"Yang Cheng?"
Everyone in the Lin family looked puzzled. None of them seemed to recognize the name.
Song Shuyue calmly explained, "Years ago, little Shu was lost in the Wasteland Realm. When she was only five years old, she was captured by human traffickers. It was a young man named Yang Cheng who rescued her. Later, she stayed by his side and became his maidservant."
"What?"
The hall instantly erupted into an uproar.
"Our Lin family's legitimate daughter actually became someone's maid?"
"The Wasteland Realm? Isn't that the Ephemeral World? How did little Shu end up in such a place?"
"If this spreads out, the Lin family's reputation will be ruined!"
Standing at the side, Huang Yuan's lips curved faintly, revealing a trace of ridicule. He had long heard that Lin Shu had once been stranded outside, but he hadn't expected her to have fallen so low as to serve someone as a maid.
A woman like that—how could she be worthy of marrying him?
Song Shuyue frowned slightly at the rising commotion, her tone growing firm and cold. "Everyone, calm down. Though Yang Cheng hails from the Wasteland Realm, he is not an ordinary man. Little Shu following him is not a disgrace."
She paused, her eyes turning toward Lin Xiaotian. "I already informed Father about this matter long ago."
Lin Xiaotian nodded slowly. "Indeed, Shuyue did mention Yang Cheng to me before. But she said that little Shu and this Yang Cheng shared a clean, proper relationship—no entanglement between man and woman. Only because of that did I agree to the marriage proposal. Now, however, it seems things might not be as simple?"
Song Shuyue said quietly, "That, I cannot say for certain. But whether this marriage proceeds or not should ultimately depend on little Shu's own will."
Lin Hui immediately objected, his voice rising. "Shuyue, that's nonsense! Marriage is a serious affair decided by the parents' command and the matchmaker's word. How can we let her act as she pleases? She's a daughter of the Lin family—she must consider the family's interests first!"
Lin Xiaotian turned toward Huang Guinian, forcing a polite smile. "Brother Huang, it seems I've been negligent and made you witness such a scene. I apologize for the embarrassment."
Huang Yuan's eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, given the current situation, the Huang family could use this excuse to dissolve the engagement with Lin Shu—and instead, propose a union with Lin Qing.
But to his surprise, Huang Guinian simply waved his hand, his face calm and unreadable. "Brother Lin, you're too serious. Little Shu and Huang Yuan are both still young. Young people are often impulsive—they say things without much thought. There's no need to take it too seriously."
He paused briefly before continuing, his voice steady. "As I see it, this marriage can continue. Let them spend some time together, get to know each other. Feelings can grow with time. There's no rush."
Huang Yuan froze. His mind went blank for a moment. What? Grandfather still wanted this marriage to go on?
He wanted to protest but dared not speak out against his grandfather in public. Swallowing his frustration, he could only lower his head, his heart burning with resentment.
Huang Guinian's easygoing tone made him seem magnanimous, and Lin Xiaotian, not wanting to appear petty in comparison, nodded at once. "Then we'll do as Brother Huang says."
The elders of both families murmured their agreement, and the tense atmosphere in the hall eased again.
Even Song Shuyue, though still harboring some unease, felt that Huang Guinian's open attitude left no room for her to object further.
But only Huang Guinian himself knew that his apparent "broad-mindedness" was not born of true generosity—it came from necessity.
His daughter, Huang Bijun, was currently caught in a political struggle within the Divine Chen Clan in the Divine Realm. She urgently needed a vast amount of Divine Stones to maintain her position and to purchase the resources necessary for her faction's survival.
Though the Huang family wielded considerable influence, years of extravagant spending and losses had left their coffers stretched thin. The Lin family, on the other hand, was renowned throughout the Horn Constellation Realm for its immense wealth, their fortunes rivaling that of minor divine clans.
If he were to seek a marriage with Lin Qing instead, given her exceptional status, the Lin family would undoubtedly make exorbitant demands. They wouldn't easily agree to lend Divine Stones—and might even exploit the opportunity to extort further benefits from the Huang family. Worse, such a marriage could take years to finalize.
But Lin Shu was different.
