Song Huifei's hand lingered on her daughter's arm, her voice quiet yet resolute.
"Yuxi, I had my reasons. Don't burden yourself with these matters."
Qin Yuxi's brows knitted faintly, her lips parting as if she wanted to press further. But the calm certainty in her mother's gaze made her pause. Song Huifei's smile softened, though the weight beneath it was not so easily hidden.
"You've only just come back," she said, brushing her daughter's sleeve tenderly. "Go and freshen up. I've already had your room cleaned. The servants will carry your luggage upstairs. Rest a little before lunch. I'll have the kitchen prepare all your favorites."
Qin Yuxi's lips curved. "Alright, Mother. I'll listen."
But as she turned to leave, her voice lowered, softer, almost wistful. "Still… I miss Father. It feels like it's been forever since I last saw him."
Song Huifei's smile faltered—just for a heartbeat. She reached out and gently cupped her daughter's cheek, her composure breaking into something more tender.
"I know, child. I miss him too." Her voice carried the weight of sleepless nights. "When the time is right, I'll take you to see him."
Qin Yuxi's eyes shimmered faintly. She nodded, forcing a smile. "Mm. I'll wait, Mother."
For a brief moment, silence filled the hall—two women standing together, mother and daughter, bound by love yet separated by secrets neither dared to speak.
Then, as if remembering herself, Song Huifei straightened and regained her usual poise. "Go on now. Leave the rest to me."
Qin Yuxi's smile returned, gentler this time. She gave a soft nod and turned, the servants trailing behind her with her luggage.
Song Huifei watched until her figure disappeared up the stairs, her own hands tightening inside her sleeves, the serenity in her expression masking the storm beneath.
---
Outside the Qin mansion, a black sedan waited.
Qin Suyin slammed the car door with a sharp thud, her face twisted with fury.
"Grandfather, why did you let them speak to us like that? That pretentious Madam Song dares to dismiss us, and that Qin Yuxi—" her voice dripped with venom—"that fake princess, acting all high and mighty, looking down on me like I'm beneath her! She's nothing but a decorated vase."
Qin Weishan chuckled, the sound low and amused. He leaned back lazily against the leather seat, his cane resting across his lap.
"Suyin, Suyin… you let your temper get the better of you. When facing enemies, one must never reveal their hand too soon. Let them think they're untouchable. Only then will their downfall sting the most."
"But she dared to humiliate me in front of everyone!" Qin Suyin snapped, her nails biting into her palms. "Since we were children, she's had everything handed to her. Status, respect, even Zhou Shunhao! And she dares to flaunt it before me?!"
Her voice shook with barely contained jealousy.
Qin Weishan's lips curved, his eyes gleaming with sly calculation. "You've coveted Zhou Shunhao for years, haven't you?"
Qin Suyin's face flushed with anger and shame. "He should have been mine. Everyone knows it. That perfect mask of hers won't last forever. I swear, I'll tear it from her face. I'll strip her of her so-called dignity, take her place as Zhou family's eldest daughter-in-law, and watch her choke on her own tears."
Her tone was vicious, every word fueled by long-brewing hatred.
Qin Weishan's laugh rumbled deep in his chest. He reached over, patting her hand with mock gentleness, as though indulging a child.
"Good. That is the spirit of a true Qin. Boldness, ambition, hunger—that's what keeps us alive. Don't waste your anger on today's little defeat. This storm hanging over the Qin family…"
He paused, eyes narrowing with a cold glint. "...it will crush them soon enough. Then, when they are crawling on the ground, you will have your chance."
Qin Suyin's expression eased, though her eyes still burned with resentment. "I'll make sure of it, Grandfather. I'll make her regret ever being born into the Qin family."
The car rolled away from the Qin mansion, vanishing down the driveway. Inside, laughter echoed—low and cruel, dripping with ambition.
But neither noticed the silent figure standing on the upper balcony of the Qin residence. Shrouded in the fading light, the shadow watched the retreating car, eyes cold and unreadable.