The soft glow of lanterns cast flickering shadows across the courtyard, their gentle sway mirroring the warm atmosphere in the air. Under the dim light, Dong Yue's calm gaze rested on Bai Yunxi, curiosity evident in the slight arch of her brow.
"So," Dong Yue began, her voice gentle and steady, yet carrying a weight that made Bai Yunxi unconsciously straighten her back. "My son fell in love with you. I'm curious—how did he pursue you?"
Bai Yunxi's fingers curled slightly at her sides. A faint warmth crept up her cheeks as she glanced at Su Kang, but before she could find the right words, Dong Yue raised a hand, cutting off any response. The gesture was swift, decisive, leaving no room for argunt.
"Kang'er, leave with your father."
Su Chen, who had remained mostly quiet, his expression a carefully guarded mask, gazed at his wife's sudden command.
"I want to speak with my daughter-in-law alone," Dong Yue said simply, her smile still present but firm. A subtle glint in her eye suggested this was not a request. "And I think you must have so questions for Su Kang as well. Go, leave us alone."
Su Chen didn't object. Rising to his feet, he cast a sharp, assessing glance at Bai Yunxi before turning back to his son. "Co with . We need to talk."
Su Kang hesitated briefly. His eyes lingered on Bai Yunxi, a silent reassurance passing between them, before he finally inclined his head. "Yes, Father."
The sound of retreating footsteps faded into the night, leaving only the whisper of the wind rustling through the jade-bamboo leaves, a sound that suddenly felt much louder in the silence. The mont they were alone, the air between Dong Yue and Bai Yunxi grew heavier, a silent pressure settling around them like an invisible shroud.
Bai Yunxi clasped her hands together, steadying herself. This is it, she thought, steeling her nerves. She had known this conversation was inevitable. Yet now, standing before Dong Yue with no distractions, the weight of her choices pressed down on her like an unseen force.
mories surfaced in her mind—fragnts of a past both bitter and sweet. Her childhood days, where laughter and peace felt like companions; her teenage years, marked by ambition, achievents, and the cruel hand of fate that robbed her of control.
A marriage that had bound her to Li Xiao, once a source of stability, later a chain of regret. The joy of motherhood—then the nightmare of poisoning, helplessness, and the quiet agony of her parents' disappearance. She had seen too much, endured too much.
Su Kang was like a blessing to her. He had shielded her son, risked his life for him, and given him a future when she had nothing left to offer. He had found her mother, broken the chains around her heart, and given her not just a new body but a new will. She had not just married him—she had given him everything of hers.
Bai Yunxi lifted her gaze, the storm inside her settling into sothing resolute. "I will tell you everything from the beginning," she said, her voice steady.
Dong Yue observed her in silence, her expression unreadable, like a calm lake hiding unknown depths, as if sensing the turmoil beneath her composed facade.
Bai Yunxi continued, her voice unwavering. "I don't want to hide anything. Because no matter what happens, you are my mother-in-law, and Su Kang is my husband."
A flicker of surprise crossed Dong Yue's face. The shift in Bai Yunxi's aura was subtle yet undeniable—no longer hesitant.
Husband already? Dong Yue thought, her brow furrowing slightly. The words, though unspoken aloud by her, hung in the air, their implications settling deep. But she remained silent, waiting.
And Bai Yunxi began to speak......
Su Kang followed his father in silence as they entered a private hall, the scent of aged sandalwood and parchnt filling the space. The warm glow of the lanterns flickered against the wooden walls, casting elongated shadows that danced with the quiet tension between them.
Su Chen gestured for Su Kang to sit before taking his own seat. His fingers tapped against the polished wood of the table, a rhythmic sound that seed to echo with unspoken scrutiny. He studied Su Kang for a long mont, his piercing gaze like a sword seeking the smallest crack in his son's armor.
"Tell , Kang'er," he finally said, his voice calm, yet carrying the weight of sothing far sharper. "Where did you get such a detailed map of an unexplored realm?"
