Volume Two: Inherited Legacy of Splendor and Blood Chapter 118: A Clean Break

Inside the main hall of the Marquis of the Embroidered Uniform’s mansion, a dense crowd had gathered, darkening the entire space. On the eight intricately carved chairs lining both sides of the hall, eight elders were seated, each with numerous attendants standing behind them—some old, some young—a grand assembly indeed.

The Third Elder of the Qi family sat at the foremost left seat, clad in the marquis’s embroidered coat and fur hat. His face, deeply lined with wrinkles, was cold and stern.

The Fifth Lord of the Third Branch was absent, but the Sixth Lord stood behind the Third Elder, his expression fierce and hostile. Beside him, Qi Yu’s face was equally frosty.

Two lantern stands flanked the hall on each side, each holding two oil lamps, casting a bright glow over the room.

When Yang Ning entered the hall, many were still whispering among themselves, creating a somewhat noisy atmosphere. The moment he appeared, all chatter ceased abruptly as countless eyes fixed upon him, their expressions varied. The Third Elder glanced at him, snorted coldly, and stroked his beard, embodying a demeanor of seasoned authority.

Yang Ning scanned the room with a smile. “Are all the old and young masters of the Qi family here?” He cupped his hands in greeting. “Qi Ning pays respects to the elders.”

The Qi family was a prominent lineage. Beyond the main branches, many secondary and tertiary lines existed, mostly rooted around Jiangling. However, since the old marquis had moved to the capital, both he and his son, the current Marquis of the Embroidered Uniform, had become pillars of the Great Chu state. The various branches, eager to bask in the shade of this great tree, had also relocated to the capital.

Though the marquis might not have granted many favors to these collateral branches, being kin and relatives of the marquis made their affairs in the capital somewhat easier. Many held official positions in various government offices, while others engaged in commerce.

The Third Elder’s branch was mainly business-oriented. Compared to the marquis’s mansion, which held only two shops, the Third Branch had considerably more commercial properties in the capital.

While the marquis was alive, the main and collateral branches naturally looked to him as their leader. But after the old marquis passed, the Third Elder had become head of the Qi clan, overseeing family affairs with a firm hand.

Yang Ning greeted them, but no one responded; many averted their gazes.

He smiled faintly and strode toward the principal seat at the head of the hall. Just as he was about to sit, the Sixth Lord sneered, “Hold on, Qi Ning. Have you no eyes? The elders and young masters of the clan are all here today for a family meeting. Do you dare take the main seat?”

Yang Ning paid no heed and sat down firmly, prompting a stir among those present.

“Enough,” he said, leaning back in his chair and even crossing his legs leisurely. “This is the Marquis of the Embroidered Uniform’s mansion—my own domain. Don’t just think about sitting; even lying down here is none of your concern.” He continued with a leisurely tone, “Uncle and elder cousins have gathered in such force. I wonder what your purpose is? The marquis’s meal time has passed. If anyone hasn’t eaten, I do apologize.”

His words drew scowls and shaking heads from many.

An elder cleared his throat. “Qi Ning, as the heir, you should behave accordingly. Such impropriety would bring shame to the Qi family if outsiders heard of it…”

Before he could finish, Yang Ning interrupted, “Excuse me, and who might you be?”

The elder hesitated. Then the Third Elder finally spoke, “You need not concern yourself with who he is. Most of the elders and young masters of the Qi family are present today; you wouldn’t know them all.”

“That’s true,” Yang Ning smiled. “As clan head, the Third Elder holds absolute sway over family affairs. Whether I recognize others or not is irrelevant.”

The Sixth Lord growled in anger, “Qi Ning, mind your tone! Do you understand the rules here?”

He still bore a deep grudge against Yang Ning after being viciously beaten and having his head injured last time.

“Qi Song, enough,” the Third Elder said darkly, turning to Yang Ning. “Tell me—was it your idea to expel Qi Yu and his mother from the marquis’s mansion?”

Yang Ning glanced at Qi Yu, who was glaring at him with hatred, then laughed and nodded, “Yes, it was my idea.”

A hum of uproar filled the hall.

“Qi Ning, your father’s funeral has just concluded. No sooner had he departed than you attacked your own flesh and blood. Have you no conscience?” The Third Elder’s fury was palpable. “Your narrow mind cannot tolerate others, and you threaten to ruin the marquis’s reputation with your actions.”

Yang Ning crossed his legs, asking, “I’ve given them until midnight tonight to leave the mansion, so less than two hours remain. Third Elder, you and your crowd came all this way—are you here to plead for them?”

The Third Elder sneered, “Plead? Do you think I need to plead with you?”

“Oh?” Yang Ning asked, “Then what exactly is your intention?”

“You have committed a grave mistake. As head of the Qi family, I cannot stand idly by,” the Third Elder said coldly. “I’m giving you one chance—take back your words and apologize to them. I’ll overlook this incident, considering your youth and ignorance.”

