The hidden door behind the waterfall served as the back entrance to the cave dwelling, which the Yu Shizun had specially carved out for easy access when bathing. For proper visits, one had to enter through the front gate.
This cave dwelling naturally paled in comparison to the one atop Rain God Peak. It felt more like a secluded retreat, with the outer courtyard blooming with flowers and herbs, and a few tamed mystic beasts wandering freely. Inside the house, beyond basic furnishings, there was little else.
The area behind the house led deep into the mountain—that was the Yu Shizun’s secluded cultivation chamber. It was there that Yan Zhen and Mentor Yu Xuan had consummated their first union, only to be discovered by the Yu Shizun herself.
Fortunately, he had his connection to his beautiful master; otherwise, while Mentor Yu Xuan might have escaped unscathed, he surely would have been done for.
…
Yu Shizun received the group inside the small house before listening to the Family Head Yu Lu’s report. It mostly concerned matters at Holy Land Academy, including prior proposals such as sending Dean Yu Qing and Grand Mentor Shui Bailan to Rain God Peak for advanced studies, and appointing Elder Yu Yan as the dean of the Inner Academy.
“A Six-Star Mystic Ancestor can indeed firmly suppress a Four-Star Mystic Ancestor,” the Yu Shizun remarked, “but the Wen Family won’t just sit idly by.”
“Whatever the Wen Family has, our Yu Family has as well,” the Family Head Yu Lu replied. “Sister won’t lose to Wen Qingshan.”
“Mm. This Seat will find a way to handle the Snow Supreme.”
“Thank you, Your Supremacy.”
The others listened quietly without interjecting.
Yu Shizun then turned her gaze to Shui Bailan and said coolly, “What do you intend by leaving Bailan on Rain God Peak?”
Shui Bailan had previously entered Holy Land Academy alongside Dean Yu Qing. Though her aptitude was solid, she seemed rather ordinary amid the academy’s cluster of prodigies.
It was better for her—and for the Yu Family—if she took on an important position at the academy rather than fading into the background there.
The Family Head Yu Lu naturally understood this logic. She paused before explaining, “I wish for Bailan to take my place and keep an eye on Son-in-Law Yan Zhen, lest some girl from another faction lure him away.”
Yan Zhen’s expression stiffened. He shot her a resentful look, inwardly grumbling that in his mother-in-law’s eyes, he was some fickle playboy? It wounded his pure and innocent young heart.
Only the Yu Shizun grasped the Family Head Yu Lu’s true meaning, emphasized in that leading phrase: “I wish for Bailan to take my place.”
But hadn’t Yu Lu just… consummated with Yan Zhen last night, with him breaching her vital gate? Why the sudden change? Was it too difficult for her to accept emotionally?
Thus, the Yu Shizun turned to Yan Zhen. “Yan Zhen, what do you say?”
Yan Zhen pondered for a moment. “Well, there are pros and cons. Serving as a grand mentor in the Outer Academy is busywork, but it comes with a salary and the occasional perk. Staying on Rain God Peak allows focused cultivation without distractions. It all depends on Aunt’s choice.”
Yu Shizun’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. Yan Zhen clearly didn’t know about Yu Lu’s decision. What was going on?
She could never have imagined that someone had breached his mother-in-law’s vital gate using only his foot.
Thus, the Yu Shizun looked to Shui Bailan. “Bailan, what do you think?”
Shui Bailan bowed respectfully. “Bailan shall follow Your Supremacy’s and the family head’s arrangements.”
“If you have no objections, then it’s settled.”
“Yes.”
The Family Head Yu Lu let out a wistful sigh before continuing, “Your Supremacy, there’s one more matter I must report to you—concerning Son-in-Law Yan Zhen’s concubine…”
She hesitated over how to phrase it.
Yu Shizun didn’t press, waiting patiently.
After mulling it over, the Family Head Yu Lu finally settled on a tactful wording. “It’s just that… Sister and Little Qing are willing to offer themselves for this.”
“What?” Yu Shizun’s delicate brows furrowed—a rare show of emotion. This was far beyond her expectations. “Yu Yan and Yu Qing are to become Yan Zhen’s concubines?”
Dean Yu Qing coughed twice, her pretty face flushing as she explained, “Your Supremacy, we’re not becoming that little scoundrel’s concubines. Rather… we’re sharing a husband with Xuan’er.”
The dean’s little aunt was as stubborn-mouthed as ever.
Elder Yu Yan cradled her cheeks, smiling sweetly. “I really like Little Yan Zhen, and Little Yan Zhen doesn’t mind me either. It’s a mutual rush toward each other~”
The elder great-aunt was fully immersed in the bliss of mutual attraction.
As the person in question, Yan Zhen awkwardly lowered his head, neatly dodging the Yu Shizun’s gaze. She instantly understood.
“These are matters for you to decide among yourselves,” the Yu Shizun said. “This Seat’s opinion doesn’t matter, and as for the clan elders, This Seat has already spoken to them. All affairs concerning Yan Zhen are yours to handle as family head.”
Yu Shizun never meddled proactively in Yu Family matters, but she absolutely forbade any neglect of Lady Chen Xi’s sole personal disciple, whom she cherished as her own. She had long since warned the elders; otherwise, Yan Zhen’s visits to White Jade Spring and exceptional participation in ancestor worship would have drawn their ire long ago.
“Thank you for your trust, Your Supremacy. However, this does pose a bit of a problem with heirs,” the Family Head Yu Lu said candidly. “Sister has poor fertility and is unlikely to bear children. Xuan’er’s children will follow Son-in-Law Yan Zhen by lineage. Leaving it all to Little Qing to bear three would be quite the burden.”
At these words, Dean Yu Qing flushed crimson with shame. She wanted to snap, “Who said I’d bear three babies for him?” But with the Yu Shizun present, she couldn’t let loose and instead buried her head like an ostrich, mimicking Yan Zhen.
Elder Yu Yan remained utterly composed. “We’re considering that aspect too. Shall we arrange another concubine for Little Yan Zhen then? Say, Little Yudie?”
The Family Head Yu Lu hummed in agreement. “She’s the most suitable in the clan, and she’s cultivating on Rain God Peak as well. We can nurture some feelings appropriately.”
“Little Yudie is a fine girl, but she’s only a collateral branch in the end. She can’t cultivate the Timely Rain Scripture. It would be ideal if there were a suitable direct descendant.”
“Collateral branches carry Yu Family blood too. Even with diluted bloodline concentration, it might not prevent cultivating the Timely Rain Scripture.”
For instance, the Yu Shizun herself was a foster daughter of the Yu Family with no blood ties at all, yet she could cultivate it—thanks to her extraordinary talent and the compatibility of her mystic power with the Timely Rain Scripture, of course.
“What does Little Yan Zhen think of Little Yudie?” Elder Yu Yan asked. “I saw you two getting along well in the Inner Academy~”
The hot potato landed squarely in Yan Zhen’s court, forcing him to respond. “Cousin Sister Yudie is great, but we’re just familiar with each other—no romantic developments. Besides, Cousin Sister Yudie seems like the sort focused solely on cultivation. We shouldn’t force her.”
“That’s true, but what about the child issue?” Elder Yu Yan looked troubled. This was her problem to bring up, and since she couldn’t manage it, trouble arose. “Are we really making Little Qing bear three alone? It’d be as tough as it was for Mother.”
Yan Zhen’s mouth twitched. To forestall the Yu Family lining up more concubines for him, he said, “I-I actually know a Saint Rank dual cultivation technique. Its Procreation Chapter includes methods to enhance fertility. Perhaps we could try that.”
