The Zhuangyuan was built nestled against the mountains and beside the water, with the grand hall in the very center standing out prominently.
Its architectural style was magnificent and resplendent, supported by massive load-bearing pillars that required several people to encircle, made from golden silk nanmu wood that would never rot for hundreds of years.
The roof was made of glazed tiles, and even though traces of time were scattered across them, they could not conceal the noble aura beneath.
The Jade Steps ascended gracefully.
Standing below this vast complex of buildings, feeling the increasing silence and solemn atmosphere nearby, I was overwhelmed by an absurd sensation as if I ought to prostrate myself in reverence.
In a daze, I nearly thought I had returned to an ancient imperial city from hundreds of years ago, rather than stepping into the ancestral mansion of a great family in the modern Southland.
Who builds a good person’s house like this—
What exactly is the Su family trying to do?
Words could no longer express the shock inside me.
“Welcome home, young miss.”
A long line of greeters stretched from the gate of the Zhuangyuan all the way to the entrance of the banquet hall.
When the black business car appeared, the maids dressed in ancient-style gowns simultaneously bowed and saluted.
Countless colorful lanterns hung on both sides, but I no longer looked toward the main hall over there.
It seemed only this side, decorated with modern festive lights, could restore the reason in my heart.
Su Liumeng stepped down from the car ahead, elegantly bowing while extending her left hand with a smile, “Please get out, my little princess…”
The maids’ coordinated greetings still echoed in my ears.
When I left the secret realm to become the heir, Su Liumeng had already become the true young mistress of the Su family, no longer distinguishing which branch she belonged to.
A young mistress whose status was unparalleled.
The unchanged form of address carried more meaning; it seemed to be for keeping a low profile, not wanting the Su family’s actions to be misunderstood as too high-profile.
Indeed!
You rebuild the ancestral mansion like this and still call the heir the “heir.”
Anyone who didn’t know would think you were up to something.
Don’t be ridiculous, alright.
Under the watchful gaze of countless people, a slender, beautiful hand slowly extended out from the car.
Su Liumeng held the same posture she had just displayed.
For the Su family’s young mistress to rarely lower her status and personally get off the car to greet her beloved, it immediately drew everyone’s curiosity—what kind of immortal fairy with a divine figure could make Su Liumeng disregard her image and argue with all the elders?
In recent days, Su Liumeng’s heroic deeds had already spread to every ear in the Su family.
She had taken first place in the secret realm, winning the Heavenly Nine Dragon Sword, and upon returning, asked for no reward, instead publicly declaring her love and choosing to legitimize her beloved’s status.
The things you cannot have in youth are the most precious.
How many girls have not dreamed of love in their youth?
Such a bold and audacious romantic act had caused many to secretly scream with excitement.
Some even admitted that if Su Liumeng were a boy, she would be their idol.
Others said it didn’t matter; the young mistress was the only goddess in their hearts.
After a breath, I reached out and took Su Liumeng’s fair hand, standing at the very center of the greeting path, where all eyes could see—at the center of power.
The grip of Su Liumeng on my palm suddenly tightened considerably.
She was telling me not to be nervous.
I smiled lightly at her, my eyes filled only with ease and mischief, as if to say, “I, Si Xinyan, am no one unpresentable. It’s just a small banquet. What is there to fear?”
“Mm, not bad, worthy of my baby.”
Su Liumeng’s voice was low, but her doting words made my ears flush pink, like we were secretly flirting right under everyone’s watchful eyes.
Since we had confirmed our relationship, her way of addressing me had changed again.
No matter the occasion, she liked to add phrases like “my baby” or “my little one” when calling me, making me blush with a mix of shyness and indescribable excitement…
In the public eye, the increasingly intimate actions of these two blooming young ladies—both extraordinarily beautiful—attracted even more attention.
Nearby, some maids secretly lifted their gazes, watching the affectionate way the two girls whispered to each other.
“Looks like the young mistress really dotes on this girl…”
No one knew which great family was lucky enough to receive the young mistress’s favor.
“Ahem—”
An elderly man who looked like the butler coughed, unable to contain himself when the two girls were playing so openly, using it as a reminder, “Young mistress, the family head and the great elder have been waiting a long time, and your father is also waiting in the side hall. There’s no need to linger outside.”
“This is the Su family’s butler, responsible for the daily management of the ancestral mansion and personnel. If you need anything, just find him.”
