"There's no such thing as 'but.'"
Lin Xiaotian cut him off, his tone absolute. "Do you really think our Lin family should go against the combined might of the Meng, Lu, and Huang families for the sake of one Yang Cheng?"
Lin Feng opened his mouth but could only lower his head in silence. His voice came out hoarse. "Yes, Father."
Lin Xiaotian sighed, a trace of complexity flashing in his eyes. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate Lin Shu's talent, but before the interests of the family, individual brilliance always had to give way.
"Let Shuyue speak with her."
He waved his hand dismissively. "A woman's words might reach her more easily."
Moments later, Song Shuyue arrived at Lin Shu's courtyard.
She hesitated for a while when she saw Lin Shu and Yang Cheng sitting together, quietly drinking tea beneath the shade of a flowering tree. After a brief pause, she finally stepped forward and gently relayed Lin Xiaotian's message, softening the tone as much as she could.
When she finished speaking, Lin Shu held her teacup between her fingers, brushing its rim lightly. Her voice was calm and unwavering. "Madam Song, what do you think I should choose?"
Song Shuyue looked into her daughter's clear yet determined eyes and sighed softly, her tone laced with relief. "I think… you should stand firmly by Yang Cheng's side."
"Mother?" Lin Shu lifted her head sharply, surprise flashing in her eyes.
She had assumed her mother would advise her to follow Lin Xiaotian's order and cut ties with Yang Cheng. After all, that would be the safest path.
Even Yang Cheng raised an eyebrow slightly, the look he gave Song Shuyue carrying a hint of curiosity.
Meeting both their gazes, Song Shuyue spoke with sincerity. "I know your grandfather isn't wrong. The Meng, Lu, and Huang families together are not forces that our Lin family can oppose—nor are they ones you two can stand against."
She paused, her tone shifting as her eyes brightened. "But I believe in Yang Cheng more."
"With His Highness's talent, the powers that oppose you today will all be surpassed in time. Forget the Lu family's old master—even Meng Yan, someday, might not be your equal."
Song Shuyue continued, her voice firm. "That's why the best thing you can do right now is leave immediately. Go to another domain, or even return to the Wasteland Realm. Once His Highness grows stronger, today's troubles will no longer be troubles."
Her words left both Lin Shu and Yang Cheng momentarily surprised.
"Madam Song."
Yang Cheng set down his cup, his tone steady and resolute. "We're not leaving."
He met Song Shuyue's worried eyes and went on, calm but unyielding. "I'm the one who caused this mess, so it's my responsibility to settle it. When I brought Lin Shu back to the Lin family, it was to see her return like an empress—to be honored by all, admired by everyone—not to see her mocked, then forced to flee in shame."
His voice was not loud, yet each word carried a quiet authority that left no room for doubt. "Three days from now, at the birthday banquet, I'll be there. Whether it's the Lu family, the Huang family, the Meng family, or anyone else who wants trouble—they can come. I'll deal with them."
The unwavering confidence in his eyes dissolved Song Shuyue's worries. What replaced them was a faint, genuine admiration.
She suddenly understood why Lin Shu followed Yang Cheng so loyally. A man like him truly was someone worth following.
"Since His Highness has made up his mind," she said softly, rising to her feet, "then I won't try to persuade you otherwise."
She turned to Lin Shu, her expression warm but firm. "If the family forces you too hard, don't forget—you still have me and your father."
Lin Shu's heart softened; she nodded gently. "I understand."
Song Shuyue glanced one last time at Yang Cheng, as though wanting to say more, but in the end, she only said, "Be careful in everything."
Then she turned and walked away, her figure gradually disappearing beyond the courtyard gate.
After a while, Lin Shu looked at Yang Cheng, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Your Highness, it seems Madam Song is wiser than we expected."
Yang Cheng smiled faintly. "She's a good mother."
He could tell that Song Shuyue's love for Lin Shu was genuine—it came from her heart, not out of pretense.
