Yue Chan, her delicate face glowing with a sweet smile, was now frozen in shock. Her luscious red lips parted slightly, and her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she stood motionless.
How could this happen? Even a clever girl like her was stunned. She had not expected such words at all.
Earlier, she had deliberately tried to socialize, performed exceptionally well, and had a great rapport with Qin Yi Ning, who now appeared very close to her. Considering the friendly relations between their sects, she thought she might use this to escape her predicament.
But the outcome was beyond her imagination!
Shi Hao regained his composure. His beloved mother truly looked like a saintess from an elder generation. Was she really bullying this “newcomer”? He acted very simple and nodded earnestly, saying, “Mom, don’t worry.”
“Yes, I’m not worried at all,” Qin Yi Ning smiled gently.
Yue Chan snapped out of her shock, blinking her beautiful eyes and slightly wrinkling her delicate nose. She nearly blurted, “That’s not the case at all. I’m not at ease!”
She was breathtakingly beautiful, exuding unmatched charm. Just moments ago, she had smiled radiantly while chatting joyfully with Qin Yi Ning. Now, she even held one of the elder saintess’s arms affectionately.
“Senior, you misunderstood,” Yue Chan said with slightly knitted eyebrows.
Qin Yi Ning, warm and gentle, looked at her and praised, “You are so wise, elegant like a celestial being with an outstanding temperament and so considerate. We resonate so well, and I always longed for a daughter like you. Now my wish is finally fulfilled.”
“Saintess, then let me be your adopted daughter,” Yue Chan hastily proposed, her sweet smile returning.
“Wonderful. Once you marry Hao’er, you’ll be just like a real daughter,” Qin Yi Ning smiled.
Yue Chan really started grinding her teeth. She had tried her best to be accommodating, engaged in conversations, and created a warm and harmonious atmosphere. But now, she found herself subtly manipulated by the Saintess from Bu Lao Mountain with only a few words.
For the first time, she realized that Saintesses weren’t necessarily gentle; especially those with long-standing prestige, they were indeed quite formidable.
“Senior, there’s nothing between me and Shi Hao. You misunderstood. Actually, it’s like this…” She spoke eloquently, carefully choosing her words, swiftly explaining the situation.
Qin Hao had been watching silently, somewhat surprised, but after hearing about his older brother’s actions—forcibly taking the Saintess—he was truly astounded and disapproving.
This time, Shi Hao didn’t hesitate to exert his older brother’s authority and gave him a sharp knock on the head, saying, “Would you even believe what the enemy says?”
Qin Hao didn’t quite believe it either, but he just couldn’t tolerate it and deliberately expressed disdain.
“Senior, our two sects have always maintained good relations. Even if I have some misunderstanding with Shi Hao, you cannot detain me and affect the relationship between Tian Bu Sect and Bu Lao Mountain,” Yue Chan continued.
“Don’t worry. I will stand by you,” Qin Yi Ning comforted and assured her.
Yue Chan had performed with grace and tenderness, with gentle smiles and affectionate gestures unseen in her usual demeanor. Today’s behavior was entirely different from her usual ethereal and saintly aura.
Qin Yi Ning said, “Hao’er, this is your mistake. How could you let Yue Chan feel wronged? No matter what, you shouldn’t have suppressed her. She will walk beside you for the rest of your life, and you must value her.”
Yue Chan could no longer smile. She was close to losing composure, finally seeing the elder Saintess as cunning, determined, an excellent mother, but in Yue Chan’s eyes, she was utterly despicable.
Shi Zi Ling coughed lightly and quietly reminded his wife.
Qin Yi Ning simply smiled sweetly, unbothered.
“Wouldn’t this cause some problems?” Shi Zi Ling frowned, sending his voice through secret transmission.
Qin Yi Ning replied, “She acted against Hao’er first, so we captured her. It’s not Hao’er’s fault.”
“But, is such an arranged marriage too hasty?” Shi Zi Ling questioned.
