Chapter 369: Hidden Feelings, Finding Peace p1
Inside the main courtyard of the villa.
Mother Tan, having bathed and changed into a dignified robe and skirt with the help of her maids, returned to the main hall with graceful steps.
“You may leave now.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The maids behind her bowed and retreated, leaving her alone in the hall.
“…”
In the silence, Mother Tan sat down heavily, supporting herself on the armrest, and sighed, her hand on her forehead.
She had made a grave mistake in a moment of infatuation, a mistake she couldn’t forget.
As she was lost in thought, memories of the past few days surfaced.
She had been searching throughout the country for nearly ten years, traveling over mountains and rivers, visiting countless impoverished villages, all to fulfill her mother’s dying wish and find her “destined one.”
In the past, her search hadn’t stirred much emotion, but the moment she met and recognized Lin Tianlu, her heart had been filled with an ecstatic joy, almost making her cry out loud.
As if by some divine intervention, she finally understood that her lonely and solitary life might have been just to find this “destined partner”!
But—
She had suppressed all her emotions, maintaining a calm and composed facade.
After all, there would be plenty of time to spend with him in the future, there was no need to rush.
As for Tianlu not being the same age as her—it didn’t matter, she could acknowledge him as her godson.
Tianlu was already married to several women—it didn’t matter, those two women were beautiful and virtuous, perfect daughters-in-law, and she could be a good mother-in-law.
That was how it should have been.
But when she heard that Lin Tianlu had come all this way to Qingcheng to propose to Shuya, an indescribable…
…jealousy had surged within her heart.
And this strange jealousy had come so suddenly and fiercely that she hadn’t even realized it before it consumed her entirely, like a wildfire. Although she had maintained a calm and indifferent expression these past few days, her heart was filled with vicious thoughts that even frightened her, like the eerie silence before a storm, a boundless killing intent brewing beneath the surface.
It was as if the resentment accumulated over decades had finally erupted, the tightly wound string in her heart snapping, her reason shattering, leaving only the purest form of obsession.
Heaven had been merciful, bringing Tianlu to her.
And now, Tianlu was about to leave her, to be taken away by another woman… Never!
No one could take her Tianlu away from her.
And no woman could steal his love from her.
This thought coiled in her mind like a venomous snake, its fangs bared, lurking and waiting for the moment to strike.
As long as she eliminated these naive and innocent young women, Tianlu would be—
…hers alone.
But Mother Tan was worried that a secret assassination attempt would be exposed, leading to resentment and alienation. After weighing the pros and cons, she had abandoned the idea of using poison or betrayal.
Until, two days before the wedding, she finally found an opportunity to be alone with Tianlu. Using a fragment of her own soul as a guide, she secretly cast the Eternal Love Blood Curse Technique, making him forget his past and bind his heart to hers forever, never to be separated.
If the technique worked, Tianlu’s heart would belong only to her, and he would naturally abandon those other women.
Unfortunately, this ancient secret technique failed.
After waking up from her coma, she had been about to use more of her soul power to force the technique to work when Youluo suddenly appeared and grabbed her wrist.
—’You are even more infatuated and crazed than I imagined, truly worthy of being… the last successor of my Qinxin Sword Sect.’
These mocking words, even after she had regained her sanity, still echoed in her mind.
Mother Tan felt even more ashamed and uneasy, her face filled with guilt:
“I… truly acted presumptuously as an elder.”
“Your Highness.”
Hearing Lan’er’s familiar voice, Mother Tan frowned slightly and waved her hand: “Leave me alone for a while, don’t come in—”
“This is porridge made by Young Master, he specifically asked me to bring it to you.”
“Hmm?”
Mother Tan was slightly stunned and quickly looked up to see Lan’er carrying a steaming bowl of porridge, its fragrance filling the air.
A pang of emotion struck her heart, and she asked hoarsely: “You said… Tianlu made this for me?”
“Yes. Young Master personally cooked two portions of breakfast this morning, one for Sixth Miss, and one for you, Your Highness.”
Lan’er nodded slightly, her voice calm: “Young Master also instructed me to tell you to ‘go back and rest, don’t overexert yourself, your health is most important’.”
Mother Tan’s breathing quickened, and she asked in a trembling voice: “Wh-What else did Tianlu say?”
“‘Don’t worry, Mother Tan, Tianlu is here’.”
“…”
Silence fell upon the hall.
Lan’er placed the bowl on the table beside her and lifted the lid. A cloud of steam rose, revealing a bowl of fragrant meat porridge.
Mother Tan silently pressed her lips together, picked up a spoon, and after a moment of hesitation, tears welled up in her eyes as Lan’er looked on in surprise.
“Your Highness, you—”
“Lan’er, what kind of woman do you think I am?”
“Eh?”
