Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Chapter 203 The Manor Lord

Duan Mingzhu wasn't concerned with these things, but considering that Ah Dai had just saved her, she explained, "Judging from the master's face, he seems to have been ill for many years. The candles in the secret room are poisonous; even a martial artist would find it difficult to endure for a short time. However, it's hard to say, since the secret room has poor ventilation..."

Duan Mingzhu suddenly fell silent. Master Jing could not die, after all, he had a relationship with the late emperor. If the palace wanted to touch the Jing family, they would have to give Master Jing face. It would be best if Master Jing was too weak to take charge.

If the candles were suddenly changed, Master Jing would definitely notice; it could only mean the candles were the same, but the poison dosage was different. That means either the First Madam or his three sons poisoned Master Jing…

Duan Mingzhu turned to look at Liang Qingcheng. What if Liang Qingcheng's illness was feigned? Perhaps Liang Qingcheng never intended to save them. If she died, and Liang Qingcheng then killed the Second Madam, the door to the secret chamber would remain closed…

So, what do husbands, wives, fathers, and sons matter when it comes to personal gain? Ninth Brother married a spy?!

Duan Mingzhu stared at Liang Qingcheng, clutching the egg carton tightly in her hand. Perhaps sensing her hostility, he glanced at Duan Mingzhu and timidly asked, "Auntie, are you still in pain?"

Duan Mingzhu stared blankly at Liang Qingcheng, who was holding her hand and calling out repeatedly, "Mother, Mother, wake up... Mother, Mother, wake up..."

Duan Mingzhu said impatiently, "Stop making noise, or I'll have the little bug eat you."

Unaware of his young age, a series of events exceeded his comprehension, and he had already reached his limit of endurance. This shock from Duan Mingzhu made him feel even more isolated and helpless. He forced himself not to cry out loud, but tears welled up in his eyes.

Ah-Dai felt sorry for Bu-Zhi and went to his side to comfort him, saying, "Don't cry, Bu-Zhi. Your mother just fainted and will wake up soon."

She hummed in response, her eyes blurry with tears as she looked at Ah-Dai, and choked out, "Thank you, Uncle."

This was the second time he had thanked him. Ah-Dai patted his head and said, "Good boy."

She moved closer to him, then, after thinking for a moment, climbed over to Qin Jiu's side: "Daddy, Daddy..."

Qin Jiu slowly opened her eyes and subconsciously called out, "I don't know?"

Unaware of the situation, tears immediately streamed down her face, her voice filled with grievance: "Dad!"

Duan Mingzhu suddenly remembered that she was the same way when she was a child. She rarely cried, and even when she did cry, she did so with great restraint. The kind of uncontrollable wailing of a young child was extremely rare.

Qin Jiu thought he had frightened Bu Zhi, so he almost immediately sat up, hugged Bu Zhi in his arms, and gently patted Bu Zhi's back: "Bu Zhi, don't be afraid, Dad is alright..."

Unaware that Qin Jiu had hugged and patted him, all his emotions—fear, anxiety, worry, and grievance—rushed out. He clutched Qin Jiu's clothes, buried his face in Qin Jiu's chest, and burst into tears.

Duan Mingzhu looked away, realizing she had overestimated the child. After all, he was just a little baby; how could she possibly control him?

Qin Jiu held Bu Zhi in one arm and rubbed her temples with the other. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Xue Yunxu and Su Wuming lying on the ground, and her thoughts instantly returned: "Young Madam, you saved us?"

Duan Mingzhu pointed to the right: "She, the Second Madam saved you."

The second wife, Nianyao, and Liang Qingcheng sat side by side against the artificial hill, motionless.

Qin Jiu was shocked: "What happened to them?"

Duan Mingzhu touched her neck: "My sister fainted from poisoning just like you. Second Madam and Ninth Sister-in-law were knocked unconscious by Ah Dai."

Qin Jiu's gaze naturally fell on Duan Mingzhu's neck, where the pinch marks were very obvious.

Duan Mingzhu naturally noticed Qin Jiu's gaze: "Sister-in-law Jiu pinched me. She wanted to kill me, or rather, she wanted to kill you."

