Night had long since deepened over the Qin Clan, but the Feng residence remained bright with lamplight.
Inside her private chamber, Feng Lian sat stiff as a sword, her delicate brows furrowed so tightly they nearly touched.
Across from her, Feng Rou rubbed her temples, trying—and failing—not to look guilty.
The silence stretched.
And stretched.
And stretched.
Finally, Feng Lian let out a breath.
"...Mother," she said slowly, "you're acting strange."
Feng Rou flinched.
"I am not acting strange."
"You are sitting like you're hiding a crime."
"…That is an exaggeration."
"You keep glancing at the window as if planning an escape."
Feng Rou sighed like the weight of ten worlds sat on her shoulders.
"Lian… my daughter… we must speak. Honestly."
Feng Lian straightened.
Her voice went cold.
"This is about Qin Su, isn't it?"
Feng Rou winced.
"…Yes."
Feng Lian's expression didn't change, but the air around her chilled just slightly—quiet, controlled, fierce.
"Mother," she said, tone polite but cutting, "you already know I am his fiancée."
"I do," Feng Rou whispered.
"And you know that I intend to walk the Dao with him."
"I do."
"And you know—"
"I FELL FOR HIM, Lian!"
Feng Lian stopped mid-sentence.
It was the first time in years she had been left speechless.
Feng Rou covered her burning face with both hands.
"It just… happened! He's calm, dependable, infuriatingly straightforward—his presence shook my heart before I realized it!"
"Mother…" Feng Lian's voice cracked, mortified. "You're older than him!"
"Age is meaningless among cultivators!"
"Mother!"
Feng Rou sat up, determination flaring.
"And besides—this is not as rare as you think! In ancient dynasties, many supreme emperors cultivated with both mother and daughter! The harmony of their yin, their bloodline resonance—there are records, Lian! Historical precedent!"
"Mother, please stop citing historical filth!"
"It's not filth, it's CULTURAL TRADITION!"
Feng Lian pressed her palms to her forehead.
Her mother. The dignified Phoenix Sovereign. Quoting ancient polygamy manuals to justify falling for her own daughter's fiancé.
This was a nightmare.
Finally, Feng Lian whispered:
"…Do you truly love him?"
Feng Rou's shoulders softened.
"Yes. Entirely… and helplessly."
Feng Lian exhaled long and slow.
The room grew quiet.
After a long moment, she spoke.
"…I will not fight you."
Feng Rou blinked.
"You… won't?"
"I love him," Feng Lian said softly. "And if you do as well… then we will walk this path together."
Her lips twitched—awkward, embarrassed, but accepting.
"…though I reserve the right to glare at you about this for the rest of my life."
Feng Rou laughed, half relieved, half crying.
The mother and daughter sat together—
Awkward.
Embarrassed.
Bound by love for the same infuriating man.
A bizarre, unprecedented alliance.
Qin Su lay on his reclining chair like a man who had conquered the heavens.
The breeze was perfect.
The moonlight gentle.
The world peaceful.
He stretched lazily, hands behind his head.
"Four women," he muttered with a smirk. "Four… all mine… truly, my destiny is—"
"—a disaster waiting to happen."
He froze.
A cold voice cut through the night like a blade.
Standing in the doorway to his yard was Ren, arms crossed, cheeks slightly pink, eyes narrowing at him like he'd committed a capital crime simply by existing.
Ren, his other fiancée.
Qin Su smiled innocently.
"Oh. Ren. I didn't see you—"
"Of course you didn't," she snapped. "You were too busy basking in your… your… peacock harem glow!"
"Peacock—"
"Don't talk back."
She marched forward, every step radiating tsundere fury.
"I heard rumors," she said, poking his chest with a finger. "Rumors about you collecting beauties like spirit herbs! About you being surrounded by women left and right!"
Qin Su cleared his throat.
"Well… I wouldn't say 'collecting'—"
"Shut up."
"Yes ma'am."
She huffed, turning away, arms folded again.
"…Idiot."
Qin Su blinked.
"Are you… jealous?"
Ren's face detonated into red.
"J-J-JEALOUS?! W-Why would I be jealous of them?! I only came to check if you were alive! And maybe to… maybe to…"
"To?"
"…to see your stupid face."
She glared at him again.
"But listen carefully, Qin Su!"
He straightened instinctively.
"If any of those women make you miserable, come to me first."
Qin Su blinked.
"…That sounds like the opposite of a threat."
"It is a threat!" Ren yelled. "I'll beat them up for you!"
Qin Su looked at her.
Then at the sky.
Then back at her.
"…Is this life? Or a disaster?"
Ren stomped on his foot.
"Both!"
Qin Su yelped.
Ren, however, looked away—cheeks burning, voice small.
"...Idiot. I missed you."
Qin Su's heart softened.
"Come here."
"I-I will not!"
But she stepped closer anyway.