Having been lost for years and even worked as someone's maid, she carried what others would consider "flaws." By agreeing to marry her, the Huang family would appear generous and tolerant—and in return, could leverage this goodwill to demand substantial "compensation" in Divine Stones from the Lin family under the guise of supporting the marriage.
As for the so-called youth from the Wasteland Realm, Yang Cheng, Huang Guinian didn't care in the slightest.
A native from that barren world—so what if he possessed some minor talent? In the eyes of a Yin God powerhouse, he was nothing more than dust beneath his feet. Once the marriage was sealed and the Divine Stones secured, erasing an insignificant Wasteland native like him would be child's play.
Moreover, Huang Guinian believed that once Lin Shu met his grandson in earnest, she would naturally see the difference between heaven and earth.
After all, how could a rough, unknown wanderer ever compare to his brilliant, noble grandson?
Thinking of this, Huang Guinian lifted his teacup and said calmly to Lin Xiaotian, "Brother Lin, let's continue our tea."
Huang Yuan, standing at the side, forced a smile but quickly excused himself under the pretext of changing clothes. Once outside the hall, his face turned dark, so heavy with gloom it seemed almost to drip.
As soon as he turned into the corridor, he leaned closer to his attendant and ordered in a low, cold voice, "Go. Find out everything about that Wasteland native, Yang Cheng. I want every detail—leave nothing out."
The attendant bowed deeply. "Yes, young master."
Huang Yuan stared at the distant mountains and streams, a chilling light flashing in his eyes. Though he resented his grandfather's decision, he had no power to defy it.
If fate had decided he must marry Lin Shu, then no one—absolutely no one—would be allowed to touch what was his.
Besides, the name "Yang Cheng" nagged at him with an irritating sense of familiarity, as if he'd heard it somewhere before. The uncertainty unsettled him deeply, and he swore to uncover who this man really was.
"A mere Wasteland native dares to step foot in the Horn Constellation Realm?" Huang Yuan snorted coldly. A flick of true qi pulsed through his fingertips, and the stone table beside him cracked with a sharp sound. "Once I find out who you are, I'll make sure you learn your place."
Meanwhile, Lin Shu had brought Yang Cheng to her personal courtyard.
The residence spanned roughly two mu of land, its design elegant and quiet. Clusters of bamboo and orchids lined the courtyard, and a faint fragrance drifted through the air.
The main building was a finely crafted pavilion, its carved beams and painted rafters gleaming beneath the sunlight. The polished windows and spotless floor tiles showed the Lin family's care in preparing it for her.
Yang Cheng took a slow look around and smiled faintly. "Not bad. The place has a good atmosphere."
They had just taken their seats when a young maid in a light-green dress entered, bowing respectfully. "Miss, Young Master Kun sent me to ask if you're available right now."
Lin Shu asked, "What's the matter?"
The maid replied, "Young Master Kun and several clan cousins, along with a few guests from allied families, are holding a small gathering at the Clear Breeze Manor outside the city. When they heard you had returned—and that you brought a guest—they wished to invite you both to join them. They said they'd like to meet your distinguished visitor."
Lin Shu frowned slightly. She knew Lin Kun always associated with people like Lin Jiao and Lin Xiao, and a "friendly gathering" from them rarely came without hidden motives.
"No need," she said coolly. "His Highness and I still have matters to attend to."
"It's fine." Yang Cheng smiled lightly, his tone relaxed. "I wouldn't mind seeing what the younger generation of the Lin family is like. Let's go have a look."
Seeing his decision, Lin Shu didn't argue further. She turned to the maid. "Lead the way."
Clear Breeze Manor sat just outside Lin City, nestled between a low mountain and a winding stream. The scenery was tranquil and refined, with pavilions, winding corridors, and blooming gardens. The air was filled with the mingling scents of wine and laughter.
Inside the manor's grand hall, dozens of young men and women had already gathered. The atmosphere was lively and full of chatter.
When Yang Cheng and Lin Shu stepped through the doors, dozens of gazes immediately turned toward them—some curious, some probing, some openly disdainful, and others brimming with faint hostility.