Chapter 494: The Sons-in-law

As the sun set, the group finished their business at the military district and returned to the Jiang Family.

Halfway there, Qin Muye hesitated for a moment before saying he needed to return to the palace.

Knowing he was worried about the Emperor but was too embarrassed to admit it, Jiang Qingli thoughtfully gave him an excuse. "You’re right. Go back and get everything settled. That’ll make it easier for me to come and visit you next time."

A smile spread across Qin Muye’s face. After pushing the door open and stepping out of the car, he spun back around. Quick as lightning, he cupped her face and stole a fierce kiss.

The other Beast Husbands pretended to be minding their own business, but they were all watching out of the corners of their eyes.

At the sight, their gazes sharpened instantly.

This was especially true for Ye Linyuan, who was sitting on Jiang Qingli’s other side.

’It was his turn today.’

Qin Muye couldn’t care less. He stroked Jiang Qingli’s face and added, "Wait for me to pick you up tomorrow."

The military tribunal was scheduled to bring charges against Lü Xin and the others tomorrow. Jiang Qingli and Baili Jing would be attending as the primary witnesses.

Jiang Qingli had just nodded when a pale, slender hand reached over and pushed her face away.

Ye Linyuan narrowed his eyes, his voice icy. "She won’t need you."

"Wha—"

Before Qin Muye could finish, the door was slammed shut from the inside.

"Secretary Chen," Xie Youchen said coolly.

"Yes, sir." Secretary Chen replied, hit the lock button, and the car shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, leaving Qin Muye in the dust.

Seeing Qin Muye’s slightly annoyed expression, Jiang Qingli’s lips curled into a smile. A warm, delicate touch then grazed her cheek.

Gu Nian was holding a handkerchief, gently wiping the spot Qin Muye had just kissed. His gaze was so intense that Jiang Qingli worried he would press his own lips there after he finished wiping. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d done something like that.

Fortunately, with the other Beast Husbands present, the possessive rabbit was much more restrained.

But because they were all there, a squall of jealous glares and petty remarks was unavoidable. For the rest of the ride, Jiang Qingli could only stare out the window and pretend she couldn’t hear a thing.

When they returned to the Jiang Family estate, Xie Qizhen and Zhou Yanli were already waiting for them.

The moment the car door opened, Xie Qizhen swept her into his arms. He lifted her high into the air, swinging her around in a big circle as if she were a little kid. He started walking toward the house, still carrying her, with Zhou Yanli trailing right behind, sharply rebuking him, "You’ll hurt her swinging her around like that!"

Once inside the main building, Xie Qizhen finally set Jiang Qingli down. He put his hands on his hips. "So? Your real dad’s still got it, eh?"

He put special emphasis on the two words "real dad."

As he spoke, Xie Qizhen shot a glance at Zhou Yanli, who was following behind. He raised an eyebrow. "Making a fuss over nothing. She’s my own daughter. Did you think I’d hurt her?"

A vein throbbed on Zhou Yanli’s brow, but with his daughter present, he gritted his teeth and suppressed the urge to draw his blade.

He turned to Jiang Qingli and straightened her hair, which had been mussed up by all the swinging. "Was the trip uneventful?"

"Everything was fine." Jiang Qingli’s eyes darted around. "Where’s Mom?"

"She’s at a banquet with your Third Dad. She should be back after dinner," Zhou Yanli said. "Let’s go eat. They’ve already made all your favorite dishes."

"Okay!"

Jiang Qingli headed inside excitedly.

The Beast Husbands followed her. As they passed Xie Qizhen, each greeted him politely.

Xie Qizhen folded his arms, frowning as he watched the group of males.

’Honestly,’ he thought, ’from my perspective as Jiang Qingli’s real father, every single one of them is a bit problematic.’

’Take that Snake Beastman at the front. He’s so cold. Can he even hold a conversation with my daughter?’

’Baili Jing is a known quantity, at least. But foxes are scheming creatures—just look at Zhou Yanli. Hopefully, he won’t start any ugly scandals over vying for affection.’

’The one from the Yuan Family behind him has brains, but I hear his health isn’t great. He’d better not fall ill and make my daughter worry about him.’

’And this Rabbit Beastman... he’s polite and well-behaved, but he just turned eighteen. Does he even know how to take care of someone?’

Xie Qizhen sized them up one by one, a hint of worry creasing his brow.

Zhou Yanli spoke. "What’s the matter? Not satisfied?"

Xie Qizhen replied, "The Seventh Prince is decent."

