Picking up on the unspoken meaning behind Yang Yinghao's words, the other seven fell into deep thought.
"Then we will take our leave," Yang Yinghao said, rising to his feet. The others also stood, casting complicated glances at Yang Kai before shaking their heads with sighs and slowly walking out.
This meeting with Yang Kai had dealt them a significant blow.
"Grand Uncle," Yang Kai suddenly called out again. "How are my father and mother?"
"Don't worry about your fourth uncle and his wife," Yang Yinghao replied. "Even if the Yang family were destroyed, I would ensure nothing happens to them."
Yang Kai's expression shifted slightly. He bowed solemnly. "Thank you, Grand Uncle."
"We are family," Yang Yinghao nodded gently.
The eight left the side hall. In the corridor, they encountered Qiu Yimeng and Huo Xingchen, who were clearly waiting there on purpose.
"Greetings, uncles and elders," Qiu Yimeng greeted with a graceful curtsy, her etiquette and upbringing from a great family clearly evident.
In contrast, Huo Xingchen wore a casual, nonchalant expression that made the old patriarch Huo Zheng's eyes blaze with fury. In all of Zhongdu, perhaps only Huo Xingchen looked least like the young master of a superpower clan.
"Get over here, boy. I have something to say to you," Huo Zheng growled at Huo Xingchen in a low voice.
Huo Xingchen chuckled and obediently followed Huo Zheng to the side.
Meanwhile, Qiu Shoucheng looked at Qiu Yimeng with a pained expression. After a long pause, he said, "Meng'er, your foresight surpasses mine!"
Before the Battle of Succession began, Qiu Yimeng had strongly advocated for the Qiu family to ally with Yang Kai. However, Qiu Shoucheng and Qiu Ziruo had chosen Yang Shen, the sixth brother of the Yang family.
Facts proved that Qiu Yimeng's choice was correct. During the battle, Yang Kai rose meteorically, going from nothing to surpassing everyone else.
In the later stages of the battle, Qiu Shoucheng had ordered Qiu Yimeng and the Qiu Yutang branch recalled, not wanting her to have any further association with Yang Kai.
Yet facts also proved that standing firmly on the same side as Yang Kai brought greater benefits than the combined efforts of all eight great families.
Now, Zhongdu faced internal strife and external threats. Qiu Yimeng remained at Yang Kai's manor, serving as his right hand. Not only could Qiu Shoucheng find no grounds for opposition, he even felt a secret sense of relief.
Relief that Qiu Yimeng had made the choice to follow Yang Kai persistently, even at the cost of defying him and disobeying his orders.
This daughter of his truly did see further than he did. A sense of weary resignation washed over Qiu Shoucheng.
"Father!" A shimmer of tears appeared in Qiu Yimeng's beautiful eyes. This was the first time she had heard Qiu Shoucheng offer her such unreserved praise.
Growing up, no matter how excellent she performed, Qiu Shoucheng had never praised her. He had focused solely on nurturing Qiu Ziruo as the Qiu family's future successor. Sometimes, when Qiu Yimeng performed too well, he would even show a look of regret.
Regret that she was not born a son.
This time, she heard it. The unstinting praise from Qiu Shoucheng's lips.
Qiu Yimeng felt a sudden surge of bittersweet emotion, the taste of long-awaited vindication.
"Your father is old. From now on, the Qiu family will need more of your effort," Qiu Shoucheng sighed softly.
Tears welled in Qiu Yimeng's eyes, and she bit her lower lip. "Father, you are still young."
"Not anymore," Qiu Shoucheng chuckled, turning his head to look at the others. "They are all old too."
Kang Rui and Meng Xiping, among others, twitched their lips in response.
On the other side, Huo Zheng and his son Huo Xingchen whispered privately. It was unclear what they discussed, but after a good while, Huo Zheng let out a heavy sigh.
"Old man," Huo Xingchen said, slinging an arm around Huo Zheng's shoulder with a serious expression. "You should step down, yield your position, and enjoy your peace. If you have nothing to do, don't keep running around the battlefield. Find yourself a few more concubines and give me a little brother! I have so many sisters, and their dowries will become a burden to the Huo family in the future!"
"You brat!" Huo Zheng cuffed him on the head. "Is that any way to speak to your father?"
Huo Xingchen rubbed his head, completely unfazed. He chuckled. "I'm saying this for your own good. If you happen to die on the battlefield, the Huo family would really be left with only me as the heir. You're still vigorous in your old age, right? Your skills in the bedroom haven't regressed, have they? Need me to teach you a few new tricks?"
"Get lost! You unfilial son!" Huo Zheng roared in anger.
Huo Xingchen suddenly dropped his frivolous demeanor. His tone grew serious. "Old man, perhaps I'm not suited to lead the Huo family, but I trust Yang Kai. Think it over. There's no harm to the Huo family's future development."
Huo Zheng stared at him darkly, coldly snorting. "With your level, you don't have the wits to see through the current situation. Someone must have been guiding you."
"Qiu Yimeng said it," Huo Xingchen grinned.
"I knew it. That clever girl is sharper than any of you." Huo Zheng glanced at Qiu Yimeng, thinking to himself that despite having so many daughters, none could compare to Qiu Yimeng.
That old codger Qiu Shoucheng had only one daughter, yet she was so clever and perceptive, immediately grasping the heart of the matter.
Yang Kai was unwilling to cooperate with the Eight Great Families of Zhongdu because he didn't want to relinquish the power he held. Naturally, the heads of the eight families would not humbly submit to him.