The moment I sat down at the table, I knew I was in for a spectacle. I could feel the tension in the air—thick, heavy, and ready to burst at any moment.
Across from me sat my mother, Bao Linyue, her expression as composed as ever, but I could see the faint flicker of annoyance in her eyes. Next to her, my second grandmother, Yue Zhaoxiang, sipped her tea with the grace and calm of a mountain peak, though I knew from experience that she loved watching these family discussions spiral into chaos.
She was always there, subtly fanning the flames.
And then there was Yue Lanwei, my older sister, her sharp eyes boring holes into our brother, Yue Shen, who was currently squirming in his seat.
Poor guy, I thought, suppressing a grin. He didn't even know what he was in for.
I glanced around the room, realizing that although we weren't all present—my other siblings were off dealing with their own duties—this was still the perfect setup for a dramatic family moment.
My second grandmother was too quiet, and Yue Lanwei looked ready to pounce. It didn't take a genius to figure out that trouble was brewing.
The discussion on the table today? A marriage proposal. Not just any proposal—this one involved the Heavenly Jade Sect, the strongest sect in the entire Xianlun World, and us, the Heaven Secret Sect, the second strongest. Normally, such a proposal would've fallen on me, but thanks to my expert dodging of these types of responsibilities years ago, the 'piece of cake' had landed squarely on my second brother, Yue Shen.
Heavenly Jade Sect's second child, TingTing, was now in the spotlight. From what I heard, she was a talented cultivator, sharp as a blade, and beautiful enough to make the Heavens jealous.
But, like any story, this one had its complications. Namely, that my mother and sister seemed thoroughly unimpressed with the match.
Yue Shen, on the other hand, looked like he was about to march into battle. His aura flared up occasionally, betraying his attempts at staying calm.
I leaned back in my seat, a grin tugging at my lips. The idea of another woman joining our already chaotic family? It was hilarious. Just the thought of the competitive tension she'd stir up had me grinning like the 'little devil' I was known to be.
"So, you're telling me that you like TingTing?" Yue Lanwei's voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. Her arms were crossed, and she was giving our brother a look that could turn stone to dust.
Yue Shen shifted in his seat, nodding. "Yes, I do. TingTing is talented, beautiful, and strong in cultivation. She's more than capable of holding her own."
"More than capable?" Yue Lanwei's eyebrows shot up. "You're not serious. Have you even thought this through? Bringing someone from that family into ours—do you have any idea what you're doing?"
I stifled a laugh, leaning forward slightly, pretending to be interested in the tea on the table. This was too good.
Yue Lanwei always had a way of making things sound worse than they actually were, but in this case, she might not have been far off the mark. The Heavenly Jade Sect and the Heaven Secret Sect had always had a bit of a rivalry, and while an alliance made sense politically, it wasn't going to be as smooth as my brother seemed to think.
Yue Shen sighed, clearly exasperated. "Yes, Lanwei, I've thought it through. This is an important opportunity for both sects. TingTing is not just some political pawn. She's a formidable cultivator."
"Formidable?" My mother finally spoke, her voice soft but laced with a subtle disapproval. Her gaze was fixed on Yue Shen, as if she were weighing his words carefully. "And yet, you seem to forget your duties here. Just because she's talented doesn't mean she's suited for this family. Have you considered what kind of chaos she could bring?"
I watched as Yue Shen struggled to maintain his composure. "Mother, I'm well aware of my duties. But this isn't just about politics. I actually like her."
Yue Lanwei's eyes narrowed. "Oh, you like her? And how long do you think that'll last? Once she realizes what kind of mess she's getting herself into, do you really think she'll stick around?" Well, given her status, TingTing would hold on.
I don't think her family drama will is any different from ours, me being the only added spice.
Now, normally, I'd jump in and add fuel to the fire, but this time, I decided to let my brother squirm a little longer. Besides, it wasn't every day that I got to watch him get grilled like this.
Yue Zhaoxiang, my second grandmother, cleared her throat, her serene gaze falling on Yue Shen. "You say she's formidable, but I've seen many who claim that title crumble under the weight of this family's expectations. You need to be sure, Yue Shen. If she isn't up to the task, then this union will do more harm than good."
I had to admit, Yue Shen was holding his ground better than I expected. His aura flared again, but this time with determination rather than frustration. "She's up to the task, grandmother. I've seen her fight. I've seen her cultivate. TingTing is more than capable of standing beside me."
I couldn't help myself. "Are you sure, brother? Because from where I'm sitting, it sounds like you're biting off more than you can chew."
Yue Shen shot me a glare. "I'm not biting off anything. This is a good match."
"Oh, I'm sure it is," I replied, my grin widening. "But you do realize that bringing another woman into this family isn't going to be a walk in the park, right? Especially one from the Heavenly Jade Sect. The competition is going to be… fierce." Only me and Yue Lanwei knew what I meant.
Yue Lanwei scoffed. "Fierce doesn't even begin to describe it."
"And that's assuming she even likes you back," I added, leaning back in my seat with a smirk.
Yue Shen's face reddened slightly, but he stayed resolute. "She does like me. This isn't just some political move. We've spent time together, and we understand each other."
Yue Lanwei let out a short laugh. "Spent time together? When? Between cultivation sessions and political meetings? Please, Shen, be realistic."
My brother looked like he was about to argue again, but my mother cut in before he could. "It's not about liking someone, Shen. Marriage in this family is a serious matter. You can't just decide on a whim."
"I'm not deciding on a whim," Yue Shen snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin. "I've thought this through. I want this."
There was a long silence, the kind that only happens when the weight of family expectations presses down like a mountain. I could feel the tension building, but I knew better than to interfere too much.
My mother and grandmother had their own ways of testing us, and Yue Shen was being put through the wringer.
Yue Zhaoxiang finally spoke again, her tone calm but firm. "If you're sure about this, then you'll have to prove it to us. This isn't just about your feelings, Shen. This is about the future of our two families and our sect. If TingTing truly is as strong and capable as you claim, then she'll have no problem handling what comes next." That she won't if she's really the daughter of that monster matriarch of that sect!
Yue Shen nodded, though I could see the strain in his expression. "She can handle it. I'll make sure of it."
I couldn't help but grin. "Well, brother, good luck with that. You're going to need it."
Yue Lanwei shot me a warning glance, clearly annoyed by my teasing, but I wasn't about to stop. This was too much fun at least to me.
Yue Zhaoxian, signaling that the discussion was over, at least for now. "We'll see how this plays out, Shen. But know this—you carry the weight of the familyies on your shoulders. Don't take this lightly."
As the meeting came to an end, I couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement. A new woman in the family? Things were about to get interesting, and I was going to enjoy every moment of the chaos that would follow.
Yue Shen might think he's in control, but he had no idea what he was really getting into. And frankly, I wasn't going to be the one to save him when things inevitably spiraled out of control.
A new woman in the family, a marriage proposal between two of the most powerful sects in the world, and a brother who was clearly in over his head?
Yep, things were about to get very interesting.