"Good." The beautiful woman gazed tenderly at Qin Chen, her world seemingly reduced to this son of hers.

"Chen'er, tell me truthfully - why did you duel Young Master Wei? Was this a trap..." Qin Yuechi furrowed her brows, concern etching her delicate features.

"It was my own decision." Qin Chen lowered his head, eyes glinting coldly.

The truth was Wei Zhen had called him a bastard and his mother a whore at the academy. Now he realized this had been a carefully laid trap - Wei Zhen had gone straight for the kill during their duel.

He couldn't tell his mother the truth. Knowing her temperament, she'd confront the Wei family despite their precarious position.

Qin Yuechi had once been hailed as the Kingdom's First Beauty, with suitors including the Emperor himself. Yet she'd vanished for three years, returning with an infant Qin Chen in her arms.

An unwed mother.

This scandal nearly got them both killed. Only her father Qin Batian - the Ironblood Duke - had shielded them from the family's wrath. But contempt followed them like shadows in the mansion.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"Even if you never awaken your bloodline..." Qin Yuechi stroked his pale cheek, voice trembling. "...Mother will always protect you."

"Bloodline awakening?" Memories surfaced.

The original Qin Chen had failed multiple awakening rituals at the Starfall Academy. In this bloodline-dominated world, this doomed him to mediocrity - devastating for a youth desperate to change their circumstances.

"Mother, this setback means nothing." Qin Chen's smile held genuine warmth. To an Eighth-rank Bloodline Sovereign like his past self, awakening techniques were child's play.

Their moment shattered by thunderous pounding on the door.

A maid in silver-fox fur barged in without courtesy. "You kept Lady Zhao waiting, Madam."

"Yanzhi! My son needs rest!" Qin Yuechi blocked the maid's view of the bed.

The maid named Yanzhi smirked at Qin Chen. "Congratulations on surviving, Young Master." Her tone dripped mockery.

"State your business." Qin Chen's voice turned glacial.

"Not here for trash." Yanzhi sneered. "Your mother promised to meet Prince Zhao Qirui today. The Lecherous Prince awaits in the parlor."

Qin Chen's blood ran cold. The entire capital knew Zhao Qirui's reputation - a debauched ruler collecting women like trophies.

"You forced her!" He shot up from bed.

"Watch your tongue!" Yanzhi rounded on Qin Yuechi. "She begged on her knees for the Revitalizing Elixir to save your worthless life! Our Lady's mercy came with... conditions."

Qin Chen's world tilted. The Revitalizing Elixir - a mere second-grade pill - had cost his mother's dignity.

"Mother stays." He gripped Qin Yuechi's trembling hand. "I'll protect you now. No more sacrifices."

Turning to the maid, his voice dropped to subzero temperatures: "As for you - get out."