Volume Two: Inheriting the Mantle, Blood on Brocade Robes Chapter 115: Expulsion

"Silence!" Qi Yu roared. "The Marquis of Jinyi's estate does not belong to you alone, and you have no right to speak to my mother in such a manner."

"If he has no right, then who does?" A cold voice echoed as Gu Qinghan stepped slowly through the doorway, her beautiful face as frosty as winter. "Qi Ning is the heir of the Marquis. Since the General passed away, it is only natural that the heir presides over everything in the estate. Is there any question about that?" Her beautiful eyes fixed on Concubine Qiong with a chilling gaze, and she sneered, "Concubine Qiong, is that a seat you are even entitled to occupy?"

Steward Qiu, seeing Gu Qinghan appear, hurriedly smiled and said, "Third Madam, you must be exhausted from your journey. Welcome back. Actually, it is nothing of great consequence. These past few days, with you and the heir away, the servants grew a bit lax, so the young master and Concubine Qiong stepped in to help manage things."

"Oh?" Yang Ning turned back and asked, "Steward Qiu, didn't you just say that there were no 'young masters' or 'concubines' in this house, only masters and madams?"

Steward Qiu’s expression turned awkward, but he forced a smile. "It was only... only a temporary measure. In the end, it was all to ensure the estate was well-managed."

"Steward Qiu, the discipline of the servants has always been your responsibility; it seems there was no need for others to interfere," Gu Qinghan said indifferently. "Furthermore, the maids and servants here are experienced and well-trained in the rules. In all the years I have managed this household, I have never seen them show such negligence. Have they truly changed in such a short time?"

Suddenly, one of the servants stepped forward. "Third Madam, we have not been negligent; we are as diligent as we were when you were here. After you left, Concubine Qiong claimed she was in charge, and whenever anyone disobeyed her, she would have them driven out of the estate." He pointed to the person who had been beaten outside. "He was beaten like that simply for calling her 'Concubine Qiong'."

"That’s right, Third Madam. We did nothing wrong, and even Brother Duan was driven out by them."

Once one person dared to speak, the others began to pour out their grievances to Gu Qinghan. Although Gu Qinghan was strict in her management, she had always been generous to the servants. They feared and respected her, and having suffered under the lawless behavior of Concubine Qiong and her son, they no longer felt afraid now that the heir and the Third Madam had returned.

Concubine Qiong had never held any real prestige in the estate, her status incomparable to Gu Qinghan’s. Having taken advantage of the absence of Yang Ning and Gu Qinghan to throw her weight around, she felt even more insecure now as she listened to the servants’ complaints. Yet, she put on a defiant face, acting as stubborn and unyielding as a pig that does not fear boiling water.

Suddenly, Yang Ning asked, "Are you still not going to get up?"

Concubine Qiong, already losing her nerve, still forced herself to stand her ground. "I will not get up. You... what can you possibly do to me?" Still intimidated by Yang Ning, she added, "I am your stepmother. You... you cannot be disrespectful to me." Her voice lacked any conviction by the end.

Steward Qiu kept signaling her with his eyes, but Concubine Qiong pretended not to see.

Yang Ning smiled faintly, then his expression suddenly darkened. "Guards!"

Several brawny men stepped forward at once, speaking in unison, "What are your orders, Heir?"

"Drag her out," Yang Ning said calmly.

These men had long detested Concubine Qiong. With the heir’s command, there was no reason to hesitate; six or seven of them vied to be the first to move. Seeing this, Qi Yu stepped in front of Concubine Qiong and barked, "Who dares move?"

His shout brought a sudden silence to the hall.

Although the others were born of concubines, they were still of the Marquis’s bloodline and held a different status than Concubine Qiong. While no one respected the sharp-tongued and venomous woman, they were still somewhat wary of Qi Yu, and for a moment, the men hesitated to advance.

Qi Yu sneered, feeling a sense of triumph, but he did not anticipate Yang Ning’s sudden kick. He was completely caught off guard. Not only was the kick powerful, but it was also incredibly swift, landing squarely in Qi Yu’s side. With a pained cry, Qi Yu was sent sprawling to the ground.

Yang Ning’s move appeared sudden, but it had been calculated and aimed precisely. While it would not be fatal, it was enough to keep Qi Yu from getting up for a long while.

Seeing Qi Yu fall, Concubine Qiong did not wait for anyone to drag her; she scrambled to her feet and rushed to his side, worriedly asking, "Yu'er, are you alright?"

Qi Yu was covered in cold sweat, his face twisted in pain.

Yang Ning did not stand on ceremony. He sat down, looked at Qi Yu, and said, "Qi Yu, I remember warning you not to act clever behind my back, and certainly not to stir up trouble, or you would find life very difficult. But I see now that your memory is quite poor. Whatever I told you not to do, you did anyway. Are you trying to show off your backbone?"

Qi Yu gritted his teeth against the pain and glared at Yang Ning with hatred.

