Shen Yue stood frozen, the system's revelation about Meng Xue echoing in his mind.
Holy Mother Immortal Body? Ancient Bloodline? Sealed?
Quiet, gentle Meng Xue—a hidden genius unable to cultivate.
The weight of it stunned him, his thoughts a tangled storm.
Madam Xiu's gentle voice broke through.
"Xiuer, brew some tea for our guest."
Meng Xue, cheeks still flushed from their earlier kiss, seized the chance to escape her embarrassment.
Like a breeze turned whirlwind, she darted to the infirmary's table, clattering teacups in her haste.
Madam Xiu turned to Shen Yue, her eyes warm but probing.
"Come," she said, leading him to the courtyard garden.
They settled under a shaded pavilion, surrounded by the soothing scent of blooming herbs.
The soft wooden bench creaked as they sat, and Madam Xiu's gaze grew serious.
"Shen Yue," she said, her voice calm but piercing, "do you truly care for her? Or is this a fleeting game?"
Shen Yue met her eyes, his usual guarded demeanor giving way to raw sincerity.
"Madam Xiu, my feelings for Little Xue are no child's play. I care for her—deeply, from the bottom of my heart."
A faint smile curved Madam Xiu's lips, but it vanished quickly, replaced by a cool indifference that sent a chill through him.
"But I cannot accept this."
Shen Yue's heart lurched.
"Why?" he asked, voice tight with panic.
"What's wrong? Why can't you accept it?"
Madam Xiu's expression softened, a faint chuckle escaping her.
"Let me tell you a story."
Her gaze drifted to the cloudy sky, as if pulling memories from a distant past.
"When I was young, I was cast into the outer city slums.
Our parents, crushed by debt to the government, took their own lives out of shame, leaving us to fend for ourselves in that cruel world."
Shen Yue listened, his chest tightening.
He knew the slums' brutality too well.
"One day," she continued, "I held a shard of glass to my throat, ready to join them.
But a hand stopped me. A middle-aged woman with kind eyes.
I screamed at her, demanded why she interfered.
I told her I wanted to escape this world, like my parents had."
Her voice wavered, then steadied.
"She sat beside me, listening as I wept.
Then she said, 'Why not live with me?'
I had nothing left, so I followed her.
She brought me here, to this house, and raised me as her own.
Taught me medicine, tea brewing, herb planting…"
A shadow crossed her face.
"Then I fell in love. A scholar.
Against my master's wishes, I married him.
We were happy—until he crossed paths with a young master from the Cao family.
That man was harassing a woman.
My husband tried to stop him… and was killed."
Shen Yue's fists clenched, anger simmering at the injustice.
"When I sought justice," Madam Xiu said bitterly, "they twisted the truth.
They branded my husband the harasser, claiming the woman's husband killed him to protect her.
That day, I learned the power of status and the rot in this world.
My master died soon after, blaming herself for not stopping me.
My life became a living hell."
She paused, her eyes locking onto Shen Yue's.
"Then I found a broken little girl, just like I once was.
In her, I saw myself.
I raised her, not just as a disciple, but as my daughter.
That girl is Meng Xue.
And that woman… was my master."
Silence hung heavy.
Shen Yue's heart ached for her pain, and for Meng Xue, caught in this legacy of loss.
Behind the pavilion's door, Meng Xue stood frozen, teacup in hand, having overheard every word.
Her thoughts churned—she couldn't bear to choose between Madam Xiu, her mother-figure, and Shen Yue, her heart's anchor.
Shen Yue's voice broke the quiet, steady and respectful.
"I understand, Madam Xiu. Thank you for sharing this."
Madam Xiu studied him, expecting turmoil, but his calm resolve surprised her.
Before Meng Xue could slip away, Shen Yue spoke again, his words firm.
"Madam Xiu, I won't marry Meng Xue until I'm strong enough to protect her. To protect this bond."
Her eyes gleamed with subtle approval.
"I knew your father, Shen Xing," she said.
"A high-ranking commander, late-stage Qi Absorption Realm.
I trust his son carries his legacy.
If I thought you lacked talent, I'd never let you near Meng Xue."
She leaned forward.
"I'll give you three years.
Prove yourself worthy, and I'll place her hand in yours.
Fail, and you'll forget her."
Shen Yue stood, bowing lightly.
"Three years is generous, Madam Xiu. I'll need only one."
His confidence, sharp and unshakable, drew a soft chuckle from her.
For the first time, she felt at ease.
Meng Xue, still hidden, pressed a hand to her racing heart, a smile breaking through her turmoil.
He's serious. I don't have to lose either of them.
Shen Yue had sensed her presence but said nothing, his silence a quiet reassurance.
Madam Xiu's voice cut through, playful but knowing.
"Meng Xue, are you letting him leave without tea?"
Startled, Meng Xue stepped in, cheeks pink.
"M-Master, I—"
"Enough of 'Master,'" Madam Xiu said warmly.
"From now on, call me Mother."
Joy lit Meng Xue's face, her eyes shimmering.
Madam Xiu's tone turned teasing.
"Well? Are you serving tea to your mother and future husband, or just standing there?"
At mother and husband, Meng Xue's blush deepened.
She'd always dreamed of a family, and now it felt within reach.
She served the tea, hands trembling, the cups clinking softly.
Madam Xiu watched them, a sigh stirring in her heart.
Meng Xue, my daughter… and perhaps Shen Yue, the son-in-law I never expected.
As they sipped the tea, the golden evening sun dipped low, casting long shadows.
"It's late," Madam Xiu said, rising.
"Shen Yue, return home. Little Xue, we have patients waiting. See him to the gate."
She added with a smirk, "And no crossing boundaries—until he's officially your husband."
"Yes, Mother," Meng Xue murmured, shy but radiant.
Madam Xiu left, her smile lingering.
A quiet moment passed between Shen Yue and Meng Xue, their hearts speaking where words fell short.
"You're serious, right?" Meng Xue asked softly.
Shen Yue's gaze was steady.
"Do I look like someone who speaks lightly?"
She flustered.
"No! I didn't mean—It's just… it's late. You should go."
He turned, but Meng Xue's arms wrapped around him from behind.
"You'll come back, right?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
"I will," he said, calm but certain.
"Turn around," she said.
He did, and her lips met his—clumsy, sudden, but achingly sweet.
She pulled back, blushing furiously.
"Our contract's sealed now, my dear husband."
Before he could respond, she darted toward the house, pausing at the gate to wave.
"I'll wait for you, my dear husband!"
Shen Yue waved back, a rare smile softening his face.
"And I'll never forget."
As he walked into the twilight, a new resolve burned within him.
Meng Xue was one more reason to grow stronger.
Summoning Clone 1 to vanish, he steeled himself for the path ahead.
Home awaits… and so does my destiny.