Chapter 337: Chapter 336: Dialogue
In the reception hall, as soon as Qin Yanyang left, Yang Fei immediately sensed a complex expression in Duanmu Ci’s gaze toward him, provoking a stir in his heart.
He met Duanmu Ci’s piercing eyes and asked, "Uncle, I..."
"Do not call me Uncle," Duanmu Ci interjected abruptly.
Yang Fei was taken aback, his eyes narrowing slightly as he stared at him.
Being merely twenty-three or twenty-four, full of youthful vigor, especially as he was Madman King with immense martial arts cultivation, he had a natural sense of pride.
Recent events had only proved his strength. Yang Fei had assumed that his current reputation was not insignificant and that he would be met with a certain respect while visiting here. But to his surprise, just as Qin Yanyang had left, Duanmu Ci’s demeanor shifted, and anger inevitably arose in Yang Fei’s heart, his gaze turning frosty.
Duanmu Ci, feeling the chill in Yang Fei’s eyes, shivered slightly, as if it was only then he remembered the rumors about Yang Fei of the past few days.
But looking at Yang Fei’s face and considering all that had happened in the past, Duanmu Ci steeled his heart and, with undisguised distaste on his face, said coldly, "Out of respect for Yanyang, I allowed you to enter the Duanmu Family’s doors today. After today, I hope you have the self-awareness not to come again. My Duanmu Family does not welcome you."
Yang Fei stared at him and said, "Why? Yanyang is your niece, I am Yanyang’s husband, and that makes me a relative of the Duanmu aristocratic family. Besides, I am not without merit. Given the strength I have displayed recently, the Duanmu aristocratic family should respect me. Yet you treat me like this, which is abnormal."
Although angry, Yang Fei maintained enough calm and rationale.
On top of that, with the reminders from Tang Shuwan, Duanmu Ling, and Qin Huai’an earlier, he knew that the Duanmu Family might have some misunderstanding with his mother. He had come today to find out the real reason. How could he be dismissed just by Duanmu Ci’s words?
Duanmu Ci’s heart skipped a beat, followed by a bitter smile.
Indeed, he had been too hasty.
His behavior was too abnormal, causing the young man to become suspicious.
But the situation being what it was, he could only proceed down the path he had chosen, so he continued with a cold face, "Even if you were the number one in the world, what would it matter? My Duanmu Family does not need you, does not owe you, and has no reason to flatter or please you. In any case, do not come to the Duanmu Family from now on," he said.
Yang Fei shook his head and said, "There must be a reason, right? In this world, there is no love without reason, and no hate without reason."
He looked at Duanmu Ci and said, "Is it because of my mother Duanmu Qing?"
Duanmu Ci’s mouth twitched slightly, and his eyes flickered rapidly.
Although he quickly concealed and hid these emotional fluctuations, Yang Fei, who was well-prepared and keeping a close eye on him, did not miss these subtle expressions.
Duanmu Ci realized that Yang Fei had caught these minute expressions and, infuriated, stood up abruptly: "I do not know what you are talking about. I have matters to attend to, so wait here for Yanyang. Remember what I’ve said. Do not come here again in the future, do not cause trouble for my Duanmu Family, it’s for your own good. I hope you act wisely."
Seeing him about to leave, Yang Fei couldn’t help but feel urgent and followed, saying, "Don’t go, let’s talk more."
Duanmu Ci ran off as if flying.
Although Yang Fei could have caught up, since he was a guest in someone else’s home, it would be highly impolite to forcibly keep the other person from leaving.
Watching Duanmu Ci’s retreating figure, Yang Fei was at a loss for words.
It appears that he could only wait for news from Qin Yanyang’s side.
No matter whether this place was his mother’s family home or not, it was at least the home of Yanyang’s grandfather, and he couldn’t be too outrageous.
...
In the courtyard where Duanmu Han was recovering, when Qin Yanyang arrived, the old man was stretching in the yard.
"Grandfather, I’ve come to see you," Qin Yanyang said with a beaming approach.
