Chapter 247: A Clash of Wills, A Truce Called
Specifically came for Tianlu?
Mao Ruoyu raised a delicate eyebrow, a flicker of understanding in her eyes.
This woman’s intentions were just as she’d suspected.
She had heard a great deal about Miss Ren from Lin Tianlu and wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with her story.
She was simply curious if something had happened between them to create such a connection, compelling Miss Ren to travel so far to visit.
But…
The atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted, a chill permeating the air. Although Cheng Yishi maintained her smile, her eyes sharpened. “Miss Ren, do you know my relationship with Tianlu?”
Her voice was soft, yet a hint of hostility was unmistakable.
“Of course,” Ren Yinshan smiled, as if anticipating this reaction. “You’ll be married soon, officially husband and wife.”
“Since you know that, why say such a thing?” Cheng Yishi’s eyes turned cold, though her smile remained. “Are you here to declare your intentions, to compete with us for him?”
Her words were icy, her displeasure evident.
Although Cheng Yishi was always composed and graceful, it didn’t mean she would tolerate everything.
At the very least, she wouldn’t endure such a blatant challenge from a virtual stranger, delivered with a smile no less.
Ren Yinshan’s expression remained unchanged, her smile still gentle. “Please calm down, Miss Cheng.”
“What… do you mean by that?”
Cheng Yishi narrowed her eyes, suspicion flashing within them, her voice even colder. “Do you think I can calmly sit here and chat with you after hearing such a declaration? Or do you think you can use your brief acquaintance with Tianlu to cause trouble for us?”
She summoned her Yin energy axe, slamming it onto the ground with a loud bang. Her face hardened, and she snapped, “I’m not some naive fool you can easily deceive.”
“…Your strength is… beyond my expectations, Miss Cheng.”
Ren Yinshan’s expression finally shifted, surprise flickering in her eyes as she glanced at the black axe. “I thought you and Madam Mao were ordinary mortals. I didn’t expect you to possess Yin energy and wield such impressive techniques. That axe… could cleave a seasoned warrior in two.”
“Then you should realize that your words just now—Hmm?”
Cheng Yishi paused, her eyes widening in surprise.
A profound and dense aura of Yin energy suddenly erupted from Ren Yinshan, swirling around the hall like a vortex, her black hair whipping around her, her gentle smile replaced by a stern expression.
“This aura…”
Both Cheng Yishi and Mao Ruoyu stood up defensively, their eyes filled with suspicion.
Her aura alone far surpassed theirs!
This woman’s cultivation was extraordinary, even among demons and ghosts!
As the swirling Yin energy subsided, Cheng Yishi narrowed her eyes. “So, you believe your strength surpasses ours, and that’s why you dare to come here and provoke us?”
“Your composure in the face of my aura is a testament to your talent and cultivation. But I have no intention of fighting you.”
Ren Yinshan smoothed her dress, stood up gracefully, and smiled faintly. “As for my words just now… they were sincere, without any deception or malice. I simply wanted to be honest with you.”
Cheng Yishi’s eyes flickered. “I understand your sincerity, but…”
“I believe that hiding my feelings and pretending to be indifferent would be disrespectful to you both. It’s better to be upfront and speak from the heart.”
Ren Yinshan’s gaze was calm and sincere. She smiled gently. “I do have feelings for Mr. Lin. I find him talented, kind, and refined, a rare gem among men. I hoped that by getting to know him better, I might find true love. However, now that I know he has two extraordinary wives, and a close relationship with Miss Hua, and seeing how harmonious your family is, I, as an outsider, won’t impose myself any further. I’ll leave when the time is right.”
There was no regret or resentment in her voice. She continued frankly, “Even if I’m not fated to be with Mr. Lin romantically, perhaps we can still be close friends. We can discuss literature, art, and music. Just being able to share a cup of tea and conversation would be enough. I don’t dare ask for more.”
“You…”
Cheng Yishi was stunned.
This was completely unexpected.
She had suspected that Miss Ren might not be intentionally provoking them, but she hadn’t anticipated such humility and honesty, openly expressing her feelings with such grace and composure.
“If I truly had malicious intentions, would I dare to speak so boldly in front of you both?” Ren Yinshan chuckled, covering her mouth with her sleeve. “Please rest assured, after seeing you two, I no longer harbor any unrealistic hopes. You’re both a perfect match for Mr. Lin. I’ll be sure to send a gift for your wedding as a token of my blessing.”
This display of goodwill left Cheng Yishi speechless, unsure how to respond. Her axe dissipated without a trace.
“Thank you for your kind words, Miss Ren.”
Mao Ruoyu smiled gently, stepping forward and taking Ren Yinshan’s hands. “There’s no need to belittle yourself. Your beauty and grace are truly exceptional. Few women can compare to you. I wouldn’t object if you and Tianlu became closer.”
Ren Yinshan looked surprised. “Madam Mao, you…”
“I can see that you have no ill intentions, Miss Ren.” Mao Ruoyu smiled warmly, glancing at the locust tree outside.
Her gaze returned, her tone even more gentle and understanding. “I hope you’ll visit us often, Miss Ren. I have much to learn from your wisdom and experience. Even a little bit of your knowledge would be a great boon to me.”
“I… will gladly get to know you better, Madam Mao.”
Ren Yinshan replied, impressed by the warmth and sincerity of the woman before her. Just a few words were enough to make her feel a sense of connection.
