Chapter 6: The Trial

Qin Yuanhong approached Zhao Qirui, whose face was dark with anger, and cupped his hands in a formal salute. "Prince Qi, the Qin family has failed to discipline its members properly. I apologize for this shameful display."

Zhao Qirui raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Marquis Qin, one of your disciples just threatened my life. I'm curious—how will you handle this?"

Qin Yuanhong nodded calmly. "Rest assured, I shall give Your Highness a satisfactory answer. However, your visit today to see my sister… if word spreads, it might invite unnecessary rumors. My household has pressing matters to attend to. I regret I cannot entertain you further."

It was a thinly veiled dismissal.

Zhao Qirui's pale face flushed with rage. He took several deep breaths, visibly struggling to contain his fury, before finally flicking his sleeve. "How imposing of you, Marquis Qin. I shall remember today's affairs." With a cold snort, he stormed out of the Qin manor.

Qin Yuanhong swept his gaze over the remaining crowd and barked, "Return to your duties at once! Do you all wish to be punished?"

The servants scrambled to their feet and scattered in panic. Even Lady Zhao, her expression twisted with venom, shot a hateful glance at Qin Chen and Qin Yuechi before leading her entourage away.

Soon, only Qin Yuanhong, Qin Chen, his mother, and a few attendants remained in the courtyard.

"Qin Chen," Qin Yuanhong remarked, eyeing the two corpses on the ground with mild surprise, "you've grown bold indeed—daring to kill." He turned to his subordinates. "Dispose of the bodies. Give their families fifty taels each. Tell them their husbands died in service to the Qin clan."

"As you command, Lord."

Once the bodies were removed, Qin Yuanhong turned to Qin Yuechi, his tone softening. "Third Sister… do you still resent me?"

At the word "sister," Qin Yuechi trembled. Her nose twitched, but she bit her lip and replied flatly, "This humble one would not dare resent the Marquis."

Qin Yuanhong sighed. "You know the scandal you caused when you fled the family and returned with Qin Chen. As the head of this household, I had no choice but to uphold our dignity."

"I blame no one but myself," Qin Yuechi said, her voice trembling.

Qin Yuanhong studied her stubborn expression, then waved a hand dismissively. "Let the past remain buried."

His gaze hardened as he addressed Qin Chen. "For now, I shall overlook today's incident. The Imperial Star Academy's examination is in half a month. Ensure you awaken your bloodline by then. Prove to the nobility that every Qin descendant has the potential to become a warrior—not a worthless cripple."

With that, he strode away, his ironclad demeanor leaving Qin Chen cold.

The courtyard fell silent. Qin Yuechi stared at the empty doorway, her face ashen.

"Mother, what's wrong?" Qin Chen asked worriedly.

Qin Yuechi snapped back to reality and forced a smile. "It's nothing, child. You must be hungry. Rest while I prepare food."

In the outer courtyard, she lit a fire and deftly cooked a bowl of steaming noodles—a skill honed through years of hardship. Qin Chen devoured the meal, savoring the warmth that blurred the lines between his past and present lives.

As she watched him eat, Qin Yuechi hesitated before speaking. "Chen'er… there are things I shouldn't burden you with, but you must know the truth."

Qin Chen set down his chopsticks. "Tell me, Mother."

"Your uncle, the Marquis of Anping, governs with ruthless discipline. His mercy today is unnatural. Remember his final words well."

Qin Chen's eyes sharpened. "You mean he's waiting for me to fail the exam, so he can punish us both with justification?"

Qin Yuechi stared at him, then laughed tearfully. "My son has truly grown wise."

"Don't fear, Mother. I will awaken my bloodline," Qin Chen vowed, his voice steel.

Qin Yuechi nodded, though her heart sank. At nearly sixteen, awakening a dormant bloodline was near impossible. Yet as a mother, she clung to hope. "Even if we leave the Qin family, I'll protect us," she whispered fiercely.

Qin Chen gripped her hand. "Trust me, Mother. Soon, I'll give you a life free from suffering."

His resolve burned brighter than the hearth fire—a warrior's promise reborn.