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“Second brother, it must be Qing Mei, that maid, who is not performing her duties well. We just need to get rid of her. However, her background is also dubious, and we don’t know who she has connections with. We can’t let her cause any trouble. When I go back, I’ll beat her until she’s half-dead, so she won’t be able to reveal anything even if she wants to, or we can just kill her directly.”

Qu Qiuyan and Qu Mingcheng walked together, discussing as they went.

In front of them, Qing Ju held the lantern, desperately trying to control her trembling hands, afraid of attracting the attention of her masters.

She had witnessed the third lady get rid of a few maids before, but she had always been distant from such matters. Only the incident with Qing He had made her realize that even as a trusted private maid, she could be disposable, just like Qing He.

Qing Ju was now even more aware of the danger she faced.

The second young master’s gaze towards her earlier had carried a chilling undertone, causing cold sweat to trickle down her back.

She was well aware that Qing Mei had been brought by Second Young Master himself. They had become close, and he always conveyed important matters through Qing Mei. This time, he had assigned Qing Mei to handle the current situation. Compared to her, Qing Ju held no significance in the eyes of the Second Young Master.

It was clear that only one of them would be sacrificed this time. Besides Qing Mei, Qing Ju was the only senior maid by the young lady’s side. If it wasn’t Qing Mei, then it could potentially be Qing Ju.

The Second Young Master remained silent for a long time, increasing Qing Ju’s anxiety. She tightly grasped the lantern pole in her hands, her back covered in cold sweat.

“Second brother, why aren’t you saying anything? I can’t afford to be clueless when father sends someone to inquire tomorrow,” Qu Qiuyan expressed her dissatisfaction with her brother’s contemplative silence.

Qu Mingcheng’s gaze shifted to Qing Ju, carrying a hint of hostility. Deep down, he was more inclined to sacrifice the Qing Ju standing before him. After all, Qing Mei still held significant value.

“I’ll discuss this matter with you once we reach the yard,” he replied evasively.

Qing Ju’s legs grew weaker, and she could barely see the path ahead.

“What is there to discuss? Second brother, as I’ve said, Qing Mei’s background is suspicious. It doesn’t matter where she came from. This time, I’ve already decided to give her up. I agreed to it in front of Father and Grandmother.” She was well aware of the matter between Qing Mei and her brother.

On one hand, it was because he was her own brother, and on the other, Qing Mei had proven herself to be capable. Thus, Qu Qiuyan was not too concerned.

Qing Mei was still inexperienced and had only been with her for a short time. She had occasionally even been by second brother’s side, neglecting her duties towards Qu Qiuyan. In truth, Qu Qiuyan wasn’t entirely satisfied with her. If she had to choose, she would undoubtedly let go of Qing Mei and keep Qing Ju, who had been a reliable maid for many years.

Qu Mingcheng remained silent once again but quickened his pace.

Leading Qu Qiuyan back, he entered the main house with his hands behind his backs. After Qu Qiuyan followed him inside, he waved her hand, and Qing Ju retreated, leaving only the two siblings in the room.

Qu Qiuyan sincerely spoke, “Second brother, Qing Mei is someone you brought here, your person. She has always been working for you. Whether I keep her or not doesn’t matter much. But Qing Ju is different. She is the only one I have around me now. If I don’t have someone useful by my side, even if we go to the Lord Jing Mansion, I won’t be able to carry out my tasks.”

“Qing Mei is more useful than Qing Ju,” Qu Mingcheng replied.

“But Qing Mei’s background is questionable, Second brother, tell me, where did Qing Mei come from? You said she’s a new maid from the East Mansion, because you think I don’t have someone to serve me. After bringing her here, you told me to promote her to private maid and give her the privileges of a private maid. Second brother, you are cautious and not someone who would engage in such matters.”

After suffering such a significant loss tonight and being forced to apologize to Qu Moying in the end, Qu Qiuyan was filled with pent-up anger. All of this was because of Qing Mei. If Qing Mei hadn’t mishandled the situation, such things wouldn’t have occurred.

“This Qing Mei has a background,” Qu Mingcheng hesitated for a moment before stating.

“I don’t care about her background. I don’t want a maid with a questionable background by my side. Second brother, if you can protect her, then protect her. I won’t.” Qu Qiuyan grew impatient.

The thought of someone backing up this maid disgusted her. She wasn’t lacking others by her side, so why did she need such a maid?

“Someone, take Qing Mei down and give her a severe lashing of thirty strikes.” Qu Qiuyan ceased speaking to Qu Mingcheng and walked stubbornly to the front door, issuing orders to the outside.

This maid girl must be punished today, preferably to the point of death. Thirty lashes, many maids couldn’t endure that.

“Third sister, you…” Qu Mingcheng wanted to say something, but when he saw Qu Qiuyan’s cold and angry face, and remembered the state in which they had been forced together today, he couldn’t help but sigh and loudly proclaimed, “Silence her and give her a beating, make sure she doesn’t cause trouble anywhere else.”