Yang Ning’s smile turned faintly mocking. “And if I refuse?”

The Third Elder said nothing but rose shakily, leaning on his cane as he looked around the hall. “All old and young masters of the Qi family are here today. I will be frank. Before the marquis went to war, he confided in me all night, entrusting me with several matters.”

All eyes fixed on the Third Elder, the hall falling silent.

“The marquis’s greatest concern was Qi Ning. You all know what he was like before. The marquis feared that if you inherited the title in your ignorance, not only would you be mocked, but his reputation would be utterly destroyed,” the Third Elder sighed. “He had already considered passing the title to Qi Yu. Everyone has witnessed that between the two brothers, Qi Yu surpasses Qi Ning in every way.”

The Sixth Lord loudly interjected, “That’s right! Qi Yu is intelligent, sensible, and talented. As for Qi Ning…” He glanced coldly at Yang Ning, sneering, “Hasn’t he already brought disgrace to the family many times before?”

Yang Ning merely smiled faintly, saying nothing.

“The marquis entrusted me with this: if Qi Ning reformed, the clan would support him. But if he remained ignorant, I was to oversee and assist Qi Yu’s succession. Qi Ning is the legitimate eldest son; I was reluctant to break family tradition lightly, so I’ve waited these years for him to mature…” The Third Elder shook his head. “But all my efforts have been in vain. Since the marquis passed, the second son’s behavior has worsened—arrogant, disrespectful to elders and uncaring toward juniors. Now he even dares to expel Qi Yu and his mother. Everyone here can judge for themselves whether this is right or wrong.”

The hall erupted in discussion, mostly condemning Qi Ning, with only a few silent dissenters. The majority sided with the Third Elder.

“Such fratricidal disgrace must never occur in our Qi family,” the Third Elder declared, his voice still strong despite his age. “Moreover, before leaving, the marquis warned me to watch over Qi Yu and his mother carefully, fearing that as illegitimate children, they might suffer injustice. As long as I draw breath, I will not allow anyone to act recklessly.”

Yang Ning smiled. “Third Elder, you say your father entrusted this to you. I wonder—who else can testify to this?”

“No witnesses are needed,” the Third Elder said firmly. “Qi Ning, I’ve given you one chance. Apologize to them now, and I will temporarily drop the matter. But—”

“No need to say more,” Yang Ning’s expression turned cold. “I will not retract my words. The marquis’s mansion is under my control. I am the one expelling Qi Yu and his mother. If they remain here past midnight, I will break Qi Yu’s legs. Don’t believe me? Try me.”

The hall was thrown into an uproar.

“You—!” The Third Elder’s face flushed with rage. “Fine, Qi Ning, if that’s how you are, don’t blame me for being harsh.” He raised his voice. “As clan head, with all present as witnesses, I hereby expel Qi Ning from the Qi clan. From this day forward, Qi Ning and his line are no longer members of the Qi family.”

Many turned pale.

Everyone knew that in a great and storied clan, the family name was everything—the foundation and root that supported all. To be cast out was to be utterly alone, stripped of the clan’s resources and protection. In today’s world, being exiled from one’s family was almost a death sentence.

The Qi family was somewhat different.

The marquis’s line held noble rank. While the clan depended on this line as its root, it was the marquises’ status and connections that propelled the entire Qi family to prominence. Previously, the clan had leaned heavily on the marquis’s branch. To expel that branch was almost unthinkable.

Even now, though the heir appeared brash, he was still the one to inherit the title. To cast him out would harm both sides—the marquis’s line would lose its foundation, and the clan would lose the great tree providing shade.

As head of the clan, the Third Elder had the authority to expel family members.

A grave silence fell over the hall.

Yang Ning slowly rose, fixing the Third Elder with a piercing gaze. “You say you are expelling me from the Qi clan?”

The Third Elder’s aged eyes, though clouded, locked onto Yang Ning coldly. “You brought this upon yourself. You will bring disaster sooner or later. The clan can no longer tolerate you. Unless you humble yourself before the elders, I will not change my decision.”

Yang Ning’s expression hardened. He scanned the room. “Is this the consensus?”

Most lowered their heads, silent.

Suddenly, Yang Ning drew a cold blade and glared at the Third Elder. “I’ll ask again—is this your decision alone? Will you not change it?”

The Third Elder stepped back, startled. “What… what do you intend to do?” He continued, “How dare you threaten me with a blade? Listen carefully—today I expel you from the clan. From now on, Qi Ning’s line is no longer Qi family.”

“Crack!”

With a wave of his hand, Yang Ning sliced through the armrest of a chair. The hall gasped. Yang Ning’s eyes were like blades as they swept over everyone. “From this day forth, as this blade severs this chair, so too are the Marquis’s Mansion and the Qi clan severed—completely and utterly. No further ties. Each to seek their own fortunes and face their own fates.”

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