{From here on True Age which represents looks will be reffered as TA}
After failing to get any further information from Freya, Ang went near a moderately sized pond behind the manor. Half of the pond was covered in the shadow of a huge tree. Ang went to it and sat under it, enjoying the calm presence of water and rustling leaves under the cool breeze. Reminiscing about his past under such weather, he unknowingly fell into a deep trans. While Ang was enjoying his time under a tree, someone far away was destroying trees in a fit of Rage.
"Aaaargh!" a roar could be heard among the falling trees.
"Hey, what happened? Why is the Miss so angry?" a guard dressed in armour asked another guard in a low tone.
"Well, isn't it obvious? It's related to Shin." The second guard responded.
"What?! She hasn't given up on Shin Yet? The Family head has already decided on this. There is no way it can be changed now," the first guard said in an obvious tone.
"I know. But she thinks otherwise. She even met with the family head this afternoon to discuss this."
"Then what did the Family head say?" the second guard asked curiously.
"Well, you can guess by how she is acting.."
"Was it that bad?" the second guard asked as she watched the young Lady going berserk in the ironwood garden of the Qian Noble house in the north.
The young Lady, Liliana Qian, was the heir to the Qian Nobel house. Five years ago, she met Shin in a nameless Village while travelling with her Mother. She was captivated by him and requested her Mother to take him into the Qian family. As time passed, Shin showed his talent in cultivation and Sword, which made him stand out as one of the young talents of the Qian family. Her interest in him increased day by day, and he finally conveyed his feelings a few months ago. Liliana was around 23 years old, looking like a 19 year old (TA) while Shin was younger than her at 21 years old, looking like an 18 year old (TA). After they had become a couple, her Mother started to notice her actions and tried to talk her out of it multiple times.
{first time}
"Liliana, what you are doing needs to be corrected. You are one of the heirs to the Qian Family. He might be talented, but that is it. He is trying to make use of you to climb the ladder."
"No, Mother! He truly loves me. You are just overthinking."
{next time}
"Liliana, I heard you beat up the Elder's son, who was supposed to be Shin's rival in the upcoming tournament to select and train the family's young talents. Don't you think he made you do it because the Elder's son is stronger than him? Now Shin will win for sure."
"No, Mother! He did not tell me anything. I heard that the the Elder's son misbehaved with Shin just because Shin was a commoner. So I taught him some manners, that is all. You are just overthinking."
{another time}
"Liliana, I know you are in a romantic relationship with Shin. I will not stop you from enjoying your life. But, if this continues, you might get attached to him. We cultivators live a long life. The more we get attached to something, the more we get hurt later."
"No, Mother! Shin said that he would be by my side forever."
Even after multiple arguments with her Mother, Liliana never gave up on Shin. As time went by the Mother and daughter started to drift apart. On the day Liliyana heard that Shin will be getting married to Julia Jian, she lost control of her anger and had a fight with her Mother.
"Mother! What fuck are you doing? You know that Shin and I are in Love. Then why have you decided on such a thing." Liliana Roared in anger in front of her Mother.
The maid in the room quickly left as if she did not want to get involved in this mother-daughter argument.
"Liliana, I know that you are furious. But you need to understand that it was not my decision alone." Madam Qian said calmly, sipping her tea.
"Then talk to them and STOP IT !!" Liliana replied, gritting her teeth.
"I tried. Even though I don't want him around you, I know you like him, so I tried to stop it. Unfortunately, I lost the argument against the Elder's Council. I even tried to suggest other names. But the alternative they suggested was even worse, so I had to accept." Madam Qian replied with a frown.
"What was the alternative?" Liliana wanted to know the alternative so she could find a way to keep Shin for herself.
"You see, both that bitch and I only have daughters. So, a direct marriage proposal was out of the question. As such, it's either that bitch's daughter gets married to our prodigy, or you get married to the prodigy of the Jian family." explained Madam Qian.
"What?!" Liliana was shocked to hear the alternative. This was even worse than her current situation.
