17: The matriarch, Qing'er, exercises power on behalf of her husband.

The Chu Family, Back Courtyard.

Under the pavilion, Chu He was gently rocking his precious son, Chu Tian.

Little Chu Tian had just finished nursing, and was staring curiously at the world with his big, dark eyes, occasionally reaching out with his small, tender hands to grab Chu He's chin.

Chu He wore a satisfied smile, enjoying this rare father-son time.

As for the dozens of people kneeling outside the gate, he couldn't even be bothered to lift an eyelid.

They want to see me?

Are they worthy?

When you were stepping all over me back then, why didn't you consider that this day would come?

Now they think kneeling and kowtowing a few times will make me forgive them?

Where in the world is there such a bargain?

Let them wait.

Just let them kneel.

Let them kneel until they doubt their lives, until they fully understand who the true master of Qingyang City is.

“Young Master...”

Qing'er walked out of the kitchen, holding a bowl of freshly brewed lotus seed soup.

Her complexion had fully recovered, and due to the nourishment of spiritual energy and the joy brought by the new life, her skin was even fairer and smoother than before, exuding the captivating charm of a mature woman.

She walked into the pavilion, placed the lotus seed soup on the stone table, and glanced worriedly toward the main gate.

“Young Master, the people from the Zhao Family have been kneeling outside for almost two hours. The weather is so hot; if they continue kneeling, some might not be able to endure it.”

Qing'er was kind-hearted. Although she hated the Zhao Family, especially Zhao Yanran, she still felt uneasy about watching dozens of people kneel to death right outside their gate.

Hearing this, Chu He looked up from his son and glanced at Qing'er.

He smiled, reached out, and pulled Qing'er down to sit beside him.

“Have you gone soft?”

Qing'er's Face flushed slightly. She lowered her head and whispered, “Qing'er just feels... that every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt has its debtor. The ones who primarily humiliated Young Master were Zhao Wuji and Zhao Yanran, the father and daughter. The others, perhaps... perhaps their crimes don't warrant this.”

“Silly girl.” Chu He gently flicked her nose and said softly, “Do you think Zhao Wuji alone would dare to do those things without the support of those Elders? When an avalanche occurs, no single snowflake is innocent.”

“The reason they are kneeling here today is not because they realize their mistakes, but because they are afraid.”

“When dealing with people like this, the softer you are, the more they think you are easy to bully. Only by scaring them and subjugating them once and for all will they remember this lesson forever.”

Qing'er listened, half understanding, half confused, but she knew that what the Young Master said must be right.

Chu He looked at her innocent expression, and his heart stirred. He suddenly said, “How about this? I'll leave this matter for you to handle.”

“Ah?” Qing'er was stunned, her mouth slightly agape, wearing a look of disbelief. “Yo-Young Master, how... how can this be? Qing'er is just a maidservant... For such a huge matter, Qing'er... Qing'er wouldn't know what to do...”

“Nonsense.” Chu He straightened his Face and said with feigned seriousness, “You are now Chu He's officially married wife, the Matriarch of the Chu Family, and the mother of my son. Tell me, do you have the qualifications to handle this small matter?”

“I...” Qing'er's heart pounded furiously.

Matriarch... these two words filled her with an unprecedented sense of responsibility and honor.

That's right, she was no longer that little maidservant who could be bullied by anyone.

She was the Matriarch of the Chu Family!

She had to share her husband's burdens and hold up the sky for her son!

An inexplicable surge of courage and confidence rose from the bottom of her heart.

“Young Master, then... then what should Qing'er do?” She lifted her head, her eyes becoming resolute.

Chu He smiled.

This was exactly the effect he wanted.

He couldn't protect Qing'er forever; he needed Qing'er to grow up and be able to stand on her own.

“Do whatever you wish.” Chu He handed his son into her arms and said, “Remember one thing: you represent the Face of my Chu Family. Anyone who makes you unhappy is disrespecting my Face, Chu He's Face.”

“As for the conditions...” Chu He leaned close to her ear and whispered a few words.

The more Qing'er listened, the brighter her eyes became.

“Qing'er understands!”

She nodded heavily, hugged her son, and turned to walk toward the main gate.

Her steps were no longer timid as before, but full of confidence and composure... Outside the Chu Family gate.

Zhao Wuji already felt like he was about to collapse from exhaustion.

The severe pain in his knees, the scorching sun, and the inner torment made him want to faint several times.

But he didn't dare.

He knew this was Chu He's test and his punishment.

He could only grit his teeth and hold on desperately.

