Qin Yongchao was slightly displeased with Yu He's attitude. He put on a stern face but remained silent.
Seeing this, Qin Xinhui immediately stood up and reprimanded, "How can you be so rude? Have you forgotten all the rules you learned in the Qin family?"
His tone was undeniably dismissive.
The Qin family had numerous strict rules, ranging from politeness towards elders to never speaking without using a proper title or name. These regulations were so tight that they were unbearable for most people.
While family members might be more relaxed in their own private courtyards, in the presence of the family head, they had to be cautious and reserved. A single misstep could lead to a stern lecture, or worse, punishment under the family's legal code.
The impulsive young Qin Beiting had suffered greatly in the past due to Qin Xinhui's pranks on Yu He, frequently being punished with kneeling in the ancestral hall.
"I'm not a Qin family member, so why should I abide by your family rules?" Yu He retorted with a sarcastic smile.
Qin Xinhui was momentarily choked by her words.
Yu He continued, "The family head hasn't even spoken yet, why are you, a junior, interrupting? Are you trying to usurp his position?"
Qin Xinhui's face instantly turned pale. He dared not accept such a serious accusation.
"Miss Yu is too suspicious. Young Hui merely regards you as a sister and offered a well-intentioned reminder," Qin Yonghao quickly explained to Yu He with a gentle demeanor.
Then, he feigned a reprimand towards Qin Xinhui, "Miss Yu is Rong'er's benefactor. How can you be so disrespectful? Apologize immediately, then go reflect on your actions."
Qin Xinhui stared at Yu He. He had intended to find fault with her, but not only did he fail, he was thoroughly rebuffed and nearly accused of plotting to seize power.
In front of Qin Yongchao and his wife, despite his immense displeasure, he obediently apologized.
"I apologize. I was disrespectful earlier."
Yu He smirked, about to retort coldly, but Old Madam Yu tugged her hand, signaling her to accept the apology and not press the issue further.
"Let this be the last time. You may go," Qin Yongchao said sternly to Qin Xinhui.
Qin Xinhui had just tried to present himself favorably before the family head, but his good image was instantly shattered by Yu He's few words. His resentment towards her deepened, and he left dejectedly.
"Come, don't just stand there. Please sit. If you're not eating, at least have some tea." Madam Song gestured for Steward Qin to pour tea.
"Doctor Yu, Yu He, thank you for stabilizing Hong'er's pregnancy. I'll toast you with tea in lieu of wine," Qin Yongchao said, raising his teacup.
"That's not necessary. Just ensure the consultation fee is delivered to the clinic," Yu He replied.
Qin Yongchao still drank his tea. Seeing that she was unyielding, he turned to Old Madam Yu.
"Doctor Yu, how have you been all these years?"
Old Madam Yu's expression grew grave upon hearing this. She wondered if they were indeed going to question her about the past.
Seeing her purse her lips and remain silent, Qin Yongchao continued,
"Your sixth sister-in-law tragically passed away in a car accident. I felt immense guilt and dispatched many people to look for you. The news we received was that you and your home had been burned to the ground. Seeing you both alive and well now, I am both surprised and happy."
Yu He let out a cold laugh. "Are you sure you were looking for us, or trying to silence us?"
Her words caused Qin Yongchao to frown slightly, his expression turning serious as he looked at Qin Yonghao, as if asking what was going on.
The search for them had been entrusted to him.
"Miss Yu, are you under some misunderstanding?" Qin Yonghao quickly defended himself. "Our men searched for a long time in the burned remains of Doctor Yu's house but found no bodies. We all assumed that the intensity of the fire had even destroyed your ashes, and we grieved for a long time.
"Elder Brother even built an empty house on the site of the burned house to commemorate you, in hopes of preserving your ashes."
The house that Old Madam Yu's family had lived in had indeed been purchased by the Qin family, and a new house was built on the land, but it remained unoccupied.
However, Yu He wondered if this was a trap to lure them back.
The Qin family's words could not be fully trusted.
If they were so benevolent, why was her adoptive father framed and imprisoned for murdering his brother? Why did her adoptive mother die in a car accident?
And how did Qin Beiting end up being drugged and so deeply poisoned within the Qin family, and why was Qin Xinhong's pregnancy medicine swapped, nearly causing a miscarriage?
Yu He remained silent, the atmosphere in the banquet hall suddenly becoming rather delicate.
Madam Song, fearing that Yu He might bring up the matter of Third Master Qin again and ruin Qin Yongchao's mood, quickly tried to ease the tension.
"Ah, these are all things of the past. Let's not dwell on them. Aren't Old Madam Yu and Yu He both doing well now? Let's not speak of such grim things like ashes."
She winked at Qin Yongchao, "My dear, you still have something you want to say to Yu He, don't you?"
Qin Yongchao cleared his throat. "Yu He, I've heard about your true identity.
"Congratulations on finding your birth parents. However, you still have emotional ties to the Qin family over these years, and you are Hong'er's benefactor. To repay you, I would like to take you in as an adopted daughter of the Qin family and reinstate your identity as the third young lady of the Qin family. What do you say?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Yonghao's heart sank. Old Madam Yu looked flustered and held Yu He's hand, not wanting her to agree.
Meanwhile, outside the banquet hall, Ye Zisu, who had rushed over, overheard these words and was utterly shocked.
During her time back in the Qin family, she had been provided with various private tutors. She dedicated herself to studying, and her progress in etiquette, academics, and arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting had far surpassed her time in the Ye family, leaving the daughters of other prominent families in the capital far behind.
If not for the incident of being switched at birth, and if she had grown up in the Qin family from childhood, with her current learning pace, she would undoubtedly have been the academic prodigy of Kaiwei Academy and the foremost socialite of the capital.
Ye Zisu had endured the humiliation and diligently transformed herself, hoping to one day confront Yu He again, thoroughly humiliate her, and trample her underfoot to exact revenge for the past.
She wanted to show Yu He that *she* was the true third young lady of the Qin family!
Therefore, half an hour ago, after finishing a piano lesson, she heard from a servant that the family head was hosting Yu He for a meal here. She immediately rushed over, intending to let Yu He witness her current elevated status.
However, upon arriving at the entrance, she heard Qin Yongchao intending to reinstate Yu He as the third young lady of the Qin family!
If Yu He was recognized as the Qin family's third young lady, then what was she, the actual third young lady?
Just then, from within the banquet hall, Yu He's voice was heard:
"If I agree, what benefits will I receive?"
Ye Zisu: !!!
"No!"
"No!"
At this moment, two voices simultaneously rang out from the entrance of the banquet hall.
Everyone looked over and saw Qin Beiting, his handsome face set in a cold expression, striding in.
Following him, exuding an aura of dominance, was Ye Zisu, dressed in a high-end Chanel custom dress, adorned with almost every piece of expensive jewelry she owned.