Chapter 76: The Old Madam Is Gone—Want to Know What Comes Next

Liu Yue smiled; she found it hard to imagine either, as it was also her first time seeing Qin Meng, the true head of the Qin Family, and the Old Madam, the Qin Family's Empress Dowager.

Uncle Qin Meng did not come over to greet Grandfather, nor did he greet anyone else, and went straight up to the very top with the Old Madam.

Shen Mo glanced left and right—good, the older generation was long used to such scenes; only the younger generation was indignant, though no one dared to step forward and court death.

The spirited Old Madam stood on the stage, swept her gaze across the whole hall, and said in a deep voice: "Today is my birthday. I suppose not many of you remember."

"Remember to bring the younger generation over to toast me later."

"Otherwise… heh heh."

"Eat."

【Truly a… Old Madam one cannot bring oneself to like.】

Shen Mo's feelings were very complicated.

But Shen Mo turned to look at Grandfather—don't you even remember your own mother's birthday?

Grandfather felt the gaze, snorted coldly, and said in a low voice: "I haven't seen her in thirty years."

【Shocked.】

Shen Mo and Liu Yue were now truly astonished.

Grandmother said in a low voice: "Before the Old Madam went abroad, she was never close to us. She drove us out a long time ago."

Between the lines, one meaning came through—if not for fear of the Old Madam bearing a grudge and making trouble afterward, Grandfather and Grandmother truly did not want to come.

The elegant lady asked a server beside her for a small gift box, took off her bracelet, wrapped it carefully in a handkerchief close to her body, placed it inside, and handed it to Grandfather: "Dad, this is newly made. Take it over."

"It wouldn't be proper not to bring one."

Grandfather gave her a complicated look: "I'll make it up to you when we get back."

This is what high emotional intelligence looks like.

Grandfather glanced left and right, took Shen Mo and Liu Yue by the hand, and walked toward the Old Madam together.

Ms. Qin Hao did not want to go over; she said she was afraid that, with her wings now hardened, she would not be able to stop herself from hitting someone.

The Old Madam sat at the main table; upon seeing Grandfather, her eyes flickered.

Uncle Qin Meng, who stood nearby attending her, and a noble lady of her generation gave Grandfather a smile.

"Mom, big brother, long time no see."

"This is a gift prepared for you."

Grandfather said, his emotions not very high.

The Old Madam opened the gift box on the spot, glanced inside, beckoned Liu Yue forward, had Liu Yue put the bracelet on, and only then looked at Grandfather and said calmly: "You should count yourself lucky that my temper has improved now."

"Otherwise, today I would have smashed this bracelet to pieces and thrown it out."

Shen Mo clearly felt Grandfather's fist clench.

【This Old Madam is truly detestable.】

Liu Yue also held back her anger with great effort; she wanted to speak, but was pressed down by a single look from the Old Madam.

What kind of look was that?

Shen Mo felt it was a gaze that regarded all things as nothing.

Shen Mo recalled something Grandfather had said before coming over—his mother had once been on the battlefield, wielded a broadsword, led the Women's Army, and even served as director of the Women's Relief Association.

The Old Madam looked at Grandfather and said sharply: "Raise your head and look at me."

Grandfather, the fierce man who had dared to take a whip to Liu Xinhua, immediately shivered.

Studying Grandfather's face, the Old Madam continued: "Why have you not gone abroad to see me for so many years?"

Grandfather said nothing.

"Why did you not prepare a gift."

Grandfather still said nothing.

The Old Madam suddenly sighed, waved her hand, and told Grandfather, Shen Mo, and Liu Yue to leave.

The three had just walked away when an elder from a Qin Family branch came forward carrying a child.

As Shen Mo glanced back, he seemed to see that fierce Old Madam's eyes flicker for a moment upon seeing the child, a trace of tenderness.

Back at their seats, Grandfather sat there in low spirits.