“This is…” The butler paused, seemingly waiting for Su Liumeng to introduce me.
“She’s surnamed Si—Si Yixin, the one I like. Remember, I don’t want anyone causing her trouble. If anything happens, I won’t hold back. I’ll go straight to you for trouble.”
“Yes, master. I will take good care of Miss Si’s safety.”
Su Liumeng’s domineering words made the butler tremble, wiping cold sweat from his face.
Seeing the young mistress with such killing intent, this little lady was truly special to be favored so much.
He could only pray that no careless troublemakers would appear tonight, or he’d be the first to suffer.
Su Liumeng led me along the road paved with Jade Steps.
Nearby maids kept bowing their heads, afraid to look up until we had completely passed before slowly straightening up.
Only through Su Liumeng’s quiet explanations did I learn that the main hall over there was used for large-scale ancestral rites, and even the annual family gathering usually took place in the side halls.
“Mother.”
“The back mountain seems to have a very powerful one.”
Si Zhiruo suddenly spoke.
“There’s a barrier there, making it hard for me to sense clearly. Sometimes it feels very strong, sometimes weak and silent.”
“But definitely not a match for me.”
Since boarding the plane, Si Zhiruo had been very quiet.
Her sudden words caught me by surprise.
Then my expression returned to normal.
Just a moment of surprise.
In such a huge Su family, it would be odd if there weren’t a powerful old figure around.
In the side hall.
The first people Su Liumeng took me to meet were her biological father and mother.
Su Qinghe sat in the highest seat of this resting room.
Next to him was Jiang Yue, my nominal foster mother.
Their familiar faces slowly came into my view as I stepped inside.
Looking at these two figures, who in the past I had both revered and tried hard to please countless times, my heart thumped heavily twice.
Su Qinghe’s gaze lingered on me briefly.
This shrewd middle-aged man showed no other emotion, instead immediately pulling out a rather gentle smile, “Jiujiu, is this the one you like? Bring her here for father to see—what kind of heavenly fairy could make my Jiujiu so lost in thought and neglecting food and drink?”
Jiang Yue’s eyes narrowed dangerously when she saw me.
Her deep, still eyes made it hard to guess what she was thinking.
Su Liumeng held my hand and took two steps forward, stopping a few paces from them, “Just look, that’s enough. Xinxin is introverted and not used to interacting with outsiders. I hope father and mother can understand.”
She had already noticed my nervousness.
I almost placed my small hand completely into hers.
Just as I was about to greet them, she quietly pulled me back.
Jiang Yue’s brows slightly furrowed again, having recovered her true nature after a night’s rest, “First time bringing the one you like to meet your parents, and not a single word? Is this your etiquette and upbringing?”
“Don’t know which rustic fake wild girl she is.” Jiang Yue muttered quietly, having learned her lesson yesterday not to say such things openly.
I thought it was somewhat improper to say nothing at all.
Su Liumeng seemed determined not to let me have too much contact with her parents.
Her slender back, not tall but resolute, stood before me.
“Upbringing and manners are always relative—they are for those who deserve them. It seems neither father nor mother has given me much care.”
“That’s enough. There’s no one else here anyway. I’m too lazy to fake it with you both. I’ll tell you now what you should and shouldn’t do. She is the one I love most in this life. I don’t want you causing her trouble, understand?”
“Do your own things well, and I will naturally treat you as parents. The respect and benefits due to you, I will give in public. Otherwise…” Su Liumeng suddenly sneered, “Consider this a warning. If I find out you have other ideas, we’ll see what happens.”
With a cold snort, Su Liumeng didn’t give them any more chances to scrutinize me and took my hand, leading me into the main banquet hall.
Inside, Jiang Yue’s face still bore the bruises from yesterday, slightly diminishing her aura of authority.
Seeing her daughter treated this way, she slammed the table hard, “Su Qinghe, you didn’t say a word just now—what do you mean by that? Look at this… Is this how you raised your daughter? What kind of lady is she now? She keeps wanting to distance herself from us, completely lacking in manners.”
Su Qinghe stood, not looking at the woman beside him.
His steady gaze remained calm, “A woman’s view is shallow. I can only praise—truly worthy of being my daughter. I admit I have been negligent in her upbringing. Her coldness now is deserved. Only such a fierce character can firmly stand in the Su family.”
“If I didn’t support my own daughter and instead listened to your provocations, that would truly be foolish.”
“As for whether she regards me as her father—”
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