"But still…"
Lin Shu's voice lowered slightly. "Some people from the Song family probably won't let this go easily."
"Let them be."
Yang Cheng replied calmly, "Three days from now, everything will be settled."
The commotion at Clear Breeze Manor spread like wildfire, traveling across the entire southern region of the Horn Constellation Realm within half a day.
"Did you hear? That girl Lin Shu, the one the Lin family just brought back, crippled Lu Guan, the young master of the Lu family, at Clear Breeze Manor."
"That's not all—she even beat Song Zhen from the Song family. She looks quiet and refined, but her strikes were vicious!"
"The craziest part is that guy beside her—Yang Cheng! He publicly declared that three days from now, after the Lin family's birthday banquet, the Lu, Huang, and Meng families can all come find him to settle the score, and he'll take them all on himself!"
Teahouses and taverns buzzed with chatter. Everyone had their own opinions—some called Yang Cheng arrogant and suicidal, while others admired him, saying that even if he was a shooting star, he would still shine brightly before burning out.
At the same time, countless eyes turned toward the Lu family. After all, they were the ones most humiliated by the incident—how would they respond?
Inside the Lu family residence, the atmosphere was as heavy as a tomb.
When Lu Guan was carried back, his entire body was drenched in blood, his limbs twisted at impossible angles. The pain had already driven him into unconsciousness.
The Lu family had summoned the best physicians they could find, yet all of them could only shake their heads and sigh. His limbs were completely crippled—even if they were somehow repaired, his future cultivation potential would be drastically weakened.
Seeing his son's condition, Lu Guan's father, Lu Ting, turned red-eyed with fury. "That bitch Lin Shu dared to cripple my son so brutally!"
At the head of the hall sat the Lu family's patriarch, Lu Canglan. His hair and beard were entirely white, and his expression was so dark it seemed to absorb all light. Though he hadn't released his aura, the oppressive force that radiated from him made the air freeze as if turning to ice.
"Father," Lu Ting said through clenched teeth, "we can't let this go!"
Lu Guan's mother was weeping hysterically, her grief spilling into madness.
Lu Canglan glanced at them coldly. "Rage won't solve anything. Lin Shu is a direct daughter of the Lin family, and the fiancée of Huang Yuan. If we kill her outright, that means we'll be offending both the Lin and Huang families at once. Can you bear the consequences of that?"
"But—"
Lu Ting's voice faltered. He didn't want to admit it, but his father was right. The Lu family was powerful, but if they provoked the Lin and Huang families together, even they wouldn't escape unscathed.
At that moment, the steward hurried into the hall. "Old Master, Young Master Huang Yuan requests an audience."
"Let him in."
Lu Canglan's tone was deep and steady.
Moments later, Huang Yuan strode into the hall, his expression full of grief and righteous indignation. "Uncle Lu, Old Master Lu, I couldn't stop worrying about Brother Lu Guan, so I came to check on him."
Lu Ting snorted coldly and turned his face away.
Lu Canglan looked at Huang Yuan steadily. "My good nephew, you wouldn't come all this way just to visit, would you?"
Huang Yuan sighed, his tone humble yet deliberate. "Old Master Lu, you see clearly through all things. In my view, the true root of this matter doesn't lie with Lin Shu."
Lu Ting snapped his head toward him. "What do you mean? Wasn't it that vile woman who crippled my son?"
"It was her hand that struck, but not her intent."
Huang Yuan said calmly, "Though Lin Shu has a stubborn nature, she's not someone entirely ignorant of restraint. The reason she hurt Brother Lu Guan so cruelly… I believe it was because of that Yang Cheng."
He emphasized the name deliberately. "Lin Shu personally said that Brother Lu Guan offended Yang Cheng, and that's why she attacked. In truth, she was only following his lead. The one truly malicious is Yang Cheng himself."
His voice grew sharper as he continued, "He knew Lin Shu's status, yet he deliberately instigated her to harm others. It's clear he's using her—and the entire Lin family—as his shield. Such a scheming and venomous heart… it's terrifying."