Chapter 7: The Authority of the Patriarch

  The people left very cleanly, and in the broken small courtyard, only Qin Li and her son were left. Qin Han Yue's eyebrows were tightly locked, with a few hints of confusion in his eyes.

  "Mother, what's wrong?" Qin Li asked softly, with a hint of concern in his eyes.

  He knew that no matter what, the extremely beautiful woman in front of him would never give up on him! What could make a weak and timid woman fearlessly rush forward to face bloody slaughter, except for maternal love, Qin Litian couldn't think of anything else.

  "Let's go back home and talk about it." Qin Han Yue's voice was laced with a hint of fatigue, seemingly not as moved or happy as one would have imagined.

  Qin Li was taken aback, and his memories of his maternal grandfather Qin Hongyuan were scarce, almost non-existent. However, judging from his mother Qin Han Yue's behavior, it seemed... not very good!

  Qin Han Yue walked into the room, pulled Qin Li down to sit, and then a pair of extremely beautiful eyes stared at Qin Li's eyes, slowly saying: "Little Li, there are some things that Mother originally planned to wait until you grew up to tell you, because for a young child, some things are better not known. But your performance today is quite beyond Mother's expectation!"

  Qin Han Yue said, looking at Qin Li with a profound meaning.

  Qin's heart skipped a beat as he thought to himself, "Could it be that I was too calm when I killed him, and she noticed something?"

  Qin Han Yue seemed to have no suspicions, and continued: "A sudden change has made you mature. Mother is delighted! Do you know why mother named you Qin Li?"

  Qin Li shook his head, in his memory, Qin Han Yue had never mentioned these things to him. Of course, the past Qin Li would not have such communication with Qin Han Yue, and would not do what he did today.

  "Mother hopes that one day you will become a man who stands tall and proud! Let all those who look down on you know that you are my son, Qin Han Yue!" As she spoke, her eyes sparkled with tears: "For this, Mother is willing to endure any hardship!"

  "Mother..." Qin Li's voice was slightly choked, and in Qin Han Yue's words, there was an endless love for herself. This love was like a warm ray of sunshine that enveloped Qin Li entirely. It was a feeling that Qin Li had never experienced before.

  "Alright, Mother knows you're sensible and know how to protect me! Mother is very happy!" Qin Han Yue gently wiped the corner of Qin Li's eye with her hand, then said: "My father is a very capable and ambitious person! Under his leadership, the Qin family has step by step risen from a mid-sized family to where we are today! In Huangsha City, there are three major families: the Shangguan family, the Fang family, and our Qin family. Among them, the Shangguan family is the strongest, almost monopolizing all industries related to services. The Fang family mainly deals in elixir business, while our Qin family is an adventurous family, also known as a hunting family! Whether it's medicinal materials, spiritual beasts, or even treasure hunting, they are all within the scope of our family's operations."

  Qin Li had never heard his mother mention this before. In the past, Qin Li only knew how to cultivate his skills and didn't care about anything else.

  "What is a spirit beast?"

  Qin Han Yue smiled wryly and doted on Qin Li: "Baby, you're really confused from practicing every day. Spirit beasts are born in the mountains and forests, they're all favored by nature! Spirit beasts have special abilities, many of them are extremely aggressive, and legend has it that there are spirit beasts that surpass the heavenly level, and can even transform into human form to appear before us!"

  "How terrifying!" Qin Li was somewhat tongue-tied and thought to himself: How is this like chatting with Zhuo Jie...

  Qin Han Yue continued, "I know your maternal grandfather very well, he's a man with a heart of stone! He was able to ignore us mother and son for thirteen years, and can continue to do so, perhaps, if there's no accident, until his death, he won't come see me again!"

  Looking at his mother's sorrowful face, Qin Li slowly asked: "Mother's meaning... He came today and showed all sorts of things, has nothing to do with family affection?"

  Qin Han Yue was taken aback, staring blankly at Qin Li for half a day, before suddenly breaking into a smile. The smile on his face carried a hint of relief: "My precious son has finally grown up! I didn't expect you to think of this too!"

  Qin Han Yue's tone suddenly became a few degrees lighter: "I'm just afraid you won't understand, thinking that Mother doesn't want you to have a better living environment."

  Qin Li smiled and said, "Probably some people won't think that way, their hearts may be suffering a lot. Mother, don't worry, even if I leave the Qin family now, I can still support you, I guarantee that you won't suffer any more grievances!"

  What can make a mother happier than having an obedient son?

  Qin Han Yue felt that her thirteen years of dedication had been rewarded at this moment, and she couldn't help but hug Qin Li in her arms, tears streaming down her face as she softly said: "Mother believes in you, in Mother's heart, you are the most excellent one in this world!"

  ……

  In the grand living room of the Qin family, the atmosphere was heavy. Qin Hongyuan, sitting in the main seat, had a calm expression, while Qin Feng knelt down in front of him. The three elderly elders stood behind Qin Feng without even getting a seat, their faces all looking very unsightly.