’The kid’s temper might not be the best, but I hear he doesn’t put on any airs in the Lower District. The crucial part is that he actually listens to my daughter. He has potential!’

Zhou Yanli just smiled.

The sight of it irked Xie Qizhen. "What’s so funny?"

Zhou Yanli said, "That boy is a lot like you."

Xie Qizhen scoffed. "When I was on the battlefield fighting a hundred men at once, he was still drinking his mother’s milk. And you say he’s like me!"

He snorted. Just as he was about to follow them to the dining room, he noticed Xie Youchen standing beside him, looking like he wanted to say something but was hesitating.

Xie Qizhen: "..."

’I forgot about that.’

A while back, when Zhou Yanli had mentioned forming a marriage alliance with the Xie Family, Xie Qizhen hadn’t understood. It was only after asking a few questions that he grasped the situation.

He had been furious!

’Son of a bitch!’

’He’d taken the boy in back then out of loyalty to his sworn brother, not so he could marry his daughter!’

’Wasn’t this just letting the wolf into the sheepfold?!’

Zhou Yanli had fanned the flames from the sidelines. "Big Brother, he’s the future husband you personally brought home for Xiao Li."

At the time, Xie Qizhen had nearly stormed off to the Twelve Cities. It was only thanks to the butler stopping him and a few placating words from Jiang Yi that he’d clutched his chest and accepted the terrible truth.

Back when he’d thought of Xie Youchen as a nephew, Xie Qizhen had been perfectly satisfied with him.

But a son-in-law was judged by a completely different standard.

Thinking of this, Xie Qizhen called out to Xie Youchen and beckoned him over, signaling for a man-to-man talk.

...

Jiang Qingli had no idea what kind of interrogation Xie Youchen was enduring. She only received a message during dinner that he had to leave on urgent business.

However, Xie Qizhen, who arrived late to the table, simply lifted his chin with a smug look.

「After dinner.」

Zhou Yanli asked Xie Qizhen, "Did you lay a hand on him?"

"Sigh... He called me ’Dad.’ How could I hit him after that?" Xie Qizhen rubbed the back of his neck, his smile a mixture of gratification and helplessness. "I just sent him packing to copy out the manual of masculine virtue as punishment."

Zhou Yanli: "..."

-

「In the study.」

Jiang Qingli was slumped over the desk, flipping through the materials for the next day’s trial.

She heard footsteps behind her.

A glass of milk was placed by her hand, and a gentle female voice asked, "Time for a break?"

"Mom!" Jiang Qingli spun around and threw herself into Jiang Yi’s arms, soaking in her long-missed warmth. "I missed you so much... Who were you having dinner with? You’re so late."

"The Chief Justice," Jiang Yi said, smiling as she patted her daughter’s head. Her eyes swept over the documents. "Looking over the materials for tomorrow?"

Knowing Jiang Yi had likely been helping her, Jiang Qingli’s slight annoyance at having to wait vanished, and she nodded quickly.

"Xiao Li," Jiang Yi said, stroking her hair. "Mom knows you’re capable, but if you run into danger, please call me first if you can."

"But if I couldn’t do anything on my own, I’d just be an embarrassment to you," Jiang Qingli grumbled softly.

"Honor is hard-won, but your safety is more important."

Having long been in a position of power, Jiang Yi wasn’t one to nag, but her eyes were filled with an all-encompassing love.

"If you couldn’t do anything on your own, I would just take you with me everywhere and teach you, little by little." Jiang Yi stroked her hair, picturing it. "Mm. The thought is rather adorable."

"I couldn’t stand the embarrassment."

Despite her words, Jiang Qingli snuggled deeper into her mother’s embrace.

’Mm, Mom’s embrace is still the warmest.’

’It’s so nice to have a mom.’

-

「The next day,」 the "Gene Experiment Case" that had shocked the Empire went to trial. The proceedings came to a close a week later.

Lü Xin and Qin Yu, the masterminds, were sentenced to have their Superpowers nullified and were condemned to life imprisonment, subject to random punishments at irregular intervals.

The Family Heads of the various families involved also received their due punishment.

The verdict was delivered in the afternoon.

Jiang Qingli walked out of the central courthouse, holding Baili Jing’s hand. The sunlight was blinding.

As if a great weight had finally been lifted from her shoulders, she looked at the man she loved beside her. They shared a smile. "Can you finally relax a little now?"

Baili Jing smiled and gently kissed her lips. "From now on, the only thing in my life that matters is you."