ALL NOVEL Chapter 172.2
“He clearly knew these were my shuanger and son-in-law, yet he still dared to bully them. As the head of the Cheng family, bullying the younger generation—his conduct is really getting worse with each passing day,” Cheng Yi retorted coldly.
“Third son, how have you changed like this? You’ve only been away a few years, and now you’re on the brink of rebellion,” the old madam said in disbelief, shocked that Cheng Yi dared to speak to his elder brother that way.
“You only have one child, Cheng Yu—how can you claim another shuanger?” Cheng Hui asked with a frown.
However, Mrs. Nao saw an opportunity and quickly stepped forward, saying, “Old master, the third child’s family is unhappy with the marriage arranged for Cheng Yu. The eldest sister-in-law already agreed to break off the engagement with Master Mu, but the third child still refuses to relent and insists on sending someone to consult Elder Yue Huo and Master Mu. Isn’t he practically inviting disaster for our Cheng family?”
In a bid to secure the two elders’ support, several members of the family tacitly avoided mentioning Li Tianyan’s identity, hoping Cheng Yi would continue to heed the old master and old madam as he once did.
They had calculated that as long as Cheng Yi was suppressed, Li Tianyan would be unable to act against them.
Sure enough, the old madam’s face filled with reproach when she heard this. “What’s wrong with Master Mu? Your eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law are only thinking about Cheng Yu’s future. If there are any family matters, why don’t we just let Cheng Yu go and settle the matters now?”
“Impossible,” Cheng Yi responded decisively.
“Third uncle, that’s where you’re mistaken. We know Xiao Yu is precious, but that Master Mu is not lacking in any regard. Our Cheng family has only just started to gain standing. Do you really want to throw it all away and leave the Cheng family in ruins?” Cheng Yongyan said disapprovingly.
Seeing that Cheng Yi was unmoved, the old madam grew suddenly furious. “Don’t forget how the Cheng family came to the Central Region back then. Your fourth brother, your sister-in-law and their unborn children, your eldest brother’s children, and your second brother’s daughter-in-law—are you worthy of their sacrifices?”
In the past, the Cheng family had been afraid of offending Cheng Yu, so even if they mentioned it, they would speak tactfully. However, today, the old madam was so angry at Cheng Yi’s disobedience that she said it directly in front of Cheng Yu.
Lin Hui couldn’t help but tremble as she held Cheng Yu’s hands tightly, not wanting Cheng Yu to hear those words.
But this time, Cheng Yi’s reaction was not what she had expected. He didn’t retreat and give in after hearing her words but grew even stronger.
“Those who have died can no longer be compensated. As for you, this should have been settled long ago. If it weren’t for Xiao Yu, how would you have achieved your current level of cultivation, and how would you have become the Cheng Mansion you are today? The journey was dangerous, but you also gained things you never had before. We have paid off our due and debts,” Cheng Yi said, seeming to speak to the Cheng family but actually addressing himself and Cheng Yu.
Before the Cheng family could respond, a few more people appeared outside the lobby. Everyone was shocked when they saw who had arrived. Among them was Master Mu, who had come to propose marriage before.
It was not difficult to discern that one of the other two was a disciple of the Haoyue Immortal Sect, and the other was dressed in red like fire, radiating a strong aura. The two foundation-establishment cultivators standing with him seemed as dim as fireflies next to a bright moon.
Recalling what they had just said, the Cheng family quickly guessed the identity of the man in red.
Unexpectedly, they had come so quickly. Mrs. Nao was so frightened that she was at a loss. Cheng Hui quickly stepped forward, leading everyone in the Cheng family in saluting the visitor, saying, “Cheng Hui greets the elder. Today, for the sake of the junior, we have troubled the elder to come in person. Such a serious offense.”
“No need.” Elder Yue Huo frowned as he looked at the assembled people, and when he noticed Li Tianyan in Cheng Mansion, his expression became more complicated.
Although Elder Yue Huo had not participated in the Shura battlefield, he had heard much about Li Tianyan. The last time he had seen this person, he was just a foundation-establishment cultivator. Now, meeting Li Tianyan again, he was already in the middle stage of the Core Formation, with a cultivation level above his own.
Thinking of this, Elder Yue Huo raised his hands toward Li Tianyan and said, “Long time no see, Master Li Tianyan.”
“Yes, long time no see.” Li Tianyan smiled and returned the gesture. The two times he had met Elder Yue Huo had not been pleasant occasions.
Mu Hengtian, who stood beside Elder Yue Huo, paled upon hearing this. Li Tianyan’s appearance left him pale. He had thought that even if the marriage proposal failed, he would only offend Cheng Yu and apologize. But why was Li Tianyan here?
Cheng Hui was shocked upon hearing this. He looked at the others and saw them avoiding his gaze, immediately understanding that they had known Li Tianyan’s identity but had deliberately hidden it from him.
At that moment, Li Tianyan said, “Please explain the origins of this marriage.”
The man surnamed Mu had a rather average appearance, but his shifty eyes gave away that he was not an honest person at first glance.
“How could I dare?” Mu Hengtian wiped the sweat from his forehead before continuing, “How dare I impose on Cheng Yu? The reason for this marriage proposal was that the second madam of the Cheng Mansion lost a large number of spiritual stones while playing cards with my mother. Unable to repay, she suggested giving the young lady from Cheng Mansion to me as a concubine.”
Hearing this, everyone in the Cheng family looked at Mrs. Nao, who often went out all day to play cards and bet spiritual stones.
Mu Hengtian added, “I already have many concubines in my backyard, but I lack a legitimate wife. My mother suggested to her that if Mrs. Nao allowed Cheng Yu to marry me, not only would the debt be erased, but the Mu family would also offer a generous betrothal gift, to which Mrs. Nao immediately agreed.”
In reality, Mrs. Nao often spoke of the Cheng family’s affairs while playing cards, and even Cheng Yu had told her to keep quiet about it. Naturally, many people came to know that Cheng Yu’s parents were mere mortals.
That day, Mu Hengtian learned that Cheng Yu was going to leave the sect for a while, so he conspired with Mrs. Mu. They first had Mrs. Nao incur a large debt of spiritual stones, and then manipulated her into arranging Cheng Yu’s marriage.
Mu Hengtian’s thoughts at that time were that Mrs. Nao was easy to deceive, and Cheng Yu’s mortal parents would naturally not object upon learning of his status.
Cheng Yu was a very filial person, so if they could intimidate his parents, perhaps the marriage would be settled by the time Cheng Yu returned, leaving him no choice but to obey his parents’ orders.
Though risky, if successful, this move would secure him a wife with a pure spiritual root. Moreover, Cheng Yu’s cultivation and appearance excited Mu Hengtian, prompting him to take the risk.
If it failed, he would reason with Cheng Yu, and out of respect for his uncle, Elder Yue Huo, the shuanger would not make a scene. At that time, he would simply retrieve the betrothal gift and pretend nothing had happened.