After Wen Jueyuan finished speaking, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive.
The atmosphere in the private room was particularly quiet. No one believed that Wen Jueyuan had come with such a formidable momentum just to ask Su Yi to go home.
If that was the case, they could have simply sent a servant to deliver the message. Why go to such lengths?
"What does your clan chief want to see Su Gongzi for?" Yuan Luxi sensed that something was amiss and couldn't help but ask.
"Well..." Wen Jueyuan was momentarily speechless.
Su Yi calmly spoke up, "That's enough. You can go back and report that I will return shortly."
But Wen Jueyuan turned his gaze towards Yuan Luxi.
Clearly, he didn't care about what Su Yi had to say, but rather, he cared about Yuan Luxi's response!
Lord Fu Shan, Huang Yunchong, and the others all shook their heads inwardly.
Wen Jueyuan's gaze was truly shallow and lacking insight. He failed to realize the significance of Su Yi being seated at the head of the table.
After a brief thought, Yuan Luxi's tone turned cold as she said, "During the operation in Guimu Ridge, Su Gongzi and Guo Lao helped me a great deal. This banquet is also specially prepared for Su Gongzi and Gu Lao. If the Wen family has any objections, feel free to come to me."
She waved her hand dismissively. "You may leave."
Finally feeling relieved, Wen Jueyuan hastily left with his men.
With this little episode, Su Yi lost his appetite and soon took his leave.
Yuan Luxi, Lord Fu Shan, Huang Yunchong, and the others hurriedly got up to see him off.
Only Zhang Yuanxing was displeased. If he wanted to leave, he should just leave. Why did everyone have to accompany him outside the JuXian Tower?
But seeing everyone following suit, Zhang Yuanxing sighed and stood up as well. Regardless, he still needed to maintain his composure.
Outside the JuXian Tower...
"Su Gongzi, we will leave today. If you ever visit Yunhe County in the future, please give us an opportunity to host you," Yuan Luxi said sincerely.
"Indeed, our Yuan family holds some influence in Yunhe County. If Su Gongzi ever needs assistance, we are obligated to help," Cheng Wuyong solemnly pledged.
"Let's see how it goes," Su Yi waved his hand and walked away with his bamboo staff in hand.
After his figure disappeared, Yuan Luxi withdrew her gaze and said, "Uncle Yong, let's make our preparations and depart."
"Alright," Cheng Wuyong nodded in agreement.
Zhang Yuanxing quickly spoke, "Luxi, I'm actually returning to Yunhe County today as well. We can travel together and keep each other company along the way."
"No need," Yuan Luxi's arrogant demeanor as the young miss returned in an instant, and she turned and walked away.
Zhang Yuanxing was about to catch up with her when Yuan Luxi suddenly turned around and kicked him in the crotch. Startled, he quickly dodged, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
if that kick had landed, he would have suffered a disastrous outcome, known as the "chicken decision."
"Do you know that I've been tolerating you for a long time during the banquet? You better stop following me!" Yuan Luxi coldly snorted and walked away with long strides.
Zhang Yuanxing's face fluctuated between embarrassment and anger.
Not far away, Fu Shan, Nie Beihu, and the others witnessed the scene, their faces turning strange. They didn't dare to laugh, fearing that it would further provoke Zhang Yuanxing's anger.
Xiong Bo approached and sighed softly, "Young master, now you finally understand how willful Yuan Luxi can be, right? In my opinion, it's best for you to avoid any further contact with her. When this girl resorts to violence, she has no restraint."
"I just don't understand why her attitude changed so quickly. She was not like this during the banquet earlier," Zhang Yuanxing lamented.
"Because Su Yi is no longer here, so she no longer needs to hide anything," Xiong Bo, being astute, had already noticed many clues. Although he couldn't guess the whole truth, it didn't prevent him from making judgments.
"Because of Su Yi?" Zhang Yuanxing's face darkened, carefully recalling every moment from the time he saw Yuan Luxi outside the city to their meal at the JuXian Tower.
Sure enough, he noticed that whenever Yuan Luxi faced Su Yi, her expression would change significantly, filled with respect and a hint of admiration. Her demeanor would become gentle and reserved.
On the other hand, when Yuan Luxi treated him, she showed no real interest and was full of perfunctoriness...
With these thoughts in mind, Zhang Yuanxing clenched his fists silently, feeling an uncontrollable surge of jealousy and anger.
He spoke with a harsh tone and made a decision, "Xiong Bo, tonight, I will arrange a meeting with Su Yi. I want to get some answers!"
Xiong Bo remained silent for a moment, then nodded.
He also had many doubts in his mind and wanted to learn the truth from Su Yi.
For example, what exactly happened in Guimu Ridge that earned the respect and admiration of people like Yuan Luxi and Cheng Wuyong towards Su Yi?
...
On the way back to the Wen family's residence.
Su Yi couldn't help but feel a slight anticipation in his heart.
Ling Xue had been gone for almost half a month now, and during this time, it felt like something was missing.
Hmm, when I see her, I'll check on her cultivation progress.
Before leaving Guangling City, I should prepare some spirit medicines and spirit stones for her so that she won't have to worry about cultivation for a while.
Also, her monthly allowance is only a few hundred taels of silver. I should leave her some silver tickets as well.
By the way, I also need to prepare some defensive treasures for her. In case of danger, even if I'm not around, she can protect herself.
