"In this world, who hasn't offended someone? I may have made enemies, but I'm still living well. Not like you, thoughtless and rash. Let me tell you, if you want a smoother life, bow to your elders when you should, act coy if it works. After all, they're not strangers, and it won't cost you a piece of flesh."
Chen Qingyuan said.
"Hmph!" Song Ningyan crossed her arms and huffed, unable to muster a rebuttal.
Just then, Chen Qingyuan caught sight of Song Ningyan's posture, glanced at her, and muttered under his breath, "No brains perhaps, but she's got other… assets."
"Hey!" Song Ningyan suddenly called out.
Chen Qingyuan, feeling guilty as if caught in the act, quickly averted his gaze, feigning seriousness, "What?"
"Thank you."
Song Ningyan paused in her steps, expressing her gratitude earnestly.
"Who else but me to get stuck with you as my junior sister? You're welcome."
Honestly, it was the first time Chen Qingyuan had heard Song Ningyan say thanks, and it felt somewhat unfamiliar.
For a Heaven's Pride like Song Ningyan to lower her head and say thanks was no small feat.
Forget it, considering you've come all this way to help me, I won't bicker with you.
Song Ningyan let Chen Qingyuan grumble, in one ear and out the other.
Upon escorting Chen Qingyuan to the guest room, Song Ningyan turned and left. The issue wasn't fully resolved yet, and she needed to confront her family elders alone.
The guest room was spacious, with furnishings all crafted from fine spirit wood.
Chen Qingyuan admired every corner of the room, and upon opening the tightly shut windows, he saw a crystal-clear lake, its shores lined with hundreds of willow trees, and many golden carp swimming in the water.
The scenery was stunning, like a paradise on earth.
That night, all was quiet.
Inside the Song Family's inner hall, over a dozen direct relatives of Song Ningyan were seated.
At the head of the room sat not the family head, Song Xiufeng, but his father, Song Wenxian.
Song Wenxian, the former head of the Song Family and one of its strongest warriors, adored his granddaughter Song Ningyan. He had shamelessly sent her to the Academy, giving her a chance to seek freedom.
"Dad, this is a tough situation. Please handle it," Song Xiufeng said, his tone laced with reproach.
"Hahaha." Song Wenxian, his hair white and face lined with wrinkles, chuckled heartily. He was already aware of the day's events in the hall: "We're not outside now, so you're not the Clan Leader but Ningyan's father, and you should be happy for her."
"That's easy to say, but Ningyan is just too thoughtless, sigh!"
Song Xiufeng had practiced for ten thousand years before he and his wife had Song Ningyan; how could he not cherish her? But as the Clan Leader, he sometimes had to be ruthless and put aside personal feelings.
"It's all because of that Chen Qingyuan. Without him, Ningyan certainly wouldn't have been able to handle this."
One of Song Ningyan's uncles sighed softly.
"Speaking of which, Old One Yu has lived for so many years, seen countless Heaven's Prides and Evildoers, and never thought of taking a disciple. His acceptance of Chen Qingyuan as a student truly surprised me."
Song Wenxian grew increasingly interested in Chen Qingyuan and wanted to see him in person.
"That kid is like a sly fox, very cunning."
Song Xiufeng felt uncomfortable just mentioning Chen Qingyuan. He had led the Song Family for many years and had never been outmaneuvered by a youngster before.
"Someone recognized by Old One Yu can't be ordinary," Song Wenxian said with a smile.
Click!
Song Ningyan, prepared to be scolded, walked heavily to the study door, pushed it open, and entered slowly.
"Grandfather, father, mother, second uncle…"
She greeted each person seated in the room with proper respect.
"Girl, come sit by your grandfather."
Song Wenxian pointed to a seat beside him, specially reserved for Song Ningyan.
After sitting down, Song Ningyan felt like she was on pins and needles, not daring to meet her father Song Xiufeng's gaze.
"Grandfather understands your wish not to be a puppet of the family. Your father may be strict, but he's very good to you. He's been meticulous in arranging your marriage, ensuring you wouldn't be wronged."
"Changsun Fengye of the Mysterious Sacred Ground in the Star Domain is a renowned Heaven's Pride of our times. If even he doesn't meet your standards, I fear no one in the Northern Wilderness will."
Song Wenxian spoke earnestly.
"I know the elders are all good to me, and I understand that as a daughter of the Song Family, I should bear certain responsibilities. If I had no talent, even with dissatisfaction, I would never go against the family's will. But since I have some gifts, I want to struggle a bit and hope grandfather and father can understand."
Song Ningyan stood up uncomfortably among her elders and spoke.
"Of course, your grandfather understands you, and so do your uncle and aunt. As for your father, he's just an old stick-in-the-mud, probably doesn't get what's going on in that head of yours," Song Wenxian said affectionately.
"…"
Upon hearing this, everyone's mouths twitched.
The old man was calling his own son a stick-in-the-mud, how odd!
Song Xiufeng showed a helpless expression.
"Dad, please give me a chance to prove myself," Song Ningyan approached Song Xiufeng and earnestly pleaded, "If I fail to meet your expectations, I'll never rebel again and will let you arrange my future."
With that, her eyes reddened, and tears welled up.
Seeing his daughter so pitiful, Song Xiufeng, no matter how stubborn, couldn't remain indifferent.
"Fine, go ahead and make a fuss for a while!"
Song Xiufeng's tense heartstrings relaxed, he sighed, and nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Dad."
Song Ningyan cried tears of joy and threw herself into Song Xiufeng's arms.
Here, Song Xiufeng was not the Clan Leader, but a father.
"You're getting tears all over me, go away."
Song Xiufeng pushed Song Ningyan away with a look of disgust, his cheeks reddening slightly as he coughed softly to cover his embarrassment, and chided her with a gentle laugh.
Following Chen Qingyuan's advice seemed to work wonders for Song Ningyan.
Even her usually unyielding father smiled and didn't blame her for her actions.
"Girl, your grandfather remembers you never acted coy with your father before," Song Wenxian observed the scene and sensed something different, "Did Chen Qingyuan teach you this trick?"
In front of all the elders, Song Ningyan couldn't lie and admitted softly, "Yes."
"I'm becoming more and more interested in this young man. Arrange a time for me to meet him," Song Wenxian turned to Song Xiufeng, eager.
Just as he finished speaking, Song Wenxian shook his head, "Never mind, I'll go see him myself. You're not reliable in these matters."
"…" Song Xiufeng.
The next day, Chen Qingyuan opened his door early to enjoy the courtyard's flowers and trees, feeling exceptionally good.
"Old sir, when did you get here?"
Just as he stepped out, Chen Qingyuan saw an old man in coarse linen clothes, pruning the plants in the yard with large shears.
Chen Qingyuan hadn't noticed the old man's arrival at all, and he tensed up, on high alert.
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas