Chapter 379: Confrontation
The night was deep, and Zhou Moran sat alone in his room. The candlelight flickered, reflecting his cold face.
The jade slip lay quietly on the table, containing irrefutable evidence of Zhou Qingyang's collusion with the Zhao family. But at this moment, his gaze was hollowly looking out the window, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edge of the teacup.
His chest felt as if a massive boulder was pressing down, every breath carrying a dull pain.
He had thought he was prepared to face everything, but when he witnessed Lin Xinyao and Zhou Qingyang embracing with his own eyes, his heart still felt as if it was being torn apart.
"Heh..." He laughed softly, his voice hoarse, "How ridiculous."
In his previous life, he was step by step framed by Zhou Qingyang, eventually betrayed by all. In this life, even though he had detected the conspiracy in advance, he was still betrayed by the person he trusted most.
Lin Xinyao, Liu Yunyao... they had all stood on Zhou Qingyang's side.
He slowly closed his eyes, scenes of possible scenarios at the family banquet flashing through his mind—Zhou Qingyang's hypocritical defense, Lin Xinyao's false testimony, his father's fury, his mother's disappointment...
But he wouldn't back down anymore.
Since they chose to betray, he would personally tear apart this hypocritical drama!
Zhou Moran opened his eyes, a chilling coldness in his gaze.
He picked up the jade slip, his fingertips lightly brushing its surface as spiritual power poured in. The images inside emerged once again—the scene of Zhou Qingyang conspiring with the Zhao family's illegitimate son in the remote courtyard was clearly visible, even their conversations about how to frame him were captured without omission.
The evidence was conclusive; Zhou Qingyang had no room for denial!
But Zhou Moran knew this alone wasn't enough.
Behind Zhou Qingyang were Lin Xinyao and Liu Yunyao's support. They would definitely try every means to exonerate him, even bite back.
So, he had to deliver a fatal blow, not giving them any time to react!
Zhou Moran put away the jade slip, his fingertips tapping the table as he pondered countermeasures.
Suddenly, his gaze fixed on an ancient book on the bookshelf.
That was the "Zhou Family Ancestral Teachings," containing a family rule—"Those who collude with external enemies shall have their cultivation abolished in public and be expelled from the family."
The corner of his mouth slowly curved into a cold smile.
Two days later, the family banquet.
...
Two days later, in the main hall of the Zhou family.
The redwood round table was covered with delicacies. Zhou Hong sat in the main seat, his expression dignified; Madam Zhou sat beside him, her brows gentle. Zhou Qingyang was wearing a plain white robe, quietly sitting in the lower seat, a humble smile on his face.
Lin Xinyao and Liu Yunyao sat in the women's seats, the former in a light pink long dress, dignified and elegant; the latter in snow-white clothes, her expression cold.
When Zhou Moran stepped into the hall, everyone's gaze fell on him.
He was wearing a black brocade robe, a jade belt around his waist, his expression calm, showing no abnormality.
"Moran, you're here?" Zhou Hong spoke indifferently, "Sit down."
Zhou Moran nodded slightly and walked to his seat to sit down.
The family banquet began. Everyone raised their cups to drink together, laughing and talking, as if it were a harmonious and joyful scene.
After three rounds of wine, Zhou Hong put down his cup, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "Today's family banquet, besides reunion, there is one more matter to announce."
He looked at Zhou Qingyang, his tone gentle: "Qingyang has recently made a breakthrough in his cultivation. I have decided to let him enter the family's secret realm for cultivation next month."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions in the hall varied.
Zhou Qingyang showed gratitude and stood up to salute: "Thank you for your cultivation, Father."
---
Zhou Moran watched this scene coldly, the corner of his mouth imperceptibly twitching.
Secret realm cultivation had always been a privilege reserved only for direct descendants. His father's action was undoubtedly declaring to everyone—Zhou Qingyang's status was now on equal footing with his, the legitimate son!
He slowly put down his wine cup and suddenly spoke: "Father, your son has something to report."
Zhou Hong frowned slightly: "What is it?"
Zhou Moran took out the jade slip from his sleeve. As spiritual power poured in, the jade slip immediately burst with dazzling light, and an image appeared out of thin air—
In the image, Zhou Qingyang sat opposite a Zhao family youth, conspiring in low voices.
"Brother Qingyang, is the route for this batch of spirit mines reliable?" The Zhao family youth asked.
"Don't worry, I've already arranged everything." Zhou Qingyang sneered, "When the time comes, someone will take the fall."
"Who?"
"Zhou Moran."
The image stopped abruptly, and the hall fell into dead silence.
Zhou Hong's face instantly darkened like ink, slamming the table as he stood up: "Zhou Qingyang! What is the meaning of this?!"
Zhou Qingyang's face turned deathly pale, scrambling to his feet: "Father, this, this is fake! The images in the jade slip must be forged!"
"Forged?" Zhou Moran sneered, "The images recorded in jade slips cannot be faked. If Father doesn't believe it, he can have the elders in the family verify it."
Zhou Hong's gaze swept sharply over Zhou Qingyang, then looked at Zhou Moran, seemingly weighing the truth.
Just then, Lin Xinyao suddenly stood up.
"Uncle Zhou," her voice was soft but carried a hint of firmness, "Moran has been acting strangely recently. I once saw him privately meeting with someone from the Zhao family. This jade slip... I'm afraid there's a problem."
Zhou Moran's pupils contracted as he suddenly looked at her.
Lin Xinyao avoided his gaze and continued: "Perhaps the one truly colluding with the Zhao family is someone else."
Liu Yunyao also slowly stood up, her voice cold: "Uncle Zhou, when I passed by Moran's courtyard yesterday, I saw a Zhao family servant sneaking away."
She paused, her gaze looking directly at Zhou Moran: "How about... searching his room?"
Zhou Moran's heart sank to the bottom.
He finally understood their plan—they had already prepared a backup!
Zhou Hong's face was gloomy as he waved his hand: "Someone, go search the eldest young master's room!"
Two guards took the order and left.
The atmosphere in the hall was stagnant. Zhou Qingyang lowered his head, the corner of his mouth slightly curving upward.
Not long after, the guards hurriedly returned, holding a letter in their hands.
"Family head, this was found in a secret compartment in the eldest young master's desk."
Zhou Hong took the letter and unfolded it, his expression suddenly changing—
The letter bore the Zhao family's seal, and the content was discussing how to steal the Zhou family's spirit mines!
"Unfilial son!" Zhou Hong flew into a rage, slamming the letter in front of Zhou Moran, "What else do you have to say?!"
Zhou Moran looked at the letter that appeared out of thin air and suddenly laughed.
He slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over Lin Xinyao, Liu Yunyao, and finally landing on Zhou Qingyang's face.
...
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