A sharp word from her husband silenced Qin Yi’s mother, Zhu Susu, who dared not speak further. Though she hailed from a military family, her standing paled in comparison to the General’s household of the Qin family. With her husband having spoken, she dared not argue back.

Instead, she turned her gaze to Li Panpan, a fierce anger suddenly surging within her. She pointed a finger at the girl and hissed: “Panpan, tell me, what exactly happened? Didn’t Yi’er go to pick you up!” It was the first time Li Panpan had seen Auntie Zhu, usually so gentle and kind, transform into such a ferocious expression, and she was startled: “Auntie Zhu, although Brother Qin came to get me, when I saw him, he was defending a girl from our school.

A girl in our class named Ning Yunhuan had a conflict with her, and Brother Qin couldn’t stand by, so he grabbed Ning Yunhuan, twisted her wrist bone, and slapped her across the face. The one who hit Brother Qin seemed to be Ning Yunhuan’s boyfriend.” Li Panpan recounted these events without embellishment. Being naturally pure and kind-hearted, she had actually found Qin Yi’s action of snapping Ning Yunhuan’s wrist bone hard to watch, which is why she sympathized and lent her phone.

Yet, she hadn't expected Ning Yunhuan’s boyfriend to arrive and beat her fiancé even more severely, leaving him now paralyzed on the… “What?” Although Su Ying’s people had already brought Qin Yi back and given a rough outline of the situation, when the elder Master Qin heard that his own grandson had broken a girl’s wristbone while trying to right a wrong, only to be beaten into this state by her boyfriend, a surge of fury immediately erupted in his chest. He suppressed his anger: “What was the nature of the dispute?” He currently hoped that reason stood on the Qin family’s side so his grandson might at least earn the reputation of acting bravely for a just cause. Who knew that when asked, Li Panpan replied with perfect honesty: “It was because that female classmate was simultaneously involved with the young master of the Xie family and maintaining a relationship with Ning Yunhuan’s elder brother.

Disapproving of Ning Yunhuan’s parents blocking her association with the eldest son of the Ning family, they stopped her, forbidding her to visit her hospitalized father. During the ensuing argument, that female classmate smashed Ning Yunhuan’s phone and bag. Ning Yunhuan, enraged, struck her twice.

Brother Qin likely didn’t understand the full context when he intervened to defend her, resulting in Ning Yunhuan’s injury.” Upon hearing this, the Qin family members were momentarily speechless; even the gathered experts twitched the corners of their mouths. The eldest Young Master Qin truly possessed remarkable talent. To be so chivalrous without first clarifying the situation—it was natural for the girl surnamed Ning to strike the shameless girl causing trouble.

But for him to step in and break that girl's bone to vent anger on behalf of the beaten girl, and even slap her, it was no wonder her boyfriend retaliated against him. “But Father, no matter how deep the grievance, he shouldn’t have used such excessive force!” Although Zhu Susu now grasped the implication of Li Panpan’s words, seeing her son weak and clinging to life on the hospital bed felt like a knife twisting in her heart. Biting her lip, she showed defiance: “I say we cannot let that girl surnamed Ning off the hook!” “Nonsense!” Master Qin glared at Zhu Susu as soon as he heard her.

“Qin Yi was simply outmatched; who is there to blame? To strike someone’s face when you shouldn't even strike the face in a fight—doesn't he deserve to be beaten?” He, too, felt the pain of seeing his promising grandson in this state, yet there was one thing he hadn't voiced when Li Panpan interrupted: “Brother Qin also said that if Ning Yunhuan hit that girl one more time, he would strip her clothes and make her run around the campus…” After a moment of silence settled over the room, Master Qin looked at the astonished medical authorities surrounding him, a choking sensation rising in his chest. He sneered: “He truly has brought honor upon us.” His grandson hadn't seemed so impulsive before; how could the actions this time be so preposterous?

“That woman involved with the Xie family—investigate whether she knows Qin Yi.” After saying this, Master Qin finally noticed the stunned Li Panpan beside him and quickly tried to soothe her: “Panpan, I believe my grandson is not that sort of person, but Grandpa Qin still needs to investigate. I will certainly give you an explanation.” Li Panpan remained silent. She was kind, not foolish; she certainly understood the meaning behind Master Qin’s words.

She bit her lip. Fu Yuan, who had also been brought back but was managing to stand, grew furious upon hearing this. She was injured too—Lan Lingyan had kicked her—yet the Qin family focused solely on examining Qin Yi, ignoring her completely.

Her chest ached terribly, and seeing the elder Master Qin, whom she usually tried so hard to impress but could barely get an audience with, concerned only with placating Li Panpan, resentment flared up: “Panpan, if you hadn't lent your phone to Ning Yunhuan then, nothing would have happened, right?” Clutching her chest, realizing she had drawn everyone’s attention by speaking, she forced herself to puff out her chest: “When Ning Yunhuan got hit, it was no big deal! It was just a broken bone. If you hadn’t lent her the phone, she couldn’t have called that man, and we wouldn’t have gotten beaten.” Hearing this, Zhu Susu’s face immediately changed: “Li Panpan, how can you be so disloyal?” Qin Zheng also showed some dissatisfaction, but restrained himself as Master Qin’s brow furrowed.

His expression, however, suggested agreement with Zhu Susu. “You shut up!” Master Qin glared fiercely at his daughter-in-law before managing a strained smile. “Panpan, don't listen to your Auntie Zhu; she’s just worried about Brother Qin’s injuries.” Seeing the hurt expression on Li Panpan’s face, he quickly reassured her: “Hurry, someone!

Take Miss Panpan outside to rest; she’s been tired all day, and no one has any sense! Take this girl out too.” Master Qin shot a cold look at Fu Yuan, making her turn pale before turning his head away. Servants quickly arrived to lead the somewhat dejected and heartbroken Li Panpan and the terrified Fu Yuan away.

Only then did Zhu Susu complain: “Father, why are you siding with her? It was clearly her fault that Yi’er is injured now.” “Just be quiet!” Master Qin glared coldly at her. He used to think his daughter-in-law was sharp and adept at reading people; although her family background was inferior to the Qin family, marrying a daughter-in-law of lower status should have kept her in check.

He hadn't expected her to be so simple-minded. If he had known, marrying his son to a woman of equal standing might have meant that when he spoke, they would have understood his underlying meaning. Master Qin felt disappointed, but seeing Zhu Susu quiet down brought him slight relief.

He called his three sons and Zhu Susu’s group out before saying softly: “The person who beat Yi’er was that girl surnamed Ning’s boyfriend, but who was it that sent Yi’er back?” Qin Zheng, Master Qin’s eldest son, the one he had invested the most effort in instructing since childhood, hesitated upon hearing his father’s words: “Father, do you suspect that the boyfriend of the girl surnamed Ning is connected to the Su family?” As soon as he voiced this, those aware of Su Ying’s background saw their faces change instantly. “It’s more than just the Su family; it’s possible their position is even above the Su family’s,” Master Qin said, his heart trembling. In the eyes of many, the Qin family was already formidable—after all, Master Qin was a founding General who earned many military merits, and his three sons occupied stable positions in the military, business, and politics, forming a near-perfect triangle.

However, relative to the core of central power, they weren't at the very pinnacle and might not be noticed. “If that is truly the case, even if we let this go, they might come looking for trouble. Given our current standing, eldest son, do you really think you can casually berate Li Panpan because she’s your future daughter-in-law?

She is the only granddaughter of Old General Li, deeply cherished by the Li family. Old General Li’s prestige surpasses even mine; understand that even I have to placate her. If she complains after you scolded her today, I’ll have to make a personal visit to apologize!

From now on, behave yourself. Until we find out exactly who that girl surnamed Ning’s boyfriend is, I forbid you from acting rashly, do you understand?” Having been warned to this extent, Zhu Susu had no choice but to swallow the resentment and frustration churning in her chest, however unwilling she was. Having lived half her life feeling stifled, watching others enjoy glory while she felt unable to hold her head high because her two sisters-in-law held higher status, she had hoped marrying into a prestigious family through her son would allow her to stand tall.

Now, the Master’s directive—for her, the mother-in-law, to bow and apologize on behalf of Li Panpan—was unbearable. A flicker of dissatisfaction arose in her heart toward Li Panpan, whom she had previously considered a satisfactory match. “That’s not all.

Qin Gu, prepare several sets of gifts. First, visit the Su family to inquire about that person’s background, and then decide on the magnitude of the gift we should offer their household!” The sons agreed to Master Qin’s commands. It was precisely because of this that as soon as Lan Lingyan led Ning Yunhuan home, before she could even properly bathe, she received news that Master Qin himself was coming to their door with gifts to offer an apology!

“This Qin family certainly knows their place; they’ve come so quickly,” Lan Lingyan sneered, turning to look at Ning Yunhuan, gently brushing the soft strands of hair falling across her chest. “Are you still angry? If not, we can let him wait outside.

If you are, we’ll wash up first before seeing what gifts they brought and whether they are worth forgiving.” Power and status truly were marvelous things! Ning Yunhuan never dreamed that such lofty figures, usually high above her, would personally come to apologize. If it were her own Ning family status, she would likely have had to swallow the insult after being beaten.

This time, she owed it to Lan Lingyan’s influence. She thought of Li Panpan; although she held little affection for Qin Yi, given that girl’s kindness, she sighed: “Then let’s forget it. I heard the Qin family’s elder master is already quite old.” Someone of the retired generation, at least sixty or seventy years old, coming to the door personally—she didn’t intend to press the matter further.

Lan Lingyan deferred to her decision, nodding: “As you wish.”