Li Yichen PoV
Walking besides Mother Ai as we reentered Serenity Hall, I sighed mentally at the long, complex situation my Mother now found herself in.
Main wife of the strongest woman in the world, Mother of three children, overseer of the Matriarch's Harem, and now...
She was informing me that, for the next three decades or so, she was incapable of bearing children due to the complications that arose with Li Fen.
Mother Ai was currently healing, so for the Matriarch, who wants a large family, that was bad news.
Even with centuries spent together, Mom desperately wanted more children, so that she could consolidate her power, and now that Mother couldn't give that to her...
Well, she looked around and found three willing women, all of whom were rather strong and talented.
Each was a powerhouse in their own right, capable of creating their own high ranking sect, but they decided to throw in their lots with Mom, for the safety and stability that such a position provided.
Apparently Mom made it clear that there would be no infighting, and that if she caught anyone doing so...
She would kill them and eradicate that line.
With such a heavy threat looming above their heads, the three new Concubines decided to instead focus on strengthening themselves and their future children, all while attempting to make the Matriarch fall for them more than the others.
Such a complex system being set in place made me realize something as we returned to the lush hall, where my fiancee sat, exhausted, in her seat.
I desperately wanted to prevent that from happening.
Unlike Mother, who has the power to threaten Mom somewhat, I have no such luxury.
If Gao Chen decided to take in a Concubine, would I be able to stop her?
Or protect myself and our child?
That thought angered me, and as I thought so the plant inside my dantian fluttered, droplets of dark, frigid Water Qi permeating the plants roots.
As I walked to sit beside Gao Chen in the now empty Serenity Hall, I glanced secretly at the tanned woman, who's orange eyes were dilated, an unfamiliar emotion inside them.
Frowning slightly, I looked over towards Mom, who was staring straight at me, her azure eyes piercing into my soul.
Shivering, I felt my heart pounding in my chest as she spoke, her voice as flat as always as she said "Yi'er, I'll ask you again..."
Leaning forwards, Mom clasped her hands in front of her as she alternated her gaze between Gao Chen and I, both of us flinching slightly as she asked "Are you sure about this pregnancy; this marriage?"
Licking my chapped lips, I saw that Mother Ai was slightly confused, her head tilted to the side as she stared at her wife.
"I..."
Biting my lower lip, I wondered what I should say.
Staring at the ornate table in front of me, I pursed my lips as I began to think.
I could keep the child but condemn the marriage.
I could terminate both.
Or...
"I... am sure, M-Mom..."
Licking my lips again, I looked back up towards her face, my heart made up as I reaffirmed my decision, much to Gao Chen's joy.
"I w-will marry G-Gao Chen and give b-birth to h-her child..."
Gulping, I felt my dry throat moisten slightly as I made that declaration, much to Gao Chen's joy and surprise; her look was priceless, as she stared straight at me with widened eyes.
My whisper had made Mom and Mother nod, and Mom leaned back into her throne and stroked her chin.
"Very well then. The marriage will be announced, the ceremony planned, and the Li Family shall gain a new branch."
The words the Matriarch spoke were laden with power, and a scroll appeared before her, characters inking themselves onto the flawless parchment before it rolled itself up.
"A month from today is when you two shall be wed. By then, the Moonlit Orchard, and the world, shall know that the Li Family has grown larger, and that the one to expand it..."
A small smile graced Mom's lips, making each of us shiver at the sharp, cold line that it produced on her perfect face.
"Was Li Yichen, the so called 'Useless Wife'..."
I shivered again at that title, the one that I hated the most.
Useless Wife...
Many called me that over the years.
'Gao Chen's future Useless Wife.'
My inability to cultivate like a talented, once in a millennia genius.
My subpar beauty and grace.
My fiancee's obvious disliking of me, and her lust for others.
They all abetted my title, but from here on...
Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I clenched my fists as I took a swift glance at the plant thriving inside my dantian.
From here on, I wanted to shatter that title and make people regret speaking of me so.
To make the world know that they were wrong.
I wasn't Useless...
I simply hadn't had the opportunity, nor drive to shine yet, but now...
Now I did.
My drive came in the form of the unborn child inside my womb, and my opportunity was provided by a Deity herself.
From here on out, people would speak of the genesis of the Li Family's first ever branch Family, one that was fronted by a genius and her devoted wife.
Her one and only devoted wife.
Swallowing down a mouthful of saliva, I turned to glance at Gao Chen, who was pursing her lips as she stared at me, her orange eyes filled with complex emotions.
When we returned home, I would begin with what I could, and the thought filled me with the utmost amount of joy.
Starting today, I was going to claw my way towards the peak of Cultivation on this plane, to stand beside Gao Chen and look over and protect our family, be it just this child...
Or more.
The hate that had embroiled my heart for these months shifted to something else, the blackness shrouding my soul deepening as I begun to walk a path few willingly embark upon.
My hate had instead shifted to love; a dark, obsessive, possessive, needy love.
A love that required for this woman beside me to continue to look at me, and only me.
No one else.
NO ONE ELSE.
Never, ever again...