That evening, Yun Qing told Yuxi about Qin Zhao going to the capital.

Yuxi asked, “Husband, is it possible for you to tell me about your relationship with the Qin family?” When Yun Qing went to Marshal Qin for shelter, this act was equivalent to him owing Marshal Qin a great favour. Debts were easy to pay, but not when it came to owing favours. So Yuxi must know the causes and consequences beforehand.

After a moment of silence, Yun Qing told her, “Marshal Qin and my Grandfather were sworn brothers. It was only later they had a fall out for some reason.” As for what the reason was, Yun Qing himself was unclear.

Yuxi understood and asked, “Then how did Marshal Qin treat you over the years?”

Yun Qing said, “His favour is tantamount to giving me a new lease of life. If it weren’t for Marshal Qin, I would have died long ago. Moreover, if it wasn’t for Marshal Qin’s cultivation, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have now.” As long as Marshal Qin had the intention to suppress his military achievements, he would not have risen this fast.

Yuxi had a question in her heart. “Marshal Qin is so benevolent and righteous, but why is Qin Zhao……hmm, there is nothing good to say about him?” Nothing good was her tactful way of describing him. However, how could he be considered anything good when he could even collude with the Song family?

Yun Qing laughed bitterly. “Qin Zhao actually had two brothers. Apart from Qin Zhao, his older brother and younger brother were talented in literature and martial arts. Even their temperaments were pretty good. Unfortunately, when the two went to Xinping City, the Qin family’s enemies knew about their whereabouts, and they were assassinated. On the contrary, Qin Zhao had not been well when he was a child and was raised by the Luo family, his maternal grandparents’ family in Xinping City. Old Madam Luo truly doted on him.” With the loss of his two outstanding grandsons, which left him with Qin Zhao, the unskilled one, one could imagine what a blow this was to Marshal Qin.

When Yuxi heard his words, her heart turned cold. Not only Yun Qing and her life were in danger, but their future child’s safety would also become a big issue. “When Qin Zhao goes to the capital this time, he must be up to no good. Does Husband have any plans? We can’t keep putting up with it, can we?”

Yun Qing knew what Yuxi meant and said after a moment of silence, “Marshal Qin has shown great kindness to me. I can’t do something that can make me forget favours and violate justice.”

Yuxi was speechless after hearing this. Without the protection of Marshal Qin, Qin Zhao became a thorn in the flesh of the eyes by colluding with the Song family. The Song family had long hated that they could not get rid of Yun Qing quickly. That person, however, was unable to send Qin Zhao to his death because he owed a favour to Marshal Qin. This act gave Qin Zhao the tempo to properly plan for Yun Qing’s death instead. Yuxi wondered, when she died in her previous life, Yun Qing was still alive and well! How much luck did Yun Qing have to live that long?

Yuxi stated, “I will write to Dage to keep an eye on Qin Zhao’s movements.” It was useless to be anxious about that right now. This current urgent matter had to be solved first.

After undergoing a rough experience while riding the horse, Yuxi fell asleep once she finished talking. Yun Qing looked at the sweetly sleeping Yuxi, smiled a little and also fell asleep.

The following day, Yuxi got up without seeing Yun Qing around. After dressing herself up, she asked Zijin, “When did the General leave?”

Zijin said, “He got up when the rooster was crowing. But Miss doesn’t have to worry. The General had his morning meal before he left.” The so-called morning meal was actually a bowl of noodles. After all, it was too early, and Mama Bai had just gotten up!

Yuxi blushed with shame. She was too irresponsible as a wife. Fortunately, there was no mother-in-law. If there was one, she would definitely be disliked.

After breakfast, Yuxi wanted to go to the study to write a letter. Still, unexpectedly a young page came over, inviting her to the front courtyard and telling her that Huo Changqing was looking for her. Yuxi wondered, what did Huo Changqing want from her?

