In less than a day, news of the Qin family’s situation had spread throughout the entire imperial capital.
The prime minister of the Qin family had yet to be buried, and now the eldest young master’s coffin had been added. The Qin family was enveloped in a shroud of darkness, and no one had the mental capacity to focus on external news.
Knowing that Huang Quan would return in three days, the current head of the Qin family, Mr. Qin, was suddenly plagued by a headache.
Prime Minister Qin was deceased, the eldest young master of the Qin family had also perished, and the Qin family was undoubtedly in a dire situation. The Qin family now harbored not only resentment toward Huang Quan but also a deep-seated bitterness toward Qin Qianqian.
If Qin Qianqian hadn’t provoked Huang Quan, would the Qin family have found itself in conflict with her? How could the Qin family have suffered these losses if Huang Quan hadn’t targeted them?
However, these events had already unfolded, and there was no use in harboring regrets now. To preserve the Qin family, the only viable option was to seek a truce.
—
Capital College.
Within the Zhengde Courtyard, teachers who were resting engaged in discussions about the Qin family’s predicament. Ming Zhao went unnoticed as he entered the courtyard.
“That Miss Nangong Mian is truly formidable, but she’s also exceedingly ruthless. Her strikes are swift and decisive. She’s even more powerful than Nangong Mian,” one teacher remarked.
“She’s powerful, but her personality is too cold, and her murderous intent is too strong,” another teacher sighed. “Even if Qin Qianqian bullied her, even if she killed Qin Qianqian, it’s still excessive to take so many lives in the Qin family.”
“I disagree,” a different teacher chimed in after hearing the comments. “You don’t understand what kind of person Qin Qianqian was.”
“If Qin Qianqian hadn’t bullied Huang Quan so severely, would Huang Quan have killed her?” one teacher argued, “If Huang Quan were the type to casually take lives, then why haven’t I seen her kill others?”
“Qin Qianqian bullied her but is that enough reason for her to kill Qin Qianqian?” the teacher who believed Huang Quan had gone too far sighed with a compassionate expression. “Prime Minister Qin and Qin Yang were just trying to save themselves. They sought vengeance for their daughter and did nothing wrong.”
“Bam!”
Ming Zhao suddenly placed the items he was holding onto the table, causing a few teachers to startle.
“Are you all so free?” Ming Zhao cast an indifferent gaze over the teachers and then turned to the one who had criticized Huang Quan. “Prime Minister Qin did nothing wrong?” he asked. “If Huang Quan had been weaker, it wouldn’t be the Qin family facing tragedy right now, but Huang Quan!” Ming Zhao’s tone was icy. “In the end, you’ll say Huang Quan is pitiable and the Qin family was too harsh.”
The teachers remained silent, and none dared to argue. They were well aware of Ming Zhao’s protective stance toward Nangong Mian, and by extension, Huang Quan. Rumors of what they said could potentially reach Huang Quan, and none of them wanted to bear the consequences. So, the teachers fell silent, and Ming Zhao added, “We’re heading to Tianqi in just over a month. It’s time to select candidates. Each academy has two available slots. Fill them and give me the names.”
“Alright.”
“No problem.”
The teachers replied quietly, but then one of them raised a concern, “What if the dean requests Huang Quan to join the expedition? That would mean Huang Quan taking up one of the slots, and we’d have a shortage.”
The teachers exchanged worried glances. None of them wanted to risk having insufficient slots for their own candidates.
Ming Zhao discerned their concerns from their expressions and responded with a touch of irritation, “Don’t worry, Huang Quan won’t be taking up any of your slots. She’s a special case, and the dean specifically requested her inclusion.” This assurance relieved the teachers. As long as their slots weren’t taken up, the dean could add as many candidates as needed.
Ming Zhao observed their relieved expressions and shook his head inwardly.
