With the sound of the door closing, the courtyard fell into a deep silence, so quiet that one could hear the nervous beating of their own hearts.
The butler's face darkened, and he nearly shouted out, "Show mercy!" as if he were holding onto Lin Cui's leg for dear life. The two servants instinctively took a few steps back, unable to forget how the stubborn young lady once flew into a rage and nearly demolished a house. Their legs were already starting to tremble as they debated whether they should run.
But even if they wanted to escape, none of them dared move. The fury radiating from Lin Cui was so intense that it felt almost tangible. Anyone who moved would be in immediate danger.
"HU YU, I'm going to make you regret this!"
Furious, Lin Cui's peak post-physical cultivation burst forth, creating a gust of wind that wiped out the sounds of insects in an instant.
The two servants and the butler, at this moment, wished they could dig through the ground to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
"Miss, please reconsider! After all, he's your husband. You can't kill him!"
The butler, his life in HU YU's hands, had no choice but to speak up, though he gritted his teeth.
But with a loud thud, a force hit his abdomen, sending him flying backward.
Lin Cui shot a glare at the butler before angrily pushing the door open. The scene in the room greeted them.
Red candles, red curtains—an atmosphere filled with subtle elegance.
On the large bed, HU YU sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, seemingly in deep meditation. The loud sound of the door opening caused him to open his eyes.
He glanced at Lin Cui and calmly said, "Is this the way you behave, yelling like a shrew?"
The term "shrew" had never been used for Lin Cui before.
"You! You have a death wish!"
Angrily, Lin Cui stormed toward HU YU, her delicate fists clenched. Though they looked weak, they could shatter stone if she so wished.
"Hmph, this is a lesson! Go look in the mirror and understand your position!"
She controlled her strength, knowing this punch would only leave HU YU bedridden for a few days.
Outside, the three servants, who thought Lin Cui had lost control, closed their eyes, bracing for HU YU to become a puddle of flesh.
Lin Cui, high above, looked down at HU YU, her punch unstoppable.
But HU YU merely stared at her calmly, his black pupils seeming to hold a dazzling sea of stars—there was an eerie aura in them.
Lin Cui's expression froze for a moment, and her fist slowly dropped back to her side.
Though Lin Cui had been spoiled, she wasn't inherently evil. Despite her constant dislike for HU YU, her anger seemed justified in this situation, so HU YU didn't hold much resentment.
"Get in bed and sleep. Otherwise, leave."
Lin Cui, hearing the words, blinked twice in a daze.
Then HU YU glanced at the door and added, "Close the door."
The two servants, stunned, looked at Lin Cui before silently closing the door.
D*mn! The young lady didn't even explode!
Soon, the room returned to quiet, with Lin Cui, still fully dressed, lying down on the bed and falling asleep. HU YU, facing this beautiful young lady, sighed and shook his head. He began to focus on nurturing his spirit.
When Lin Cui threw her punch, he had used a feeble bit of spiritual energy from the body he currently occupied, activating a gift he had received years ago from a powerful family to have their youth come to him for guidance—the Ghostly Eyes.
It wasn't much, but given HU YU's current condition, it had a surprisingly significant effect.
"Ah, this world really respects power. Whether for myself or my father, I need to start cultivating as soon as possible."
HU YU muttered, closing his eyes.
The next morning, the chirping of birds woke the people of the Lin estate. However, no one noticed that two servants had mysteriously disappeared without a trace the night before.
"Ahhhhhh!"
"Good-for-nothing! I'm going to kill you!"
Lin Cui let out a loud scream as she woke up.
HU YU opened his eyes and pointed toward the slightly ajar door. "You came to bed on your own last night."
Lin Cui quickly jumped out of bed, clutching her chest in frustration. "What did you do to me?"
HU YU disdainfully replied, "I wouldn't stoop to taking advantage of you."
Lin Cui hurriedly checked her body and, finding no signs of tampering, relaxed a little. Her gaze shifted back to HU YU.
What happened yesterday? Why did I suddenly faint? Could it have been from overexertion during practice?
At least this guy has some sense and didn't try anything with me.
"Cough, cough, cough."
Lin Cui cleared her throat, trying to change the subject. "Forget about last night. We need to go greet my parents."
Greet them?
Right, that's a tradition, but it's such a hassle.
HU YU didn't care and followed Lin Cui through the pavilions and halls. Soon, they arrived at a grand hall filled with people. Clearly, they were the last to arrive.
"Stay sharp, and don't go in with me. We don't want to cause misunderstandings."
Lin Cui gave a reminder before walking in first. She kneeled in the center of the hall. "Cui'er greets Father and Mother."
The other members of the Lin family, already gathered inside, greeted her in turn. It went on for a long time.
Bored, HU YU couldn't help but yawn, drawing several strange looks.
"HU YU, what are you standing there for?"
Lin Cui's father finally noticed him.
"Quickly go greet them!"
Lin Cui silently mouthed the words to HU YU.
HU YU took a few steps forward, bowed slightly, and addressed the "parents" seated at the high table. "HU YU greets the head of the Lin family and the matriarch."
The head of the Lin family, Lin Long, snorted coldly. "Why aren't you kneeling?"
Lin Cui repeatedly gave HU YU looks, signaling him to kneel, but HU YU ignored her and stood there unmoving.
The matriarch, Gu Lin, noticed Lin Cui's reaction and furrowed her brows. "Did Cui'er mistreat you? Are you unhappy?"
"I mistreated him?"
Lin Cui immediately protested, her anger flaring. "Last night, he was the one who mistreated me!"
Those words, although straightforward, carried other implications.
On the night of their wedding, what did "mistreat" actually mean?
For example, Lin Yuan, the third eldest son of the Lin family, scowled and glared fiercely at HU YU.
The Lin family head and matriarch exchanged a glance, unsure of what to say.
A marriage by proxy was only meant to serve as a title, a convenient excuse to silence the Liu family. But now, had the deed truly been done?
Could it be that Lin Cui had long harbored feelings for HU YU, and this political marriage had only brought them together?
Lin Long's eyes widened in shock.
Lin Cui, seeing the reactions of the others, didn't understand what was happening. As for HU YU, his forehead was covered in cold sweat. This girl really knew how to stir up trouble.
"HU YU! How dare you stand like this in front of the head of the family! Don't you respect family law?"
Lin Yuan angrily pointed at HU YU, fuming.
"HU YU, kneel and apologize!"
"The clan leader, HU YU completely disrespects you. He must be severely punished!"
Hearing these voices, Lin Long's gaze toward HU YU grew colder.
HU YU's actions were a direct insult to him. How could he stand for this?
Coupled with the misunderstanding from last night, his mood was worsening.
"HU YU, do you have anything to say about what they're claiming?"
"Yes."
HU YU surveyed the room, disdain evident in his eyes. "I once swore that in this life, I will only kneel to heaven, earth, and my parents. You have no right to make me bow. Are you comparing yourselves to heaven and earth?"