Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 63

“You know you just arm-wrestled with Qiao Tiezhu, right?” Qin Mo’s tone was soft and cautious, as if he were afraid that speaking too loudly would frighten Lu Tang.

Lu Tang rolled her eyes, “I’m not possessed by a ghost!”

Qin Mo:

He let out a big sigh of relief.

“Then why did you suddenly want to arm-wrestle him? What were you thinking?”

When Lu Tang suddenly smiled ominously and stared at Qiao Tiezhu with that chilling look, it seemed like she wanted to swallow him whole. Not only did Qiao Tiezhu get scared out of his wits, but even Qin Mo was taken aback.

This little fool could have such a presence?

Of course, Lu Tang couldn’t tell Qin Mo that Qiao Tiezhu had snatched her championship title, almost causing her to face punishment. She simply said, “I was trying to scare him.”

Qin Mo was about to ask more when they heard a trembling voice from outside, “Young Master, have you gone to bed?”

Qiao Tiezhu had returned.

Lu Tang was puzzled. Why did he come back? “No, come in.”

The door opened, and Qiao Tiezhu, pale and trembling, came in. As soon as he reached Lu Tang, he knelt down with a thud.

Lu Tang:

Qin Mo: ?

“I’m sorry, Young Master. I’m sorry to Madam, I’m sorry to the Qiao family. I deserve to die. Please forgive me, Young Master.”

Lu Tang:

Qin Mo: So, the little fool planned this all along? Using mysterious and terrifying tactics to break Qiao Tiezhu’s psychological defenses? This little fool has some tricks up his sleeve.

Lu Tang was momentarily unsure of what Qiao Tiezhu wanted, so she remained silent.

Kneeling on the ground, Qiao Tiezhu cried uncontrollably, his snot bubbling out.

“Young Master, I didn’t intend to go against the Qiao family. I had no choice. You know, I have three sons, two of whom joined the army and went to the Western Mountain Camp in the capital. Recently, I received news that both my sons were involved in a fatal incident. I had no choice. Only Gu Yunhe could help me, so I agreed to his demands.”

Qiao Tiezhu banged his head on the ground.

Qin Mo’s heart skipped a beat.

Western Mountain Camp again?

First, the new inn employee Er Bao’s brother had trouble at Western Mountain Camp, and now Qiao Tiezhu’s two sons had issues there too.

Qin Mo’s fingers twitched slightly, and he asked, “How do you know Gu Yunhe could help you?”

Qiao Tiezhu replied, “A while ago, I went to Sihe Town on business and overheard two customers talking in a restaurant. They said Gu Yunhe is a great philanthropist and helps any child from Qingshui County who has trouble in the capital. Gu Yunhe’s clan has a high-ranking official in the capital. I was desperate, so I immediately went to find Gu Yunhe. He agreed to help me. I thought he was just being kind, but then he used it to threaten me.”

Lu Tang’s face grew cold.

The same trick Gu Yunhe used on both Yushunhai and Qiao Tiezhu had worked effectively.

Thinking of Yushunhai’s specific mention that Gu Yunhe helped children from Qingshui County in the capital, Lu Tang’s suspicions deepened.

She coldly looked at Qiao Tiezhu, “If you’re being threatened by him, why come here and confess?”

Qiao Tiezhu wiped his tears: Gu Yunhe asked me to keep an eye on you, but after arm-wrestling with you, actions spoke louder than words. I had no choice but to confess! I still have one son left! If I don’t confess, you’ll surely target my remaining son. If I do confess, you might not expose me to Gu Yunhe. If you deal with Gu Yunhe, I can protect both sides and only lose myself in the end.

Qiao Tiezhu had thought it through clearly; he just wanted to save his sons’ lives.

“I was blinded by greed before. Young Master, for the sake of my years of loyalty to the Qiao family, forgive me this once. If you need me to deliver any messages to Gu Yunhe, I will.”

He was offering to be Lu Tang’s spy.

Lu Tang smiled, “No need. Just tell me what you know.”

Hearing that Lu Tang didn’t need him, Qiao Tiezhu was terrified, thinking Lu Tang wouldn’t give him a chance. His face turned pale, but he hurriedly recounted everything he knew. Unfortunately, it wasn’t much.

“Gu Yunhe told me to spread the news about the dam construction in the village and make everyone look forward to it. If anything happens, I’m to lead people to Madam Qiao to complain. That’s all he said. He also told me not to contact him unless necessary and just lead people to make trouble for Madam Qiao when needed.”

Lu Tang and Qin Mo exchanged glances. Qiao Tiezhu’s words aligned with Lu Tang’s previous analysis.

Lu Tang waved her hand, “You can go.”

Qiao Tiezhu, trembling, said, “Young Master, I…”

Lu Tang, expressionless, was about to wave him away again when she remembered something, “When did Gu Yunhe contact you?”

Qiao Tiezhu quickly replied, “About a month ago.”

Lu Tang frowned.

A month ago, Lu Deren hadn’t been exposed yet. Gu Yunhe was still plotting with Lu Deren to drive her and her family away and seize their property. Why would he instruct Qiao Tiezhu to cause trouble for her mother at that time? Shouldn’t he have targeted Lu Deren instead?

“A month ago, did he tell you to cause trouble for my mother if something happened here?”

Qiao Tiezhu, not understanding her point, nodded dumbly, “Yes.”

Lu Tang glanced at Qin Mo, then dismissed Qiao Tiezhu, “You can go. If Gu Yunhe contacts you again, you don’t need to inform me. Just follow his instructions, unless it involves something fatal.”

Qiao Tiezhu understood Lu Tang’s intention and quickly agreed before leaving.

Once he was gone, Lu Tang turned to Qin Mo, “When did the court decide to start the water management project?”

“Six months ago,” Qin Mo replied calmly.

Lu Tang frowned deeply, “That fool Lu Deren was completely unaware of being played by Gu Yunhe!”

The plan for the water management project had been made six months ago. Gu Yunhe likely had plans against the Qiao family from then on.

If she wasn’t mistaken, Gu Yunhe initially sided with Lu Deren, waiting for him to succeed before stepping in to support her mother and reclaim the family property from Lu Deren.

Otherwise, why would he have given such instructions to Qiao Tiezhu a month ago when nothing had happened yet?

But why?

Why target the Qiao family? The Qiao family had no officials in court, posing no threat to Gu Zongming.

Qin Mo looked at Lu Tang and hesitated, “Gu Yunhe’s motive might not be just about the Qiao family.”

Lu Tang looked at him.

Qin Mo pursed his lips, “Your inn’s worker Er Bao, his brother was a cook in the Western Mountain Camp.”

Lu Tang knew this.

“He’s dead.”

Lu Tang:

“Poisoned.”

Lu Tang: