When the curtain of the carriage was lifted, the Marquis of Dingxi gasped at the sight of so many people before him. He had heard the commotion was large, but he hadn't truly internalized just how significant it was.

It was merely the death of a farmer; how many idle onlookers could possibly gather? Only now, facing them, did he realize—there truly were that many idle souls!

If he stepped down now, forget a mere fist, a single mouthful of spit from each person could drown him! This scoundrel of a boy, who had never caused him trouble since childhood, chose this moment to create a headache of this magnitude!

This was going to be the death of his lordship! In an instant, he decided to remain seated and not descend, reaching to lower the carriage curtain when his steward suddenly leaped forward.

“The Marquis of Dingxi has arrived!” the steward bellowed at the top of his lungs. That single shout drew the attention of those nearest, and soon, more and more gazes converged.

The Marquis of Dingxi froze, his hand gripping the carriage curtain. Retreating now, under the scrutiny of all these eyes, would require immense fortitude….

The Marquis slowly stepped down. Thankfully, the steward was quick-witted enough to support him, preventing a comical fall.

Though, perhaps it was already a joke in the making… The crowd parted, and Chang Yuncheng also spotted the Marquis of Dingxi; his steps faltered slightly. Qi Yue rushed up from behind, bypassing Chang Yuncheng.

Chang Yuncheng swiftly extended a hand, grabbing the woman, and flung her behind him. “You!” The Marquis of Dingxi looked at his son, his expression detached, and couldn't help but point and shout, “Look at the fine mess you’ve made!” Chang Yuncheng remained silent, showing no reaction whatsoever.

Qi Yue struggled behind him, kicking and beating against the hand restraining her. After shouting this, the Marquis of Dingxi abruptly turned away.

He sought out the family of the deceased, who were also surrounded by the populace, and strode quickly toward them. The crowd automatically separated.

The expressions directed at the Marquis of Dingxi were distinctly unfriendly. What are they trying to do?

Even now, they intend to bully people? Thinking this, someone in the crowd couldn't help but shout out.

The sudden, angry voice erupting nearby made the Marquis of Dingxi stumble, forcing him to clutch the steward’s hand tightly. The scene hung suspended in a stalemate.

“You people…” The Marquis looked at the family, his voice trembling slightly as he began, “This Marquis…” The family members looked over at the richly and solemnly dressed man, their faces showing unconcealed fear and anxiety. The Marquis of Dingxi had only managed to utter those few words when he suddenly bowed deeply to them.

“A father is accountable for a son’s failures. Regarding this matter, we, the Marquis of Dingxi’s Residence, have wronged you!

This Marquis offers his apology!” he declared. His voice still shook, and he spoke quickly, betraying his inner panic and unease.

But once those words were spoken, the Marquis of Dingxi suddenly felt a great burden lift, finding instant relief. Perhaps, this wasn't so difficult after all, nor so terrifying… The Marquis straightened up, withdrawing the hand that had been resting on the steward’s arm.

“This Marquis offers his apology to you,” he stated again, this time with a clearer voice. Everyone nearby heard it distinctly.

Those closest were stunned. The unusual quiet quickly spread, and the noisy, chaotic scene settled down.

The deceased man’s family also looked taken aback. What?

“My unruly son committed such an absurd act over a medical dispute, causing your loved one to miss treatment until it was too late. This is wrong on my son’s part, and it is also wrong on the part of our Residence,” the Marquis continued, bowing again to the family.

“Given the situation, I implore you to accept my condolences. Besides my apology, the Marquisate will certainly provide compensation.” Apology… compensation… Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue were also stunned at this turn.

What was the Marquis of Dingxi saying? Wasn't he supposed to declare that the rebellious son had nothing to do with the Residence, that he must bear his own consequences, and perhaps that the Residence was executing righteous justice by disowning him?

What was this apology? And compensation?

And… compensation? A flash of intense joy crossed the young woman's face.

It seemed they had struck a massive windfall this time! “The man, the man is dead, what compensation can there be!” she cried, covering her face.

The crowd also snapped back to reality. The Marquis of Dingxi’s Residence had backed down!

The Marquisate had admitted fault! They were offering compensation!

Everyone became agitated; this was their victory! “Exactly!

The man is dead! How can you compensate!” “Right, can you compensate for a life?” Many shouted, filled with righteous indignation, and the scene became a boiling clamor.

The Marquis of Dingxi suddenly felt like a small boat caught in a hurricane, moments from being capsized. Meanwhile, the pressure on Chang Yuncheng’s side dissolved completely.

He watched this man, the one he had called father for over two decades—the closest yet most distant person to him, the one he loathed and looked down upon—carefully nodding to the enraged crowd, an unconcealed terror on his face, like a startled rabbit ready to flee, yet never actually running. “…Yes, a life cannot be brought back, but those who remain must still live on, mustn't they?” “…Yes, yes, that’s right, tell us, anything you want…” “…No problem, this Marquis stands by his word…” “…No problem, everyone bear witness…” “…Good, good, accept our condolences, this was our mistake…” “…Fine, fine, you old gentleman is right, this man’s vitality is ruined even if he lived… Of course, of course, that’s not what I meant… ahem… We just want to offer restitution.

You have lost this person, but life must go on as if he were here—no, better than if he were here…” Watching this, Chang Yuncheng felt a sudden sting in his nose. “Go to hell with your compensation!” Qi Yue, whose wrist he was still holding, exploded with renewed fury from behind him, shouting loudly, “Go to hell with your compensation!

Use your conscience and tell me, do you even feel shame asking for it!” She yelled and stamped her feet, kicking at Chang Yuncheng. “Let go of me, I’m not done with them!

You two fools, stop being so self-righteous! You two idiots, stop thinking you know best!” she screamed.

Chang Yuncheng merely gripped her hand tightly, refusing to let go. These shouts could not overcome the discussions happening on the other side.

The other side finally reached an agreement. The steward personally escorted the deceased's family away to finalize the compensation.

The public, naturally needing to witness the process, followed along with cheerful excitement, the previous anger replaced by the joy of victory. The crowd that had filled the area before the government yamen dispersed like flowing water, leaving behind the Marquis of Dingxi, his son, Qi Yue, and the people from the Pavilion of Thousand Blessings still standing on the steps.

The Marquis of Dingxi’s usually refined demeanor was slightly ruffled. He let out a breath and wiped the sweat from his brow.

He actually managed it… It really wasn’t that terrifying in the end… “Father,” Chang Yuncheng whispered, his lips dry. Only then did the Marquis look over.

Though inwardly elated, he still needed to maintain his stern paternal image. “Rebellious son!

Look at the disaster you’ve caused!” he snapped, his face darkening. “You just wait while I—” Before he could finish, Chang Yuncheng swept up his robes and knelt before him.

“Allow Father to accept the penance on your behalf!” he declared, then kowtowed heavily. The Marquis of Dingxi was genuinely startled by this action.

This troublesome boy had never shown submission before him since childhood; even when punished, he would kneel rigidly straight. Now, the Marquis hadn’t even struck him yet, so why the sudden subservience?

The Marquis of Dingxi was a man of culture; facing an opponent’s surrender, it was difficult for him to maintain any significant anger—it was a matter of decorum, unavoidable. “If you knew this day would come, why act so before!” he snapped, flicking his sleeves and scowling.

“Get up! We will settle accounts when we return!” However, Chang Yuncheng did not rise immediately.

After another heavy kowtow, he stood up. But he didn't stay standing; Qi Yue, standing nearby, delivered a vicious kick to him.

Chang Yuncheng, who was just regaining his balance, lost his footing and swayed, ending up kneeling on one knee again. He turned to glare at Qi Yue.

“You!” Qi Yue stared at the father and son, her face flushed crimson, her breathing ragged. “What are you doing!” She shouted, her voice hoarse.

The Marquis of Dingxi grew uneasy and anxious. “Yue Niang, it’s alright.

This has nothing to do with you…” he hurried to say. “What does this have to do with you people!” Qi Yue roared, her expression furious and agitated.

“I caused a death, what does that have to do with you! What does it have to do with you!” This was the first time anyone had seen such intense emotion from this woman.

Since they had known her, she had always been cheerful, and even her anger was usually a cold, unemotional detachment. Why now…?

The Marquis of Dingxi, Chang Yuncheng, and even the disciples of the Pavilion of Thousand Blessings were stunned, watching the woman, who looked almost crazed, with alarm and concern. What was happening?

“Yue Niang, if it weren’t for the matter involving his mother, this wouldn’t have escalated…” the Marquis muttered, rubbing his hands with a touch of apology and unease. “Look, we couldn’t just let you suffer the consequences innocently…” “Consequences!

I suffer the consequences!” Qi Yue pointed at her own nose and yelled, “You people bully others too much! You bully people too much!” How was this bullying?

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances; the Marquis of Dingxi became even more unsettled, staring at Chang Yuncheng. Chang Yuncheng watched as Qi Yue slowly stood up.

“What do you all take me for!” Qi Yue looked at them. “Hm?

Are you afraid I’ll be beaten to death because I couldn't save someone? Hm?

Am I that kind of person? What business is this of yours?

Hm? Are you so noble?

So heroic? Does it feel good?

Are you proud of your self-sacrifice? Are you insane!” The Marquis’s face reddened with embarrassment.

Was he wrong about this matter? “Yue Niang, no, I didn’t mean that.

I mean, as an elder, I simply cannot abandon you regardless of the circumstances…” he stammered, rubbing his hands awkwardly. “As the saying goes, when one prospers, the whole family prospers; when one suffers loss, how can I stand aside…” “Who is your family!

Have you ever seen people look down on others like you?” Qi Yue shouted, tears welling in her eyes. Who is your family!

She had no family! Her family was in another world!

Who is your family! “What business is it of yours, that patient couldn’t be saved!

Couldn’t be saved! Whether you came or not, they couldn't be saved!

What is wrong with you people, desperately trying to take the blame onto yourselves! Why?

Is it fun? Have you ever looked down on people like this?

Oh, does this mean I can never fail to save someone again? The moment I fail, you jump out to take the blame?

Have you ever looked down on people like this? Do I have some grudge against you?

What are you trying to achieve!” Qi Yue waved her hands as she yelled. “Yue Niang, you know he couldn't be saved, but we don't know, and these people don't know.

They only know you revived that man; they only know I blocked you with my mother; they only know you saved my mother; they only know that person wasn't saved. Yue Niang, you know this, but they don't.

You can't explain it clearly,” Chang Yuncheng said solemnly, looking at her. “If my mother hadn't shown up, you could have explained it perfectly.

But now that my mother is involved, I cannot let you face these people’s doubts, argue and explain with them, or endure their accusations and noise! Yue Niang, this is unfair!

This shouldn't be!” Qi Yue looked at him and gave a cold laugh. “Unfair, shouldn’t be—what business is that of yours!

What business is it of yours!” she exclaimed, her voice gradually rising. “You people bully others!

You bully people like this!” After saying this, tears finally streamed from her eyes. She turned and fled.

“Master…” the disciples of the Pavilion of Thousand Blessings called out uneasily. Liu Pucheng watched the woman run away and sighed softly.

(To be continued) No pop-up novel network www.RT