Chapter 90 Lowly Concubine’s Son; Slapped

Chapter 90: The Lowly Concubine’s Son · Slapped

That day, after Qin Jiao left the Miao residence, the Second Prince immediately sent for Qin Yuanshan. Qin Yuanshan had suffered greatly because of this, and had been nursing his anger ever since. Coincidentally, Qin Jiao came to provoke him again that day, and with no outlet for his rage, Qin Yuanshan summoned Qin Chaole, ostensibly to question him, but in truth to vent his anger.

Qin Chaole had long seen through his father's true nature, and still skillfully deflected, "Father, I repeat, I did not sabotage your plan. That day, the Prince of Lingnan suddenly arrived at the Miao residence. It had nothing to do with me."

Few knew that beneath Qin Chaole's soft exterior lay an unbreakable, resilient will. Watching Qin Yuanshan's furious demeanor, he added casually, "What, Father, do you think I can influence the Prince of Lingnan?"

He wasn't Qin Jiao.

Qin Chaole sneered inwardly.

"You? Influence the Prince of Lingnan? Look at yourself—what are you? A lowly concubine-born son!"

"Yes, I am a lowly concubine-born son. I've debased myself." Qin Chaole ignored Qin Yuanshan's taunts, even chuckling softly. "But I see that in this household, even the legitimate son is being schemed against by his own father, walking on thin ice day by day."

His voice was slow and gentle, but his words were like icy needles, piercing to the bone.

"Chaole, don't talk nonsense!" Concubine Yin quickly covered Qin Chaole's mouth.

"Mother, I'm just speaking the truth." These days, Qin Chaole had been unwell, and Qin Yuanshan's groundless torment only fueled his resentment.

"Oh, no, I misspoke. Qin Ji in this household lives quite well." Qin Chaole asked with a tender smile, "Father, how much genuine affection do you have for him? A third, perhaps?"

The relentless physical pain made Qin Chaole feel he could barely maintain his usual gentle, docile facade.

"How did I sire such a little beast!"

Qin Yuanshan's face turned livid with rage, and he slapped Qin Chaole across the face!

"Slap!"

The sound of the slap echoed through the room, startling everyone!

Even Qin Ji and Qin Han, standing outside the study.

Under the cold moonlight, the siblings both looked pale, their lips bloodless.

"Second brother..." Qin Han mouthed silently, fear evident in her eyes.

"Don’t speak. Let’s go!"

Qin Ji shakily grabbed the late-night snack Qin Han had prepared for Qin Yuanshan, and pulled his sister away from the courtyard.

The people inside were completely unaware of the disturbance outside. Concubine Yin, crying, threw her arms around Qin Chaole, her hot tears streaming uncontrollably.

Seeing that Qin Yuanshan had already picked up the ruler and was about to strike again, Concubine Yin choked out, "Chaole, stop being stubborn! Apologize to your father!"

Qin Chaole had been beaten with that ruler many times, but now he was no longer afraid. He raised his head high, and in the flickering candlelight, blood seeped from the corner of his mouth like a blooming flower, his beautiful face breathtakingly beautiful.

"Father, go ahead, hit me on the face."

Qin Chaole's voice was mocking. "This face, this body—who knows if the Second Prince has grown tired of it yet? Father, do you think if you hit me, he might make you pay back in kind?"

"Fine! You rebellious son, you think you're so tough now?"

Qin Chaole's veiled threats were not lost on Qin Yuanshan, and understanding them only made him feel as though a mass of old blood was stuck in his chest—unable to swallow or spit out, deeply frustrating and galling.

"I am what I am today because of you." Sometimes, gentleness is like a blade, each word striking a vital point. "I suppose I should thank you for making all this possible. No, that's not quite right—you became the Vice Minister of Rites from a mere Attendant in the Ministry of Provisions because you rode on my coattails. When you meet our ancestors in the afterlife, remember to tell them that I, too, contributed to the glory of the Qin family."

"Where did you learn to speak so sarcastically? I'll teach you a lesson today..."

"Father, what are you talking about?"

Just as Qin Yuanshan was about to strike again, a voice suddenly interrupted.

"Who's there?" Qin Yuanshan was startled and turned quickly to see Qin Jiao standing at the door, holding a Buddhist shrine in his left hand and a brocade box in his right.

"Why is it you? Who let you in?" Qin Yuanshan glared at him angrily. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Father, there was no one guarding your courtyard to announce me, so I just walked in." Qin Jiao feigned innocence. "I just returned from Tongjia Residence, where I found a black jade belt that suits you perfectly. Since you invited Doctor Miao to treat me before, I felt grateful, so I hurried over to bring you a gift."

Jiang Qingrong had said more than once that Qin Jiao talked too much when lying, and his eyes would dart around—exactly as they did now.

In Jiang Qingrong's words, "Anyone could see through your hypocrisy," but right now, Qin Yuanshan was clearly too guilty to notice the affectation in Qin Jiao's words.

"Fine, that's very thoughtful of you." Qin Yuanshan said somewhat grudgingly. "Put the things down and go rest."

"Yes, Father."

Qin Jiao walked inside with the brocade box. As he passed Qin Chaole, he saw the clear handprint on his face and the blood at the corner of his mouth.

"Third brother, what happened to your face?" Qin Jiao asked in feigned surprise. "Did Father punish you? Did he use the ruler?"

Qin Yuanshan's ruler had not only been used on Qin Chaole but also on Qin Jiao many times. It was made of cold iron and hurt terribly. So although Qin Jiao asked with ulterior motives, there was genuine concern in his words.

"It’s nothing. I angered Father." Qin Chaole didn’t want to air his conflicts with Qin Yuanshan publicly, so he brushed it off. "Besides, Father didn't punish me severely. Brother, you need not worry for me."

"I see." Qin Jiao nodded, then turned to Qin Yuanshan. "Father, I don’t know how third brother offended you, but he has always been obedient. It must have been unintentional. Please don’t be angry.

Besides, third brother is not in good health. If you punish him too harshly and something goes wrong, it would be such a hassle for Doctor Miao."

Qin Jiao's poor acting and clumsy, forced topic shift left even Qin Chaole and Concubine Yin casting him a puzzled glance.

But because Qin Jiao repeatedly mentioned Miao Mao, Qin Yuanshan couldn’t settle his mind, his thoughts tangled like a mess of threads.

Rubbing his forehead wearily, he said, "Fine, fine, I understand. You may leave now."

Qin Yuanshan wanted to dismiss him, and Qin Jiao didn’t want to stay any longer, but before leaving, he needed to bring up the point he had been leading to all evening, to make his performance complete.

Qin Jiao: "Speaking of Doctor Miao, I noticed earlier that you seemed unwell, Father, with a furrowed brow. I heard that Doctor Miao has a medicine called 'Blood Withering' that can dispel stasis and calm the mind. Why not visit Doctor Miao someday to have a look?"

Having set the hook, Qin Jiao glanced at Qin Chaole as well. "And third brother’s facial injury—'Blood Withering' would be excellent for that too. You used to go to Doctor Miao's place often. Ever heard of this miracle medicine?"

"What 'Blood Withering' or 'Blood Crying' nonsense? Do you think Miao Mao is so easy to hire?" Qin Yuanshan was thoroughly impatient with Qin Jiao’s probing. "He’s the chief physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau, not some village quack. Just because you went once doesn’t mean you can simply suck up to him."

In contrast to Qin Yuanshan’s irritation, Qin Chaole’s attitude was much calmer. "I have never heard Doctor Miao mention 'Blood Withering' before."

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