"Since everyone is here today, as the heir of the Marquis of Jinyi, I have made a firm decision," Yang Ning said slowly. "Listen well: everyone driven out by this mother and son is to return to the estate immediately and resume their former duties." He then asked, "Are you able to find them?"

Someone immediately replied, "Heir, everyone knew that you and the Third Madam would return to uphold justice, so they all stayed in the capital. It will be easy to find them."

"That is good," Yang Ning smiled. "Did you all know that this heir is kind-hearted and would surely uphold justice for you?"

The crowd burst into laughter. The atmosphere in the room, which had been so oppressive just moments ago, suddenly became light. Many thought to themselves that before the heir was kidnapped, he had been muddled and no different from a fool. But after surviving such an ordeal, he was now not only shrewd and capable but also generous to the servants—a great blessing for the estate.

The laughter only made Concubine Qiong and her son seem even more isolated.

Yang Ning looked at Qi Yu and asked, "When you were running amok in the estate, you must have known that once we returned, your schemes would come to nothing. Yet, knowing this, why did you do it?" He sneered and leaned forward slightly. "Did you truly believe that the Third Madam and I would never return?"

The expressions of Concubine Qiong and Qi Yu shifted slightly.

Yang Ning saw it clearly and understood everything. He said indifferently, "I know why I say this, and you know it too. I won't discuss the process today, only the result!" He pointed toward the main gate. "From this day forward, I am banishing you both from the Marquis’s estate. From now on, you have no further connection to this house."

Concubine Qiong and Qi Yu were both shocked. Concubine Qiong blurted out, "You... you want to banish us?"

Not only were the mother and son stunned, but even Gu Qinghan and the others were taken aback.

"You heard me," Yang Ning said. "If you have anything to pack, go and do it now. I will have people watch you. You may take what is yours, but it is absolutely impossible for you to take a single extra item belonging to this estate."

"On what grounds are you banishing us?" Qi Yu shouted, enduring the pain in his side. "Even if you are the heir, you... you have no right to drive us away!"

Yang Ning shrugged and smiled. "I said it before: there may be things I cannot do, but I certainly have the right to banish you. I warned you before, but you didn't learn. I gave you a chance, but you didn't cherish it. You have no one to blame but yourselves."

Concubine Qiong stood up and sneered. "The Grand Madam is still here. You and Gu Qinghan cannot simply run wild in this house. I am going to see the Grand Madam right now." She took a step forward, but before she had gone two paces, Yang Ning said languidly, "By the way, tell the Grand Madam about the dirty things you’ve been doing behind our backs. Don’t try to claim that the affair in Jiangling has nothing to do with you. I have even brought the people involved to the capital. If you want to confront them, I can have them brought here right now."

Gu Qinghan was startled and looked at Yang Ning. Seeing him wink at her, she understood immediately.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Concubine Qiong hesitated for a moment before saying viciously, "But it won't be that easy to banish us." She went over to help Qi Yu up and said, "Let's go!"

Qi Yu did not say another word and followed Concubine Qiong toward the door. As they reached it, Yang Ning said, "A word of advice: there isn't much time left before dark. If you haven't finished packing by the hour of the Rat tonight, then you won't be taking anything at all." He pointed to a few men. "Go to their quarters now and keep a close watch. If they try to take a single item that belongs to the estate, I will hold you responsible."

The crowd was surprised that Yang Ning was actually banishing the mother and son, but they were inwardly delighted. The servants had long detested the strange and toxic behavior of the pair and were now energized. The men replied in unison, "Rest assured, Heir, we will go and watch them right now."

Yang Ning waved his hand. "Everyone, you may disperse. Oh, and send someone to find those who were driven out and bring them back." He pointed outside. "Have a doctor look at those who were beaten. And that Tian Rong—drive him out of the estate immediately." He sneered, "I have always despised those who use the power of others to bully the weak."

The crowd then filed out. Steward Qiu also wanted to leave, but Yang Ning called him back. "Steward Qiu, wait a moment. There is something I need to discuss with you."

Steward Qiu turned back, bowing and smiling, "What are your orders, Heir?" He then turned to Gu Qinghan and apologized, "Third Madam, you entrusted the estate to my care, and I... I failed to manage it well. Please punish me. And as for Duan Canghai, the young master..."

"Don't call him 'young master' anymore," Yang Ning said coldly. "Didn't you hear me say I just banished them? There is no 'young master' in this estate from now on."

"Yes, yes, yes..." Steward Qiu hurriedly said. "It was my oversight. Qi Yu and Duan Canghai never got along, and he found an excuse to drive him out. I tried to persuade him, but... Qi Yu is the Marquis's blood, and he insisted. I truly had no choice. It is good that you and the Third Madam are back. I will personally go and invite Duan Canghai back!"

Gu Qinghan ignored him, sitting to one side without saying a word.

Yang Ning stared at Steward Qiu, waiting for him to finish, before asking, "Steward Qiu, did you also believe that the Third Madam and I would never return?"