Chosen One, how did I end up as the villain?

秦府

"Young Master!"

At the gate, the two servants greeted Qin Huaiyu as he returned.

"Was anything unusual at the manor while I was away for two days?"

"Nothing's wrong, everything is fine in the manor."

Qin Huaiyu nodded, then entered the mansion, passed through the porch, and walked straight into the front hall.

At this moment, beside the tea table.

Ziyao was concentrating on wiping the tables and chairs, muttering to herself.

"It's been two days and he still hasn't come back. The young master is really something, leaving without even saying goodbye. What if something happens to him?"

"They're such grown-ups, and we still have to worry about them. They're such a worry."

"..."

Qin Huaiyu rolled his eyes. "Girl, talking badly about people behind their backs is very rude."

The sudden sound startled Zi Yao, who quickly turned around. Upon seeing who it was, she couldn't help but smile, but only for a moment before awkwardly lowering her head and picking her toes.

"Young Master, why do you always walk so stealthily?"

It's my fault.

Qin Huaiyu joked:

"If you speak too loudly, how can I hear your heartfelt words?"

"No, no!"

Zi Yao quickly denied it, saying:

"Young master, I was just worried about you."

Haha, this girl is so funny.

Qin Huaiyu, knowing when to stop, said:

"Alright, considering your sincerity, the young master will let it go. Where is Butler Zhao? Why haven't I seen him since I came back?"

Upon hearing that she had been spared, Zi Yao breathed a sigh of relief and said:

"I don't know. I don't know what he's been busy with lately. He always leaves early and comes home late. When he gets home, he just gives some instructions and leaves in a hurry. It seems like he's dealing with something important. I hardly ever see him."

What on earth is this old man doing? He's the one who's in charge of the caravan.

Shen Jie's final threat was definitely not a joke; the Qin family also had an inside man, and he was targeting me.

It seems we need to be more careful.

Qin Huaiyu pondered for a moment, then had an idea. "Yao'er, how about you do me a favor?"

Ziyao nodded without hesitation.

"While you're busy moving around the manor, keep an eye on Steward Zhao for me. See if he's been behaving strangely lately, but remember, don't follow him and don't get caught!"

Before confirming the other party's identity, Qin Huaiyu had to ensure the safety of his own people.

None of the people involved in this matter are ordinary people. If he rashly lets the girl follow him, she might be discovered and put in a desperate situation. He can't bring himself to trade a life for a clue.

Besides, how could such a beautiful girl be allowed to marry off to some old geezer?

Upon hearing this, Zi Yao opened her almond-shaped eyes wide and exclaimed in surprise:

"Young Master, what's wrong with Butler Zhao? Has something happened?"

"Nothing much, just concerned!"

Qin Huaiyu gave a perfunctory reply, then gave further instructions with lingering concern.

"Remember, just keep an eye on things within the manor, and don't worry about anything else."

Young Master lied to me again. How could he be so caring? Something must have happened to Steward Zhao.

Zi Yao pouted and nodded in agreement, "Okay!"

If we approach it from both overt and covert angles, there shouldn't be any problem.

Qin Huaiyu pondered for a moment, confirming there were no problems, and then asked:

"Yao'er, you know about what's been happening in town lately regarding the Hidden Spirit Temple, right?"

"Know."

Zi Yao nodded, a look of admiration appearing on her pretty face, and said impatiently:

"Young Master, you already know, right? Now you're sure I wasn't lying to you. Yinling Temple is truly effective. It's amazing how it works for making money, finding a partner, and raising children. It's practically a miracle."

Sigh, their brains have been completely brainwashed. I have to say, Yinling Temple really understands people's psychology and has done a great job.

Qin Huaiyu sighed. He wanted to offer some advice, but then thought better of it.

After all, like most people in the town, the girl had been blinded by self-interest. Only by tearing off that veil of hypocrisy in public could she be freed from this immoral belief.

"Didn't you say that planting money was a secret? How come everyone in town knows about it after only two days? Do you know who spread the word?" he asked.

The news spread so quickly that it must have been deliberately orchestrated.

"It's all because of that scoundrel Zheng. He spends his days indulging in debauchery and talks nonsense when he's drunk, revealing all his secrets."

Zi Yao's face fell, and she looked at Qin Huaiyu with some resentment. It's all the young master's fault for not allowing me to have a child, causing me to lose so much. Otherwise, I would be a little rich woman by now.

"Cough, cough"

"Yao'er, is the young master short of money? Let me tell you, having so much money is useless, especially since it's not clean. Can't we just be honest and upright people?"

Qin Huaiyu coughed and explained, "Most of this money is from my own family that was robbed. If I had known, I would have invested all my assets and made you bunch of bastards lose everything."

Pshaw, another lie!

Zi Yao gave him a disdainful look. "Young Master is right. If we have no money, then all we have left is our innocence."

"............."

Qin Huaiyu was speechless after being rebuked and could only temporarily avoid the limelight. Fortune changes every thirty years, and one should not underestimate a young master's poverty.

The truth will come out sooner or later, and then the serfs will be overthrown and become masters.

"Alright, stop being so resentful. A young girl with so much bitterness and hatred will only affect her appearance. By the way, what do you know about that Zheng Laizi?"

It was rare to see her young master get the short end of the stick, and Zi Yao felt a little smug, but she still answered the question truthfully:

"That guy is a scoundrel. According to my fellow villagers, Zheng Laizi used to be a wicked man. He not only stole petty things, but also committed robbery and even murder. If he hadn't gone to Yinling Temple to pray to Buddha, he wouldn't have the good life he has now."

"Was this person the first person to plant money?"

Qin Huaiyu didn't care about his past; he only cared about the other person's connection with Yinling Temple.

Zi Yao frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said:

"It seems he really is the first one. I've never heard of anyone else planting money trees before, and he's the one who has made the most money. Otherwise, he wouldn't have become rich in such a short time."

The first example set up, this person seems to have an unusual relationship with Yinling Temple, otherwise he would not have been treated so well. So what exactly was he used for?

Qin Huaiyu was puzzled; it seemed he needed to investigate.

"Young Master, why are you asking these questions? Even with the facts right in front of you, do you still not believe in Yinling Temple?" Zi Yao asked, frowning.

"No, don't misunderstand, I'm just a little curious."

Qin Huaiyu chuckled, then became serious again, and said:

"Yao'er, there's something else. You must have heard about the Dharma assembly at Yinling Temple this time."

Upon hearing this, Zi Yao's almond-shaped eyes snapped open.

"Oh, right, young master, I almost forgot. Yesterday, a monk from Yinling Temple sent a message that Master Kongzhi invites you to the Dharma assembly in three days."

Well, this host is really keeping his word, as if he's afraid we won't come. Judging from this, Shen Wan'er and the town mayor should have been notified as well.

Qin Huaiyu frowned. "You guys will probably be going too, right?"

"Of course, Master Kongzhi has never held a Dharma assembly before. This time, he is praying for everyone, and blessings will surely come from heaven. Nobody wants to miss it!" Ziyao said, a longing expression on her face.

Blessing?

Qin Huaiyu refused to believe it no matter what, and shook his head, firmly memorizing the information he had obtained.

"I hope so. Yao'er, you go ahead and do your work. I'm going out for a bit and won't be back for lunch."

With that, he walked outside.

"Sigh, it seems the young master still doesn't believe. Wouldn't it be better to be a devout believer?"

Zi Yao watched the disappearing figure and murmured to herself.

........