Chapter 6: The Elder Statesman Returns to the Court

Qiao Ke was the first to burst out laughing, clutching her stomach, and even the bodyguards were looking at Su Qingli with odd expressions. Even Lin Qianze couldn’t help but laugh.

“You? You’re not even fit to carry Di Yunshen’s shoes, let alone marry him! You really are a country bumpkin.”

Su Qingli suddenly smiled. “Di Yunshen’s here. If you don’t believe me, turn around and see for yourself.”

“You filthy thing, do you take me for a fool? Kneel and kowtow to me, and I’ll let today’s incident slide.”

But just then, a voice as cold as ice sounded from behind him, “Lin Qianze, kneel.”

That voice cut through to the bone. Lin Qianze turned around slowly, only to see Di Yunshen standing behind him, his expression as dark as a thundercloud.

“M-Mr. Di?! Why are you here?!”

Di Yunshen lifted his hand in a beckoning gesture. For once, Su Qingli obediently trotted over.

“This is my woman, the Lady of the Di family, Su Qingli.”

Lin Qianze’s face turned deathly pale. He didn’t know exactly what was happening, but for the sake of his life, he dropped to his knees.

“I… I didn’t recognize greatness when I saw it, President Di, I…”

“Kneel. Have every member of the Lin family come here to fetch you.”

“President Di! Please, have mercy! My father cares a lot about appearances! If he finds out, he’ll kill me! President Di!” Lin Qianze pleaded desperately.

Di Yunshen looked even colder, clearly unmoved by his pleas. “Then kneel until they come.”

With that, he wrapped an arm around Su Qingli and headed straight for the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Su Qingli, for the sake of appearances, didn’t brush his hand off.

Inside, the process was swift, and everyone treated them with the utmost respect. When they came out, Su Qingli saw that the two people were still kneeling outside.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing. It’s just that I’ve always seen myself as someone lowly and have never experienced being respected. They all seem afraid of you.”

“Then from today on, reclaim every grievance you’ve ever suffered.”

“Di Yunshen, it seems marrying you isn’t a loss after all.”

Di Yunshen suddenly asked, “Who told you marrying me would be a loss?”

Seeing Su Qingli stay silent, Di Yunshen silently added a mental note against the Elder.

Meanwhile, the Lin family patriarch, Lin Jin, arrived with the whole family in tow.

“Dad! You’re here!” Lin Qianze’s eyes lit up. Just as he was about to stand, Lin Jin roared, “Degenerate! Kneel! Don’t get up!”

“Dad…”

“Don’t call me that! The Lin family doesn’t have a failure like you!”

“Dad, all I did was make a little mistake, just this once. Is it really that serious?”

Furious, Lin Jin kicked him hard in the chest. “You beast! You didn’t just shame the Lin family’s name—you’ve imperiled our very lives! Because of your stupidity, the Lin family may pay an unimaginable price!”

“What price? Besides, President Di said he wouldn’t pursue this matter further. You can just take me home.”

Lin Jin was so angry he started coughing violently.

Lin’s mother shook her head in disappointment. “Son, do you realize the one you’ve offended isn’t just President Di, but his wife, Su Qingli! She befriended you to adapt to city life, and now you not only fornicated with another woman, but together you insulted Miss Su! Do you understand the consequences?”

“Tch, what consequences could a country girl possibly bring?” Qiao Ke stood up, her voice full of disdain.

“Silence! The Lin family’s affairs are no concern of yours! And your Qiao family won’t escape this, either!”

Lin Qianze managed to stand, massaging his numb knees. “Mother, I think you’re being senile. I agree with Xiao Ke. What can some rural girl possibly do to us?”

His father lifted a foot and kicked him hard in the knee, sending him crashing down again.

“Idiot! Do you even know who her master is? She may not be heaven itself, but she is the sky above us!”

“Dad, you’re exaggerating. Don’t worry, she—”

“Shut up! With a disgrace like you, the Lin family is doomed! From this day forward, you are no longer the Lin family’s heir. You’re expelled from the company! When I die, all my inheritance will go to Miss Su Qingli!”

At these words, every member of the Lin family was thunderstruck.

“Dad! Are you insane? Do you know what you’re saying?!”

“Her master is Elder Qi, who can steal the sky and alter fate!”

“He’s just some fortune-teller! Our family could deal with him with a random security guard.”

Lin Jin’s face went ashen. “He alone could destroy the entire Lin family.”

At this, everyone felt a chill run down their spine. Turning around, they found a small old man standing behind them. The crematorium in the distance seemed even colder.

“The Lin family is bold indeed… Heh… Brat, my disciple isn’t someone your family can bully.”

Even under the blazing sun, his tone made everyone shiver.

The elder stood with one hand behind his back and the other holding a painted fan to his chest. His eyes were like daggers as he sneered at the Lin family.

“Elder, please forgive us. This was the Lin family’s fault.”

The elder merely glanced at him and fixed his gaze on Lin Qianze.

“Elder! Qianze was ignorant and made a mistake. The Lin family will bear the consequences. He may be unworthy, but he’s my only son. Please, show mercy…”

“I have nothing to say to a dying man. Thirty years ago, your family did me a favor, but that doesn’t give you leave to act recklessly. No matter… For the sake of my disciple’s merit, I’ll do as you suggested.”

“Thank you, Elder! Thank you!”

Though Lin Qianze was unwilling, he dared not protest in the face of such an imposing presence.

After the elder departed, the tense atmosphere dissipated.

At the same time, back at the Di residence, Su Qingli had barely warmed the sofa when the butler arrived, bringing Yun Shasha and her father with him…