“And please don’t take Yishi’s earlier behavior to heart, Miss Ren.” Mao Ruoyu chuckled softly. “She’s not a jealous woman who resorts to violence at the slightest provocation. She was just being cautious and testing you. She didn’t mean any harm.”
“…Why do I feel like I’m the villain now?”
Cheng Yishi sighed, stroking her hair. “But my tone was indeed a bit harsh. I apologize, Miss Ren.”
“No, no, I wasn’t offended at all.”
Ren Yinshan waved her hands repeatedly.
Her gaze, however, was filled with satisfaction.
…
In the pavilion…
“So… it was just a test?”
Hua Shuya tilted her head, relieved, and sat back down.
The sudden tension in the hall had startled her. She had thought they might start fighting and was about to intervene.
Although she hadn’t heard their conversation clearly, judging by their expressions, they seemed to have resolved their differences and reached a truce.
“Ruoyu is gentle and kind. She wouldn’t be cold to anyone without reason. And Yishi, despite her sharp tongue, is actually warm-hearted. She wouldn’t do anything rash.”
A calm, clear voice echoed softly beside her.
Hua Shuya jumped, turning to see Yun Yue standing next to her, seemingly out of nowhere.
“Miss Yun, you…”
“Tianlu told me to get some sun. This spot is quite nice.” Yun Yue lowered her eyes, her expression calm and serene. “I slept well last night and just woke up. It’s quite embarrassing.”
“There’s no shame in following Senior’s advice and resting,” Hua Shuya smiled, stepping forward to adjust Yun Yue’s loose dress, covering her exposed shoulders.
“Senior is very happy that you’re resting well.”
“Happy… is he?”
Yun Yue’s lips parted slightly, then she nodded subtly. “I understand.”
Watching the silver-haired young lady sit obediently, allowing her to adjust her clothes, Hua Shuya was surprised.
Yun Yue seemed even more docile and adorable today…
It wasn’t a change in her appearance or tone of voice, but something deeper, a shift in her aura.
“Are you all so concerned about that Ren Yinshan?”
“Eh?” Hua Shuya paused, then nodded hesitantly. “Although she seems very kind, I still…”
“Everything she said was sincere.”
Yun Yue’s voice was indifferent. “Her cultivation is quite high, but not as high as mine. She didn’t notice me probing her thoughts. She came with an open heart and was happy to meet Ruoyu and Yishi. She wasn’t trying to compete with them, only wishing to be friends with Tianlu. But she’s older and more mature, and with just a few words, she managed to disarm Ruoyu and Yishi, turning their hostility into acceptance… her words are quite powerful.”
Hua Shuya’s expression was complex.
It sounded like Miss Ren had controlled the entire situation in the hall.
She glanced back at the three women, who were now chatting amicably, unsure what to think.
“Miss Yun, you can’t just use your Yin techniques to probe people’s minds. It’s quite rude.”
Lin Tianlu entered the pavilion with a smile, placing a plate of fresh fruit on the stone table.
Yun Yue blinked and leaned closer. “The massage last night… felt very good.”
Seeing the hopeful look in her eyes, Lin Tianlu chuckled and began to gently massage her head. “Have a good nap here, Miss Yun.”
“…Mm…”
Yun Yue’s eyes closed, a soft murmur escaping her lips. Her adorable, pliant demeanor surprised Hua Shuya.
Miss Yun was so obedient now. Perhaps soon…
“Senior, is there anything I can help with in the kitchen?”
“No need to trouble yourself.” Lin Tianlu grinned, giving her a thumbs-up. “I’ve prepared everything for today’s feast. I’ll show you all the culinary skills I’ve honed recently!”
…
Time passed quickly, and it was soon afternoon.
The warm sunlight filled the sky.
After a satisfying meal, Ren Yinshan stood up, smiling as she bowed. “Thank you for the delicious lunch, Mr. Lin.”
Lin Tianlu, standing by the door, chuckled awkwardly. “You barely ate anything. Was the food not to your liking…?”
“No, it was delicious,” Ren Yinshan touched her lips, her smile sweet and alluring. “I thought your cooking would be… ordinary, but it was truly exquisite, even surpassing the royal chefs. I’m still savoring the flavors.”
“There’s still plenty of food left. Why not have some more?”
“You’re teasing me, sir~”
Ren Yinshan playfully chided him.
Although the food was incredibly delicious, even the simple grains cooked to perfection, it seemed to be filled with a potent Yang energy. As she ate, it clashed and mingled with her Yin energy, creating a strange, almost unbearable pleasure that spread throughout her body.
It felt as if every inch of her skin and muscles was being massaged by warm hands. After just half a bowl of rice, she felt weak and languid, a faint, embarrassing dampness between her legs.
Despite the mixture of embarrassment and warmth she felt, she couldn’t bring herself to stay any longer. It would be too mortifying if they noticed her state.
However…
Lin Tianlu was bewildered.
When had he teased her?
They had only discussed polite, ordinary topics during lunch, mostly about their recent travels. Had he said anything inappropriate? Or perhaps Miss Ren was on a diet and wanted to maintain her figure?
His thoughts raced, and he suddenly chuckled. “Miss Ren, you have such a beautiful figure. There’s no need to worry about your weight. Sometimes, a bit of… fullness is even more alluring to men.”
“…Eh?”
