Han Lingshi looked at the faces of her elders and sighed. She said, "What do you want from me?"
What else could she say in this set up where her own family was treating her as a criminal and interrogating her? Only her grandmother had an expression of calm and bliss. However, as a Patriarchal family the opinion of men was held in a higher value.
Her father said, "You never told us about dating anyone. Now we suddenly find that you even agreed to marry this guy, it is a bit too hard for us. I hope you understand."
Han Lingshi gazed at her father and said, "Still playing by the book of diplomacy? Am I your daughter or a client? You want to know why I never tell you guys what I do? Look at how you are treating me."
The middle-aged man did not loss his cool. Han Lingshi's mother, Lady Yue glared at her daughter and asked, "Is this how you talk to your father?"
Han Lingshi retorted back, "Then look at how your husband talks to your daughter."
Her voice was calm but her gaze was getting colder. Han Lingxue shivered while she stood at the side. She could tell that Han Lingshi was not going to take the diplomatic shit of these people. Old Master Han could not stand it any longer, and yelled, "Are you rebelling against your elders?"
Han Lingshi turned her gaze to look at the old man and asked, "Are you an Emperor? Am I your subject?"
Old Master Han tapped his cane on the ground forcefully and asked, "You are the child of this family and you have to answer to the elders."
Han Lingshi raised her brow, place right leg over her left knee and both her palms rested on her belly as she leaned back into the couch and said, "If you say that, then I am rebelling. Old Master Han, I want to know what you can do about that?"
Old Master Han did not expect Han Lingshi to be so rampant. His face turned red, and Han Lingshi's father said, "Lingshi, do you know that according to family rules, I can disown you for disrespecting my father?"
His voice was calm but his eyes were cold. Han Lingshi's mother, and grandmother were shocked when they heard this, they wanted to say something when Han Lingshi chuckled. It was as if a windchime disturbed by the wind.
The girl said, "If you disown me, I will resign from the position of the CEO of the Empress International effective immediately, and within six months the vultures of the jade capital will eat up the company, raw. So, please go ahead and do what you want to. However, if you want answers? Talk to me like a family and not some criminal investigator. Understood?"
The two men were shocked, they did not understand why Han Lingshi was so averse to them today. Old Master Han said, "I understand, it must be that kid who is teaching you to talk like that, right? That low life..."
That said, she slung her bag on her shoulder and left the living room. She did not care about anything. Her grandmother took on Old Master Han about the death contract, while Han Lingxue and her mother retired to their room.
Han Lingshi's parents also retired to their own room to discuss the issue. They wanted to talk, but with Old Madam tearing apart the old man, it was not an easy task. Old Master Han was an old player too.
...
Han Lingshi sat in her car, taking deep breaths. Just now she appeared to be violent and cold, but the truth was that she had never spoken out before her family. This time she almost waged a war on them. She herself was the most shocked person after what happened. All her life she had put up a cold facade when she did not want to show that things are effecting her.
Today, she planned the same thing, however, as soon as her grandfather insulted Hao Ren, she could not control the rage in her belly and spewed flames upon the two men. After a few minutes, when she calmed down, her phone rang. She saw that the caller was Hao Ren, and she accepted the call.
The other person quickly asked, "Are you okay?"
Han Lingshi was surprised when he said, "You were gone since the morning, and I wasn't able to get a hold of you. I could not help but call Xuexue and asked her about you. She said that it was a big fight and that you are hurt. I am heading to Han Family mansion, you wait there, okay?"
Han Lingshi was touched, because she could detect sincere care and concern in her voice, but then she said, "No, Ren, you wait for me at the house, I am just in my car and will be leaving here. Okay?"
Hao Ren grumbled, he did not say anything and Han Lingshi said, "I will tell you everything that happened here."
Hao Ren sighed and replied, "Fine, I understand, but please drive safe."
Han Lingshi replied with a yes and disconnected the call. She did not care about her family, if they wanted her to give up her love and happiness for their petty gains then she would teach them a good lesson.
She started her car and left the mansion. It was time for her family to think what they wanted to do. If they did not accept Hao Ren, then Han Lingshi would leave the Han Family to never return. She was the Empress, she could create her own kingdom if she had to for the one she loved.
Thinking about this, Han Lingshi smiled and drove to the city market.
...
Hao Ren knew that it was a weekend, but after dropping his parents at home, he dashed to meet up with Han Lingshi, however, just after he finished calling her, another issue came up for him to attend. He was frustrated by the timing of it all and yelled, "Fuck!"