Huo Changqing didn’t go round the curves and skirt the corners when it came to talking to Yuxi. “You should know about Yun Qing’s situation, right?” How could she not know? She nearly suffered two murderous schemes because of him.

Yuxi didn’t need to hide her true self and fabricate an excuse when talking to an intelligent person like Uncle Huo. She nodded and said, “I know everything. I also asked He Rui last night, and he said that Marshal Qin was very kind to him and he could not do anything ungrateful back.” To accept any beating passively had never been the best long-term solution.

Huo Changqing looked at Yuxi and asked, “What do you have in mind?”

Yuxi gave out an awry cry as she shook her head. “I have nothing for now.” No elders liked having their daughters-in-law be too capable.

Huo Changqing had experienced so many things, so how could he not see that Yuxi was not answering him truthfully. He immediately asked, “Is Duke Han very close with the Yu family?”

Yuxi’s mind was sharp, but she still nodded and replied, “Yes. I’m not sure if my Dage was able to get the position of Assistant Minister of War without the Yu family approach. I don’t know why Uncle Huo is asking this?”

Huo Changqing stated very bluntly, “If Qin Zhao doesn’t die, Yun Qing will always be in danger.” As for the other matter, he had no intention of telling Yuxi.

Yuxi originally thought that Huo Changqing wanted to get in touch with the Yu family through her Dage, but now, she saw that this was not the case at all. “What does Uncle Huo mean?”

Huo Changqing explained, “The Yu family has always wanted to rope in Yun Qing, but Yun Qing refused. As long as the Yu family can promise to get rid of Qin Zhao, I will talk to Yun Qing.”

Yuxi looked at Huo Changqing. Ginger got spicier as it got older. This move was not only asking for the Yu family’s help but also to use their hands to get rid of Qin Zhao. That way, Yun Qing would not have to bear the reputation of being an ungrateful person. “Will He Rui agree?” Although the time she spent with Yun Qing wasn’t that long yet, she could see that Yun Qing was a very principled person. He would not easily change for external reasons.

Huo Changqing voiced out, “You can rest assured about this.”

Listening to these words, Yuxi went silent for a moment before saying, “Uncle Huo, I can’t put this matter in my letter home. If the Yu family truly wants to draw He Rui to their side, they will surely come to your door sooner or later.” To take advantage of someone wasn’t the same as selling and buying. The first one to take the initiative would fall into a disadvantageous position. The Yu family had never been good-natured people. Once they had the upper hand, the other party would suffer a significant loss in the future.

Huo Changqing was very satisfied with Yuxi’s answer. “Yun Qing has a rigid way of thinking. If he does not do something right, you can give him some guidance.”

Yuxi shook her head and said, “What kind of words are you saying, Uncle Huo? I don’t know anything about what’s going on outside. Where would I dare to criticise He Rui’s business?”

Huo Changqing just shrugged her argument off as he reasoned out, “Don’t sell yourself short. I believe you have this ability. By the way, if you want to know what’s going on outside, you can go directly to Xu Wu, and he will tell you everything he knows.” It was the same as letting Yuxi keep track of the outside movements.

Yuxi was somewhat baffled by how Huo Changqing had such high confidence in her.

It was not only Yuxi who had this doubt, but also Xu Wu. He wondered, “Yifu, isn’t it inappropriate to let Madam know so many things just after she married into the family?” He just thought Madam should focus more on managing the internal affairs.

Huo Changqing argued, “What’s wrong with that? Han Shi is Yun Qing’s wife, so there is no harm in her knowing these kinds of things. Besides, it’s not like you don’t know Yun Qing’s temperament. Some things can’t just be left to him.” If he let Yun Qing have his way with that temperament of his, he was afraid Yun Qing would have long been gone.

Xu Wu had nothing else to say to dispute.

When Yuxi returned to her study, she wrote a letter to Han Jianming, asking him to keep an eye on Qin Zhao’s movements and nothing else.