Duanmu Han glanced at her and chuckled, "Ah, my granddaughter Yanyang has arrived. Hahaha, truly worthy of being my granddaughter. At twenty-four, you’ve stepped into the Innate Realm, remarkable, truly remarkable, hahahaha..."
Being praised in person by her grandfather, Qin Yanyang smiled and said, "Of course, my grandfather is in the Innate Realm, my grandfather is too, and I have inherited excellent genes from both families. Naturally, I cannot lag behind."
Duanmu Han burst into laughter upon hearing her words, his laughter filled with implication as he pointed at Qin Yanyang and said, "Why are you speaking so sweetly today, girl? Is there something you want to ask of me?"
Qin Yanyang went over to pour him a pot of tea and replied, "Grandfather, it’s not like you to say such a thing. What could I possibly ask of you? I’ve always been straightforward, and if I have anything to say, I say it."
Duanmu Han chuckled, looking at her and asked, "Truly nothing to ask of me?"
Qin Yanyang’s cheeks flushed as she said, "I don’t have anything I want to ask of you, but my husband has been keeping something to himself, seeking an answer. Perhaps only grandfather can clarify this matter, so I came to ask."
A complex expression flickered in the depths of Duanmu Han’s profound eyes, and he sighed silently to himself.
The inevitable has finally arrived.
I had warned that young man years ago, yet he still led his descendants to the Imperial City.
Can my Duanmu Family really not escape this calamity?
Thinking of what Qin Huai’an had come to discuss with him a few days ago, Duanmu Han felt a surge of resentment in his heart.
It was all because of that fat bastard meddling behind the scenes. If not for him, that boy would have spent his life in that remote place, never getting the chance to set foot in the Imperial City.
As countless complex thoughts flitted across his mind, Duanmu Han maintained a stoic expression, sitting beside the tea table in the courtyard, took a sip of tea, and praised, "You still have a deft touch, girl. Your tea brewing skills haven’t waned."
Qin Yanyang smiled faintly, "Grandfather, although you live in seclusion here, you must have heard about me finding a husband, right?"
Duanmu Han let out a hearty laugh and pointed at Qin Yanyang, saying, "With such a commotion you’ve caused, how could I possibly be unaware? Although I have no regard for that Zhang Family boy, there aren’t many in the world who could surpass him. I was worried at first that the man you chose would be inferior, unable to outmatch the Zhang Family lad and fail to gain your father’s approval. But who expected... the Zhang Family would end up in such a plight, haha, impressive indeed."
Regarding his final remark as "impressive," it was unclear whether he was referring to Qin Yanyang’s choice in men or if he was lauding Yang Fei.
Qin Yanyang felt a surge of joy in her heart and said, "It seems grandfather really does know everything, hehe. He came with me today; would you meet with him?"
Duanmu Han gestured with his hand, "Better not to see him."
Qin Yanyang was stunned.
Her uncle had forbidden Yang Fei from meeting grandfather, and now grandfather was also suggesting it was better not to see him.
Why was this?
If Yang Fei was indeed Duanmu Qing’s son, and Duanmu Qing was of the Duanmu aristocratic family, then Yang Fei would be the Duanmu Family’s grandson, a matter of pride for the family, kin upon kin.
Why then did both grandfather and uncle have such attitudes?
She remembered the words her grandfather and mother had said.
The name Duanmu Qing was taboo within the Duanmu Family.
It was because of Duanmu Qing that grandfather and uncle did not wish to see Yang Fei.
Wait a minute!
Qin Yanyang suddenly realized something.
Her uncle had seen Yang Fei, and if he could discern something from Yang Fei’s appearance to preclude his meeting with grandfather, that would be understandable.
But grandfather had never met Yang Fei before, so why would he adopt such an attitude now?
Could grandfather have already known of Yang Fei’s background?
With this thought, Qin Yanyang hesitated no longer and looked at Duanmu Han as she asked, "Grandfather, do you know of Yang Fei’s background?"