Shen Mo's gaze swept across the hall; from time to time, elders led the younger generation over.

The Old Madam would keep them and ask a few questions.

Shen Mo noticed the Old Madam held no contempt toward those female elders and female children, treating them all with great gentleness.

It did not match the widely rumored image of favoring sons over daughters.

The banquet was cleared shortly after eight o'clock.

But Uncle Qin Meng told everyone to stay. The scene was awkward for a moment; no one dared step forward.

After quite a while, the Old Madam was finally seen waving tiredly, telling everyone to leave.

The next day, also New Year's Eve, the last day of the old year.

Just after getting up, Grandfather came to the dining room and said with a dark expression: "The Old Madam is gone."

"She passed away last night."

"We're going to the old residence now."

Shen Mo and Liu Yue exchanged a glance, both seeing the disbelief in each other's eyes.

The Old Madam, who just yesterday had seemed so hale and hearty, speaking with such ringing force—gone after a single night?

And on such a festive day as New Year's Eve, no less.

【Truly an Old Madam one cannot bring oneself to like.】

Shen Mo sighed inwardly.

Liu Yue also nodded silently.

The Qin Family old residence Grandpa mentioned shocked Shen Mo.

It was just an ordinary brick-and-tile house.

If the courtyard hadn't been kept so clean and tidy, it would have been hard to imagine this was the old residence of the Qin Family, a clan that had produced so many outstanding figures.

From the front gate, one could see the entire courtyard.

Most of the Qin Family members who came were squatting outside.

Uncle Qin Meng stood inside, with a pretty woman wearing gold-rimmed glasses beside him.

From the conversations of the people around, Shen Mo learned she was Uncle Qin Meng's youngest daughter, an international lawyer, only twenty-six this year.

Shen Mo sighed — Uncle had a truly strong constitution.

But Shen Mo found it strange — why weren't there any trumpets or funeral music?

Shen Mo didn't dare ask, and stood aside with Liu Yue.

After a while, Uncle Qin Meng came out and looked around, and once he confirmed everyone had arrived, he had his youngest daughter read out the will.

Upon hearing the will, everyone was stunned — the old lady still had money?

The contents of the will were simple: the company shares involved in the Qin Family were to be inherited by the Qin Family's eldest son, Qin Meng.

Mm, this was no surprise.

The old lady's private properties around the world and thirty percent of her assets were to be inherited by Grandpa.

All the Qin Family's cash — minus twenty percent — was to be divided equally among the collateral branches.

Each household would get roughly three billion.

There were over thirty households present in total.

The remaining seventy percent of the old lady's personal assets were to be divided equally among the great-grandchildren generation, represented by Liu Yue, including those from the collateral branches.

In the end, the old lady left one last sentence: "I'm sorry — I've put you all through enough these past years."

"But the pressure on me really was too great."

"My husband died early — I couldn't let the Qin Family decline."

The old lady was buried directly in the ground, her bones joined with her husband's.

When the old lady was laid to rest, Shen Mo saw a letter held in her hand.

Shen Mo heard several elders nearby say it was the last family letter sent back by Uncle Qin Meng and Grandpa's father.

After the burial, Uncle Qin Meng invited everyone to go eat together.

At the dinner table, Uncle Qin Meng drank heavily, and no matter how much his youngest daughter tried to persuade him, he wouldn't listen.

After getting drunk, Uncle Qin Meng pulled Grandpa over, said "I'm sorry," and then said: "Don't blame Mom — she was just too afraid."

"Afraid the Qin Family's children wouldn't amount to anything, afraid the clan would decline, afraid that after death she wouldn't be able to face her excellent husband who had passed on so early."

Grandpa opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing.

【I really want to know that old lady's story.】

Shen Mo was going crazy with curiosity.

Liu Yue also wanted to know.

But the people present who clearly knew the story were only Uncle Qin Meng and a few of the older elders.

They didn't dare ask.

(End of this chapter)