Yu Shizun never meddled in the Yu Family’s affairs on her own initiative. However, whenever the family head faced a major decision, she would always seek the opinion of this guardian deity.
Yan Zhen’s decision to marry into the family was naturally of utmost importance. Moreover, he was a prized disciple of the Flame Saint, and the Flame Saint herself was the Yu Shizun’s benefactor. Thus, the moment Yan Zhen departed, the Yu Family Head Mother-in-Law contacted the Yu Shizun without delay.
Within the chamber, a High-Rank Messaging Talisman hovered before the Family Head Yu Lu, facilitating a “video call” with the Yu Shizun, who was far away in the Jialan Holy Land. She informed her of Yan Zhen’s status as the Flame Saint’s prized disciple, his ability to cure the cultivation drawbacks stemming from the Yu Family’s techniques, and even revealed that Yu Xuan was a reincarnator. According to their daughter who had returned from rebirth, Yan Zhen was destined to become the Jialan Holy Son in the future—and perhaps even the Holy Lord himself.
“Matters of reincarnation involve twists of time itself, far too Mystic and wondrous. Bring Little Xuan to the Holy Land. This Venerable One wishes to question her personally.”
“As you command.”
“As for Yan Zhen, this Venerable One has already met him—and even reunited with Lady Chen Xi through him. It’s clear that Lady Chen Xi holds great affection for this disciple of hers. This Venerable One sees boundless potential in him as well. Becoming the Holy Son, or even the Holy Lord, is entirely possible… though he is rather lecherous and could stand to restrain himself a bit.”
“Son-in-Law Yan Zhen does indeed have quite the wandering eye.”
Although Yan Zhen had behaved impeccably during his three days with the Yu Family—especially without a hint of impropriety while treating her and her daughters—the fact that he remained entangled with other women even after having Xuan’er proved he was a romantic soul through and through, a little flirt at heart.
“As for whether becoming the Holy Son would force him to shed his status as a live-in son-in-law, the answer is yes. Barring any surprises, it would shift to Xuan’er marrying him instead. But that hardly matters. Once he grows strong enough, he will master his own destiny. Whether he remains a son-in-law to the Yu Family depends solely on whether he acknowledges it in his heart.”
“But—”
“Since he is willing to marry in at present, it shows his genuine affection for Xuan’er and his readiness to humble himself for her sake. Instill in him a true sense of belonging to the Yu Family—make him see it as his own home—and the title becomes irrelevant. The key is keeping his heart tethered here.”
“You speak wisdom, Your Supremacy. I was the one lost in my own obsessions… Truth be told, I have already agreed to select one or two girls from our clan to wed him alongside Xuan’er. I have even permitted him to bring those paramours of his into the family as his concubines… However, that boy is such a romantic soul. Mere promises like these likely won’t suffice to bind him. We must offer him something uniquely ours from the Yu Family to win his favor.”
Yu Shizun gazed deeply at the Family Head Yu Lu, grasping her implication instantly.
The Yu Family’s unique offering was, of course, their fading tradition of the Shared Husband.
It seemed she truly intended for mother and daughter to serve Yan Zhen together, binding him irrevocably to the Yu Family.
After all, in this era, sisterly pairings were commonplace, but a mother-daughter duo? Rare as hen’s teeth. For a romantic soul and little flirt like him, it was the ultimate hook—checkmate.
Yet, as family head and heir, for them to jointly serve one man would surely provoke fierce opposition from the clan elders. Hence, they dared not act rashly and had come seeking approval.
With the Supremacy’s blessing, resistance within the clan would diminish greatly.
After a moment’s thought, the Yu Shizun replied, “Since you are resolved, then proceed. A flirt like Yan Zhen could never refuse the ministrations of a mother-daughter duo. In the outside world, a mother and daughter sharing a husband might be deemed shameful, but within the Yu Family, it is hardly outrageous.”
The Family Head Yu Lu blinked, momentarily stunned. Mother-daughter?
She had been thinking of sending her younger sister and sister-in-law to serve Yan Zhen.