Zijin went out for a walk and came back to tell Yuxi about Fu Qingluo. “Miss, this Fu Qingluo is a real heroine!”

Yuxi laughed. “A heroine?” What had that woman done to everyone’s satisfaction that Zijin would call her ‘heroine’.

Zijin said, “What Miss does not know, this Miss Fu has killed the northern barbarians. It is said that she has learnt the 36 styles of the Fu family’s marksmanship much better than the Eldest Master Fu.”

Yuxi nodded. With these characteristics, Fu Qingluo was worthy of being called a heroine. “How does she usually act?” She thought that Miss Fu must have acted inappropriately. Otherwise, Yun Qing would not have that kind of look.

Zijin said: “Miss Fu is cynical and fierce.” The reason Fu Qingluo was said to be a fierce person was that she had personally turned her fiancé into a eunuch, which caused a big stir back then.

Yuxi felt that she must be overthinking. What did it mean by turning her fiancé into a eunuch? That was the same as making the other person incapable of having s*xual intercourse any further.

Zijin chuckled as she retold the story, “Miss Fu was previously engaged to marriage. Her fiancé was the Tenth Young Master Qu, from Miss Fu’s zumu ()’s maiden family. When the Tenth Young Master Qu was fifteen years old, he fell in love with a commoner and made the girl pregnant. Because of this, Miss Fu knew that she would have to withdraw from the marriage, and both families had accepted her request. As a result, the Tenth Young Master Qu was unwilling to break off the engagement. Thus, he met Miss Fu face to face, accusing the commoner girl of seducing him for his glory and wealth. He liked Miss Fu the most and wanted to marry only her. In a fit of rage, Miss Fu beat the Tenth Young Master Qu family until he was incapable of having any s*xual intercourse.” Since The Tenth Young Master Qu could no longer provide an heir to himself, he had no other choice but to marry the commoner woman as his wife. Luckily for him, the woman gave birth to a son. But it was also this incident that made Fu Qingluo famous.

Yuxi frowned a little. Fu Qingluo must have felt pleasure in trashing the Tenth Young Master Qu, but how would the two families interact with each other in the future? Even if they still could, they did it while having a knot in their heart. “Apart from this, is there anything else?” There must be more than just this one thing that could make Yun Qing find Fu Qingluo to be annoying.

Zijin hesitated before answering, “Miss Fu abhors evil as if it is her deadly foe. When she met the local ruffians and hooligans who bullied gentlewomen, she also castrated them.”

Yuxi couldn’t help but touch her nose. “What else?”

Zijin said, “Miss Fu does not bother about trifles unrelated to principles. She treats many people in the army as if they are her brothers.” This was what Zijin has modified. Actually, the rumours outside were awfully unpleasant to hear. However, Zijin felt that Fu Qingluo was living quite well, unrestrained and free, unlike her Miss, who was highly oppressed.

Yuxi sort of knew why Yun Qing did not like Fu Qing Luo and forbade her to get close to her. As it turned out, this must have been the reason. “Do the Fu family people not care about her?”

Zijin shook her head and said, “I’m not sure about that.”

Yuxi felt that the Fu family people could not control this girl anymore. Otherwise, they would not have let her act so carelessly.

Zijin paused before saying, “Miss, in fact, General Fu initially wished to propose Miss Fu to be with the General, but the General rejected it.” Not only did Yun Qing refuse, but even the other two young generals that General Fu had his eye on also did the same thing. It was okay for Fu Qingluo to break her engagement. It was justifiable to beat the Tenth Young Master Qu until he was incapable of having s*xual intercourse. However, to act brotherly with other men was something that not many men could accept.

Yuxi felt a little pity for Fu Qingluo. She feared that what the Tenth Young Master Qu did back then had left a deep shadow on Fu Qingluo and made her act a little extreme. If she kept on behaving like this, she would be the one who suffered in the end.