Qin Yi Ning responded earnestly, “Hao’er overturned Bu Lao Mountain, causing massive trouble. Yue Chan, a Saintess of extraordinary status, was born under many celestial signs in Tian Bu Sect, dazzling the world. She is also backed by powerful figures. Perhaps, a union with Tian Bu Sect can change Hao’er’s dire situation and eliminate potential catastrophes.”
The couple exchanged words secretly through spiritual perception rather than speaking aloud.
“Senior Qin, as a Saintess yourself, haven’t you considered my feelings? How could you do this?” Reaching this point, Yue Chan was no longer polite, her face returned to its calm expression as she confronted her evenly.
“Oh, is this the first war between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?” Qin Yi Ning laughed, completely unfazed, maintaining a calm demeanor. “What does it matter to be a Saintess? Didn’t I also get married, even in the lower realms? What example do you expect me to set for you?”
Yue Chan struggled to remain serene, facing the Saintess like this was unexpected.
“Tian Bu Sect won’t approve after learning this,” she calmed herself, not saying much, but giving enough implications. The heavenly Tian Bu Sect was a massive power, and her mysterious origins were not unknown to Qin Yi Ning.
“Why wouldn’t they approve? I know that even higher heavenly Tian Bu Sect had instances of Saintesses getting married,” Qin Yi Ning replied casually, smiling and praising her eldest son, “My Hao’er surpasses those heavenly ‘Prodigies’ or ‘Firstborn’ in no way, and he is worthy of being the celestial maiden of Tian Bu Sect. Even if he has many romantic rivals, nothing compares to the advantage of proximity.”
Shi Hao, stunned, looked on with a strange expression. For the first time, he found his mother this formidable. Such words shocked him, and even with his thick skin, he felt a bit uneasy.
“Saintess, do you realize that a slightly flawed decision may lead to irreversible catastrophic consequences? Neither Bu Lao Mountain nor Tian Bu Sect can withstand such a battle!” Yue Chan resumed her dignified posture, radiant and serene, calmly explaining everything.
“I don’t see it that way. A marriage uniting two great sects will be a grand occasion, destined to strengthen both Tian Bu Sect and Bu Lao Mountain,” Qin Yi Ning said casually.
“Senior, you’re too optimistic. The situation will be completely opposite to what you imagine. A butterfly flapping its wings might cause a tsunami, and an ant’s burrow might trigger an earthquake. Let alone such significant matters—this conflict might sweep the entire heavenly realms!” Yue Chan stated, directly addressing Qin by name, showing increasing impatience.
“A butterfly needs only to dance beautifully, and an ant can enjoy the pleasure of digging. A woman should find happiness without too many worries lest she ages quickly. Yue Chan, you’re thinking too much. Just be one of the pair of butterflies,” Qin Yi Ning smiled gently, her thoughts slightly whimsical.
Yue Chan countered with her composed elegance, asking, “Senior, are you the butterfly or the ant?”
…
This was practically a battle, or rather, the first clash between a potential mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Neither gave ground, their words sharp, engaged in a fierce verbal duel.
Shi Hao was shocked: how could his mother be this powerful? Shi Zi Ling remained silent. And Qin Hao watched with great curiosity, fascinated by the exchange.
Yue Chan also flared up, showcasing her wit and eloquence. She spoke in an eloquent manner, even beginning to subtly mock Qin Yi Ning, treating this like a real battle.
However, Qin Yi Ning, as the elder Saintess, remained completely calm, no matter how sharp Yue Chan’s words were. She concluded, “No matter your methods or abilities, I will ask only one question: will you marry?”
Yue Chan stood like a shining jade, pure as the moonlight, holy and immaculate. Yet now she was genuinely angered, saying, “Are you determined to be an evil Saintess?”
“Wrong. I’m determined to be a fierce mother-in-law, but just temporarily. If your feelings for Hao’er are sincere, I will treat you as my real daughter. Now, hurry up and give me a grandchild.”
Yue Chan, defeated, covered her face and retreated, her grace and confidence broken. This battle was about to end.
