Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Aunt Feng was even more wronged: "Madam, you must investigate thoroughly! I didn't set the fire, I wouldn't dare, would I...?"

Xu Chengyao interrupted, "Was it the Second Young Master who put it there?"

Aunt Feng was furious with Xu Chengyao: "You're just a kid, how can you be so vicious? My son went to Poyang to inspect for many days and hasn't returned yet. How dare you slander me like this?"

"Madam, this child's origins are unknown. He's a troublemaker, malicious and treacherous. The fire in the young mistress's courtyard and the disappearance of the eldest young master are certainly related to him."

Someone outside responded, "It has nothing to do with him."

Everyone turned around and saw a person soaking wet, struggling to climb up the steps on all fours. It was Qian Xuelin, whom Butler Tu had said was missing.

Butler Tu was the first to rush over and help Qian Xuelin up: "Young Master, where have you been?"

Qian Xuelin, supported by Steward Tu, walked to Madam Qian and knelt down: "Mother, I'm sorry to have worried you."

Mrs. Qian, tears streaming down her face, hugged Qian Xuelin tightly: "My son, you're awake! You're finally awake! You're a father now..."

Suddenly, Madam Qian's heart raced, she felt tightness in her chest and shortness of breath, and she fainted while holding Qian Xuelin.

Qian Xuelin cried out in alarm, "Mother, Mother..."

The scene was chaotic. Xu Chengyao tugged at Luo An's sleeve and whispered, "Go and take a look?"

This brat, how dare he order him around? Luo An pointed to the soft couch: "Just put Madam Qian there to lie down and rest."

Qian Xuelin had been lying still for too long and had crawled from the side courtyard to the main courtyard. He was already exhausted and could not stand up while holding Madam Qian.

Jiese couldn't bear to watch any longer, so he went over and picked up Madam Qian, placing her on the soft couch.

Qian Xuelin leaned on the armchair and stood up: "Doctor, is my mother alright?"

Luo An went over to check Madam Qian's breathing and heartbeat, unbuttoned the collar of her clothes and loosened them: "It's nothing, Madam Qian fainted due to emotional distress, she just needs to rest more."

Mrs. Qian is old and her emotions have been fluctuating greatly today. She was extremely excited to see her son awake and appearing in public.

There was a moment of silence in the room, and all the servants of the Qian family turned their attention to Qian Xuelin. Qian Xuelin was somewhat at a loss; he was timid by nature and, having just woken up, was still confused about the situation.

Xu Chengyao walked to Qian Xuelin's side, put his hands behind his back and said, "Everyone, someone is taking advantage of the chaos to steal Madam Qian's things."

Aunt Feng thought Xu Chengyao was trying to frame her: "There were only a few of you in the main room before. If Madam really lost something, you are the most suspicious. It has nothing to do with us."

The servants remained silent, but their expressions conveyed approval, and several even nodded slightly.

Xu Chengyao moved the armchair aside and helped Qian Xuelin sit down in it: "Young Master, I am here today to rid you of a traitor within your own family. Please forgive any shortcomings in my actions."

Xu Chengyao walked to the landscape painting and tapped on the wall; the sound was hollow. He took three steps back, then leaped up and kicked at the hidden door, but the door didn't budge.

Xu Chengyao kicked the door again, but it remained unmoved. He stood in front of the hidden door and pushed it several times, but still nothing happened.

Aunt Feng said angrily, "You came to the Qian residence to spread rumors and cause trouble, and now you're making things complicated. Who sent you, and what are your intentions?"

Xu Chengyao was surprised by how secure the hidden door was. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he asked Qian Xuelin, "Young Master, may I break through this wall?"

Qian Xuelin said slowly, "It's possible, but there's no need."

Xu Chengyao was about to raise his hand to beckon Jie Se to come up with his knife when he heard that it was okay, but when he heard that it was unnecessary, he was stunned: This young master Qian is too mild-mannered!

