Qin Yuanhong then turned to the visibly displeased Zhao Qirui and clasped his hands in a polite gesture. "Prince Rui, my apologies for this unseemly display of poor discipline within the Qin family."
Zhao Qirui raised an eyebrow and snorted coldly. "Marquis Qin, one of your family members just threatened my life. I'm most curious to see how you intend to handle this matter."
Qin Yuanhong nodded. "Rest assured, I will give Your Highness a satisfactory explanation. However," his tone turned pointed, "as for Your Highness visiting my sister today... should this become public knowledge, it might raise some rather unfortunate speculations. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I won't detain you further."
The dismissal was unmistakable.
Zhao Qirui's face darkened, his already pale complexion turning ashen. After several deep breaths that visibly strained his composure, he finally managed to swallow his rage. With a flick of his sleeve, he spat out, "Marquis Qin, how impressive your authority is. I shall remember today's events."
With one last icy glare, he stormed out of the Qin residence.
Qin Yuanhong surveyed the remaining onlookers and barked, "As for the rest of you—don't you have duties to attend to? Or are you all waiting to be punished?"
Immediately, the servants scrambled to their feet and hastily retreated from the courtyard. Even Madam Zhao departed with her entourage, though not before shooting Qin Chen and Qin Yuechi a venomous look.
Soon, only Qin Yuanhong, Qin Chen, his mother, and a few of the Marquis's personal attendants remained in the courtyard.
"Qin Chen," Qin Yuanhong said with a hint of surprise as he glanced at the two corpses, "you've certainly grown bold—daring to kill now." He turned to his subordinates. "Dispose of the bodies. Give fifty taels to each widow and tell them their husbands died serving the Qin family loyally."
"Yes, my lord." The attendants quickly removed the bodies.
Qin Yuanhong stood silently for a moment, his gaze softening slightly as he looked at Qin Yuechi. "Third Sister... do you still resent me?"
At the term "Third Sister," Qin Yuechi trembled slightly, her nose stinging with suppressed emotion. Keeping her voice carefully neutral, she replied, "Marquis, this humble one wouldn't dare."
Qin Yuanhong sighed. "You know how much scandal you caused when you left without warning and returned with Qin Chen. The damage to our family's reputation... As head of the household, I had no choice."
"I bear no resentment. I brought this upon myself," Qin Yuechi said, biting her lip.
Seeing her stubborn expression, Qin Yuanhong's face darkened again. He waved a hand dismissively. "Let's not dwell on the past."
His attention then snapped to Qin Chen, his voice turning icy. "For today's incident, I'll withhold punishment—for now. In half a month is the Tianxing Academy's grand examination. You'd better focus on your training and awaken your bloodline by then. Let the nobility see that every Qin descendant has the potential to become strong—not remain worthless trash."
With that final remark, Qin Yuanhong turned on his heel and strode away, his steel-cold demeanor making Qin Chen's eyes narrow.
As silence reclaimed the courtyard, Qin Yuechi stood frozen, her gaze locked on the doorway with an expression of icy fury.
Noticing his mother's distress, Qin Chen asked gently, "Mother, what's wrong?"
Qin Yuechi seemed to snap out of her thoughts. She looked at her son with tender eyes. "It's nothing, Chen'er. You must be hungry after all this. Rest first—I'll prepare something for you."
She moved to the outer courtyard and began cooking with practiced efficiency. Despite being the young mistress of the Qin household, she worked without any servants, her hands moving deftly. Soon, she returned with a steaming bowl of noodles.
Ravenous from his ordeal and the recent battle, Qin Chen ate eagerly. As the warm, fragrant noodles filled his mouth, he couldn't help but feel a surreal sense of rebirth.
Qin Yuechi watched him with loving eyes, though a shadow of hesitation crossed her face. Finally, she steeled herself. "Chen'er... you're still young, and there are things I shouldn't burden you with. But sometimes, a mother has no choice. I hope you can understand."
Qin Chen set down his chopsticks. "What is it, Mother?"
"Your uncle," she said carefully, "holds the rank of Central General and the title of Marquis of Anping. He's a man of iron discipline—strict with rewards and punishments. That he didn't punish you today... it's not like him. You must remember his last words well."
Seeing the worry in her eyes, Qin Chen said calmly, "You mean that while he pretended to let me off today, he's actually waiting for me to fail the academy examination so he can punish me more severely then?"
Qin Yuechi started, staring at her son in astonishment before suddenly smiling. "My Chen'er has truly grown up."
A cold glint flashed in Qin Chen's eyes, though he smiled back. "Don't worry, Mother. I will awaken my bloodline and pass the examination."
"I believe in you." Qin Yuechi gazed at him deeply, though an unspoken sorrow lingered in her heart.
In truth, she knew the odds were slim—at nearly sixteen, the window for bloodline awakening had all but closed. But as a mother, her role was to nurture hope.
After a pause, she said firmly, "Chen'er, trust me. Even if we have to leave the Qin family, I can keep us both safe."
Qin Chen understood her unspoken thoughts. Instead of arguing, he simply nodded. "Mother, don't worry. Even if we left now, I could provide for you. You'll never suffer again."
He clenched his fists, resolve hardening like tempered steel. "Just wait, Mother. I'll give you the surprise of your life. I won't let you down."