“Saintess Qin Yi Ning, are you truly determined to be evil?” she continued questioning, still unwilling to concede.
By this point, Qin Yi Ning no longer hid her intentions. She answered, “You plotted against Hao’er in your Shi Kingdom first and besieged him. Everything has been self-inflicted.”
“Do you really think I will willingly become your daughter-in-law?” Yue Chan, elegant and otherworldly, asked loudly, truly indignant toward the elder generation of Saintess.
“Where is Peng Jiu?” Qin Yi Ning asked.
“Your servant is here!” Elder Guard Commander Peng Jiu appeared like a phantom in the middle palace, showing immense respect to the newly returned Empress, having witnessed everything with his own eyes.
“Prepare the banquet for Hao’er’s marriage,” Qin Yi Ning declared. Not only was Peng Jiu surprised, but even Shi Hao himself was shocked. How decisively and swiftly his mother acted!
Even Shi Zi Ling was speechless, silently wiping sweat while glancing at his wife.
“With such a lady, beautiful beyond measure, she is destined to be my son’s wife. We must not waste this perfect moment,” Qin Yi Ning declared firmly.
Shi Hao sweated. He felt something strange. Was his mother truly angry? He believed that although his mother had appeared calm while being challenged by Yue Chan, she must have been deeply hurt by her verbal assaults and now had begun her revenge.
This conclusion was part of the ongoing war, seeking resolution.
“Mother, isn’t this happening too fast?” Shi Hao spoke.
Upon hearing this, Yue Chan became very nervous. She finally felt afraid, glancing sideways at Qin Yi Ning.
“To prevent unnecessary delays, you two should get married earlier,” Qin Yi Ning decisively said.
“Mother, isn’t this a bit too harsh on Yue Chan? She is the Saintess of Tian Bu Sect,” Qin Hao suddenly interjected.
“Bang!”
Qin Yi Ning immediately gave him a sharp knock on the head and said, “What ‘celestial maiden,’ what ‘Saintess’? Call her sister-in-law!”
Shi Zi Ling clearly saw that his wife had won the battle at a heavy personal cost, not only appearing triumphant but also visibly angered by Yue Chan’s sharp tongue.
Peng Jiu timely interjected, saying, “Empress, the outside world does not know about Yue Chan’s capture. If we publicly celebrate this wedding, it might cause significant implications and complications.”
“Then we’ll keep it low-key; it will suffice with just our family as witnesses,” Qin Yi Ning smiled while glancing at Yue Chan, unyielding.
“Mother, you might not know this—she is only the second body, cultivating a mysterious technique…” Shi Hao continued.
Qin Yi Ning was startled, having heard about this ancient technique before. She couldn’t help but admire Yue Chan for successfully cultivating it, calling it stunning. But shortly after, she was shocked again, saying, “If one was so hard to handle, how could I deal with two of them in the future?”
This expression partially showed genuine feelings but was also exaggerated. Yue Chan seethed with rage.
“There’s no more time to delay. The marriage must happen tonight!” Qin Yi Ning insisted, taking Shi Zi Ling’s hand, falsely claiming it was a mutual parental decision.
In her words, with one Yue Chan already this powerful, when two appeared together, she would be overwhelmed in the coming mother-in-law and daughter-in-law battles. She had to subdue at least one first.
Shi Hao was speechless. He thought his mother must have been a sorceress in her youth. Otherwise, how could she still be so “eccentric” in her old age?
“We must have a child as soon as possible and take him to the upper realms. I believe Tian Bu Sect will finally accept my Hao’er as their excellent son-in-law by then!” Qin Yi Ning said.
“Are you asking me to follow your example?” Yue Chan couldn’t help but retort again sarcastically.
“Excellent suggestion,” Qin Yi Ning smiled sweetly without anger, turning to warn Shi Hao that she wanted a grandson, one that must arrive as soon as possible.
Yue Chan finally felt fear, her face turning pale.
At this point, Peng Jiu received his orders and turned away, preparing for the wedding feast.
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