Suddenly turning around, tears streaming down her face, she yelled at Duan Mingzhu, "You're talking nonsense! My mother wouldn't kill anyone, nor would she kill my father..."

Duan Mingzhu scoffed, "I'm neither your father nor your mother, so I won't indulge you. If you yell at me again, I'll feed your whole family to the insects."

Buzhi snuggled closer to Qin Jiu. Qin Jiu wiped away his tears and coaxed him softly, "Buzhi, don't be afraid, Dad's here. Auntie was just scaring you."

He whispered, "Is she an aunt or an aunt? Mother said women are called aunts."

Qin Jiu said, "Whatever you like to call me."

I don't know: "Some people call her a witch..."

Duan Mingzhu raised an eyebrow, clearly startled. Qin Jiu smiled and eased the tension: "Young Madam is about to become a mother, why bother arguing with the child?"

Duan Mingzhu didn't mince words: "I just love to hold grudges."

Qin Jiu pretended not to hear and was about to put Buzhi down when Buzhi grabbed his neck and refused to let go.

Qin Jiu slung the unidentified object over his shoulder, walked to Xue Yunting's side, and pinched his philtrum with slight pressure. Xue Yunting cried out and opened his eyes: "Brother Jiu?"

Qin Jiu helped him sit up: "Mingzhu saved us."

Duan Mingzhu's tone was neither warm nor cold: "Your kung fu is better than Ninth Brother's, and you woke up later than him. Does that mean you have no worries about him?"

Xue Yunting felt a surge of gratitude stuck in his throat, unsure how to react.

Qin Jiu said in a low voice, "Business is more important."

The Jingzhao Manor was without a leader, and all the servants stood outside the ruins of the Xuanyuan Palace. When they saw Qin Jiu carrying Buzhi out, they all looked at each other in bewilderment, completely at a loss.

Awful, contrary to his usual dull-witted self, stood beside Qin Jiu and spoke in a strong and clear voice: "Master and Madam died in the fire, the eldest and second young masters also passed away, the third young master is missing, and the ninth young master has now been granted the title of Marquis by the Emperor, so it is only right that he assumes the position of Master of the Manor. Please pay your respects to the Master of the Manor and the young Master of the Manor."

Qin Jiu stood before the crowd, his expression solemn, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

The servant glanced at Ah Dai next to Qin Jiu and instantly realized: Qin Jiu is the Ninth Young Master of the Manor, the old master's own son, and a marquis bestowed by the Emperor of Nan Yue...

The servants immediately knelt down and said in unison, "Greetings, Master! Greetings, Young Master!"

Qin Jiu said calmly, "Everyone, disperse and go about your business."

The servants scattered in all directions, and Qin Jiu stared blankly at the bamboo grove opposite him. It is said that the former emperor of Nanyue once casually remarked, "One cannot live without bamboo, for without bamboo, one becomes vulgar." Thus, bamboo could be seen everywhere inside and outside the Xuanyuan Palace. In the past, the bamboo grew in clumps; now it grows in gardens.

I don't know if the bamboo is growing too fast, or if time is passing too quickly.

Seeing Qin Jiu lost in thought, Ah Dai tentatively called out, "Master of the Manor."

Qin Jiu said "Oh," and turned his head to say, "Uncle Adai."

Ah Dai seemed flattered: "Your Highness is too kind to this humble servant."

Qin Jiu smiled and said, "Uncle Adai, please arrange for someone to clean up Xuanyuan Palace. Those who perished in the fire should all be given a proper burial on Dongshan Island, since they were all from the village."

Ah-Dai lowered his head and said, "Yes."

Qin Jiu turned and walked to the rockery. Nian Yao had already woken up and was resting against the rockery. Qin Jiu put down Bu Zhi and bent down to pick up Liang Qingcheng: "Let's go."

When they returned to Shanshanju, Su Wuming had also woken up. Only Liang Qingcheng showed no signs of waking up at all.

Qin Jiu placed Liang Qingcheng in the main bedroom and summoned two servants: "You two keep a close eye on the madam and the young master. If there is any mishap, you'll be sent to Zhenze to feed the fish."