Chapter Five: You Need Not Worry Anymore

Yang Suxin’s fury was nearly uncontrollable. All along, Qin Hao had been at her mercy, toyed with as she pleased. When had some bastard like him ever dared to rise above her and flaunt his power? Just wait—if it’s death you seek, I will make sure you suffer far worse than death itself. But for now, her priority was to save Qiao’er. After all, she was her most loyal servant; there was no way she could be truly harmed—only a superficial punishment to save face. Otherwise, it would be a great disgrace to her.

Yet Qin Hao interrupted with a cheerful smile: “Wait a moment. Don’t take her away yet, Countess. If you want to establish your authority, it must be done in front of all the servants. This is for the good of the Qin household. A disobedient servant who dares to defy her master should be punished publicly. Don’t you agree?”

There was no way he would allow this vile woman to secretly rescue her lapdog. Meanwhile, he sipped on a bowl of stewed dog meat soup, holding a knife that he playfully twirled near his neck. Many feared he might accidentally slice his own throat. Among them, Yang Suxin was the most concerned. Qin Hao could not die—at least not now.

Soon, two servants bound the unconscious Qiao’er to the execution frame, but did not strike. Yang Suxin glanced at Count Kaiyang, who wore a stern expression but said nothing, clearly unhappy about Qiao’er's defiance. Gritting her teeth, she ordered, “Hit her!”

Only then did the servants move. Crack! A black whip, over a meter long and as thick as a thumb, lashed across Qiao’er’s body. “Ah!” The pain jolted the sleeping girl awake in less than two breaths. Realizing her predicament, she cried out in terror: “Mistress, why are you hitting me? Mistress, save me!” Yet her cries went unanswered.

Crack! Another lash fell. The sting forced Qiao’er to struggle and scream in agony, her wails heart-wrenching. “Mercy, Mistress! Master! What wrong have I done? Mercy!” Thirty lashes in total! The pain drove her in and out of consciousness, a fate far beyond mere misery.

Qin Hao watched every strike, each lash seeming to mend the despair that once consumed his heart. Among those who had humiliated him most was this very Qiao’er. Seeing her battered and broken, he felt an unusual clarity.

With bloodshot eyes, Yang Suxin spoke coldly: “You’ve hit her enough. Can I take her away now?”

“By all means,” Qin Hao replied indifferently. “But Countess, I hope you won’t be angry that I struck your servant.”

Yang Suxin responded calmly, “She brought it on herself. Defying her superiors deserves this punishment.”

Qin Hao sneered inwardly. The wretched woman was truly patient—likely plotting a grand move to ruin him. It was time to cut his losses. At least he had taken some revenge by punishing Qiao’er. He could no longer afford to give Yang Suxin more time to prepare. Revenge was satisfying, but reckless actions could expose Xiaoyu, which would be disastrous. It was time to leave.

As Qiao’er was taken away, Count Kaiyang drew a deep breath and said coldly, “Qin Hao, have you caused enough trouble? Remember, no matter how much chaos you create, I will never think highly of you. You will only deepen my disgust for you and your mother.”

Qin Hao clenched his fists, yearning to punch this old stick to death. It wasn’t that he cared about the man’s words, but he despised his arrogant demeanor.

“Well,” Qin Hao said, “do whatever you want. Since I’m no longer mad, I’m going out for a walk.”

Count Kaiyang exhaled in relief—at least Qin Hao wasn’t going to kill himself. “Go wherever you please. If you think the Qin family has wronged you, don’t expect them to support you anymore.”

Just what Qin Hao wanted, he agreed quickly: “I’m sixteen now. I’m no longer part of the Qin family. I’m leaving.”

Though he said it aloud, his mind was already plotting: once I leave, the first thing I’ll do is file a complaint with the imperial court. That wretched Yang Suxin has tormented me for years; I remember every single offense clearly. There is too much filth hidden beneath the surface—enough to bring her down.