I should ask Fu Shan to pay more attention to Ling Xue's whereabouts...
With these thoughts in mind, Su Yi entered the Wen family's residence and headed straight towards the residence of Wen Changtai and his wife.
"Young master, you're back?" The two maids who were cleaning the courtyard were startled when they saw Su Yi and quickly greeted him respectfully.
Now, everyone in the Wen family was well aware of Su Yi's achievement as the first in the Longmen Grand Competition. This led to a significant change in the attitudes of the maids and servants towards Su Yi.
"Is Ling Xue in her room?" Su Yi asked.
Before receiving an answer, a sharp voice echoed from the main hall, "You freeloader, you finally decided to come back?"
Before the words even fell, Qin Jing stormed out.
After not seeing her for several days, Qin Jing seemed like a different person. She was radiant, energetic, and even more exquisite and glamorous in her appearance. Every movement she made exuded a strong presence.
She scrutinized Su Yi up and down before coldly snorting, "Don't think that just because you got first place in the Longmen Grand Competition, you can swagger around. Compared to Ling Zhao's current status and reputation, you still have a long way to go!"
Su Yi smiled and didn't pay much attention to it.
His mother-in-law was like this—blunt, materialistic, and prone to sarcastic remarks. However, her heart wasn't necessarily malicious.
In the year that he had been married into the Wen family, Qin Jing had been full of resentment and looked down upon him as a son-in-law, but she had never deliberately made things difficult for him.
That was also why Su Yi didn't bother arguing with her.
"Come inside with me," Qin Jing said when she realized that Su Yi wasn't going to confront her. Her relief was evident, and her expression softened slightly.
She had only returned home yesterday and learned about Su Yi's astonishing performance at the Longmen banquet. At that time, she was both surprised and pleased, but also worried.
She was pleased because it showed that Su Yi wasn't a useless waste.
She was worried because she wondered if Su Yi, after achieving first place in the Longmen Grand Competition, would start to look down on her and Wen Changtai.
Now it seemed that Su Yi hadn't changed much. He remained indifferent to her sarcasm and reprimands, just as before.
Entering the main hall, Wen Changtai was drinking tea. When he saw Su Yi, he smiled and stood up, saying, "I didn't expect you to make something of yourself. Well done."
Su Yi couldn't help but laugh.
Su Yi found his cheap father-in-law quite amusing. Wen Changtai was honest, mediocre, and lacked ambition, causing many in the Wen family to look down on him.
But in Su Yi's eyes, Wen Changtai had one virtue—he was kind-hearted. Even when faced with his son-in-law, he had never spoken harshly.
That touch of purity and kindness in Wen Lingxue's heart seemed to be inherited from Wen Changtai.
"Su Yi, no matter what, now that your cultivation has recovered, as parents, we are also happy for you," Qin Jing said after they were seated. She carefully chose her words and continued, "In the past, your father-in-law and I may have treated you poorly, and we will try to make it up to you. But you should know that with Ling Zhao's character, it's impossible for her to truly accept and acknowledge you. I only hope that you don't hold any grudges."
Su Yi keenly noticed that Qin Jing's attitude towards him had quietly changed.
He casually replied, "You're overthinking it. I never care whether Wen Ling Zhao accepts me or not."
Qin Jing sighed lightly and said, "Speaking of which, both you and Ling Zhao are victims of this marriage. I've long wanted to dissolve this marriage, but the dowager has never allowed it. No matter how much resentment I have, I can't change that."
Su Yi responded calmly, "I understand."
"There's one more thing I need to make clear to you," Qin Jing said, pondering for a moment. "During our time at the Tianyuan Academy, Ling Zhao already mentioned that she will do everything she can to dissolve this marriage. Don't think too much about it. She doesn't hate you, she just hates this marriage. After all, you are still a stranger to her."
Contrary to Qin Jing's expectations, Su Yi didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled and said, "I'm looking forward to her resolving this marriage."
This made Qin Jing feel somewhat uncomfortable. This brat became the first in the Longmen Grand Competition and now he can't wait to sever ties with our family?
Moreover, Ling Zhao, such a beautiful woman and the successor of a martial arts lineage, is she really not worthy of your attention?
Calming herself, Qin Jing said, "Su Yi, I've said everything that needed to be said. The patriarch may personally summon you later, and from my perspective, he probably won't be pleased with you. It's best if you prepare yourself mentally."
Su Yi didn't care about these matters. He asked directly, "What about Ling Xue?"
Qin Jing was taken aback. It was already this late, and this kid was still thinking about her other daughter?
Wen Changtai, who was sitting beside her, spoke gently, "Ling Xue is staying at the Qinghe Sword Residence for cultivation. According to Ling Zhao's plan, she intends to arrange for Ling Xue to practice at the Tianyuan Academy. In the short term, Ling Xue probably won't return to Guangling City."
Upon hearing this, Su Yi fell silent, and the anticipation he had harbored in his heart was shattered, causing his brow to furrow.
Qin Jing explained, "Ling Zhao's decision is for the good of her sister. She herself was forced into marriage in the past, so she wouldn't let her sister, Ling Xue, go down the same path. If Ling Xue stays in Guangling City, what if the dowager arranges another marriage for her?"
Su Yi understood from this that it was entirely Wen Ling Zhao's arrangement and not Wen Ling Xue's own