  Those daughters-in-law who came over with a fierce attitude to demand an explanation are now all shrinking back, their heads lowered and not daring to utter a word.

  As for those who want to watch the excitement, they don't even have the qualifications to enter this room and are all kneeling outside! This is not because they willingly came to pay their respects to Patriarch Qin Hongyuan. Just a moment ago, Qin Hongyuan suddenly burst into a thunderous rage, instantly shattering everyone's confidence.

  Not even a few elders could get a good face from Qin Hongyuan! It's worth noting that the host, Qin Hongyuan, was usually very polite to these elders.

  "Grandfather, one person does a thing and one person takes responsibility! Several old masters were all found by me. Why should the Zi Chen Garden be given to them? What contributions have they made to the Qin family?"

  It was probably Qin Hongyuan's favoritism that made this young man, who had received countless favors since he was a child, not so afraid of the majestic head of the household, so until now, although Qin Feng knelt there, he still said proudly.

  "Far away, counting the time, I haven't been to this grand hall for over a decade. As people age, they don't want to be disliked, so naturally, they speak less and mind their own business!" A slender, wrinkled old man with silver hair slowly said: "Thirteen years ago, when you handled that matter with your daughter, most of the family was very dissatisfied. A woman who did such a shameful thing should be drowned in a pig cage! The reputation of the Qin family has been ruined by her! Even if we don't kill her, she should be expelled from the Qin family!"

  "That's right, Xiao Hongyuan, I've seen you grow up, you're a capable person! In these years, the family has indeed made some progress under your hands, but only this matter, you handled it... unfairly!" Another stout old man said with a regretful face.

  "Nowadays, others are the masters of their homes, while we old folks... are people with one foot in the grave. What status do we have? Look at us now, we can't even get a seat!" Another tall and thin elderly man, holding his cane, stomped his feet on the ground twice, saying angrily.

  Qin Feng's mother, Mo Lan, the legitimate wife of the eldest son of the Qin family, stood behind him, looking at her son kneeling there with a pained expression. Seeing that the three elders all showed obvious dissatisfaction, she finally couldn't bear it and wanted to add fuel to the fire to see how her father-in-law would make his decision!

  "Father, I don't have the qualifications to say anything, but this matter has already caused complaints throughout the family. I think that for both public and private reasons, Father should come out and explain the reason behind this decision..." Mo Lan was a clever woman, she didn't directly mention how Qin Han Yue's mother and son were, instead she tied up the entire family with herself as a bargaining chip, her intention was very clear: even if you are the head of the household, you still have to consider the emotions of your relatives.

  Qin Hongyuan's face was expressionless as he gazed at the crowd below. Suddenly, with a loud "slap", he struck the armrest of his thousand-year-old Huangli wooden chair... With a crisp crackle, the hard and unyielding armrest shattered under the force of his palm, falling to the ground. Qin Hongyuan sprang up from his seat in an instant, exuding an aura of immense power that pressed down on the people below like a mountain range.

  At this time, people seemed to have just remembered that the master of the house, who had never used force before, was actually a Xuan-level eighth-stage martial artist! A true high-ranking expert!

  "Get out of here!" Qin Hong pointed at Qin Feng: "You get out! Reflect on your mistakes, and don't eat anything for three days! This family isn't yours to control yet! Get out! Get out!"

  Since childhood, Qin Feng has never seen his grandfather's furious side, being surrounded by countless halos. His face turned pale with fright, tears welled up in his eyes, he stood up and rushed out of the room.

  Bang!

  The door of the living room was heavily closed.

  Everyone's heart skipped a beat.

  Qin Hongyuan's gaze fell on several daughters-in-law behind him, and he said coldly: "Explain? Why should I explain to you?"

  He took a slight breath, looking at the three elders, Qin Hongyuan's tone slowed down: "Three uncles, this matter, forgive me for not being able to tell you in detail for the time being. In short, please believe me, I, Qin Hongyuan, have a clear conscience and am not ashamed of the Qin family! And will not do anything that is detrimental to the Qin family! Later... you will know my true intentions!"

  Qin Hongyuan said with a faint smile, "When I step down as the head of the family, I will cultivate flowers and plants, go fishing, and play with birds... That's what an old man should do."

  The three elders, although already old and frail, were not confused, how could they not hear the meaning in Qin Hongyuan's words? They were all furious in their hearts, but couldn't vent their anger, after all, he was talking about himself. Finally, the tall and thin elder sneered: "Well, we old folks will just wait and see the master's bitter efforts!"

  As they spoke, the three old men leaned on their canes and left unsteadily. Perhaps when they were young, they had also been mighty and powerful, but now, in their aged silhouettes, there was only desolation.

  The room was now left with only the legitimate daughters-in-law of the Qin family. Qin Hongyuan snorted and said, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking! I'm not dead yet! All of you be honest from now on! If I hear any more rumors about them from anyone... don't blame me for being impolite!"

  Qin Hongyuan finished speaking and left the room, leaving behind a group of Qin family daughters-in-law with ashen faces.