Cold Encounter with a Madman - Chapter 12

Yan Zhi’an had no hope of going out to drink, and now she was followed by a tagalong she could not shake off. With a sense of despair, she looked at the child who had ruined her plans and said, “I will make sure you cannot sleep tonight.”

Xun Qi looked confused. In front of her, Yan Zhi’an summoned Wushuang and asked, “Where is Fifth Sister?”

“Locked in the ancestral hall,” Wushuang replied.

Yan Zhi’an lowered her head to tidy her cuffs. Her porcelain-white fingertips brushed against the fabric, her posture nonchalant. “What did the Old Master say?”

“He has yet to give a reply.”

“Then we go to the ancestral hall. Have the Old Master and Second Uncle go over as well.” Yan Zhi’an raised her head, her dark eyes rippling with coldness. She then looked at Xun Qi. “To the ancestral hall.”

“Are we not eating dinner?” Xun Qi asked, puzzled. It was already dark; even if they were not drinking, they should at least eat.

Yan Zhi’an gave a ghostly smile and, feigning affection, stroked the back of Xun Qi’s neck. “You will likely not be hungry tonight.”

The Yan family had been established for over a century, with branches all over Jinling, though the main branch lived in the ancestral manor. The ancestral hall was built grandly and occupied a vast area, with guards stationed at the gate and white lanterns swaying in the night air.

Xun Qi wrapped her heavy cloak tighter around herself. She looked up at the gloomy building, her heart pounding. The Yan family had strict rules, and historically, women were not allowed to enter the ancestral hall. However, as the status of women rose, this rule had been broken. Let alone entering the hall, even if Yan Zhi’an were to smash the place to pieces, no one would dare say a word. In this world, whoever has the ability and power has the right to speak.

When Xun Qi entered, she found someone kneeling on the ground. The person was disheveled and covered in grime, yet she wore fine garments. Xun Qi looked down and saw that the person’s limbs were bound and her mouth was stuffed with a cloth, but her eyes stared at people with a ghostly intensity. Xun Qi took a step back in fright, and upon closer look, realized it was the Fifth Concubine.

After steadying herself, the Old Master walked in, supported by the Second Master. He stepped over the threshold and said, “What are you making such a fuss about at this late hour?”

“Have the others not arrived?” Yan Zhi’an scanned the room. “The elder brothers should have been brought here as well.”

The Old Master frowned. “What are you trying to do?”

“To kill the chicken to warn the monkey.” Yan Zhi’an looked at the ancestral tablets, her expression solemn.

The Old Master fell silent. The Second Master was displeased; after all, Fifth Concubine was his daughter, and it was clear this was Yan Zhi’an stepping on the Second Branch to establish authority for Xun Qi. He was very dissatisfied. “Ninth Daughter, today was just a minor matter. Why make such a big scene?”

“A minor matter? Grandfather often says it does not matter how much trouble there is at home, but we must know who our enemies are. Was Fifth Sister’s behavior today, violating the family rules, acceptable?” Yan Zhi’an slowly scanned the Second Master, her cold eyes filled with dignity. “Second Uncle, what do you say?”

The Second Master was immediately speechless. He glared fiercely at his daughter. She was simply too stupid; she clearly knew that Yan Zhi’an had returned to make everyone accept this illegitimate daughter, yet she had rushed to provide a handle to be used against them. He said, “Punish her however you like, just spare her life.”

“Have the elder brothers come here,” Yan Zhi’an insisted. Outside the door, Wushuang heard her and immediately sent people to summon them.

The ancestral hall was cold. Even with charcoal fires, the chill could not be held back. A sense of coldness seemed to seep through her clothes, drilling into her bones and making her shiver.

Yan Zhi’an sat down and rested her chin on her hand, watching Xun Qi, who was staring at the Fifth Concubine. The Fifth Concubine’s hands and feet were bound, her mouth blocked, and she could only glare fiercely at Xun Qi. Xun Qi just watched her, neither retreating nor advancing, and finally said to the Fifth Concubine, “Actually, you are very stupid today.”

It would have been better if she had not spoken. At these words, the Fifth Concubine lunged forward, trying to ram into Xun Qi. Unexpectedly, the young girl moved quickly, stepping aside, and the Fifth Concubine fell flat on her face.

Yan Zhi’an could not help but laugh. Even the Second Master could not bear to watch; he wondered how he had produced such a stupid daughter.

Xun Qi stood up and slowly walked to her mother’s side, standing tall. Yan Zhi’an raised her hand and patted her forehead, but she did not scold her, let alone blame her.

While she was lost in thought, the eldest Yan brother and the others arrived one by one. When the Third Brother saw his sister bound, he instinctively wanted to untie her, but as he approached, his father coughed, and he instinctively pulled back his hand.

“Ninth Daughter, please spare her,” Third Brother Yan said in a subtle tone.

Yan Zhi’an smiled, her expression beautiful yet chilling. “What do you think?”

Third Brother Yan looked up at her and stood back in silence. He knew the capabilities of this Ninth Sister of his and did not dare to oppose her. Everyone in the family could offend others, as they were all equals, but this Ninth Lady was not someone who could be easily provoked. Since the elder brother, Third Brother Yan, did not dare to plead for mercy, the others naturally pretended not to see.

Just then, Yan Zhi’an walked slowly to the Fifth Concubine and ripped the cloth from her mouth. The woman spat at her. “Yan Zhi’an, what do you think you are? Do you think you are clean? Bringing back a girl of unknown origin and calling her the Young Mistress? Do you really think she is one?”