Looking at the shocked Liliana, Madam Qian said with a smile, "I know that Fang is a Bitch, but I have to admit that her daughter is a fine lady. She readily agreed to get married to Shin, saying you are her friend, and this is the least she could do to stabilise the situation between the two families."
"That Bitch said what?!" Liliana was about to burst from anger when she heard what her Mother said.
"Liliana, I know you two have your differences. But, you should be thankful to her this time. It's due to her readily accepting the proposal that you do not have to think about an unwanted marriage." Madam Qian said in a stern tone.
"Understood, Mother! From today onwards, I will be VERY VERY grateful to her." Liliana said, lowering her head so Madam Qian would not notice her rage-filled face. She left the room remebering their last encounter.
Shin visited her place that night, as he had been for the past few months.
"Shin !" Liliana hugged him as soon as she opened the door.
"Lily, I believe you already know what happened. I am sorry, Lily, but I had no other choice in this matter," Shin said as tears formed in his eyes.
"I Know. I trust you Shin. I kind of know the reason why things turned out this way." Liliana said, breaking the hug. She clenched her fists as memories of her past encounters with Julia flashed in her mind
"You Know? Please tell me about it Lily. I will try to fix it if it's within my power." Shin said resolutely, holding Liliana's soft hands.
"No, Shin. This has nothing to do with you. I will try to take care of this myself. But can you promise me that you will be on my side no matter what?" Liliana asked Shin resolutely, looking into his eyes.
"Of course, Lily, you are the person I love the most. I will be with you forever," said Shin as he kissed Liliana's Lips.
"Shin.."
"Lily.."
As the night continued, the couple involved themselves in physical pleasures, trying to reduce each other's stress.
Aaa~
umm~
"Julia, you bitch. Just wait. How dare you try to steal my TOY," she thought as she looked at Shin, who was trying to make her cum using his tongue.
"Aaah~ Yeah.. that's the spot...." Liliana moaned as she held her breasts and bit her tounge while Shin was licking her pussy.
After that day, they met more than usual and expressed their Love for each other physically. Today, she met with Madam Qian to discuss this matter again. But as soon as she went into Madam Qian's Room before she could talk, Madam Qian cut her off by saying, "I know why you are here; I also know what you have been doing for the past few days. If you think your affair with Shin, who is now engaged to Julia, will stop this wedding, then you are wrong."
"Why? Wouldn't it be a disgrace for both families if this got out? " Liliana asked, a bit taken aback.
"It is if it gets out. But is it getting out?" Madam Qian asked calmly.
"What do you mean? you cannot stop a rumour forever, you know." Liliana stated.
"Yes, I cannot. But there is one person who can stop this rumour. Do you know who that is?" Madam Qian asked calmly.
Suddenly, everything was clear to Liliana. It was Shin. Even though he meets her very frequently during the night. He has never met her in public after the engagement. She was lost in thought.
"Why?! Shin loves me. Why would he do such a thing? Would'nt spreading rumours be a good thing to stop the wedding?" Liliana was sad but also angry.
She stormed out of the room in a fury to seek an explanation from Shin.
"Follow her and make sure she doesn't hurt Shin. That dog is too important for us now." Madam Qian instructed the guards outside her room.
While searching for Shin, she ended up in the Ironwood garden. Since she was unable to find him, she started venting her anger on the Ironwood trees.
-----------------------
To avoid confusion, I will add the characters' current Ages and True ages every few chapters, along with their cultivation levels.
Age represents the years they have lived, and True age refers to their looks.
Ang:
Age: 25
True Age: 20
Cultivation: Water Core (AW -3)
Kara:
Age: 29
True Age: 22
Cultivation: Earth Core (AW -2)
Liliana:
Age: 23
True Age: 19
Cultivation: ?? (AW -3)
Julia:
Age: 23
True Age: 19
Cultivation: ?? (AW -3)
Shin:
Age: 21
True Age: 18
Cultivation: ?? (AW -3)