Chapter 311: The Disappearance of the Liu Family Overnight in the Capital
Despite the fact that the pastries in Guilanfang are not expensive, they are still considered a luxury for Qin Ruan, who used to long for them.
Until later, she gradually established her own small influence in the West City, finally being able to frequent Guilanfang.
Things that were easily obtained lost their initial value of unattainability, and her pursuit shifted to a different level.
But no matter how much time passed, whenever she wanted to eat pastries, Qin Ruan always had a special fondness for Guilanfang.
Qin Jingcen said to his female secretary, Liao Yu, who was reporting the company's situation in front of him, "Thank you for your hard work. You can go back now. I'll handle the rest at the company tomorrow."
"Okay."
Liao Yu tidied up the documents on the table, nodded lightly at the Qin siblings, and turned to leave.
Qin Ruan ate a black beef tongue pastry, watched Liao Yu's departing figure, and smiled as she asked Qin Jingcen, "Brother, is she the married woman that Tang Ya mentioned?"
"Yes, her name is Liao Yu. She's my secretary and has remarkable abilities. She's very competent."
A meaningful smile appeared on Qin Ruan's face.
Liao Yu's appearance couldn't be described as outstanding, but from her outward appearance, she seemed like a capable career woman.
Observing how she interacted with her elder brother, it didn't seem like there was anything between them.
Seeing Qin Ruan pick up another pastry, Qin Jingcen grabbed a tissue, wiped the crumbs from the corners of her lips, and said in a gentle tone, "If it's tasty, you should eat less. We'll have dinner soon."
Qin Ruan hesitated and said, "Brother, I'm going out later, so I won't eat at home."
Qin Jingcen glanced outside and said, "It's getting dark."
Qin Ruan avoided his gaze and replied, "There's something I need to take care of."
"Is it important?"
Qin Ruan nodded, "Very important!"
If Han Xian and Qin Anmin aren't resolved soon, who knows how much trouble it will cause.
She wants to crush these people into the mud, never to rise again.
Qin Jingcen was about to ask her what was so important when hurried footsteps approached.
The three siblings of the Qin family looked up and saw Hou Chuan walking quickly towards them.
Hou Chuan approached Qin Ruan and respectfully lowered his head, saying, "Madam, Third Young Master has arrived."
Qin Ruan widened her eyes, her heart skipping a beat, thinking, "It's over."
She promised the Hou Yunjiao that she would return for dinner.
At this hour, he must have come to fetch her.
Qin Ruan placed the remaining pastries on the table, picked up a tissue to wipe her hands, stood up, and asked Huo Chuan, "Where is he?"
"He's already outside the door."
Qin Ruan muttered to herself and quickly walked towards the door.
She had only taken a few steps when Hou Yunjiao entered the Qin family's hall under the escort of his secret guards.
Perhaps due to the late hour, Hou Yunjiao wore gold-rimmed glasses tonight.
His well-groomed hair fell slightly, covering his forehead, revealing his affectionate and deep peach blossom eyes. Coupled with the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, he exuded a touch of refined and dissolute temperament.
As Hou Yunjiao approached, one could feel his calm and reserved demeanor up close, making people involuntarily drawn to him.
Qin Ruan couldn't express the complexity in her heart. How many faces did this man truly have?
This harmless appearance was by no means his true nature.
Hou Yunjiao stood in front of Qin Ruan, his gaze slightly deep. "What's wrong? Why do you look so unhappy seeing me?"
The expression on Qin Ruan's face clearly revealed everything in her heart.
It was difficult for Hou Yunjiao to pretend he didn't notice.
And this girl wasn't like this only in front of him.
According to the information gathered earlier, if she displayed this kind of state, exposing all her thoughts on her face in front of others, how did she survive in the West City?
Privately, Hou Yunjiao was more inclined to believe that Qin Ruan was only like this in front of him.
Qin Ruan lowered her eyes, her voice barely audible. "I forgot."
"Hmm? Forgot what?"
