Chapter 6: Qin Hongyuan

Amidst gasps of surprise, the sharp blade in Qin Yong’s hand stopped just three inches above Qin Li’s shoulder. Qin Li’s pupils contracted slightly before returning to normal. No one noticed Qin Li’s hand gesture at that moment; even if Qin Yong had not withdrawn his blade, Qin Li was confident he could have killed Qin Yong in that instant before the blade struck him!

As for Qin Yong, a fine layer of sweat formed on his forehead, and he looked at Qin Li with a flicker of unease in his eyes. Qin Li had given him too many shocks today—so many that he could no longer understand this young man!

Never underestimate the small players. To thrive smoothly within a great family was no ordinary feat. Perhaps they lacked the broad vision and magnanimity of the great, but they were never short of cleverness and small wisdoms.

If Qin Li could spot the old man there, how could Qin Yong have missed him? The moment those few people appeared in that spot, Qin Yong had already seen them, and his heart tightened.

Though he couldn’t fathom why the old master had suddenly appeared here, he couldn’t help connecting it to something, and his heart stirred. After all, blood ties ran deep.

At that point, he could not simply withdraw—that would have ruined his standing in the Qin Family. So Qin Yong found himself inwardly relieved: Fortunately… he hadn’t done wrong.

At that thought, Qin Yong suddenly felt his entire back was soaked through. A cool breeze made him shiver slightly. Turning around, his face was full of fearful respect as he bowed: “Qin Yong… pays his respects to the Family Head!”

The old man, his face dark, strode vigorously toward them. Qin Feng and the others behind the old man exchanged glances before following slowly behind.

Only then did the onlookers suddenly realize that the Family Head had arrived unnoticed. Trembling and pale-faced, they knelt on the ground. The Qin Family’s rules were strict; behavior like theirs today could warrant being expelled from the family.

However, the Qin Family Head clearly had no interest in reprimanding them. A middle-aged man who looked like a steward behind the old man frowned and waved his hand. The crowd of onlookers quickly scattered like birds and beasts. Though curious about why the Family Head had come, they all wished they had never been here.

That old man was none other than Qin Hongyuan, the Qin Family Head! He was also Qin Hanyue’s father and Qin Li’s grandfather.

Huangsha City was located in the south of the Azure Dragon Kingdom. It was one of the largest cities in the Azure Dragon Kingdom and the most prosperous area in the south.

As one of the Three Great Families in such a city, Qin Hongyuan’s status was evident!

It was no exaggeration to say that if Old Master Qin stamped his foot, the whole of Huangsha City would shake!

Qin Hongyuan glanced at Qin Yong, who stood bowed and not daring to look up, and said in a calm tone, “Qin Yong, if I recall correctly, your family has served the Qin Family for three generations. You are over forty this year, aren’t you?”

Qin Yong’s body trembled violently. Though Qin Hongyuan’s voice sounded gentle and mild, he could still detect the Family Head’s displeasure. Qin Yong dropped to his knees with a thud, his body shaking as he replied, “Reporting to the Family Head, Qin Yong is forty-four this year.”

“You are clever,” Qin Hongyuan said. “But you are not wise enough! Well, in consideration of your family’s three generations of loyalty to the Qin Family…”

Qin Yong’s heart leaped with hope, thinking the master still cherished old ties. But then, Qin Hongyuan’s following words plunged him into an icy abyss, nearly making him faint!

“Leave.”

Qin Hongyuan’s voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. After speaking, he turned to the steward-like middle-aged man and said, “Go to the accounts office and give him two thousand taels of silver. Rewards and punishments must be clear—this is key to the Qin Family’s standing in Huangsha Town for over three hundred years!”

The middle-aged man acknowledged, but he understood the old master’s words were meant for the Third Young Master beside him!

At that moment, Qin Yong suddenly lifted his head, tears streaming down his face, and sobbed, “Qin Yong… thanks the Family Head for sparing my life!”

Qin Hongyuan waved his hand and sighed. “Go.”

“Grandfather…” The handsome youth beside Qin Hongyuan frowned as if unable to bear it. “What did Qin Yong do wrong? Did Qin Li kill someone and get away with it? What kind of clear rewards and punishments is this?”

Qin Hongyuan glanced at Qin Feng but ignored him. Instead, he looked at Qin Hanyue, who stood there without even glancing at him, and said softly, “Little Yue’er, do… do you still hate me?”

Hearing “Little Yue’er,” Qin Hanyue’s eyes suddenly reddened, but she held back her tears, pursed her lips, and said coldly, “Thirteen years ago, Little Yue’er already died.”

“I knew you never forgave your father.”

Qin Hongyuan’s expression was weary and desolate. He waved his hand listlessly and said, “Alright, everyone disperse. Qin Ze, have someone tidy up Zichen Garden and let them move there.”

After speaking, the old man paid no attention to the stunned crowd behind him and turned to leave. Yet the moment he turned, his gaze toward Qin Li held a hint of warmth.

“Qin Li, is it? You’re not bad!”

Whether it was Qin Feng or the kneeling Qin Yong, almost everyone stood there frozen, as if turned to stone.

Even Qin Hanyue and Qin Li were bewildered. The instant Qin Hongyuan turned away, two clear tears finally traced down Qin Hanyue’s cheeks.

Zichen Garden—it was exactly where she had lived before she was married. Over the past thirteen years, many in the Qin Family had coveted that place, yet until now, it had remained empty.

And today, Family Head Qin Hongyuan had actually returned Zichen Garden to Qin Hanyue. This news spread throughout the entire Qin Family in less than an hour!

Everyone was stunned by the news. They couldn’t figure out what had gotten into the old master. Not only had he turned a blind eye to the misdeeds of that little bastard Qin Li, but while talking about clear rewards and punishments, he had expelled Qin Yong, who had done nothing wrong. Most importantly… he had given the best residence in the Qin Family back to Qin Hanyue and her son.

What right did that shameless woman and her bastard son have to live there?

Especially the wives of the Qin Family’s direct descendants—over the years, they had all coveted that exquisite and splendid garden. Despite repeated pleas, none had succeeded, and over time, they had given up the idea, comforted that it remained empty.

But now they could hold back no longer. They decided they must confront the old master and demand an explanation. The Qin Family’s rules were strict, and because of that, even the Family Head couldn’t act arbitrarily, could he? Giving away property that belonged to the entire Qin Family to those who brought shame upon the family—what was the meaning of this?

Somehow, the matter reached the ears of several Elders of the Qin Family who were already in their advanced years. These Elders, leaning on their canes and trembling with rage, cursed the disgrace and marched angrily toward Qin Hongyuan’s residence.

Following behind the Elders were the wives of the Qin Family’s direct descendants, and behind them, some higher-status branch family members and stewards.

After all, punishment couldn’t be meted out to everyone. Besides, they truly wanted to know why the Family Head had made such an unbelievable, even heart-chilling, decision.