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

秦府

After tidying up at the Shen family's house and saying goodbye to the two, Qin Huaiyu returned home.

As usual, the servants were busy with their own tasks, but when they saw their master, they all stopped what they were doing to greet him. This was the treatment of the sons of wealthy families, with respect being the main focus.

"Where's Xiaoyao?"

Qin Huaiyu asked one of his servants.

"It seems like they're cleaning a side room."

"Go find her and have her come to my room!"

After saying that, Qin Huaiyu walked towards his room in the backyard.

Since Qin Hai's death, the main house in the front yard has remained empty. The servants guessed that something bad might have happened to their master, so they suggested that he move there, saying that an empty main house meant unrest in the house.

There's a reason behind the old saying, and he was also thinking about moving, but the thought of what that old guy did in the main house made him very resistant.

Especially that alchemy room; he had been inside a few days ago, and the things inside were truly beyond his imagination.

The old man's activities go beyond just playing with flowers; it seems he's researching something else entirely.

"I wonder where he got those things!"

Qin Huaiyu muttered as he entered the room, sat down at the table, picked up the blue and white porcelain teapot, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it all in one gulp without any regard for his image.

"Young Master, you were looking for me?"

Ziyao ran into the house. Her cheeks were rosy, making her look very cute.

I really want to pinch him!

Qin Huaiyu gestured towards the door with his chin.

Seeing this, Ziyao closed the door and walked to her young master's side.

"What's wrong, young master?"

"Xiao Yao, I told you to keep an eye on Butler Du, have you found anything?"

Qin Huaiyu asked, feeling that the white cinnabar grass leaf was too much of a coincidence.

Upon hearing this, Zi Yao wrinkled her nose slightly, thought for a moment, and said:

"It seems like nothing's wrong. He's still leaving early and returning late as usual. Some of the more experienced people have asked him about it, and he says it's about running business."

"It's that simple?"

Qin Huaiyu raised his hand and pressed it against his throbbing head.

"Didn't you notice anything subtle, like whether he was wearing anything different when he went out and came back, or whether he brought anything with him?"

"Young Master, now that you mention it, I remember now, there really is one!"

Zi Yao raised her eyebrows and said with some suspicion.

"What?" Qin Huaiyu asked hurriedly.

"Fuxinglong's steamed buns!"

Are you kidding me?

Qin Huaiyu's expression turned stern. "You look like a steamed bun to me!"

Upon hearing this, Zi Yao pouted and whispered with great grievance:

"Didn't you ask if I brought anything? Why are you blaming me now?"

Qin Huaiyu was speechless. Could words really be interpreted like that? Where's your brain?!

"What I'm asking about is something unusual and different from before, something that people don't understand?"

"Oh, I see!"

Zi Yao responded, then lowered her head and began to recall.

Seeing this, Qin Huaiyu shook his head, as if assigning her this task was really too much trouble for her.

He was starting to consider giving up.

"Oh right, yes!"

Qin Huaiyu was stunned, his mind not quite processing what was happening.

"It was the morning before yesterday when I went to sweep the floor of Butler Du's room and found a lot of mud where his bed and shoes were kept."

"soil?"

"Hmm, this loose soil is quite different from the soil we usually see, and it even has color."

"What color?"

"It looks like dark red!"

Qin Huaiyu narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure?"

Zi Yao nodded. "That's right, the soil is very special; it's hard to forget it."

Sure enough it was him!

Qin Huaiyu's heart trembled violently as images from a few days ago suddenly flashed through his mind.

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Du Ming's seemingly casual words, "Young Master, you seem to have changed," and the Xishan memorial service that came through his mouth.

It's like a line quickly connecting them.

What a coincidence!

Could it be that he did this on purpose, luring me to the Western Hills to discover the underground palace, and then using me to kill the Qin family father and son?

According to that logic, he should also know my fake identity as Young Master Qin.

The old man was also involved in the caravan's affairs. He arranged for the caravan to cooperate with the Shen family without consulting them, as if he were deliberately sending those people to their deaths.

Is he involved with Yinling Temple?

But what's going on with this valley? Where did those spiritual herbs come from? They're not something an ordinary person could obtain. Also, Li Yi is the missing person. Is there any connection between him and those two senior and junior siblings?

Old man, who exactly are you? What kind of conspiracy are you plotting?

Qin Huaiyu was in a terrible predicament. He felt as if he had fallen into a huge conspiracy, and one wrong step could lead to utter ruin.

"Young Master, what's wrong?"

Seeing that Qin Huaiyu was not speaking, Zi Yao asked with some concern.

"It's nothing, just a bit of a headache!"

"Then let me massage it for you."

As she spoke, Ziyao reached out and began pressing on his head.

Feeling the touch of that soft skin, Qin Huaiyu's agitated mood relaxed. He was not one to dwell on things, and he wouldn't have bothered by the current mess of clues.

"Xiao Yao, I have a question for you."

"Young master, just say it."

"Tell me your honest opinion of me, young master. No flattery allowed."

Qin Huaiyu squinted as he leaned against Zi Yao, feeling the unique warmth and softness of the girl.

"Hmm? How should I put it?"

Zi Yao pondered for a moment and said:

"The young master before was no good. He would always lose his temper for no reason, sometimes even hitting us. He also frequented brothels, spent money extravagantly, and would harass the maids when drunk. He bullied the weak because of his family background..."