Chapter 18: Refusal

“Qin Feng and Qin Hu provoked first, then colluded with outsiders to bully their own clan. In their shame and anger, they even attempted to kill to vent their anger. Is this the quality of our Qin Family members?” Qin Hongyuan sat there, staring coldly at the people below. His voice was icy as he said, “Qin Feng and Qin Hu are confined to their quarters for one month! Qin Li acted in self-defense and did nothing wrong! Alright, let this matter rest for now. Everyone, go prepare. Tomorrow… Qin Li will be recognized as a member of the Qin Family!”

The hall fell into a solemn silence. All the legitimate children, illegitimate children, and branch family members of the Qin Family stood there. Faced with the strong-willed Family Head’s decision, they had no power to change it. Given that, who would be foolish enough to stand up for someone else’s issue? Yet, their gazes toward Qin Li were complex. This illegitimate son, whom no one had ever paid attention to, would experience an earth-shaking change in status from now on! Even now, it seemed Qin Li had already overshadowed Qin Hu and Qin Feng.

He had shouted in the Council Hall during the clan meeting and received no punishment whatsoever, not even a verbal warning!

Mo Lan slumped in her chair, her face ashen. In her efforts to deal with Qin Li, she had used many underhanded tricks over the past few days. How many of them had been seen by her father-in-law? Her position in the Qin Family… Moreover, when she thought about how her beloved son Qin Feng might have his future ruined because of this injury, Mo Lan hated Qin Li to the bone. But at this moment, she did not dare show even a hint of it.

In fact, after Qin Hongyuan finished speaking, she was the first to stand up and express her agreement. “I agree…” After saying this, she weakly slumped back into her chair, feeling as if her heart was bleeding!

“Wait…”

Just as everyone thought the matter was settled, a low voice spoke up. It was Qin Li! All eyes once again fell on Qin Li, filled with shock, surprise, and schadenfreude!

“Do you have something else to say?” Qin Hongyuan looked coldly at Qin Li. If it weren’t for those two business deals, if he didn’t want to offend the Shangguan Family, Qin Hongyuan would have even considered slapping Qin Li to death.

Qin Li’s face was calm, completely unmoved by Qin Hongyuan’s threatening tone. He gently patted Qin Hanyue’s back and slowly said, “I said, I am not a member of the Qin Family! I have no interest in being recognized as one!”

“Outrageous!”

“How dare you!”

“You don’t know when to stop!”

Several Elders who valued the Qin Family’s reputation as their own lives were furious and scolded him one after another. The Third Elder even stood up and said to Qin Hongyuan, “Family Head, you see? This boy is untamed. When has our Qin Family ever had such a member? If he joins the Qin Family, I would rather resign!”

“I second that!”

“I also second!”

Qin Hongyuan’s face suddenly turned red, as if he was about to cough up blood from anger. On one hand, he was angry that Qin Li didn’t know his place; on the other hand, he was furious at these incompetent, meddling, and senile Elders.

Sure enough, as soon as the Elders voiced their opinions, many people below started to clamor.

“This kid is arrogant. How could our Qin Family want someone like him? I disagree!” The speaker was one of Qin Hongyuan’s illegitimate sons, who usually kept a low profile, was highly valued in the Qin Family, and had good relationships.

Once he spoke, many others followed suit.

“Yes, we disagree with such a person joining the Qin Family!”

“This kid stubbornly uses the Qin surname, but he has no relation to our Qin Family. We disagree!”

Qin Hongyuan’s cold eyes swept over those below. Wherever his gaze passed, the voices quieted down. In the end, the Council Hall returned to a deathly silence.

Qin Hongyuan did not pay any more attention to the others. Since this family was in his hands, no one else had the right to make decisions!

Qin Hongyuan asked in a deep voice, “Qin Li, you are so ungrateful. Aren’t you afraid I will hold you responsible for injuring Qin Feng? Think carefully. Whether you are a Qin Family member or not, the outcome of this matter will be entirely different!”

This was clearly a threat. Everyone held their breath, watching Qin Li nervously. On the platform, Mo Lan and Qin Hu had not expected such a turn of events. In their hearts, they hoped this fool Qin Li would remain stubborn and defy the Family Head again, making it impossible for him to back down. Then Qin Li would be in serious trouble!

Although the Qin Family was not the top family in Huangsha City, it was certainly not one that anyone could step on!

Qin Li smiled faintly and said lightly, “What the Family Head wants is nothing more than the Shangguan Family’s business. Please rest assured. Qin Li and his mother have lived under the Qin Family’s roof for thirteen years. After all, we understand repaying kindness. If the marriage alliance with the Shangguan Family is successful, then what belongs to your Qin Family will be yours. If it fails, what difference would it make even if I joined the Qin Family? From the perspective of your Qin Family members, I would only bring you shame. Am I… right?”

Qin Hongyuan’s body trembled slightly, and a look of disbelief appeared in his eyes. His mouth opened a little. Since he became Family Head at fifty, thirty-three years had passed, and he had never been so discomposed as today. He was left speechless by a teenager!

The other Qin Family members also stared dumbly at Qin Li, including the Qin Family Elders, who looked at Qin Hongyuan in shock. Only now did they understand the real reason for the Qin Family’s marriage alliance with the Shangguan Family! Although they had guessed before, they hadn’t dared to believe it. The Shangguan Family had many marriage alliances with other families over the years, but no one had ever taken even a bit of business from them!

The Shangguan Family’s businesses were all enviable. But everyone knew the principle of keeping good things for oneself. They simply couldn’t believe that the Shangguan Family would pay such a price for a demonic young lady!

The Qin Family Elders and many who had realized the truth now looked at Qin Hongyuan differently. Their earlier resentment turned into respect. The method the Family Head used might have been somewhat problematic, but his heart was undoubtedly considering the future of the entire Qin Family. Looking at themselves, what had they done besides causing a stir and disrupting the Family Head’s plans?

Thinking of this, many people lowered their heads in shame. The illegitimate son of Qin Hongyuan who had been the most vocal earlier even knelt on the ground, kowtowing to admit his mistake!

“Father, I wronged you. I never expected you to be so devoted to the family’s interests. I… deserve to die!”

“Family Head, we wronged you!” everyone said in unison. At this point, even those who were somewhat skeptical didn’t dare to voice criticism, or they would truly become the target of public criticism.

Qin Hongyuan nodded with a stern face and said nothing. Their reaction was within his expectations. The reason he hadn’t spoken earlier was that the marriage alliance with the Shangguan Family wasn’t fully confirmed yet. If word got out and it fell through, the Qin Family would lose face greatly. But it was just as well that it was revealed today. Seeing the pale and guilty looks in the Elders’ eyes, he knew his prestige in the Qin Family had reached a peak! No one could surpass it.

“Alright, this matter isn’t fully decided yet. Do not spread it around, or else… it will bring shame to our Qin Family!” Qin Hongyuan said in a deep voice, then waved his hand. “Everyone, disperse. Qin Li, you stay!”