Shangguan Lingxiu muttered to herself.
"Even if I insisted on being together, what's the use of it? Become an ornament he protects for my entire life? Even if he doesn't mind and I'm willing to submit, is that still me, Shangguan Lingxiu?"
Old Mistress Shangguan, who was supported by her dragon-head crutch, wore a deep sense of sympathy in her gaze as she stood by the yard entrance.
She could not help but recall something…
…
"King Yun, Yun Yang isn't young anymore. When my son was his age, he was already a father of two. As his father, why aren't you considering his marriage?"
"Yun Yang is a stubborn one. I've never forced him to do anything, including his marriage."
"What does King Yun think about our Lingxiu? It's wonderful that the two of them reciprocate each other's feeling. Isn't it marvelous for both our families to become relatives? Old Marshal Qiu has mentioned to me before that he's willing to become the matchmaker."
"Old Mistress, regarding Yun Yang's matters… Instead of saying that I've never coerced him, let us just say that he's never needed my concern. Everything of this child… I'm unable to decide for him. Especially when it comes to marriage – his own opinion matters."
"It looks like King Yun isn't fond of this idea of marriage."
"Not so, no. I'd love for it to happen, I'm even willing to push for it. That being said, Yun Yang, himself is still needed for the final say."
"The matter of marriage is upon the instructions of parents and the words of a matchmaker. I understand King Yun's intention. I shall bid my leave."
"Old Mistress…"
"No need to send me off!"
Old Mistress could not help recalling her proposal to Yun Xiaoyao previously. She had thought that if she were lower herself enough to ask, Yun Xiaoyao would never reject her. Be it due to reasonable circumstances or their status, he would have agreed immediately, happily.
What she did not expect was Yun Xiaoyao's reaction. Even though he spoke highly of the marriage, it did not happen.
Old Mistress Shangguan left swiftly then, seeing Yun Xiaoyao with a begrudging lens from then on. It was only now that she knew that Yun Xiaoyao was not at all lying at that time.
It was true that he was happy to see the marriage happen, it was also true that he was willing to push for it. However, it was even more apparent that he was unable to decide for Yun Yang.
He was the Nine Supremes' Supreme Cloud!
Supreme Cloud, who summoned reverence from the world and triumphed over the martial world!
How could Yun Xiaoyao be able to decide anything for Supreme Cloud? Especially when it was something major like marriage!
Even His Majesty dared not decide anything for Supreme Cloud!
Since she knew that Yun Yang was Supreme Cloud, Old Mistress Shangguan immediately guessed that Yun Yang was not Yun Xiaoyao's biological son with her extensive wisdom and experience.
Recalling Yun Xiaoyao's helpless expression, Old Mistress Shangguan sighed.
'I've wrongly accused Yun Xiaoyao then… My personal intentions have caused me to think unjustly of him,' Old Mistress Shangguan muttered inwardly.
Now that Lingxiu was already with Yun Yang, it seemed now that she was rather behind – not due to her family background, not because of her appearance, not because of her temperament, only based on her cultivation base…
In spite of this, cultivation base was something that could never be achieved speedily or in a hurry!
Old Mistress Shangguan let out a sigh with her eyes closed, murmuring, "It's time… to let Lingxiu seek her happiness. The Shangguan Family of Generals has really dragged her on for far too long…"
…
"Lingxiu," Old Mistress Shangguan called out softly.
Shangguan Lingxiu looked up as if startled from a dream. She was dazed, not realizing that Old Mistress had already come to her.
"Grandma."
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing much." Shangguan Lingxiu smiled, looking like she was doing fine.
"Good. I remembered something important that has to be done. Follow me," Old Mistress Shangguan instructed.
She turned to leave once she spoke.
Shangguan Lingxiu looked back with worry before she glanced at Fang Mofei and Bai Yixue who were standing guard on the left and right. Then, she followed Old Mistress Shangguan, looking back repeatedly with each step she took.
…
In the ancestral hall of Shangguan, Shangguan Lingxiu was somewhat surprised as she took in the many ancestral plates that were lined up on display.
"Grandma, why did you bring me here?"
What important matter could there be here that was so urgent?
"We, Shangguan Family, have kept a very special secret."
Old Mistress Shangguan spoke in a low voice, "The very beginning of this traced back to Shangguan Family's first ancestor. Back then, the first ancestor met someone severely injured by chance. He was near death and the first ancestor saved him with all he could, managing to rescue him. Unexpectedly, the person disappeared without a trace nor a thank you after he recovered. However, first ancestor's intention was only to save him; he didn't mind whether there were any thanks or not. Yet, someone else came a year later, saying that it was to thank his saving grace and could grant him a wish, even boldly saying that it could be anything! But first ancestor's conduct was to help anyone who needed it. He really never had the thought of being compensated, so he rejected the person's generosity."
"The person insisted on leaving three joss sticks behind, saying that he only needed to light the three joss sticks up if he had any request in the future. Then, someone would come forth to help. The person emphasized clearly that it could be anything."
"If it had only been this, the first ancestor might not have committed the incident to heart. It'd be normal to even forget about the three joss sticks. However, after the person passed him the three joss sticks, the person moved Shangguan Family's ancestral tomb with a wave of a hand. The person spoke seriously that from then on; the Shangguan Family's future generations would all become great generals who would win every war they fought, that it was only appropriate that the family was titled nobly for generations to come."
Shangguan Lingxiu felt her scalp tingle as she listened to the tale.
Who could the person be to be so mighty that a wave of the hand could shift their ancestral tomb and change fengshui itself? The fact that they had noble titles for generations was impressive but to be able to set Shangguan Family as a heritage family of generals was divine. Furthermore, to grant a wish that could be about anything?
The statement was exaggeratedly bold, as one could only be a myth to possess such an ability!
"When this person was done talking and vanished in front of our first ancestor, it was then that the first ancestor realized that he had met an amazing master. Naturally, he passed down the three joss sticks with an ancestral edict – if the later generations were tremendously gifted, these three joss sticks could be used to achieve deific serendipity."
"Maybe it's an oracle, maybe it's fengshui. The Shangguan Family has been a family of generals ever since, wearing a noble title for generations… It's really like what the person said. Nonetheless, because this secret is so significant, the three joss sticks are passed down without being utilized, until today."
Old Mistress Shangguan looked at Shangguan Lingxiu and said, "Looking at you, I have a realization. Won't these three joss sticks be able to help you achieve your wish? Your wish is a difficult one, but it still falls within the category of 'anything'!"
Shangguan Lingxiu was shocked.
Achieve her wish?
What should she say? Deny it?
Still, how many in Shangguan did not know about her wish?