Hou Yunjiao's eyes twinkled with a smile as he stared at her head, his face teasing.
"I forgot that I promised to have dinner with you."
"I know you forgot, that's why I'm here to accompany you." Hou Yunjiao lightly touched the tip of her nose, his tone gentle and indulgent.
"He held Qin Ruan's hand and walked towards Qin Jingcen and Qin Mei.
Facing the slightly hostile gazes of the two brothers, Hou Yunjiao nodded lightly at them.
Qin Jingcen stood up. "Is Third Master here to take Ruan Ruan away?"
"No, there are some things I need to tell you." Third Master lowered his gaze and asked Qin Ruan, "Have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
"Let's eat first and talk while we eat?"
The four of them moved to the Qin family dining room.
After taking their seats, Hou Yunjiaor noticed the absence of Qin Anguo and asked Qin Jingcen, "Is your father not at home?"
"Father is resting upstairs. He hasn't been feeling well lately."
Hou Yunjiao didn't ask further and beckoned to a hidden guard behind him.
The guard immediately approached with a tray of medicinal soup in his hands and placed it on the table.
Hou Yunjiao poured the medicinal soup into a bowl and placed it in front of Qin Ruan, gently instructing, "Drink it while it's hot."
"Thank you—" Qin Ruan held the bowl and started sipping it slowly.
Qin Mei, who had been quiet as if invisible, could no longer hold back.
He had always been a lively person and had been holding back for a long time; he had wanted to speak.
"Third Master, you said you have something to tell us. What is it?"
Qin Mei called him Third Master, but his tone and attitude showed no respect or deference.
"Nangong family."
As soon as these words were spoken, the three siblings from the Qin family stared straight at him.
Under the table, Hou Yunjiao held Qin Ruan's hand.
He leaned back in his chair, adopting a relaxed posture and spoke slowly, "Nangong Chang approached me today. He has set his sights on the Qin family."
"He can set his sights all he wants. Our Qin family is not afraid of him!"
Qin Mei already knew that Tang Ya was plotting against the Qin family with the support of the Nangong family.
Isn't Nangong Chang Tang Ya's lover?"
Thinking of this man, Qin Mei's hatred surged.
Hou Yunjiao chuckled lightly, his gaze shifting to Qin Jingcen.
Qin's Jingcen furrowed his brow, staring at Hou Yunjiao, their gazes silently clashing in the air.
Hou Yunjiaos eyes revealed a hint of deep concern, causing unease to stir within him.
Nangong Chang's visit today was primarily to convey two messages.
The other party knew that a month ago, it was Qin Ruan who had entangled with him at the Imperial Palace Hotel, testing his attitude towards Qin Ruan, or rather, towards the Qin family.
Secondly, just like the Xiao family, he was invited to attend the upcoming wedding of Nangong Chang and Xiao Wenrou.
Both were clever individuals, and there was no need for words to be explicitly stated.
Qiao Xi had someone break one of Xiao Yujie's legs, and the Xiao family proposed that they would not pursue Qiao Xi, but as the third son of the Hou family, he must attend the weddings of both the Xiao and Nangong families.
Nangong Chang's intentions were clear too. If the Qin family remained inactive, he would attend the wedding.
Hou Yunjiao couldn't help but laugh; what kind of situation was this?
An open and blatant calculation against him?
What kind of lavish gifts were prepared for the wedding, repeatedly inviting him with such enthusiasm?
Finally, Qin Jingcen couldn't bear it any longer and spoke first, "Third Master, why not speak your mind?"
Hou Yunjiao's calm face finally revealed a satisfied expression.
Fortunately, the Qin family still had astute individuals. If the Nangong family were truly that straightforward, there would be no need for him to make this trip.
"Nangong family is not easy to provoke, and it would be best to deal with Tang Ya," he said.
"Deal with her?" Qin Mei widened her eyes, wearing an incredulous expression on her face.
If she understood correctly, what Hou Yunjiao meant was to kill Tang Ya.
"Not to that extent," Qin Jingcen gently furrowed his brow.
Although his hands were not clean, he had never indirectly taken anyone's life.
Hou Yunjiao sneered, "Not to that extent? Do you understand who Nangong Chang is?"
Naturally, Qin Jingcen knew. When he had sent someone to investigate Tang Ya, he had also learned a bit about Nangong Chang.
He opened his mouth and said, "Arrogant and ignorant, a nobleman who indulges in eating, drinking, and pleasure, with a privileged background but no knowledge or skills, idle and aimless. He hasn't embarked on the path of officialdom until now."
With each word spoken by Qin Jingcen, a smile deepened on the lips of the Hou Yunjiao
But his eyes were cold and stern, sweeping over Qin Jingcen like a cold wind.
After the other party finished speaking, the Hou Yunjiao slightly parted his thin lips and said, "Ignorant!"
Upon hearing these words, Qin Ruan became displeased and lightly squeezed the Hou Yunjiao's hand under the table.
The Hou Yunjiao's thin lips lightly pursed, his icy and indifferent expression slightly softened.
He took a gentle breath and spoke to Qin Jingcen, "The Nangong family used to be the leading family among the six major families. However, due to their excessive ambitions, they gradually became more low-key in their actions.
In recent years, the Ling family in the noble families has been inclined to take the lead, but in reality, the Nangong family still firmly holds the top position and controls the other two noble families. Do you know why?"
Qin Jingcen didn't participate in those internal struggles, so naturally, he didn't know.
The Hou Yunjiao also didn't expect to hear his answer.
Qin Ruan had already married into the Hou family, and the Qin family was now tied to the Hou family's ship. As the future helmsman of the Qin family, Qin Jingcen had to understand these circumstances.
The Hou Yunjiao continued, "Let's not talk about the Nangong family's ambitions for now. Just speaking about Nangong Chang as a person, based on your limited understanding of him, I can confidently tell you that it's completely the opposite.
Nangong Chang keeps his true self hidden. He is vengeful, cruel, and ruthless in his methods. His ruthlessness surpasses imagination, and most importantly, Nangong Chang is the most highly valued scion in the family."
Faced with the eager gazes of the three siblings from the Qin family, the Third Master squeezed Qin Ruan's hand and said, "Drink the soup, the medicine's effect will be gone if it gets cold."
"Understood, please continue," Qin Ruan said while holding the bowl of soup, her eyes fixed on the man beside her, urging him to continue.
The Hou Yunjiao's brows furrowed, his tone casual but his aura unquestionable, "Tang Ya has been with Nangong Chang for so many years, occupying a special place in his heart. She is his favorite plaything, and this woman cannot be allowed to stay.
Nangong Chang let Tang Ya go today out of respect for the Hou family's face. If he sees Tang Ya again in the future, he will constantly remind her of today's humiliation. For him, the Qin family is like a thorn in his side."
"Is it that serious?" Qin Mei expressed doubt, feeling that the Third Master was exaggerating.
The Third Master smiled and asked Qin Jingcen, "Do you still remember the Liu family from back then?"
"The Liu family that disappeared overnight from the capital?" Qin Jingcen had a bad premonition.
The Liu family back then was much more prominent and wealthy than their Qin family. Their wealth was several times that of the Qin family.
Unfortunately, such an envied and wealthy family suddenly went bankrupt overnight, and all members of the Liu family disappeared from the capital without any trace or news.
"The daughter of the Liu family didn't want to become a plaything under Nangong Chang's command
When the Hou Yunjiao said this, not only did Qin Mei's body tremble, but Qin Jingcen's expression didn't look too good either.
Only Qin Ruan calmly placed the empty bowl in her hand on the table.
She raised her gaze and asked Huo Yunqiao, "What did Nangong Chang do to them?"
The Hou Yunjiao pursed his lips, intuitively feeling that the following words were not suitable for this girl to hear.
(End of this chapter)
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