Lan’er was stunned and quickly replied: “Your Highness, you’re aloof, noble, strong, and independent, the mistress of all of us in this villa. There’s no one else like you in the world, so free and easy.”
“Ha, haha——”
Mother Tan suddenly chuckled softly, letting the tears flow down her cheeks, murmuring: “In the end, I’m more fragile and vulnerable than anyone, what a wasted life.”
Lan’er looked at her with concern: “Your Highness, what happened just now? Why are you…”
She had never seen her mistress like this before.
“…Don’t worry, I was just… feeling a bit emotional.”
Mother Tan wiped away her tears with her sleeve, a gentle smile returning to her face: “I just didn’t expect… that as his godmother, I would still need Tianlu to worry about me.”
Lan’er blinked her eyes and murmured: “Young Master is truly a good person. Not only are the Madams and Sixth Miss enamored with him, but even the maids who have interacted with him these past few days have been singing his praises.
Especially yesterday, when you instructed those maids to… offer themselves, Your Highness, Young Master remained unmoved, his heart unwavering, a true gentleman.”
Mother Tan smiled faintly and touched her abdomen: “I’ve always known what kind of person Tianlu is, I’ll be more attentive towards him in the future. As for now…”
She looked at the steaming porridge beside her, her gaze softening: “I can’t let Tianlu’s kindness go to waste.”
Lan’er silently retreated to the side.
But her heart was filled with an unspoken confusion.
Just now, on Her Highness’s face, she had seen a hint of… seductive charm, a shy and gentle look.
…
As the morning sun rose, the sky became brighter and warmer.
And in the main hall, several beautiful women with varying appearances were now seated.
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi sat on the right side, dressed elegantly and dignifiedly, smiling happily as they looked outside.
Yun Yue sat on Mother Tan’s left, her ample bosom partially exposed by her high-waisted skirt, her shoulders bare, her beauty even more alluring than usual, her demeanor elegant and dignified, a faint smile on her lips.
Now, the four of them, as elders and wives, were to receive the tea offered by the newlyweds the morning after their wedding night, as a sign of respect and gratitude.
However—
Yun Yue glanced sideways at Mother Tan.
Although her posture was upright, upon closer inspection, she was trembling slightly, a complex mix of emotions hidden beneath her calm smile.
After a moment of silence, she gently held Mother Tan’s cold hand:
“Mother Tan, if you’re feeling unwell, go back and rest, there’s no need to force yourself.”
“It’s fine.”
Mother Tan quickly smiled faintly: “I just tossed and turned last night and didn’t sleep well, I’ll go to bed early tonight.”
Yun Yue’s eyes flickered as she subtly reached towards Mother Tan’s waist beneath her skirt.
Mother Tan’s expression changed slightly, and she was about to turn and speak when Yun Yue’s hand, like a snake, moved swiftly and pressed firmly against her lower back.
“Mmm!”
Mother Tan’s expression softened, and a hint of suppressed desire appeared in her eyes. She couldn’t help but press her legs together tightly beneath her elegant skirt, her body trembling slightly.
“Y-Yun Yue…”
“Please relax, Mother Tan.”
Yun Yue’s eyes seemed to swirl, and she parted her lips slightly, whispering: “Your energy is depleted, and your blood flow is blocked. I have a way to help you.”
As a warmth spread through her waist, Mother Tan blinked her eyes, feeling much more comfortable and relaxed, and couldn’t help but thank her.
But Yun Yue’s gaze turned strange.
Mother Tan’s body was filled with Youluo’s unique aura, and Yin energy had taken root within her, having opened the door to cultivation. The newly born Yin energy was flowing slowly and clumsily within her body, merging with the internal energy she had cultivated for decades.
No—
Upon closer inspection, there seemed to be a strange connection and resonance between her Yin energy and internal energy, as if they shared the same origin.
“She still has Youluo’s soul power within her, and her internal energy also has traces of Youluo… Youluo’s origins are unknown, but Mother Tan, besides being a princess, is also a descendant of the Qinxin Sword Sect. Could there be some kind of connection between them?”
“And… there’s an incredibly powerful and warm energy accumulated in her abdomen, like the sun, gently nourishing her body.”
Yun Yue frowned slightly, a complex look in her eyes.
This aura undoubtedly belonged to Tianlu.
But she didn’t mention it, nor did she secretly probe Mother Tan, only silently retracting her hand.
Perhaps… something had happened last night.
“Young Master, Madams, they’ve arrived~”
A young girl’s cheerful voice echoed, and Lin Tianlu quickly entered the hall, supporting Hua Shuya, whose steps were still a bit unsteady.
The adorable maid, Fen’er, quickly approached, presenting a tray with a smile: “Young Master, Madam, please offer tea.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently: “Thank you.”
He exchanged glances with Hua Shuya and then picked up the warm teacups from the tray with her, looking towards the two women sitting on the left.
