As soon as everyone heard the voice, the room fell silent, as if the previous commotion had vanished.
Gong Xiaohua was pulled aside by her uncle.
She looked disappointed, thinking she could have stretched her muscles and bones, but it seemed she had missed the opportunity.
Qin Chuhan, who was standing nearby, saw the expression on Gong Xiaohua's face and felt an itchy anger.
It was the first time in her life that someone dared to ignore her.
As the legitimate daughter of the Qin family's main branch, she had always been pampered and respected by her many sisters who would always defer to her.
Yet today, she was infuriated by a lowly woman from outside.
Very well, she remembered this person and would make sure they paid for it sooner or later.
Qin Chuyuan walked in from outside.
With a fair and smooth complexion, his face exuded a sharp and stern charm. His deep, dark eyes shimmered with captivating colors.
His thick eyebrows, high nose, and beautiful lips all exuded nobility and elegance.
Gong Xiaohua saw the newcomer, the person she had seen in the carriage at the back gate of the Qin residence yesterday. He was also her uncle's immediate superior, the fifth young master of the Qin family.
Now that she saw him in person, he truly lived up to his reputation as the most handsome man in the capital.
He looked like a captivating demon, and she wondered which girl would be fortunate enough to end up with him.
Li Zichen saw Qin Chuyuan approaching and greeted him respectfully while giving a tug to Gong Xiaohua, who was beside him.
Gong Xiaohua, seeing this, said to him, "Young Master Five, hello. My name is Gong Xiaohua. It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. Please excuse me."
Qin Chuyuan? He glanced at Li Zichen.
Li Zichen, realizing his mistake, quickly pulled Gong Xiaohua back and stood beside Qin Chuyuan.
Was he being openly hated by this beautiful man?
Qin Chuyuan turned to her mother and said, "Mother, today's incident is not entirely the fault of this Miss Gong. It can even be said that today's commotion was started by the sixth sister. Let's end it here. It's not good for anyone if it continues."
Gong Xiaohua didn't expect the beautiful man to not only look good but also be reasonable.
"Brother Five, why are you siding with outsiders? This woman showed disrespect to Third Aunt, and you're allowing them to get away with it?" Qin Chuhan said angrily. Even her sixth brother was supporting her.
This sixth sister was becoming more and more spoiled and willful, and she would eventually suffer a great loss.
Qin Chuyuan calmly said to her, "Oh? Then let me ask the sixth sister, did Miss Gong and Zichen come here just to pay respects to our mother, and yet you mocked them for no reason? Don't you think it's your responsibility? If this matter reaches grandfather's ears, he won't ignore it."
Qin Chuhan immediately fell silent.
Grandfather was usually strict, and he had always favored Fifth Brother. If this matter reached grandfather, it would undoubtedly lead to punishment.
At this moment, Qin San's wife, who was seated above, spoke up.
"Oh? Let's hear what Chuyuan has to say. Why is it not good if this matter ends here? Do they think they can do something against our Qin family?"
"Mother, have you forgotten what Li Zichen's family does? And currently, this Miss Gong is working in the Ministry of Justice. If something unexpected were to happen, a mere ant trying to shake a tree, it wouldn't be easily covered up."
Madam Qin (referring to the third wife) indeed forgot one thing, and Ah Yuan (referring to Qin Chuyuan) was right. The whole incident was caused by our own family members from beginning to end.
If that palace girl were a commoner, it could be overlooked, but she happened to be an official, and her unjust punishment is bound to give those who are determined to bring down the Qin residence an opportunity to exploit.
It seems that not only was I careless today, but I also need to properly restrain the younger generation of our own family in the future.
With this in mind, she spoke to the younger generation sitting on both sides:
"Let's end the matter here today. All of you may leave for now."
"Third aunt..." Qin Chuhan unwillingly protested.
"What's the matter? Are my words no longer effective?" Madam Qin glanced at her and said sternly.
As everyone began to leave one by one,
Madam Qin formally turned to Gong Xiaohua and asked, "I don't know what you meant when you said you don't intend to learn how to read at the Qin residence."
When Gong Xiaohua heard that it was her turn to respond, she confidently stepped forward from behind Qin Chuyuan and stood upright in front of Madam Qin. She said:
"Madam, I came here today to inform my uncle that he can teach me to read when he returns from his leave and, by the way, express my gratitude to all of you. However, I realize that this gratitude or lack thereof is insignificant to you, so I won't say it."
Li Zichen, witnessing his niece speak so frankly, felt a throbbing headache. He didn't know that the servants in the residence would tremble in her presence, and even he himself was wary of her.
Madam Qin looked at the straightforward and forthright figure in front of her. There was indeed some character in her, but the words she spoke made Madam Qin uncomfortable.
Furrowing her brows, Madam Qin felt a sense of powerlessness in front of this woman.
Today, she encountered a difficult situation, but for the moment, she couldn't think of any reason to punish her. All she could do was wave her hand in frustration and ask the three people below to leave quickly.
What Madam Qin didn't know was that this time she had been defeated by Gong Xiaohua. In the future, when Gong Xiaohua became her daughter-in-law, she would give her a headache, and Madam Qin would just go along with it.
Qin Chuyuan, seeing Gong Xiaohua daring to confront his mother head-on and not backing down, felt a newfound respect for her and found it somewhat amusing.
Having grown accustomed to his mother's dominance, it was the first time she felt humiliated in front of someone else.
The three of them left the Fuyun Courtyard, with Qin Chuyuan walking in front, and Li Zichen and Gong Xiaohua following behind.
After a few steps forward, Gong Xiaohua approached Qin Chuyuan.
"Sir... I mean, Young Master Qin, thank you for today's matter."
Qin Chuyuan looked at Gong Xiaohua's relaxed expression.
She was quite bold, and perhaps she could have resolved the issue even without his intervention.
"No need to thank me. It was just a small favor."
Li Zichen glanced at his master, then at Gong Xiaohua, and suggested to Qin Chuyuan, "Master, shall I escort her home?"
"Uncle, there's no need. I can go back by myself."
Before Li Zichen could respond, Gong Xiaohua had already run off, disappearing without a trace, leaving him with no choice.
"Aren't you going to chase after her?"
Li Zichen scratched his head. "Huh? No need."
Qin Chuyuan was surprised and stopped, looking at Li Zichen.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Master, you don't know. We're familiar with the scoundrels and ruffians in the capital. As long as they don't provoke important people, no one will harm her."
"Moreover, my elder sister has been worrying about finding a husband for herself lately. Whenever she encounters a handsome and charming young man, they always keep their distance from her!"
Qin Chuyuan, um...
As soon as everyone heard the voice, the room fell silent, as if the previous commotion had vanished.
Gong Xiaohua was pulled aside by her uncle.
She looked disappointed, thinking she could have stretched her muscles and bones, but it seemed she had missed the opportunity.
Qin Chuhan, who was standing nearby, saw the expression on Gong Xiaohua's face and felt an itchy anger.
It was the first time in her life that someone dared to ignore her.
As the legitimate daughter of the Qin family's main branch, she had always been pampered and respected by her many sisters who would always defer to her.
Yet today, she was infuriated by a lowly woman from outside.
Very well, she remembered this person and would make sure they paid for it sooner or later.
Qin Chuyuan walked in from outside.
With a fair and smooth complexion, his face exuded a sharp and stern charm. His deep, dark eyes shimmered with captivating colors.
His thick eyebrows, high nose, and beautiful lips all exuded nobility and elegance.
Gong Xiaohua saw the newcomer, the person she had seen in the carriage at the back gate of the Qin residence yesterday. He was also her uncle's immediate superior, the fifth young master of the Qin family.
Now that she saw him in person, he truly lived up to his reputation as the most handsome man in the capital.
He looked like a captivating demon, and she wondered which girl would be fortunate enough to end up with him.
Li Zichen saw Qin Chuyuan approaching and greeted him respectfully while giving a tug to Gong Xiaohua, who was beside him.
Gong Xiaohua, seeing this, said to him, "Young Master Five, hello. My name is Gong Xiaohua. It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. Please excuse me."
Qin Chuyuan? He glanced at Li Zichen.
Li Zichen, realizing his mistake, quickly pulled Gong Xiaohua back and stood beside Qin Chuyuan.
Was he being openly hated by this beautiful man?
Qin Chuyuan turned to her mother and said, "Mother, today's incident is not entirely the fault of this Miss Gong. It can even be said that today's commotion was started by the sixth sister. Let's end it here. It's not good for anyone if it continues."
Gong Xiaohua didn't expect the beautiful man to not only look good but also be reasonable.
"Brother Five, why are you siding with outsiders? This woman showed disrespect to Third Aunt, and you're allowing them to get away with it?" Qin Chuhan said angrily. Even her sixth brother was supporting her.
