Book 7: Chapter 21: Compromise |
“Anyway, I do not agree to this three-year pact.” Julius’ aunt, the second wife of Landon, Bianca, stood at the center of the hall and spoke coldly to everyone present. “The engagement between Julius and Liana was decided five years ago by my elder brother and my husband. No one is allowed to change it at will.”
“Aunt, but I don’t like Liana’s personality… ahhh—ow, that hurts! Aunt, be gentler.” Julius tried to protest, but the grip on his ear tightened instantly.
Bianca glared at him, her gaze filled with bitter disappointment, furious that he had turned out so hopeless. “What do you mean you don’t like her? This concerns the entire Song family. Do you think it can be changed just because you say you don’t like it?
“Julius, oh Julius… your mother passed away early, and your father feels guilty toward you, so he turns a blind eye to your indulgence outside—drinking, womanizing, wasting your days. But your father is old now, and he carries injuries. He cannot protect you forever. Have you ever thought about what will happen after he’s gone? Who will protect you then? Who will protect the entire Song family?”
“Our Song family is powerful and influential. It’s not like we would fall so easily…”
“Powerful and influential? Are you still clinging to that illusion? Yes, the Song family is vast and wealthy, but the truth is, in such a large family, your father is the only one who has reached the peak of the ninth stage.
“Tell me, if he were to pass away one day, who would be left to guard this family? At that point, the entire Song family would become a prize in the eyes of others, meat laid out on the chopping board. What would you do then?” As she spoke of the painful truth, Bianca’s eyes reddened.
“Will we have to rely on you? On you—a useless waste who has consumed countless pills since childhood, yet still cannot even break past the fifth stage?”
Julius curled his lips, muttering dismissively, completely unconcerned. “It doesn’t have to be the Ye family, you know. The Wang family could work too.”
“Can’t you use that pig brain of yours—one that only knows how to think about women—to actually think for once? Aside from the Song family’s wealth, what else could possibly attract them? Do you really believe it’s because of your so-called talent?”
“I told you, it’s true love—”
“Enough!” Bianca no longer wished to argue with this foolish nephew. One day, he would understand the bitterness behind her intentions. “Since my elder brother is not here, I will discipline you in his place. This engagement will not be broken by anyone.”
“Bianca, you…” Landon frowned, about to speak.
But Bianca shot him a sharp glare, her reddened eyes burning with emotion. “Husband, I know it may be inappropriate for me to say this, but please do not forget the kindness the Song family once showed you.”
“I would never forget. Even if Liana and Julius were not engaged, I would still do my best to protect the Song family. And since the children themselves are unwilling, I think—”
“Spare me those words, Landon Ye.” Bianca suddenly called him by his full name, as if casting aside all restraint, her resolve laid completely bare. “If you truly valued loyalty and gratitude that much, Liana would not have ended up like this! Until Julius and Liana are married, I will not believe a single one of your promises.”
“……”
It was as if those words had stabbed straight into Landon’s heart. His face stiffened, his lips parted slightly, yet in the end, no words came out. With a weary sigh, he slumped back into his chair, unable to meet Liana’s eyes any longer.
Seeing that Landon no longer insisted, Bianca turned her gaze toward the Third Elder of the Wang family. “And you, the one surnamed Wang, I advise you to pull back your filthy claws. My elder brother may not be what he once was, but before he dies, cutting off one or two of your dog claws would still be effortless.”
“There’s no need to put it like that…” The Third Elder was actually intimidated by the woman before him, replying awkwardly. “I’m merely respecting the wishes of the younger generation.”
“Their wishes?” Bianca sneered. “Do you think I don’t know where you found that woman who seduced Julius? Must we tear everything apart and expose it all before you’re satisfied? The Song family’s reputation has long been ruined anyway—what’s one more time?”
“…Why go that far.” The Third Elder wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. “In that case, the Wang family will not interfere in this matter.”
“Good.” Bianca nodded in satisfaction. And just like that, in less than five minutes after this woman stepped in, the engagement, which had already been all but certain to be annulled, was firmly reinstated.
As for Julius? He was still being held by the ear, unable to utter a single word.
Only Liana remained, her eyes filled with confusion, as if she had yet to recover from the sudden turn of events. She stared blankly ahead and murmured, “Huh? The engagement… isn’t being called off?”
Bianca looked at Liana, a trace of disdain and aversion flickering deep within her eyes. Yet she casually tossed Julius aside, stepped forward, and spoke in a gentle, almost affectionate tone.
“Don’t worry, Liana. With your second mother watching over things, after you two are married, Julius will definitely change. He will devote himself to you wholeheartedly.”
“But… I don’t like him.”
“It’s alright. Feelings are something that can be cultivated,” Bianca said with a gentle smile. “Just look at your father and me. Before we were married, I hadn’t even seen his face, yet haven’t we lived together in harmony ever since?
“And don’t be fooled by how Julius acts. He’s actually quite skilled at pleasing women. If you’re with him, you’ll be happy.”
“But… I don’t want to get married either.” The faint light that had just flickered back into Liana’s eyes slowly dimmed once more. No matter how sincere or persuasive Bianca’s words sounded, dislike remained dislike, and what she did not want would never suddenly become something she desired.
Yet when she turned her head to look at the one person who could truly stand up for her, who could decide her fate and protect her—her father—Landon only kept his head lowered, unable to meet her gaze.
The old city lord had been gravely injured five years ago while helping him seize the Blood Demon Pill, and the wounds had never fully healed. Unless the Song family took the initiative to break off the engagement, there was nothing he could do.
“A woman must marry sooner or later. The Song and Ye families are already bound by ties of kinship. Wouldn’t it be even better to strengthen that bond further?” Bianca drew Liana into an embrace, her voice soft and tender. “If you still doubt my sincerity, then from today onward, if you don’t mind, you may treat me as your mother. I will truly care for you with all my heart.”
“But…” Tears slid down from the corners of Liana’s eyes as her voice trembled. “My mother… she would never have let me marry someone I don’t like.”
At those words, Landon, who had been standing with his head lowered, unconsciously clenched his fists. That’s right. From the very beginning, the one who had opposed this engagement most fiercely had not been Liana, but her mother.
Even on her deathbed, that woman had stubbornly demanded that Landon give Liana the happiness she truly wanted. But unfortunately, before he was a father or a husband, Landon was the head of the Ye family. He bore responsibility for the entire clan.
And so, in this matter, he had no choice but to compromise.
Watching Landon’s reaction, Bianca knew that the outcome was already set in stone. At last, she allowed herself to relax. Turning back, she gently stroked Liana’s head, a faint smile on her lips as she spoke softly, “I believe a sensible girl like you wouldn’t make things difficult for your father… would you?”
……
“What a textbook case of moral coercion.” Lilith watched everything unfold from within the crowd, the excitement in her expression fading, replaced by a cold, sharp gaze. “A group of adults ganging up to bully a little girl. Do you really find that interesting?”
“Interesting?” Old Huang seemed suddenly amused as well. Rarely speaking this much, he let out a low, rasping chuckle. “Isn’t that what the world of adults is like? Dull and predictable. In the end, it always comes down to compromise, again and again. Not like children… who can still afford to be naive.”