Li Daoqiang watched the commotion and gave his assurance: "Madam Wang, Brother Murong, rest assured. Among my women, there is no distinction between principal wife, secondary wife, or concubine—they are all equal. I won't let Miss Yuyan suffer any grievances."
Li Qingluo's face turned ugly, but she couldn't say a word. No matter how proud she was, facing a woman who belonged to a supreme expert, she couldn't claim her daughter could outshine her. She could only swallow her anger.
Murong Fu nodded cooperatively, indicating his approval and lack of objection.
"Since Madam Wang has agreed, then it's settled." Li Daoqiang stood up and gave a slight bow. "Your son-in-law pays respects to Mother-in-law."
Li Qingluo's face twitched, and she suddenly regretted agreeing so easily. But she had consented, Li Daoqiang had performed the礼节, and he had already changed his address. It was too late to say anything now. She hummed in acknowledgment.
Looking at the beaming 'son-in-law' before her, she grew angrier the more she thought about it.
Murong Fu's emotions were also complicated, feeling dazed. Yuyan was going to marry Li Daoqiang! The words echoed in his heart, leaving it hollow. After a few breaths, he forcibly suppressed those feelings. The great cause of restoring his kingdom was unfinished—how could he be entangled by personal attachments? Yuyan marrying Li Daoqiang meant he had a powerful ally; that was the real matter. From now on, he needed to make sure Yuyan was even more cherished by Li Daoqiang, so she could better help him. Taking a light breath, his resolve grew firmer.
"Mother-in-law, when would be the proper time to formally welcome Yuyan into my home?" Li Daoqiang asked with a smile.
Hearing the words 'Mother-in-law,' Li Qingluo felt uncomfortable for some reason. But this was a serious matter. After a moment's thought, she said solemnly, "Three months from now. The fifteenth day of the eighth month is an auspicious day. We'll formally welcome Yuyan then."
"Good, it's settled." Li Daoqiang nodded in agreement, then paused before continuing, "Let's discuss the specifics of how to arrange it."
Li Qingluo nodded, and the three of them began to discuss. The Wang family was a prestigious clan, with many rules for marrying off a daughter. Li Daoqiang didn't mind; he wasn't bothered by the trouble. With strength, wealth, and influence, the hard work fell to his subordinates. He only needed to nod and give orders.
After roughly finishing the discussion, perhaps because he was now her son-in-law, Li Qingluo finally offered to host Li Daoqiang and let him stay for the night. Li Daoqiang naturally didn't refuse. As for the compensation of two million taels of silver, Li Qingluo didn't bring it up, and Li Daoqiang didn't mention it either. A mere two million taels and fifteen innate-level martial arts techniques—soon, the entire Mantuo Villa and Langhuan Jade Cave would be his.
After lunch, Li Daoqiang was led by a servant to his resting place. Duan Yanqing and Yun Zhonghe's rooms were nearby. He waited patiently, leaving the next steps to Li Qingluo and Murong Fu. They would deliver Wang Yuyan and the entire Langhuan Jade Cave into his hands.
In the backyard of Mantuo Villa, Li Qingluo had calmed her emotions and entered a boudoir.
"Mother, you're here." A graceful young girl called out crisply, a hint of joy flickering in her pure, big eyes.
"Yuyan." Li Qingluo called her name, a surge of tenderness rising in her heart. In the blink of an eye, her daughter had grown so much and was about to marry. She reached out her jade-white hand to stroke Yuyan's ink-black hair.
Wang Yuyan felt a bit shy at her mother's intimate, gentle gesture but also delighted, savoring the warmth. After a few moments, she couldn't help asking, "Mother, is Cousin here? Does he have business?"
Li Qingluo's expression immediately changed, her brow furrowing slightly. After a pause, she said seriously, "Yuyan, Mother came to tell you something."
"What is it?" Wang Yuyan blinked her innocent, big eyes.
"Mother has arranged a match for you. On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, three months from now, you'll marry into that family," Li Qingluo stated directly.
Wang Yuyan froze, her face turning deathly pale. Trembling, she asked, "Mother, it's not Cousin?"
"Of course not. The man is named Li Daoqiang, a peerless expert of the world. You saw him today. He's a rare young talent; you'll surely like him," Li Qingluo said firmly, her tone brooking no refusal.
"No, Mother, I won't marry." Wang Yuyan burst into tears, tears streaming down, a surge of courage rising.
"How dare you!" Li Qingluo's eyes widened, her gaze cold and sharp, all the frustration she'd endured from Li Daoqiang erupting. "Who gave you the nerve to defy your mother?"
Wang Yuyan's body trembled, her crying halting for a moment. She couldn't help stepping back, a look of fear on her face. But then she shook her head stubbornly, "No, I only love Cousin. I'll only marry Cousin in this life."