Qian Xuelin got up and turned the porcelain jar on the display shelf halfway around, then walked to the low table and turned the porcelain bottle halfway around as well. Everyone then saw the wall with the flower and bird paintings slide away, revealing a hidden door.

Xu Chengyao said to Jieqianjiese, "You two go in and drag the little thief out."

A group of servants craned their necks to look inside, and soon Jieqianjiese came out and whispered in Xu Chengyao's ear, "Nobody's here."

Xu Chengyao peeked suspiciously into the room. With the light coming through the doorway, the darkroom was completely visible. Boxes of all sizes were arranged in a row, and there were three large boxes stacked in the corner, each of which was locked.

Xu Chengyao panicked. He had clearly locked the person inside. Could it be that he had locked him up incorrectly, or that the person had an inside accomplice? He had been too reckless. He should have asked the Four Brothers to keep an eye on him.

Aunt Feng straightened her back instantly and shouted, "You all saw it! This child, whoever he came from, is causing trouble in the Qian family, spreading rumors and making false accusations, plotting something sinister. Why don't you kick him out right now?"

The servants immediately became restless, whispering among themselves, but no one dared to step forward. After all, Aunt Feng was only wearing a bodice and trousers, so she wasn't very intimidating.

Luo An, who hadn't spoken until now, went straight into the darkroom, followed by Qian Xuelin. Xu Chengyao and Aunt Feng stared at each other, neither willing to concede.

Luo An walked along the darkroom, tapping his fingers on the wall, but found nothing unusual after circling around. His gaze fell on the box: "Someone, move the box."

The four brothers carried the boxes out one by one. Qian Xuelin stood by, wanting to stop them but not daring to, looking caught in a dilemma.

When Jie Jiao picked up the top box in the corner, he found it very light. He shook it and it seemed to be empty. He looked at Luo An.

Luo An said, "Move out first."

When the last large box in the corner was lifted, Qian Xuelin exclaimed in surprise: there was a circular hole at the bottom of the box, and there was a darkroom below the darkroom.

Qian Xuelin panicked and hurriedly explained to Luo An, "I don't know."

This is the Qian residence. As the eldest son of the Qian family, Qian Xuelin allowed Luo An and several other outsiders of unknown origin to move the boxes in the secret room, and he was even in a hurry to explain to Luo An.

Luo An thought that such a young master was probably not capable of managing such a large family business. The road to building a family fortune is long and arduous, but it can be ruined in a day or two; the same principle applies to governing a country and a family.

Xu Chengyao poked his head in from the doorway: "Um... that..."

Luo An glanced at Xu Chengyao lightly.

Xu Chengyao suddenly felt his tongue get tied: "Master, Master, how is it?"

Luo An pulled out a pipe-like object and lit it: "This is poisonous smoke made from Gelsemium elegans. If it is not detoxified in time, one will die within twelve hours."

A pungent smell filled the air, and Qian Xuelin immediately jumped out of the darkroom. Luo An placed the chimney beside the dark hole, turned around, and left the darkroom, closing the door behind him.

Xu Chengyao immediately moved closer to Luo An and whispered, "Is anyone there?"

Luo An didn't respond: Cheng Yao was so confident that he sent Jieqianjiese to find people, and now he's asking him if he has anyone?

Luo An stood in the superior position, hands behind his back, exuding an air of supreme authority. None of the servants dared to utter a sound, and even Aunt Feng knelt obediently, completely losing her imposing presence.

Everyone in the room stared at the hidden door. Before long, the door opened, and a masked man in black rushed out and headed towards the main entrance.

They stepped forward simultaneously, grabbing the man's shoulders from both sides and slamming him to the ground, causing him to cry out in pain.

Aunt Feng's eyes widened immediately, and she covered her mouth in disbelief, suppressing the title that was about to slip out.

Qian Xuelin stepped forward and lifted the man's mask, and everyone was stunned: it was actually the second young master of the Qian family, the son that Aunt Feng had mentioned who had gone to Poyang to inspect for many days.