Count Kaiyang merely glanced at Qin Hao with cold eyes and said nothing, clearly giving up on him. Let him leave. Even if Qin Hao badmouthed the Qin family outside, what could he do? As long as Qin Hao lived, the emperor’s appointed countship couldn’t be so easily revoked.

Qin Hao, feeling his goal achieved, turned to leave.

“No!” Yang Suxin shouted, blocking his path with her servants.

Qin Hao knew it wouldn’t be so simple to walk away. He was curious what excuse this wretched woman would use to stop him, and if his despicable father would suspect something.

Count Kaiyang looked at his wife in confusion—everything was resolved, so why block this wayward son?

“Ziqian,” Yang Suxin said quickly, “Hao’er is thin and barely clothed. Letting him leave worries me; I fear he will suffer.”

“Blood is thicker than water. We can’t let anyone say the Qin family mistreated Hao’er.”

She was desperate but quick-witted, showing her motherly facade.

Count Kaiyang looked at his wife with pity. “Justice lies in the hearts of men. Since this rebellious son suspects you, let him go if he wants. Don’t worry—you’ve done enough.”

Qin Hao chuckled beside them: “Exactly, Countess. You’ve done an excellent job. You won’t need to trouble yourself with me anymore.”

Yang Suxin ground her teeth but finally spat out, “Qin Hao, if you speak ill once you leave, I will have your mother’s corpse crushed to dust!”

Qin Hao hadn’t expected her to say that so boldly. He wondered how his wretched father would react hearing that his first wife’s remains would be desecrated.

For the first time, Count Kaiyang showed surprise as he stared at his wife.

But Yang Suxin was ready with an explanation: “Ziqian, in two months, my father will nominate you as Minister of Revenue. During this time, even false rumors could ruin your promotion.”

“We can’t let Hao’er’s little troubles stand in your way.”

“So just leave it to me. I’ll be the villain for these two months. After your promotion, I won’t concern myself with Qin Hao anymore. Please, just trust me this once.”

Qin Hao stared at Count Kaiyang, watching his reaction. The man hesitated briefly at the prospect of promotion, then nodded: “Then it’s in your hands.”

He agreed.

Qin Hao’s heart sank deeply, his hatred intensifying. Promotion truly mattered to him.

He had been forced to marry Yang Suxin because she was the daughter of a duke, powerful and influential. What a dear Count Kaiyang—so greedy for wealth and status. If he had refused to threaten Qin Hao with his mother’s desecrated remains, then upon leaving the Qin household and filing a complaint, the worst that could happen was Yang Suxin’s downfall. At worst, Count Kaiyang would lose his title but not face execution.

But since he was willing to use his wife’s corpse to threaten Qin Hao for promotion, then so be it—Qin Hao would comply.

Silently, Qin Hao left the Qin estate without another word. His mother had suffered too much; he could not bear to watch her remains dishonored.

As he stepped beyond the gates, a chilling cold breeze brushed his face. He felt like an eagle freed from its cage, tasting freedom after a long captivity.

Yet, having fled, he lost the leverage of the empress’s protection and could no longer complain to the court. In the feudal era, toppling a duke’s daughter and a count was nearly impossible.

Therefore, he resolved to pursue an alternative plan: to become an official—a high-ranking official!

He would surpass the Countess, the Count, the Duke, becoming an untouchable force, even one that could control their fates.

Qin Hao set this goal clearly and immediately began to act. Speed was essential. He knew he could not kill Yang Suxin outright—she would have countless ways to retaliate. Xiaoyu’s exposure might even spell his death.

Only by becoming a government official could Yang Suxin dare not touch him. The law punished the assassination of officials with extermination of nine clans.

Qin Hao knew a shortcut to office. In the capital, a famous event was well-known: the current Princess Royal had issued an unmatched couplet. No one had ever come up with a fitting response. Whoever succeeded would become part of the Princess’s household.

Being in the Princess’s service meant safety and opportunities to obtain official positions.

Qin Hao had overheard Qin household servants discussing this and memorized the first line of the couplet.

His purpose now was to solve this unmatched couplet.

With determination, he set his course.