Chapter 9: Are You Willing?

Qin Hanyue stood on the ground with a frosty expression and a resolute face. She showed no fear of the authority radiating from Qin Hongyuan. She said coldly, “There is no room for negotiation in this matter!” Then, her voice turned sorrowful as she continued, “Father, I am your daughter. Qin Li… is your own grandson!”

Qin Hongyuan was expressionless and looked at his daughter indifferently. A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth. “Grandson? How dare you say that? You say he is my grandson? Do you know how much shame you brought upon our Qin Family back then? Do you know how much pressure I endured to protect you and your son? Many times, I thought it would have been better if you never came back, alive or dead. Our Qin Family would only have a missing daughter, not an extra bastard!”

Qin Hanyue’s face turned pale. She bit her lower lip hard to keep her tears from falling. Suddenly, she smiled, but her smile was full of bitterness. She whispered, “I always knew that Qin Li never had any place in your heart! But I never expected that you would also think… he is… a little bastard!”

Qin Hongyuan seemed to realize his words were too harsh. He took a deep breath and softened his tone. “Xiao Yue, you know, this matter has always been like a thorn in my heart! You know how much I… cherished you back then.”

Qin Hanyue gave a faint smile, her eyes filled with desolation and loneliness. She nodded and said, “I know, of course I know… If that incident hadn’t happened, I would probably… be a noble imperial consort by now…”

Qin Hongyuan’s face stiffened for a moment before he waved his hand. “There’s no need to bring up the past. You need to understand one thing: I came to tell you about this matter not to ask for your opinion, but to inform you of my decision! Also, this matter is not at all disadvantageous for Qin Li! Given his status, isn’t it enough that he can marry the most favored direct granddaughter of the Shangguan Family? Are you willing to let your son be looked down upon for his entire life? Not to mention anything else, just based on that old scoundrel Shangguan Tie’s influence, once this marriage is settled, who would dare bully Qin Li? The Shangguan Family doesn’t even mind your son’s disgraceful status, yet you’re the one who’s picky! I’m telling you, this matter is settled!”

After saying this, Qin Hongyuan stormed out, slamming the door behind him. He originally thought that by personally coming to tell Qin Hanyue about this matter, she would be overjoyed and agree immediately. The daughter of the Shangguan Family was exceptionally beautiful—of course, if one ignored her skin color… But even so, there were plenty of people willing to propose a marriage. It wasn’t as if she couldn’t get married! Qin Hongyuan repeatedly comforted himself in his heart. However, thinking of his daughter’s stubbornness, he still felt somewhat frustrated. This matter was different from others; if handled well, the Qin Family would surpass the Fang Family in one move! They would become the true second most powerful noble family in Huangsha City! And the key to this matter lay with Qin Li.

He glanced at Qin Li’s room. The lights were off. Qin Hongyuan hesitated for a moment but still walked toward it. He spoke to the empty air behind him, “Watch her. Don’t let her come and ruin my plans!”

A soft voice came from the air, “Yes!”

Qin Hongyuan walked to the door of Qin Li’s room and raised his hand to knock.

At that moment, Qin Li had just completed two cycles of energy circulation and taken a bath. He felt refreshed and incredibly energetic. He believed that if Qin Yong were to stand before him now, he could easily defeat him!

Qin Li’s room was a large suite. He was in the inner room, preparing to rest, when he heard the knocking. Thinking it was the charming maid Qin Xue, he casually said, “Come in!”

As the door opened, Qin Li could tell from the footsteps that it wasn’t her. He turned around and saw that it was actually the Family Head, Qin Hongyuan. Qin Li felt neither fondness nor strong dislike for this relatively unfamiliar old man. He bent slightly at the waist and said, “I didn’t know the Family Head was coming…”

Qin Hongyuan waved his hand, sat down casually, and said directly, “No need for formalities, Qin Li. I haven’t met you before and don’t know much about you. I suppose you are aware of our relationship. After all, blood is thicker than water. No matter how reluctant I am to admit it, you are my grandson, right?”

Qin Li smiled awkwardly and did not reply.

Qin Hongyuan continued, “The reason I came to see you so late today is that there’s something I want to hear your opinion about!” As he spoke, Qin Hongyuan fixed his intense gaze on Qin Li.

Qin Li lifted his head. On his young face, he showed just the right amount of confusion and asked, “My opinion? Could I possibly help share your worries?”

“Haha!”

The suffocating anger Qin Hongyuan had felt from his earlier encounter with his daughter vanished completely. At the same time, he felt a bit regretful: This is also an outstanding seedling! What a pity… he can’t be openly used by our Qin Family! But that’s just as well—it saves me from having to beat around the bush.

“You really are a clever child!” Qin Hongyuan praised him first. Seeing Qin Li’s face flush slightly, he felt even more satisfied. He couldn’t help but regret whether his past indifference toward this child had been too harsh.

“It’s like this: Have you ever heard of the Little Princess of the Shangguan Family?” Qin Hongyuan asked with a smile, his tone gentle.

If other members of the Qin Family saw this, they would be shocked out of their minds. The Family Head, who always wore a stern expression, had never been so gentle before!

Qin Li frowned. Although he pretended to be naive on the surface, deep down he didn’t think Qin Hongyuan’s visit would bring any good news. If there were good things, would they ever come to him, Qin Li? That was simply a joke!

From his memory, he seemed to have heard the Qin Family servants mention that forbidden topic of the Shangguan Family. It was said that the Shangguan Family had a girl who was the reincarnation of a demon, and she was extremely ugly. If not for the fact that the Shangguan Family Head, Shangguan Tie, was incredibly powerful, such a child would probably have been secretly disposed of at birth!

Qin Li still remembered the fearful expressions on the servants’ faces when they whispered about it, as if they were scared.

Thinking of this, Qin Li’s expression changed slightly. He thought to himself, “When someone acts overly kind without reason, it’s surely for no good purpose!”

While Qin Li was lost in thought, Qin Hongyuan watched his expression closely. At that moment, he gave a light laugh and said, “Qin Li, you’re a smart child. Your grandfather won’t waste words with you. I’m asking you now: If there was an opportunity for both your mother and you to gain high status! A life of poverty and lowliness would be a thing of the past! No one would dare laugh at you or mock you ever again. And you would live a truly luxurious life! Wealth and honor would be yours to enjoy for the rest of your life. Are you… willing?”

Are you… willing?

Suddenly, an image flashed in Qin Li’s mind: A tall, imposing young man looked at him with contempt, a disdainful sneer on his lips. With a casual palm strike, the force he unleashed shattered the hardwood stake that Qin Li had been practicing on for five or six years—already full of dents—into splinters. Then the young man said, “Foundation Master? Foundation… is useless!”

That scene was deeply engraved in Qin Li’s soul. Even though it wasn’t him, he felt it as if it were.

Qin Li suddenly looked up at Qin Hongyuan, who appeared calm but whose eager eyes betrayed him. He slowly said, “It wouldn’t make a difference if I said I wasn’t willing, right?”

Qin Hongyuan was slightly taken aback, then nodded.

“Then, can I… meet that… girl?” A strange smile suddenly appeared in Qin Li’s eyes. Blue skin? Interesting.