This sixth sister was becoming more and more spoiled and willful, and she would eventually suffer a great loss.
Qin Chuyuan calmly said to her, "Oh? Then let me ask the sixth sister, did Miss Gong and Zichen come here just to pay respects to our mother, and yet you mocked them for no reason? Don't you think it's your responsibility? If this matter reaches grandfather's ears, he won't ignore it."
Qin Chuhan immediately fell silent.
Grandfather was usually strict, and he had always favored Fifth Brother. If this matter reached grandfather, it would undoubtedly lead to punishment.
At this moment, Qin San's wife, who was seated above, spoke up.
"Oh? Let's hear what Chuyuan has to say. Why is it not good if this matter ends here? Do they think they can do something against our Qin family?"
"Mother, have you forgotten what Li Zichen's family does? And currently, this Miss Gong is working in the Ministry of Justice. If something unexpected were to happen, a mere ant trying to shake a tree, it wouldn't be easily covered up."
Madam Qin (referring to the third wife) indeed forgot one thing, and Ah Yuan (referring to Qin Chuyuan) was right. The whole incident was caused by our own family members from beginning to end.
If that palace girl were a commoner, it could be overlooked, but she happened to be an official, and her unjust punishment is bound to give those who are determined to bring down the Qin residence an opportunity to exploit.
It seems that not only was I careless today, but I also need to properly restrain the younger generation of our own family in the future.
With this in mind, she spoke to the younger generation sitting on both sides:
"Let's end the matter here today. All of you may leave for now."
"Third aunt..." Qin Chuhan unwillingly protested.
"What's the matter? Are my words no longer effective?" Madam Qin glanced at her and said sternly.
As everyone began to leave one by one,
Madam Qin formally turned to Gong Xiaohua and asked, "I don't know what you meant when you said you don't intend to learn how to read at the Qin residence."
When Gong Xiaohua heard that it was her turn to respond, she confidently stepped forward from behind Qin Chuyuan and stood upright in front of Madam Qin. She said:
"Madam, I came here today to inform my uncle that he can teach me to read when he returns from his leave and, by the way, express my gratitude to all of you. However, I realize that this gratitude or lack thereof is insignificant to you, so I won't say it."
Li Zichen, witnessing his niece speak so frankly, felt a throbbing headache. He didn't know that the servants in the residence would tremble in her presence, and even he himself was wary of her.
Madam Qin looked at the straightforward and forthright figure in front of her. There was indeed some character in her, but the words she spoke made Madam Qin uncomfortable.
Furrowing her brows, Madam Qin felt a sense of powerlessness in front of this woman.
Today, she encountered a difficult situation, but for the moment, she couldn't think of any reason to punish her. All she could do was wave her hand in frustration and ask the three people below to leave quickly.
What Madam Qin didn't know was that this time she had been defeated by Gong Xiaohua. In the future, when Gong Xiaohua became her daughter-in-law, she would give her a headache, and Madam Qin would just go along with it.
Qin Chuyuan, seeing Gong Xiaohua daring to confront his mother head-on and not backing down, felt a newfound respect for her and found it somewhat amusing.
Having grown accustomed to his mother's dominance, it was the first time she felt humiliated in front of someone else.
The three of them left the Fuyun Courtyard, with Qin Chuyuan walking in front, and Li Zichen and Gong Xiaohua following behind.
After a few steps forward, Gong Xiaohua approached Qin Chuyuan.
"Sir... I mean, Young Master Qin, thank you for today's matter."
Qin Chuyuan looked at Gong Xiaohua's relaxed expression.
She was quite bold, and perhaps she could have resolved the issue even without his intervention.
"No need to thank me. It was just a small favor."
Li Zichen glanced at his master, then at Gong Xiaohua, and suggested to Qin Chuyuan, "Master, shall I escort her home?"
"Uncle, there's no need. I can go back by myself."
Before Li Zichen could respond, Gong Xiaohua had already run off, disappearing without a trace, leaving him with no choice.
"Aren't you going to chase after her?"
Li Zichen scratched his head. "Huh? No need."
Qin Chuyuan was surprised and stopped, looking at Li Zichen.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Master, you don't know. We're familiar with the scoundrels and ruffians in the capital. As long as they don't provoke important people, no one will harm her."
"Moreover, my elder sister has been worrying about finding a husband for herself lately. Whenever she encounters a handsome and charming young man, they always keep their distance from her!"
Qin Chuyuan, um...