Although this maid had some connections, she wasn’t indispensable. It all depended on her fate. Thirty lashes meant she would lose more than half of her life, if not her life itself.

After Qu Mingcheng and Qu Qiuyan left, Qing Mei remained kneeling on the side, watched over by two stern maidservants, listening to the master’s instructions.

One maid forcefully stuffed a cloth into Qing Mei’s mouth, while the other grabbed her and dragged her down. Qing Mei struggled fiercely, desperately trying to scream, but she was helpless against their firm hold and was promptly dragged away.

Just outside the yard, a large bench had been set up, ready for her to be restrained and beaten.

Qing Ju, standing at the entrance of the main house, gradually relaxed her tense body. She knew she had narrowly escaped a disaster this time, but what about the next time?

With a lingering sense of fear, Qing Ju looked towards the doorway, where the light from inside the house revealed two figures standing in front of it—one tall, one short—Second Young Master and Third Lady…

“My lord, a letter has arrived from the North,” Ji Hai presented the confidential letter cautiously. Pei Yuanjun reached out to take it, opened it, and read it. After finishing, he smiled lightly and stood up, “The situation in the North is indeed significant. Even the Crown Prince and the princess have disappeared!”

Dressed in a black robe that accentuated his slender and graceful figure, Pei Yuanjun exuded an air of elegance. His handsome face, tinged with a hint of nobility, bore a smile that appeared ethereal, as if he were aware of matters unrelated to this treasonous affair.

The North rebellion was not entirely unexpected. However, it could not exactly be termed a rebellion, but rather a case where the Second Prince held more power than the Crown Prince. This had compelled the Crown Prince of the North to flee with his sister, their whereabouts still unknown.

“My lord, did you not already know?” Ji Hai grinned and said, “Look, there’s another letter. It was sent by the Crown Prince from the North.”

Ji Hai smiled, his eyes narrowing. In fact, this letter was the most important reason for his lord’s visit from the capital.

Amid the turmoil in the North, the Second Prince had forced the Crown Prince to flee with the princess. However, the Second Prince was not the legitimate son of Lord of the North. He was the son of his sister. With the scarcity of royal bloodline in the North, the princess’s son had been placed in the position of the Second Prince. This Second Prince clearly lacked legitimacy.

Yet, he was an evidently capable individual who had managed to force the most legitimate Crown Prince of the North to flee.

“I have met Crown Prince Qi Ze of the North, and he is quite an impressive figure,” Pei Yuanjun smiled faintly, taking another letter from Ji Hai’s hand. He quickly skimmed through its contents before slapping it onto the table. Leaning against the nearby couch, he asked lazily, “Ji Hai, do you think I should lend him a hand?”

“My lord, your judgment is clear!” Ji Hai replied, his smile undiminished.

“I wait for him and he doesn’t show up, but instead sends a letter like this, it seems Crown Prince Qi Ze is not yet at his wit’s end!” Pei Yuanjun extended his finger and lightly brushed it against his chin, giving him an unusually alluring and sinister appearance that deterred others from meeting his gaze.

“What does you mean?” Ji Hai blinked and inquired.

“The Second Prince could use a little more assistance, and I can help him,” Pei Yuanjun chuckled, his voice chillingly cold. “Since the Second Prince requires aid so urgently, I have more to offer than anyone else.”

Ji Hai understood the implications of these words and nodded, a smile appearing on his face. “Yes, I understand. I will take care of it immediately!”

Who could have imagined that the rebellion in the North was connected to his lord? Even though there were vast distances and mountains separating them, the final outcome was anticipated by him.

“It is time to prepare for the return to the capital!” Pei Yuanjun leaned back and spoke nonchalantly.

“My lord, Miss Liu is still requesting a meeting. What do you think?” Ji Hai asked cautiously, referring to this persistent Miss Liu. Despite repeatedly explaining that the lord wanted to rest and did not wish to see anyone, she continued to send handmade pastries.

Could it be that his words were not clear enough? Is the lord’s intention not expressed clearly?

Ji Hai, as a servant, felt that he was just a eunuch and did not understand the thoughts of these young ladies. Did she think that with her persistence, she could soften the heart of his lord?

Ji Hai had served his master for many years and had seen all kinds of beauties, both inside and outside the harem. Only Fourth Lady Qu, had managed to make his master let down his guard.

“Let her go back. Inform her that I will return to the capital in a few days!” Pei Yuanjun said lazily, a faint smile playing at the corners of his thin lips, emanating a chilling and sinister aura.

“My lord, don’t you plan to meet her? General Liu only has this daughter.” Ji Hai advised in a low voice.

“Liu Xiangshan has had an easy time in these past years, and he has put in a lot of effort for just one daughter. Very well, I will help him a little and allow him to find a good son-in-law,” Pei Yuanjun chuckled, flicking his finger on the edge of the couch. His long eyelashes fell slightly as he closed his eyes and said, “Summon Liu Xiangshan. I will see him again before I depart!”

“Yes, I will make the arrangements immediately!” Ji Hai understood. This Guardian General was not an ordinary person; he needed to be handled carefully.