Chapter 6: The Xiao Family Faces Imminent Confiscation

Qin Luoli closed the window and turned back to the table, her mind occupied by the shadow that had just flickered past. She pressed her lips together, deciding not to hesitate any longer; she had to uncover the secrets hidden within the Xiao family as soon as possible.

Donning a light robe, she slipped out of her room and made her way along the corridor toward the Xiao family's accounting office. The moonlight, liquid and pale, spilled across the flagstones, casting a profound silence over the grounds. Qin Luoli’s footsteps were soft, barely making a sound, yet within her heart, a thousand armies seemed to be charging.

She pushed open the doors of the accounting office. Inside, all was still, save for the rustle of leaves against the windowpanes. The room was filled with ledgers and abacuses, the air heavy with the faint scent of ink and aged paper. Qin Luoli walked to the desk, lit an oil lamp, and, by its flickering glow, began to examine the ledgers. As her fingers glided over the pages of accounts, she suddenly discovered an irregularity. Several entries had clearly been manipulated, the figures tampered with intentionally. Her heart raced, and a sense of foreboding washed over her.

"The Xiao family... it truly is not as simple as it seems," she whispered to herself, her brows knitted in concentration.

Just as she was meticulously cross-referencing the entries to find a pattern, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from outside. Alert, Qin Luoli quickly closed the ledger and sat at the table, feigning innocence. The door creaked open, and Xiao Jingxuan stepped in, his expression dark. He cast a cold, threatening glance at her. "Luoli, I advise you not to meddle in affairs that don't concern you. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Qin Luoli looked up, her gaze steady. "Brother, if you truly have a clear conscience, why be so nervous? If there is an issue, honesty is the best solution."

Xiao Jingxuan’s expression twisted. Gritting his teeth, he snapped, "You’ve barely been here a few days, and you dare to lecture me? Keep to yourself and stop looking for trouble."

Qin Luoli offered a faint, calm smile. "I only wish to uncover the truth to protect the Xiao family. If there is a problem, concealment will only make matters worse."

The tension between them was razor-sharp. Xiao Jingxuan’s hands clenched into fists, his eyes flashing with rage, but he eventually turned and left in frustration. The moment the door closed, Qin Luoli’s suspicions only hardened. She realized that the true crisis might have only just begun. She picked up the ledger once more, her fingertips tracing the paper as if touching the very veins of the Xiao family.

By the next morning, she had reached a conclusion and requested an audience with the Xiao Matriarch to reveal the discrepancies she had uncovered. At first, the old woman was skeptical, dismissing it as an overreaction, as the accountant was a long-serving servant of the family.

"Lier, you are new here; it is better not to draw hasty conclusions," the Matriarch warned.

"Madam, I do not speak without cause. I implore you to investigate," Qin Luoli replied firmly, presenting the ledger and pointing out the glaring flaws. "These accounts appear balanced, but they are riddled with schemes. If this continues, the family’s foundation will be hollowed out."

The Matriarch donned her spectacles and inspected the books. As she turned the pages, her expression grew increasingly grave. She took a deep breath and set the book heavily upon the table. "Lier, you have done well. I never imagined that old man would be so bold!"

Qin Luoli seized the moment to offer her suggestions. The Matriarch nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with appreciation. "Lier, you are a clever child. Were you a man, you would surely achieve great things!" From that day on, the Matriarch placed her full trust in Qin Luoli, looking at her with newfound respect.

That evening, Xiao Jingyuan came to Qin Luoli's room. He intended to ask about the accounting office but found her staring blankly at the garden. The setting sun cast a golden glow upon her, softening her features.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked gently.

Qin Luoli turned, smiling slightly upon seeing him. "I was thinking about how to help the Xiao family weather the coming storm."

Xiao Jingyuan sat beside her, moved. "I was surprised by your actions today."

"Oh? Surprised by what?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Surprised by how much you care for this family, and how... intelligent you are." His tone held a rare, hidden tenderness.

The atmosphere was light and warm, until a maid burst in, breathless and deathly pale. "General! Madam! It is terrible—Concubine Liu has... she has miscarried!"

Xiao Jingyuan and Qin Luoli exchanged a shocked look. The news of Liu’s pregnancy was common knowledge in the household, and a sudden miscarriage suggested foul play.

"Lead the way," Xiao Jingyuan commanded.

The courtyard was in chaos. In the bedroom, Concubine Liu lay pale as paper, her eyes shut, breathing weakly. A physician was attending to her, his brow furrowed.

"What happened?" Xiao Jingyuan demanded.

A maid knelt, weeping, "General, I do not know! She was fine after lunch, then suddenly she was in agonizing pain, and then..."

Qin Luoli surveyed the room, her gaze landing on a teacup by the bed. A faint, strange scent emanated from the dregs. She approached, sniffing it carefully. A familiar, sharp scent hit her. *Safflower?* She was startled; safflower was a potent herb that could induce miscarriage in pregnant women. She quietly tucked the cup away, the truth becoming clear.

"Doctor, how is she?" Xiao Jingyuan asked anxiously.

The physician sighed and shook his head. "I have done my best, but the child... could not be saved."

Concubine Liu opened her eyes and grasped Xiao Jingyuan’s hand, sobbing, "General, my child... my poor child..."

Qin Luoli watched from the side, a cold smile forming in her heart. Liu’s performance was truly convincing.

Over the next few days, the household was abuzz with talk of the miscarriage. Some called it an accident; others suspected foul play. Qin Luoli knew Liu would not give up; she would strike again. As expected, Liu secretly contacted those who opposed the Xiao family, planning to frame Qin Luoli. Qin Luoli, sensing the danger, remained calm, analyzing the situation and waiting for a chance to counter-attack.

When Liu’s plot was exposed, she confronted Qin Luoli in a rage, pointing a finger at her. "Qin Luoli, you wretch! You will pay for this!"

Qin Luoli laughed coldly, her eyes chilling. "Concubine Liu, you should be worried about yourself."

Liu’s expression shifted, suddenly realizing she had crossed a line she could not retreat from. "You... what have you done?"

Qin Luoli smiled, her tone enigmatic. "You will know soon enough."

Deep in the night, a shadow slipped into Concubine Liu’s courtyard.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jingxuan’s sister, Jingxuan, skipped into the garden, grabbing a maid and shouting excitedly, "Did you know? My sister-in-law is amazing! She saw through Concubine Liu’s tricks and chased all those bad people away!"

The maid giggled, "Indeed, Miss! Now everyone in the manor knows your sister-in-law is a Bodhisattva incarnate—courageous and wise!"

Jingxuan lifted her chin proudly. "Of course! She is the best sister-in-law in the world!"

As word of Qin Luoli’s "great deeds" spread through the manor, her status soared, and she became the center of admiration. The inner courtyard was decorated with lanterns and flowers, filled with joy. The Matriarch sat in the place of honor, looking at Qin Luoli with deep appreciation. "Lier, you truly are the guardian star of the Xiao family!"

Qin Luoli smiled modestly. "Madam, you praise me too highly. I only did what was right."

Xiao Jingyuan looked on with approval, his respect for her deepening. Yet, amidst the laughter, an express letter arrived, shattering the peace. Qin Luoli opened the missive, her expression turning ashen. It read: *The Xiao family is to be raided by the authorities!*

It was a bolt from the blue. The festive air vanished, replaced by a heavy, suffocating gloom. Qin Luoli gripped the letter so tightly her knuckles turned white. The Xiao family was on the brink of destruction. She took a deep breath, her eyes blazing with determination. "I must find a way to save this family!"