**"Regarding this matter, I have already reprimanded Zhao Feng. The incident with Prince Rui was indeed her fault, but she acted for the sake of the Qin family."** Qin Yuanxiong's voice was icy.
Qin Yuanzhi's expression stiffened. He wanted to argue further, but Qin Yuanxiong cut him off sternly, **"Second Brother, that matter is over. We are now discussing Qin Chen's offense against Master Liang Yu. Our Qin family must give Master Liang Yu an explanation!"**
**"An explanation? What kind of explanation? Are you truly going to expel Qin Chen? I refuse to accept this!"** Qin Yuanzhi suppressed his anger.
**"Yuanzhi, don't act on impulse."**
**"Qin Yuanzhi, the affairs of the Qin family are not yours to decide."**
**"Yuanxiong is the family head. Know your place!"**
Several elders roared in anger.
Qin Yuanzhi looked at these furious elders, their eyes sharp but their hearts venomous, and suddenly felt a deep chill and disgust.
He turned to Qin Yuanxiong, believing his elder brother would make the right decision.
Under the crowd's gaze, Qin Yuanxiong calmly looked at Qin Yuechi, his voice devoid of emotion. **"Third Sister, what do you have to say?"**
A bitter smile touched Qin Yuechi's lips. **"Why ask me? You've always been decisive. Calling this family meeting—didn't you already have your mind made up? Chen'er is right. Since the Qin family doesn't welcome us, we'll leave."**
**"Third Sister!"** Qin Yuanzhi cried out in dismay.
**"Second Brother, I know you mean well. But look at these faces in the Qin family."**
Qin Yuechi stood up, her youthful beauty radiating determination. Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Her gaze swept over the elders seated above—some her peers, others her uncles and elders.
They all preached about the Qin family, but as Chen'er had said, had they ever truly treated her as family?
**"Qin Yuechi, do you understand what you're saying?"** The Second Elder's face darkened with rage.
**"Of course, I do. You selfish, so-called elders—the sight of your faces makes me sick. I'm ashamed to share the Qin name with you."**
**"You—!"**
Several elders trembled with fury, pointing at Qin Yuechi, unable to speak.
**"You've resented me all these years for not marrying the Emperor and making you imperial relatives. But what have any of you done for the Qin family? The family's foundation was built by my father's blood and sweat. While he fought on the borders, what were you doing?"**
Qin Yuechi bit her lip, forcing back tears, her eyes filled with grief and indignation. **"Relying on a woman to climb higher—you should be ashamed of yourselves!"**
The elders' faces burned with humiliation, their hearts seething.
The Second Elder snarled, "And yet you've lived in the Qin family all these years! We've fed and sheltered you. Without the Qin family, how would you and your bastard have survived? Truly ungrateful!"**
Qin Yuechi let out a sorrowful laugh. "This Dingwu Estate belongs to my father. What does it have to do with you?! I earned everything we've lived on these years by myself. What have any of you contributed?"
Her gaze then lifted to Qin Yuanxiong, seated at the highest position, before softening as she looked at Qin Chen. "Chen'er, there's no place for us here. Let's go.
Qin Chen nodded firmly. "Mother, I swear you'll never suffer again!"
With that, the two turned and walked toward the hall's exit.
"Third Sister!"
Qin Yuanzhi called out desperately, looking at Qin Yuanxiong.
At the same time, Qin Gang and a group of guards blocked Qin Chen and Qin Yuechi's path.
Qin Chen's eyes turned frosty.
"You little bastard! After offending Master Liang Yu and bringing such disgrace to the Qin family, you think you can just walk away?" Zhao Feng sneered. "Family Head, elders, I say we capture this wretch and deliver him to Master Liang Yu!"
Qin Yuechi turned, ignoring Zhao Feng's shrill voice, her gaze fixed on Qin Yuanxiong.
"Qin Yuanxiong, do you intend to stop us?!"
Her icy tone and the resolve in her eyes sent a tremor through the hall. It had been years since anyone had seen such steel in Qin Yuechi's demeanor.
"Let them go."
Qin Yuanxiong's voice was cold and devoid of emotion.
"Family Head!" Zhao Feng shrieked.
"I said let them go!"
Qin Yuanxiong's words carried undeniable authority. He turned to a steward beside him. "Withdraw five hundred silver coins from the accounts for them."
"Mother, we don't need their charity. Let's go. I won't let you suffer!"
Qin Chen's voice was firm as he took Qin Yuechi's hand and strode out of the hall.
The assembly watched silently as mother and son walked away, their figures disappearing beyond the doors.
Many Qin elders had schemed to expel Qin Yuechi for over a decade. Yet now, none felt triumph—only hollow unease.
"Elder Brother… you've disappointed me."
Qin Yuanzhi's voice was thick with anger as he turned and left.
---
### **Outside the Qin Estate**
Once beyond the gates, Qin Yuechi sighed. "Chen'er, Mother has let you down. I can endure hardship, but I can't bear to see you suffer."
Qin Chen gazed calmly at the Qin estate's grand entrance. "Mother, if you trust me, rest assured. In just a few days, I'll ensure you live comfortably."
A flicker of worry crossed Qin Yuechi's eyes. "Chen'er, you mustn't do anything unlawful."
Qin Chen smiled. "Mother, don't you believe in me?"
"I believe in you. No matter what, I believe in you." Qin Yuechi's eyes shone with unconditional love.
"Third Sister, wait!"
A voice called out from behind. Turning, they saw Qin Yuanzhi hurrying toward them with Qin Ying.
He sighed heavily. "Third Sister, why must you be so stubborn? Chen'er is still young. Isn't this just making life harder for him?"
Qin Yuechi's gaze was serene. "Second Brother, was life in the Qin family any easier?"
Qin Yuanzhi opened his mouth but could only sigh helplessly. He knew how Qin Yuechi had been treated in the estate, but he could do little—Qin Yuanxiong held the reins of power.
"If only Father were here…" Qin Yuanzhi muttered bitterly. "This time, Elder Brother went too far."**