“Yan Zhi’an, I thought you were pure and noble, but you gave birth out of wedlock. Why pretend to be elegant? You are filthy to the core.”

“Enough!” the Old Master shouted in anger. “Fifth Concubine, look at yourself. Do you look like a human being now?”

“Grandfather, what did I say wrong? Who is this wild girl’s father? Who can prove she has the Yan family’s blood?” The Fifth Concubine took the opportunity to stir up trouble. “Grandfather, the Yan family has many children. There are others capable besides Yan Zhi’an. Why should we listen to her in everything, acknowledge this wild girl, and lose our dignity in Jinling?”

Xun Qi’s face turned deathly pale.

Yan Zhi’an laughed. “Then let us break your legs so you do not need to stand in Jinling.”

“Yan Zhi’an, what did I do wrong? You are covering the sky with one hand; the Yan family is not yours alone!” The Fifth Concubine was so angry her face was twisted. “What did I do wrong? I just want to tell the world that this wild girl knows nothing, she is just a country girl, and she is not capable of being the Young Mistress of our Yan family. Our family has been established in Jinling for a hundred years, and she is going to destroy us!”

The others looked at each other; what the Fifth Concubine said was exactly what they were thinking. What ability did Yan Xun Qi have to be the Young Mistress of the Yan family?

“I said I would not force you. Whoever is not convinced can leave the Yan family. Fifth Sister, do not make the Yan family sound so aggrieved. Who has been paying for the extravagance of the family today?” Yan Zhi’an stood up, her expression stern. “It is I who have been supporting you.”

This one sentence made Xun Qi look at her.

Yan Zhi’an wore a blue cloak, the white, soft fox fur highlighting her skin that was whiter than snow, and her cold, majestic appearance made people feel awe. She said, “It is I who have been supporting you.”

One sentence left the Fifth Concubine with no face; her previous arrogance became a joke.

Yan Zhi’an said, “Go and audit the public accounts of the Yan estate, see how many serve as officials, how many businesses there are, and who supports the massive expenses of the Xianxian Pavilion. It was the mines I found for the Yan family. Fifth Sister, you were born into the Yan family, what contribution or benefit have you provided?”

“I…” The Fifth Concubine was speechless.

Yan Zhi’an did not bother with her embarrassment but looked at her uncles and brothers. “If you share the same thoughts as Fifth Sister, you are welcome to leave the Yan family and establish your own house; I will not stop you. Or, I will leave the Yan family and return the pure and legitimate Yan clan to you.”

“Ninth Daughter, that is too much,” the Old Master finally spoke. “Fifth Concubine has been spoiled by your Second Uncle and does not know better. A beating and punishment should be enough.”

“No. Fifth Concubine will be struck from the Yan family genealogy and may never return. No one in the Yan family is permitted to provide her with any assistance.” Yan Zhi’an refuted the Old Master’s decision.

“Ninth Daughter…” The Second Uncle was anxious. Yan Zhi’an looked at him. “Second Uncle, you choose whether the entire Second Branch is removed or just her alone.”

Third Brother Yan said impatiently, “Ninth Daughter, this is forcing her to her death.”

“It is she who is seeking her own death.” Yan Zhi’an remained unmoved. “Since I am the Head of the Household, it will be done as I say.” She looked at the Fifth Concubine. “You are no longer a member of the Yan family. I will post a notice; you have no more connection to the Yan family.”

The Fifth Concubine completely collapsed. She was unwilling to accept this and looked at the Old Master. “Grandfather, Grandfather, I am of the Yan family; you cannot be so heartless.”

However, the Old Master said, “This is your own doing.”

Yan Zhi’an stood up and walked away. As she passed the Fifth Concubine, she paused, her cold, sharp gaze sweeping across the room. “The Yan family respects me because I support you. I provide you with your noble status in Jinling, and I look after all the kin who serve as officials. Do not think that if I, Yan Zhi’an, leave the Yan family, my reputation will be ruined; it is you who will lose your current status if you leave me.”

After speaking, she flicked her sleeves and left. Xun Qi followed behind her, not forgetting to glance at the others, who all looked deathly pale.

Xun Qi hurried to keep up. After Yan Zhi’an left, she slowed her pace, waiting for Xun Qi to catch up.

“Are you still eating dinner?” Yan Zhi’an asked lazily.

Xun Qi looked up, meeting her mother’s shocking and refined gaze, and a warm feeling surged in her heart. “Of course. Why would I not? I did nothing wrong. It is they who are wrong, and they are the ones who should be unable to eat or sleep tonight.”

The small, young person, with red lips and dark brows, stood under the lamplight, her face snow-white, looking up at the goddess in her heart.

Yan Zhi’an gave a sneer, raised her hand, and touched her head. “What are you thinking?”

“I will study hard. Mother, will you teach me how to find mines?” Xun Qi looked up with excitement. The next moment, Yan Zhi’an extended a pale pink fingertip and poked her puffed-up cheek. “You are truly shameless!”

If I teach the apprentice, the master will starve.

Fearing that Xun Qi would overthink it, she sighed feignedly, “This depends on talent. I will take you to try it one day.”

Xun Qi smiled brightly. “I am born by you, surely I have the talent.”

Yan Zhi’an: “…”

“Go back and eat.”

She turned and left, and Xun Qi ran a few steps to catch up, taking her hand voluntarily.

For a moment, Yan Zhi’an wanted to shake her off, but just as she lifted her hand, her heart skipped a beat, and she put it back down.

Forget it. Do not make her cry.