Chapter 114: The Mystery of One’s Origin

Chapter 114: The Mystery of His Origins

According to Yu Shuhan’s story, Qin Jiao gradually pieced together the tangled story of the previous generation.

It turned out that Qin Jiao’s mother, Ning Xin, had met a man when she was young. The Tianyuan Dynasty had liberal customs, with few taboos regarding interactions between unmarried men and women, so Ning Xin quickly fell in love with that man. However, for reasons unknown, she soon decided to end the relationship.

Then came the Qin family’s proposal for marriage.

The Qin family intended to use the Ning family’s wealth to restore their own prestige, while the Ning family wanted to gamble on whether the Qin family could rise again in officialdom and rise quickly in officialdom. Merchants prided themselves on sharp insight and boldness, so the head of the Ning family at the time decided to bet on this marriage. But Ning Xin refused to go along with it.

It was only later that Ning Xin discovered she was pregnant with Qin Jiao.

Although the Tianyuan Dynasty was open-minded, an unmarried woman being pregnant was still improper; people’s gossip alone would be enough to drown her in shame.

So the Qin family immediately proposed that if the Ning family would use their money to help the Qin family build connections and network, the Qin family would overlook the identity of the child in Ning Xin’s womb, treating it as if nothing had happened. The child, once born, would still bear the Qin surname and be the legitimate eldest son of the Qin family.

Thus, for the sake of the child and her family, Ning Xin finally agreed to the marriage. Since Ning Xin was already pregnant, the Ning family worried she wouldn’t be able to control Qin Yuanshan after marriage, so they chose the unmarried, familyless Yu Shuhan, who had come to seek refuge with the Ning family, as a dowry maid to assist Ning Xin.

After that, Ning Xin gave birth to Qin Jiao, and the Ning family annually provided money for the Qin family to use for building connections. It wasn’t until four years ago that Qin Jiao’s so-called uncle was swindled in business, causing the Ning family to lose all their wealth overnight. All members of the Ning household were scattered, leaving Ning Xin alone in the capital, depressed, until she eventually passed away from grief.

Ten-odd years sounds like a long time, but when all the grievances and entanglements of that story were told, it had only taken the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

“You already know what happened after my cousin’s death, so I won’t repeat it.” Yu Shuhan finished her story flatly. After glancing at Qin Jiao, she added, “Also, there’s no need to ask me about your biological father; I’ve told you everything I know.”

“Alright.” Qin Jiao’s voice sank. “Thank you, Madam, for clearing up my doubts.”

Then he looked at Qin Yuanshan, his gaze solemn. “Having heard this old story today, I’ve come to a realization. People say ‘Money makes the world go round,’ but I think it should be changed to ‘Lack of money can turn a man into a monster.’ What do you think, Father?”

“Don’t call me that! I’m not your father!” Qin Yuanshan roared angrily. “And what’s all this nonsense about spirits and ghosts? I don’t know what you’re saying!”

“You don’t know?” Qin Jiao smiled bitterly. “Then let me explain it to Lord Qin.”

Qin Jiao stared intently at Qin Yuanshan. “Three years ago, my mother died, and the Ning family had fallen into ruin, no longer able to supply the Qin household with gold and silver to help restore the former glory of the Junior Preceptor’s mansion. So Lord Qin felt there was no further need to keep me, and you sent me to Nanzhou, leaving me to fend for myself.

Later, Lin Wen wanted to see me, and Lord Qin, afraid that I would return to be an eyesore and cause trouble, borrowed men from the Second Prince to have me killed in Nanzhou. But unexpectedly, I was saved by the Prince of Lingnan by chance.”

Qin Jiao’s voice grew increasingly hoarse, and finally his eyes involuntarily reddened. “Lord Qin, even if we share no blood, I called you father for over ten years. Why were you so cruel as to want me dead? Are wealth and official rank so important?”

When Qin Jiao finished, the parlor was as silent as a frozen winter landscape. Concubine Yin dared not even breathe loudly.

“You… you’re lying! Father couldn’t possibly have sent someone to kill you…” Qin Ji’s handsome face was pale, unable to believe what he had heard.

Qin Han tightly clung to Yu Shuhan, the girl’s eyes red and her whole body trembling slightly, as if frightened.

At this point, the truth was clear, and Qin Yuanshan had given up all pretense. “Of course wealth and official rank are more important than a bastard. Do you know how many colleagues have laughed at me over the years? They say how could I have fathered a son like you, and that you don’t look like me at all!”

In fact, what Qin Yuanshan’s colleagues had actually said was, “Your eldest son doesn’t resemble you much; he’s so gifted and elegant—probably he takes after his mother.”

The colleague’s remark was innocent, but Qin Yuanshan only latched onto the sharpest words and took them to heart. So over the years, Qin Yuanshan felt as if he were being crushed by the weight of a “green hat” (the symbol of being cuckolded).

Qin Yuanshan continued, “And yes, borrowing men from the Second Prince was my doing, but the idea of sending you to Nanzhou wasn’t mine.”

Qin Yuanshan then glanced meaningfully at Yu Shuhan.

Yu Shuhan admitted openly, “That’s right. It was my suggestion to send you to Nanzhou.”

Qin Jiao nodded to show he understood. “I must thank Madam for sending me to Nanzhou. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to avoid the scheming Second Prince.”

From Yu Shuhan’s repeated reminders to seize the marriage opportunity, to the closeness shown by Qin Ji and Qin Han, and finally to Ning Zhong revealing the mystery of the Maple Leaf Pendant and Nanny Chai’s many testimonies, all of it proved that although Yu Shuhan had her own selfish motives, she never intended to take his life.

Previously, Qin Jiao always thought Yu Shuhan had ulterior motives toward him, but the events after returning to the capital had changed his mind.

However, even though Qin Jiao thought this way, Yu Shuhan did not appreciate his thanks.

“Don’t think so highly of me. I only softened toward you out of gratitude to your mother. I have my own selfish reasons too.”

Gratitude? Selfish reasons? Yu Shuhan didn’t make it entirely clear, but Qin Jiao had no intention of probing further. He was not the type to dwell on contradictions. Since things had reached this point, saying more was useless. Moreover, the Shadow Guards and the officials from the Dali Temple were still waiting in the side hall; wasting time on pointless arguments was pointless.

“Since Madam says so, I will say no more.” Qin Jiao paused for a moment. “I will move out of the Qin residence in a few days. From then on, let the many years of grievances be considered resolved.”

On the way back from the Northern Suburb Forest Camp, Qin Jiao had already decided to move out. When he said it now, only Qin Ji and Concubine Yin showed surprise; the others remained calm, as if they had expected it.

It was nearing the hour of You (5–7 p.m.). The sun gradually set, and the sunset’s afterglow painted a colorful and serene picture on the red plum trees in the courtyard.

The room was quiet for a long time. It wasn’t until the Dali Temple officials knocked on the door, saying it was late and they needed to take Qin Yuanshan away, that everyone snapped back to reality.

Finally, Qin Jiao asked Qin Yuanshan whether he had planted the poison Blood-Withering on him out of hatred. Upon receiving a negative answer, the anxiety that had been hanging over him finally settled.

As for the mystery of the Blood-Withering poison, it would likely be difficult to resolve in a short time. For now, he could only take things step by step.

Qin Jiao thought.

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