He had expected this question—but expecting and answering were two different things. He couldn't tell his father the truth: that he had foreseen the future, and in that future, he had already ventured into that realm. So, he chose the path of half-truths.
"It wasn't entirely detailed," Su Kang admitted, his voice carefully asured. "The information regarding the spiritual herb regions—I obtained it from people I encountered during an accident."
Su Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. "And these people… they had already explored the realm?"
"To an extent," Su Kang replied. "Their exploration wasn't complete. I don't know what their true motive was, but this information was being sent to soone. Unfortunately, so of them ended up in a conflict with . I obtained this information from them."
A heavy silence stretched between them. His father's gaze remained unreadable, his thoughts a mystery behind dark, assessing eyes. Then, with a slow nod, Su Chen leaned back. "I see," he murmured.
But inwardly, doubt flickered. If such a group had truly discovered a secret realm, why wander so far from it? And if explored, why leave the spiritual herbs untouched? Sothing didn't add up.
And yet, another possibility lood. My son must have obtained so opportunities for himself. He's hiding sothing.
Su Kang watched his father carefully, suppressing a sigh of relief. He had steered the conversation away from dangerous truths.
Su Chen's voice dropped, the sharp edge of his words cutting through the air like a blade. "Good. Now tell the truth, Su Kang.”
His father's eyes locked onto his own, unwavering, relentless. "Who is Bai Yunxi?"
Su Kang had anticipated his father's question. Su Chen's fingers drumd a asured rhythm against the wood as his icy gaze bore into his son—each tap echoing the weight of unspoken judgnt. "Does she have any connection to Li Fang?"
In that split second of hesitation, Su Kang's eyes faltered—a tiny break in his composure that did not escape his father.
He nodded. "Yes."
A heavy silence fell, thick with implication. The Su family had long supported Li Fang, and Su Chen already knew all too well who Li Fang's mother was. Su Chen's face darkened. His features, usually unreadable, twisted briefly into a mask of shock and disbelief. His jaw clenched; his hand curled into a fist atop the table.
"You…" he exhaled sharply, struggling to maintain composure. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Su Kang remained silent, his resolve steady despite the tension crackling between them. Then Su Chen's voice dropped, low and grave. "You took your sect brother's mother as your lover. Do you understand what that ans?"
Su Kang pressed his lips together. "I do."
"You don't," Su Chen cut in, his tone slicing through the stillness. "Do you know how other families will see us now? They already whisper, mocking our heritage as barbarians from the Barren Lands. But if this leaks, they won't just whisper—they'll laugh, insulting us openly."
Su Chen's eyes searched his son's face, demanding a sign of regret or hesitation. But Su Kang t that burning gaze with a calm one.
"Explain yourself," Su Chen ordered, his voice hard and unyielding.
Su Kang drew a slow breath. His mind raced, yet he knew he had to choose his words with care. "I saved Yunxi five years ago," he began evenly. "Our first eting was… awkward. As ti passed, that admiration grew deeper," Su Kang continued, his voice softening.
"I never thought of pursuing her back then—I only wanted to ensure she and her son were safe. When Li Fang left for the Central Region, I stayed by her side. The more ti I spent with her, the more I realized just how much I liked her. Eventually, I proposed. And after learning everything, she accepted ."
For a mont, Su Chen's eyes softened, then narrowed as he searched his son's face for any sign of faltering. Silence reigned again—a silence heavy enough to crush hopes.
"Li Fang...a monster genius." Su Chen's mind churned. If he turned against us… it would be a catastrophe. His fingers tapped the table in a relentless, staccato rhythm, each sound a hamr blow against the fragile peace. His gaze was a mix of calculation and caution.
Su Chen leaned forward, his voice dropped lower but was still heavy. "Su Kang, you have made a mistake. If Li Fang returns with the Heavenly Sword Sect's backing and demands revenge, do you think the Su Family can withstand that pressure?"
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Author's Thoughts:
This bonus chapter dropped a bit earlier than planned—it was supposed to release tomorrow, but I just noticed that my novel made it to the trending list!
Thank you all so much for your support. Consider this an early treat to celebrate with you. Enjoy!
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