Just when he felt he was reaching his limit.

“Creak—”

That vermillion gate, which had been tightly shut for more than two hours, finally opened.

Zhao Wuji's heart leaped with joy, and he suddenly raised his head.

However, what he saw was not the murderous fiend Chu He he had anticipated.

Instead, it was a young woman dressed in a simple, elegant long dress, holding a baby in her arms.

It was Qing'er!

The maidservant... who was always by Chu He's side?

Zhao Wuji was stunned.

The Zhao Family members behind him were all stunned as well.

What was the meaning of this?

Chu He refused to see them, so he sent a maidservant out to dismiss them?

What an immense humiliation!

Several hot-blooded Zhao Family disciples instantly showed expressions of shame and anger, clenching their fists tight.

But Zhao Wuji was an old hand in the Jianghu, and he immediately realized the situation.

Wait!

Look at this woman's clothes and the baby in her arms... This baby must be the Chu Family's Qilin child who caused the celestial phenomenon!

And for this woman to be holding this child, her status was definitely not as simple as a maidservant!

She was Chu He's woman! The mother of this child!

Having realized this, Zhao Wuji not only dared not show any contempt but lowered his posture even further.

“Sinner Zhao Wuji greets Madam!” He quickly kowtowed again, his voice filled with utmost respect.

Seeing this, the Zhao Family members behind him quickly followed suit, kowtowing and shouting in unison, “Greetings, Madam!”

Qing'er looked at the former high-and-mighty Zhao Family Head kneeling before her, and a wave of emotion washed over her heart.

She recalled how, in front of the Zhao Family members back then, she didn't even dare to breathe heavily.

Yet now, these people had to kneel at her feet and beg for her forgiveness.

This drastic change in status made her momentarily feel disoriented.

But she quickly remembered Chu He's instructions, and her eyes regained their clarity and determination.

Holding her son, she took two steps forward. Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

“My husband is resting and has no time to see you.”

That single sentence caused the hearts of all the Zhao Family members to sink to the bottom.

No time to see us?

Did this mean he didn't even want to talk to them?

Just as Zhao Wuji felt despair, Qing'er spoke again.

“However, my husband said that, considering the past relationship between the two Families, he can give your Zhao Family a chance.”

Zhao Wuji's eyes instantly lit up!

“Please instruct us, Madam! No matter the condition, my Zhao Family will comply even if it means death!”

Qing'er looked at him and slowly stated the three conditions Chu He had taught her.

“First, all the property you took from the Chu Family back then must be returned twofold. Additionally, you must compensate my Chu Family for emotional damages with one hundred thousand taels of Gold.”

“Second, within three days, you must publicly read an Edict of Self-Reproach in the city square, making public the crimes of how your Zhao Family used deceit and force, and how you kicked others when they were down, apologizing to all the Families you have oppressed.”

“Third...” Qing'er paused here, her gaze sweeping over the crowd as if searching for someone.

“Young Miss Zhao Yanran, where is she?”

No one in the crowd answered.

Zhao Wuji quickly said, “Replying to Madam, my little girl... she is unwell and resting at home...”

“Is that so?” Qing'er said lightly, “That works out perfectly. The third condition is that from this day forward, Zhao Yanran is forbidden from stepping foot into Qingyang City for eternity. Otherwise, the consequences will be yours to bear.”

As soon as these three conditions were announced, all the Zhao Family members collectively gasped.

The first condition, paying money, would be financially devastating, but still acceptable.

The second condition, publicly reading the Edict of Self-Reproach, was meant to completely tear off the Zhao Family's Face and stomp on it! How could the Zhao Family continue to exist in Qingyang City after that?

And the third condition was the most vicious! It directly banished their Zhao Family's most outstanding Heaven's Proud Daughter!

Vicious as it was, did they dare to say “no”?

They dared not.

Compared to the annihilation of the Family, these things were nothing.

“My... my Zhao Family agrees to everything!” Without the slightest hesitation, Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth and squeezed out these words.

“Very good.” Qing'er nodded, satisfied with his pragmatism.

She held Little Chu Tian in her arms, looking at the child who had become immensely powerful because of her husband, and her heart was filled with unprecedented pride and glory.

She turned around, preparing to return to the mansion.

Just as she was about to close the large gate, she stopped again, turned back, and spoke her final words to Zhao Wuji.

“Considering the past relationship between the two Families, my husband asked me to tell you.”

“Behave yourselves.”

After speaking, the large gate slammed shut with a “bang.”

Only the Zhao Family members remained kneeling outside the gate, looking as if they had just lost a parent.