She could tell that Yu Qing harbored a secret fondness for him, though she refused to admit it aloud. Bailan, too, had shown unusual closeness—no other man had ever received such warmth from her.
Having them serve Yan Zhen would not only secure his affections but also kindle romance among the three of them—a win on all fronts.
But why had the Supremacy spoken of a mother-daughter pair? Did she believe Yan Zhen too insatiable for anything less? That she herself must step into the fray?
This… this—
The Family Head Yu Lu’s thoughts grew chaotic.
Though the Supremacy never interfered in family matters, her word was virtually unopposable.
Mother and daughter serving together… Her mind conjured an image of herself and her daughter, utterly bare, kneeling submissively before Yan Zhen, their ample hips raised in anticipation of his favor. The Family Head Yu Lu’s heart raced even wilder.
“Your Supremacy speaks true. I shall consider it carefully.”
…
Yan Zhen had no inkling that, in the eyes of the Yu Shizun and the Yu Family Head Mother-in-Law, he had solidified his image as a lecherous rogue. Nor did he suspect that, during his next treatment session with the family head mother-in-law, her demeanor toward him would subtly shift.
He strolled leisurely toward the independent dormitory shared by the four women, only to find a crowd gathered in the open space before the entrance. At the center stood an empty patch adorned with vibrant crimson flowers arranged in a massive heart shape, topped by a bold character reading “Meng.”
A tall, slender young man dressed in Outer Academy uniform knelt on one knee beside the heart. In his hands, he cradled a jewelry box containing a thumb-sized Fire Crystal Stone.
The Fire Crystal Stone—crafted from refined Fire Crystal Ore and intricately carved—pulsed with Tier 4 mystic qi fluctuations.
—He was preparing to confess to Meng’er? But where was she? She hadn’t shown up.
The young man bellowed toward the firmly shut dormitory doors.
“Junior Sister Meng’er, I like you! Be my girlfriend!”
The surrounding onlookers erupted in unison.
“Girlfriend! Girlfriend! Girlfriend!”
Bang!
A second-floor window flew open, revealing Yan Meng’er’s adorably youthful face. Her pink eyes glared coldly downward.
“Are you all annoying or what? I’m trying to cultivate here!”
The one who had been scolded lit up with joy instead.
“Junior Sister Meng’er, you came out! Does that mean you’ll be my girlfriend?”
As a reincarnator, Yan Meng’er had no patience for this cocky average Joe.
“I already have someone I like. Stop bothering me. Disturb my cultivation again, and I won’t hold back. Don’t think being a Nine-Star Mystic Scholar makes you untouchable.”
With that, she slammed the window shut again, clearly in a foul mood.
Yan Zhen recalled her words from the night before: she was on the verge of a breakthrough in her stars and eager to shock her cousin upon his arrival. She must be deep in her efforts now.
This fellow had walked right into the crossfire. Otherwise, Meng’er would have let him down gently with something like, “You’re a nice guy, but we’re just not right for each other~.”
Back at Silver Moon Mystic Academy, that line had left countless boys gasping for breath in heartbreak.
Today marked another casualty.
The young man sprang to his feet and dashed beneath the window, shouting desperately.
“Junior Sister Meng’er, wait! Hear me out. Junior Sister Meng’er, I like you!”
No response came.
At that moment, a handsome youth emerged from the crowd and approached the young man, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
“Buddy, Meng’er already said she doesn’t like you. Stop pestering her, or I’ll have to get unfriendly.”
The heartbroken young man swatted Yan Zhen’s hand away, venting his frustration.
“Who the hell are you? Who gave you the right to call her Meng’er? You dare threaten me? Do you even know who I am?”
Yan Zhen eyed him speechlessly.
“And who might you be?”
“I’m XXX, a Nine-Star Mystic Scholar! I’ll advance to the Mystic Master Realm and enter the Inner Academy within half a year at latest. What insignificant nobody are you? Give me your name—then I’ll beat you!”
“I—”
As Yan Zhen opened his mouth, the second-floor window banged open once more. Yan Meng’er poked her head out again—and her eyes locked instantly onto that figure she had daydreamed about day and night.
