The soft call caught the four off guard.
Yang Lingrui forcibly swallowed his prepared words.
Li Cheng turned back as if to speak, but restrained himself.
"Lingrui, decide freely without pressure," Li Cheng said.
"Thank you, Young Master Li. Since Young Miss Li requests it, the Yang Family must observe formalities," Yang Lingrui answered.
For reasons unclear even to himself, Li Cheng felt tension leave his chest at these words.
He guided Yang Lingrui to the inner courtyard gate. "I’ll remain here. Take your time speaking."
The Spring Welcoming inner courtyard revealed blue bricks beneath black tiles, white walls under indigo roofs – architecture strictly traditional. Content orıginally comes from 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱
From afar, Yang Lingrui noted her moonlike beauty and lively bearing.
This natural compatibility explained why Li Cheng had immediately favored their match.
At approaching footsteps, the woman turned.
"Nanshan Li Family. Li Qingwan."
"Songshan Yang Family. Yang Lingrui."
Names exchanged, Yang Lingrui sought conversation starters when Li Qingwan moved first.
"Who wounded you so?" Her eyes softened with concern.
She silenced him with raised finger before flipping her palm upward. A sandalwood lotus materialized, rising to cast pink mist that shrouded the courtyard.
"Now we speak privately."
Li Qingwan clasped his forearm, flashing a bright smile.
"You’re pale as ghosts walk among us. Sit – I’ve scarce escaped my confines to meet you properly."
Her behavior stunned Yang Lingrui.
Yang Lingqing had drilled him for every possible insult or trick from Li Cheng’s sister.
None prepared him for this.
The two individuals sat down on the stone chairs by the pond. Yang Lingrui proceeded to explain the circumstances of his situation to Li Qingwan.
After hearing Yang Lingrui’s account, Li Qingwan showed mild irritation.
She glanced back at the courtyard gate and complained, "My brother’s always been this way since childhood, making arbitrary decisions without considering others. Your current predicament is entirely his fault!"
Yang Lingrui immediately shook his head. "The responsibility lies with my own actions. Young Master Li shouldn’t bear the blame."
"Nonsense! It’s absolutely his fault! If he hadn’t meddled with arranging the marriage alliance and the ceremonial gathering between our families, you wouldn’t be in this state."
Li Qingwan said heatedly, "People only respect him out of fear for the Li Family’s influence. He’s simply abusing his power!"
Yang Lingrui hurriedly offered placating words until Li Qingwan’s anger subsided.
"Rest assured, the final decision rests with me. I won’t force you or the Yang Family into anything."
"My gratitude, Young Miss Li."
"Enough of this unpleasantness. Tell me about yourself!"
"Yes! I’ve been training under my master in Moon Watching City since childhood and never left these walls."
Li Qingwan gazed at him with eager anticipation.
Under her intense scrutiny, Yang Lingrui carefully recounted his experiences over the years – embarking on the Path of Cultivation, his family’s relocation, surviving the monster tide, resolving bandit conflicts, and exploring ancient tombs.
He discreetly altered certain details: Chen Yang’s existence was erased, and the bandit leader he’d slain became anonymous rather than Zhang Chen.
Li Qingwan listened enthralled, chin propped on her hand.
"That’s all, Young Miss Li." Yang Lingrui concluded.
Li Qingwan sighed wistfully, eyes lifting to the massive city walls. Compared to Yang Lingrui’s adventures, her own life felt like that of a caged songbird, her expression clouding with melancholy.
"Thank you for sharing your stories. With the ceremonial gathering tomorrow, you should retire early."
"I’ll take my leave then. My apologies for imposing on your time today."
Yang Lingrui reached the gate but found the technique barrier still active.
"Wait," came Li Qingwan’s voice behind him. "There’s something I never mentioned."
"What might that be, Young Miss Li?"
She smiled shyly, a blush coloring her cheeks. "You’re… quite handsome."
Caught off guard, Yang Lingrui returned the smile. "Your kindness flatters me, Young Miss Li. You yourself possess great beauty."
As the voice faded, the curtain parted.
Yang Lingrui bid farewell to Li Cheng in the outer courtyard before returning to his Residence.
"Well? What happened?"
The moment Yang Lingrui left, Li Cheng rushed into the inner courtyard to demand answers.
He’d heard nothing from outside and had been burning with anxiety.
Li Qingwan shot him an annoyed look.
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"I rejected the proposal. It’s not happening."
Li Cheng’s expression darkened immediately. "Don’t be deceived by surface appearances! After careful consideration, I suspect the Yang Family’s actions might be deliberate – they probably want to…"
"…avoid your schemes!" Li Qingwan snapped.
Li Cheng froze momentarily before hardening his gaze. "Everything I do is for the Li Family. My conscience is clear!"
"Clear conscience indeed!"
Li Qingwan lunged forward and seized his collar. "How many innocents have you entangled in these family matters? Do you truly not know their inevitable fate? Now you want to drag the Yang Family into this abyss too? Li Cheng, your cruelty knows no bounds!"
"Silence! You understand nothing of my sacrifices! Everything I endure is…"
Li Cheng gripped her wrist fiercely. "…to free you from this cursed place! To let you live freely for even a few years!"
Li Qingwan’s blazing anger melted into pained sorrow.
Her voice broke. "Brother… it’s beyond our control now. You know this better than anyone. Stop these futile efforts…"
Li Cheng’s grip slackened as he watched his sister stride through the courtyard gates, vanishing from view.
His hand instinctively reached for the wine jar in his storage bag – then smashed it violently against the ground.
Swallowed rage forced his clenched fists tighter, fingernails biting palms as he used the pain to ease his anguish.
"Thirty years… Just thirty more years… Condensing Essence would be within reach…"
Li Cheng crumpled to the ground like a puppet with cut strings, his soul slipping away through dulling eyes.
The Elder would become Dao Stone. His sister would become furnace.
Powerless. Useless. He could only watch the inevitable unfold.