Qin Hanyue's face was an icy mask. She stood resolutely, unafraid of the imposing aura radiating from Qin Hongyuan. "There is no room for negotiation on this matter!" she said coldly. Her voice then turned sorrowful as she added, "Father, I am your daughter. And Qin Li... he is your own grandson!"
Qin Hongyuan remained expressionless, watching his daughter with indifference. A chilling smile crept onto his lips. "Grandson? You actually dare to say that? You call him my grandson? Do you have any idea how much shame you brought upon the Qin Family? Do you know the pressure I endured to protect you and your son? Many times, I've thought it would have been better if you had never returned at all. Dead or alive, it wouldn't have mattered. The Qin Family would have merely lost a daughter, not gained a bastard!"
All color drained from Qin Hanyue's face. She bit her lower lip, refusing to let her tears fall. Suddenly, she laughed, a sound full of misery. "I always knew Qin Li held no place in your heart," she whispered. "But I never imagined you'd also think... he was a... a little bastard!"
Qin Hongyuan seemed to realize his words had gone too far. He took a deep breath and said in a softer tone, "Hanyue, you know this affair has always been a thorn in my side. You know how much... Father... doted on you back then."
Qin Hanyue gave a slight laugh, her eyes filled with loneliness and sorrow. She nodded. "I know. Of course I know... If that hadn't happened, I... I would probably be an Imperial Consort by now..."
Qin Hongyuan's expression stiffened for a moment before he waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need to bring up the past. You need to understand one thing: I'm not here to ask for your opinion. I am informing you of my decision! Besides, this is nothing but beneficial for Qin Li! For someone of his status, marrying the Shangguan Family's most favored, legitimate granddaughter—is that not enough for him? Or would you rather your son be looked down on for the rest of his life? Forget everything else. With that old codger Shangguan Tie's influence, once this marriage is finalized, who will dare to bully Qin Li? The Shangguan Family doesn't even mind your son's disgraceful birth, yet you're the one finding fault with them! I'm telling you, this matter is settled!"
Having said his piece, Qin Hongyuan slammed the door and stormed out. He had thought that by coming to speak with Qin Hanyue personally, she would be ecstatic and agree immediately. 'The Shangguan Family's daughter is a peerless beauty... if you ignore her skin color, that is. But even so, there are plenty of suitors lining up to ask for her hand. It's not like she's unmarriageable!' Qin Hongyuan silently reassured himself. Still, the thought of his daughter's stubbornness gave him a headache. This wasn't just any matter. If handled correctly, the Qin Family could surpass the Fang Family in a single stroke and become the undisputed second-greatest clan in Yellow Sand City. And the key to it all was Qin Li.
He glanced at Qin Li's room; the lights were off. After a moment's hesitation, Qin Hongyuan started walking that way. He spoke to the empty air behind him, "Keep an eye on her. Don't let her interfere and ruin things!"
A faint voice answered from the thin air, "Yes!"
Qin Hongyuan reached Qin Li's door and knocked.
At that moment, Qin Li had just finished circulating his energy for two full cycles. He'd showered and now felt refreshed and brimming with vitality. 'If Qin Yong stood before me right now,' he thought, 'I could defeat him with ease!'
Qin Li's quarters were a large suite. He was currently in the inner chamber, preparing for bed. When he heard the knock, he assumed it was the pretty maidservant, Qin Xue, and casually called out, "Come in!"
The moment the door opened, Qin Li knew from the sound of the footsteps that something was wrong. He turned to find, to his surprise, Patriarch Qin Hongyuan himself. Qin Li had no particular fondness for this largely unfamiliar old man, but no strong dislike either. He gave a slight bow. "To what do I owe the honor of the Patriarch's visit..."
Qin Hongyuan waved his hand, sat down casually, and got straight to the point. "No need for formalities, Qin Li. In the past, I haven't paid you much mind, and I don't know you well. But I assume you're aware of our relationship. Blood is thicker than water, after all. Regardless of how reluctant I am to admit it, you are my grandson. Correct?"
Qin Li just gave an awkward smile, not saying a word.
Qin Hongyuan continued, "I've come to find you so late tonight because there is a matter on which I would like to hear your opinion." As he said this, his gaze burned into Qin Li.
Qin Li looked up, a perfectly calibrated expression of confusion appearing on his youthful face. "Hear my opinion?" he asked, feigning bewilderment. "How could I possibly help with the Patriarch's troubles?"
"HA HA!"
The frustration that had been building up from his encounter with his daughter instantly vanished. A hint of regret surfaced in his heart. 'This one is a fine sapling, too! What a pity... he can't be openly put to use for the Qin Family! Still, that's for the best. It saves me from having to beat around the bush.'
"You're a clever boy!" Qin Hongyuan complimented him. He was even more satisfied to see a slight blush rise on Qin Li's cheeks. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. 'Was my past indifference to this boy too excessive?'
"Here's the thing," Qin Hongyuan began, his voice gentle and a smile on his face. "Have you heard of the Shangguan Family's Little Princess?"
If any other members of the Qin family were to see this, their jaws would hit the floor. When had their ever-stern Patriarch ever spoken with such a gentle tone?
Qin Li frowned. Though his face maintained a youthful naivete, his mind was racing. 'He's not here for anything good. Good things happening to me? Qin Li? What a joke!'
He recalled hearing the Qin Family servants whispering about the Shangguan Clan's taboo. They said there was a girl in the Shangguan Clan who was a demon reincarnate, born hideously ugly. If the Shangguan Patriarch, Shangguan Tie, hadn't been so powerful, such a child would likely have been secretly disposed of at birth.
Qin Li still remembered the looks of terror on the servants' faces as they whispered, as if they were speaking of something truly frightening.
At this thought, Qin Li's expression faltered slightly. 'All this unexpected kindness... he's definitely up to no good!'
As Qin Li fell into contemplation, Qin Hongyuan watched his expression closely. He then gave a slight smile and said, "Qin Li, you're a smart boy, so your grandfather won't mince words. I'll ask you this: what if there was a chance for both you and your mother to attain a high and respected status? A life of poverty and lowliness would be behind you forever! No one would dare mock or ridicule you again. You would both lead a life of true luxury! Glory, splendor, and riches for the rest of your days... Would you... be willing?"
Would you... be willing?
An image suddenly appeared in Qin Li's mind: a tall, imposing young man, looking down at him with contempt, a disdainful sneer playing on his lips. With a single, casual palm strike, the man had unleashed a wave of Power that obliterated the hardwood training post—a post that Qin Li had spent five or six years battering into a pockmarked mess—into nothing but splinters. Then came the words: "Basic Master. The 'basics'... are useless!"
The scene was etched deep into Qin Li's very soul. Even though he wasn't the one in that memory, he felt the humiliation as if it were his own.
Qin Li suddenly raised his head. He looked at Qin Hongyuan, whose expression was calm but whose eager gaze gave him away. "It wouldn't matter if I said no, would it?" Qin Li asked slowly.
Qin Hongyuan paused, startled for a moment, then nodded.
"Then, can I... meet... the girl?" A strange smile flickered in Qin Li's eyes. 'Blue skin? How interesting.'