"Hmph." Li Qingluo sneered disdainfully. "Don't be delusional. This marriage was arranged by your cousin himself. His heart is only set on restoring his kingdom; he has no room for you. He's using you to win over Li Daoqiang and aid his cause."
Wang Yuyan felt as if struck by lightning, her body going limp as she collapsed to the floor. Her tears flowed faster, and she couldn't speak, only staring blankly at her mother, shaking her head incessantly.
Seeing her daughter like this, Li Qingluo's heart softened. She sighed softly, stepped forward, crouched down, and gently embraced Wang Yuyan. Her tone grew much gentler. "My foolish daughter, how could Mother harm you? Murong Fu is not a good choice; following him will only lead to death. Li Daoqiang may be a bandit, but he became a supreme expert at a young age. He's a fine match. At least with him, you won't be bullied. Listen to your mother."
Wang Yuyan clung to Li Qingluo, crying without speaking, only shaking her head. Li Qingluo sighed inwardly. She knew her daughter well. On the surface, she seemed soft, naive, and obedient, but deep down, she had a stubborn streak. On this matter, unless she was made to give up hope, she wouldn't comply. After a moment's thought, an idea came to her.
After a while, Li Qingluo said softly, "Yuyan, since you don't believe me, I'll have your cousin tell you himself."
Wang Yuyan's crying paused, and she looked at Li Qingluo with tear-streaked eyes, full of hope, anticipation, yet also despair and fear.
Li Qingluo acted on her decision and left. She found Murong Fu and explained the situation, her expression turning icy. "Murong Fu, you know the gravity of this. What to say and what not to say, what to do and what not to do—I don't need to spell it out. Yuyan is marrying Li Daoqiang in three months. You'd best know your place."
Murong Fu's hands clenched into fists beneath his sleeves, but his face remained calm. "Aunt, rest assured. I know what to say."
Li Qingluo closed her eyes and said no more. She trusted him on this. Simply put, Murong Fu wouldn't dare offend Li Daoqiang—not just because of Li Daoqiang's strength, but because Murong Fu needed his power. He would make Yuyan give up. Only he could do that.
Murong Fu gave a slight bow and walked toward Wang Yuyan's room. Step by step, his pace grew steadier, his heart calmer. When he entered, Wang Yuyan, still crying, rushed forward and grabbed his sleeve anxiously. "Cousin, my mother says she's betrothing me to a man named Li Daoqiang. She says you arranged it. Tell me it's not true, right?"
Murong Fu's face was calm. He pulled his sleeve free from her small hand. "Cousin, you're of age to marry. Li Daoqiang is a rare young talent of the world, a good match for you."
Instantly, Wang Yuyan's face stiffened, filled with despair. She stared at Murong Fu in disbelief, tears falling like rain.
Murong Fu remained expressionless, only sighing earnestly. "Cousin, believe it or not, I've always seen you as a younger sister. Nothing more. Perhaps you misunderstood some things. But it doesn't matter; I'll still treat you as my sister. You'll always be my forever sister, Murong Fu's."
"Cousin, you're joking with Yuyan, right?" Wang Yuyan grabbed his sleeve again, forcing a smile.
Murong Fu pulled his sleeve away, his tone serious. "Yuyan, I truly see you only as my sister, with no other thoughts. From now on, you'll always be my dear sister, okay?"
Wang Yuyan's hands dropped, her face dim and lifeless.
Murong Fu frowned slightly. "Yuyan, I'll continue to treat you as my sister. I hope we'll always be good siblings." With that, he turned and left.
Watching his figure disappear, Wang Yuyan could no longer hold on. She collapsed to the floor, weeping weakly.
After a dozen breaths, Li Qingluo entered. Frowning, she quickly stepped forward and embraced Wang Yuyan. "Yuyan, don't be sad. It's not worth it. No man is any good. In this world, only your mother will never harm you."
"Mother~!" Wang Yuyan cried out, both aggrieved and clinging, holding Li Qingluo tightly.
Li Qingluo patted her back gently. "Yuyan, don't cry. Mother is here. As long as I'm here, I won't let anyone bully you."
"Mm-hmm." Wang Yuyan, in a daze, nodded repeatedly, clinging even more.
"Yuyan, now you see clearly. Murong Fu is unreliable. His heart is only for restoring his kingdom, not you. All these years, we two have relied on each other, enduring countless snubs. After your father died, how many in the Lin'an Wang family coveted this estate? I can hold on now, but what about later? That's why I must find you someone dependable, someone who won't let you be bullied."
"Li Daoqiang has many flaws, but he has one great virtue: he's strong enough to protect you. I believe that with your excellence, Yuyan, you can make him love and cherish you forever." Li Qingluo spoke slowly.
(Chapter 2, thanks for the support.) ······