck.

He was unkempt, his face carrying very obvious exhaustion and weariness.

But if an expert were here, they’d discover this man appeared dejected, yet his eyes concealed a sharp gleam and his aura was unfathomably deep.

This was a master.

Qin Qingfen knew this man was a master but never knew exactly how strong he was.

His name was Yan Liu. He’d once been a fighter the Chi family second young lady Chi Jingyun kept in the shadows.

Chi Jingyun had shown him kindness, so he worked for her.

Seeing Qin Qingfen, Yan Liu stood up. “Nanny Qin.”

Qin Qingfen looked at this man and said, “Liu, while in the courtyard, have you heard of any special events occurring today?”

Yan Liu thought for a moment and said, “I haven’t heard anything, but the Chi family’s shadow hall had a brief disturbance today. Is it related to this?”

Qin Qingfen nodded. “Today, the young lady and I encountered someone at a Chi family shop.”

“On her head, she wore that woman’s hairpin.”

Hearing this, a gleam flashed through Yan Liu’s eyes. “Nanny Qin, are you certain you didn’t see wrong?”

Qin Qingfen nodded with a serious expression. “I couldn’t be wrong. The young lady brought that jade hairpin back today. I can confirm that the jade hairpin belonged to that woman.”

“And that girl, her name is Yu Lizhi.”

Yan Liu fell silent for a while, then said, “So the disturbance from the shadow hall was also because of this?”

“For the young lady to control the Chi family, Chi Jingwen’s bloodline will be the young lady’s greatest obstacle.” Qin Qingfen said, “The young lady is kindhearted. She doesn’t want to act against that girl.”

Rеαԁ оn КatRеаdiոgCafe

Yan Liu raised his head, looking at Qin Qingfen. “So Nanny Qin came to find me meaning…”

Coldness appeared on Qin Qingfen’s face. “I want you to investigate that girl, then find a way to eliminate her. Best not to leave any traces.”

Yan Liu pondered, “The Chi family’s shadow agents have already noticed her. Accomplishing this will probably be rather difficult. If I act, I’ll inevitably leave traces.”

Qin Qingfen frowned. “Even so, for the young lady’s sake, it must be done.”

“The Chi family shadow hall only noticed her existence. They still can’t confirm her identity. And now, that jade hairpin is in the young lady’s hands. They won’t be able to verify the hairpin’s origins for the time being.”

“Now that Chi Jingwen isn’t at the Chi family, it’s the best opportunity!”

Yan Liu fell silent for a while. “If that’s the case, perhaps we can seek out Sin Moon Tower.”

“Sin Moon Tower?” Qin Qingfen thought for a moment. “The number one ranked assassin organization?”

“Correct.” Yan Liu nodded. “Though Sin Moon Tower is expensive, as long as they accept a commission, they rarely fail.”

“Good.” Qin Qingfen said, “As long as we can eliminate that girl, money isn’t a problem. I’ll leave this matter to you.”

“That’s fine. I happen to know Sin Moon Tower’s contact method in Beihe Commandery. However…” Yan Liu pondered. “Is it really necessary to go to such lengths to deal with an ordinary girl?”

“Of course it’s necessary.” Qin Qingfen said, “Yan Liu, have you forgotten how the madam died? Do you want the young lady to follow in the madam’s footsteps?”

“Everything we’re doing is for the young lady.”

Yan Liu fell silent for a moment, then also nodded. “Fine, I’ll listen to you.”

“Everything is for the young lady.”

…

The next day, Chi Xiyan rose early.

She first went to the Chi family’s medicine room, taking many precious medicinal materials with her.

These materials were all prepared to treat Yu Lizhi’s mother.

Since she’d promised Yu Lizhi, Chi Xiyan would naturally do this matter to the best of her ability.

The medicinal materials selected were also the best materials Chi Xiyan could obtain within her authority.

Chi Xiyan arrived on the street. She discovered many hurried armored guards had appeared on the streets.

The notice wall at the street corner was now crowded inside and out with people.

They pointed at the notice wall, discussing animatedly.

“Excuse me, what happened?” Chi Xiyan curiously inquired of a passerby.

“Miss, you don’t know?” That passerby said, “The seven great sword sects jointly petitioned the Empress.”

“Requesting the Empress issue an order to strictly investigate fox clan spies infiltrating various places.”

“This world is about to descend into chaos!”