Meeting Father-in-Law
Not only the Clan Leader and Elders, but even the rest of the people in the Xiao Clan came out of their courtyards and grouped together curious to find out who appeared at this point in time.
What stood before all was a young man with a bird preening on his sleeves and a woman standing next to him, so alluring and enchanting they could only daydream of taking a glimpse.
The young man looked to be of 18 years and had a sturdy body radiating an elegant aura and great upbringing probably as an unparalleled noble of a high standard. He had clear pitch-black eyes and jet-black hair running down his shoulders.
The woman looked to be of the same age but she was a raven-haired beauty curiously taking a look at everyone puzzled over the reason why Yun Che brought her here.
The couple looked like a match made in heaven. And everyone including men and women couldn't avert their eyes taking a peek at the ideal pair.
"Greetings Young Master! I am the Clan leader of this tiny land, what brings the esteemed guests here?" Xiao Yunhai greeted and asked as he came out of his stupor.
Generally, due to his high status and strength, Xiao Yunhai became accustomed to show disdain to weak persons and act arrogant whenever he wants. But assuming Yun Che to be some young master of a big sect, he didn't dare act reckless enough to provoke the latter.
He earlier checked the cultivation level of Yun Che and was startled when it was greater than his own. It only meant one thing, he is at the legendary Sky Profound Realm! And that too at a tender age... So, he was well-mannered and polite and acted respectfully as he hoped the one to have connections with the Xiao Sect. That way, he could curry favor.
"Che'er..?" Xiao Lei unconsciously muttered which was heard clearly by everyone as the area was completely still.
Even though Yun Che's appearance took a massive change these 2 months, the structure of his face was more or less similar to before with many captivating yet mature features. Unless someone stares at Yun Che's face for a while, they couldn't differentiate. But as Xiao Lei was the closest to his grandson Xiao Che, he could easily recognize the face.
"Elder Lei! Are you out of your mind? How.. outrageous.. of you.. to cal.." Xiao Yunhai hurriedly shouted at Elder Lei but stopped mid-way. How can the young man be Xiao Che, the trash of the entire city? It was impossible!
"Grandpa.., I'm back," said Yun Che walking towards Xiao Lei with Cang Yue trailing behind completely disregarding Xiao Yunhai.
When the rest heard of this, their already wide eyes turned much wider.
Xiao Yunhai's face grew ashen but what was more was that he was stupified. Did his ears work right? Are heavens playing a prank on him? If not, how. can. this. be?
Xiao Lei placed his hands on Yun Che telling himself that he isn't dreaming right now.
"Che'er, it's really you!" he said with tears threatening to leak at the corner of his eyes. 'But how?'
A person born with crippled veins returning back with a level that surpasses his own, Xiao Lei was surprised but none the less, happy and thought to ask about it later.
"..And this is?" he asked looking at Cang Yue.
She was tensed the moment Yun Che called Xiao Lei, Grandpa, and was nervous facing her yet to be father-in-law. Yun Che took her hands in his and wanted to tease her a little and said.
"Grandpa, This is Cang Yue, your daughter-in-law." Yun Che introduced with a smile.
"W-What?" Not only the crowd but even Cang Yue herself was also startled by the sudden declaration and she was only a fingerbreadth away from fainting but didn't deny it.
"Grandpa, let's talk this inside."
"Yes... Yes..." Xiao Lei nodded as he wanted the explanations from his grandson and they left for their own courtyard with Yun Che dragging Cang Yue along with him.
Xiao Yunhai stood there like a clown, still in disbelief of the events which transpired today. Many had their mouths touching the ground all the time. They had to receive consecutive shocks in line.
Many gulped fearing Yun Che come door-step to seek revenge. They will be haunted with nightmares for the following days. They were so scared that they couldn't connect the dots that Cang Yue was the princess of the Empire.
These events soon spread and caused a wild uproar flooding throughout the city by afternoon. Heck, rumors spread fast but what happened here left everyone dumbstruck and it circled everywhere and it became the talk in the entire city.
(Xia Manor)
A middle-aged man was sitting in a chair with closed eyes. He was the leader of the Xia Clan which was specialized in business.
"Master!... There's a rumor going in the city. And it concerns our Young Mistress" a servant told the middle-aged man who was probably his Master.
"What?" Hearing this, Xia Hongyi at once opened his eyes and stood up from the chair. "Tell me about the details!" he ordered turning a bit serious.
The servant said everything he knew. Yun Che's return with Cang Yue and rumors of his cultivation being higher than anyone in the city and all. Hearing what all is going in the city, Xia Hongyi's expression sunk further.
"How accurate is the source?" he asked expectingly.
"Master, not even a word is false..." the servant informed.
Xia Hongyi felt something bad is going to happen. But couldn't precisely tell what it is. Letting out a sigh, he said.
"Immediately relay the word for Young Master to return," he said. "And I'll be personally leaving to Xiao Clan today, make all the arrangements."
"Yes, Master." The servant bowed and went away.
'How am I going to fix this now?' Xia Hongyi asked himself tiredly sitting back.
For the last two months, he remained silent even after he knew that Xiao Che left the Xiao Clan and didn't think much about it. As he was sworn brothers with Xiao Ying, father of Xiao Che, who saved Qingyue at her birth at the cost of his own, he had made a marriage contract to wed them.
But with Qingyue's sudden departure, he didn't have a way to show his face to Xiao Lei anymore. He thought no one would like to take interest as long as Xiao Che doesn't publicly reveal their relationship to the public.
He knew the table already turned out when Xiao Che returned back with cultivation and the situation escalated out of his grasp. He now could only negotiate with Xiao Lei.
(Xiao Clan)
Yun Che followed his grandpa to the Lingxi's courtyard who already explained her state. She was worried about his safety as Yun Che was a 'cripple' to her which caused her present condition.
Yun Che entered her room and checked up on his little aunt. Finding nothing serious he sighed. Her condition was just caused due to a lack of sleep.
"Little Aunt, I've returned.." said Yun Che holding her hand.
Lingxi feeling the touch on her hand knew it was probably 'her' Xiao Che and supposedly not mistaken, opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry so she couldn't see Yun Che's features clearly but she took hold of his hands with her frail hand.
"Little Che..." she mumbled.
Yun Che put a finger on her lips not wanting her to say a word more and replied.
"Little Aunt, I've been out hardly for about a month, and look at yourself, getting worried and the state you brought yourself in. Just rest for now. We'll talk later."
"But Little Che.., I''ll take rest but promise me you won't leave me before telling," she said.
"I promise," he said.
Yun Che knew it wasn't her fault and promised.
Lingxi closed her eyes and soon drifted to sleep with a peaceful smile adorning on her pale face.
The Phoenix closely watched Lingxi and felt something escape from her body, used her divine sense, but couldn't find anything wrong.
'Then, what's this I felt?' thought the Phoenix.
As a divine beast, it could feel something different in Lingxi but at the same time, it was as if it's nothing. Its master alone was mysterious to it but now little aunt's situation was a little strange.
Yun Che left for his Grandpa's courtyard where Cang Yue was stiffly answering what Xiao Lei asked like how they met and Che'er was with her the whole time.
"Grandpa, little aunt is fine, she will be back to her usual self in a night's time." Yun Che said.
Xiao Lei felt as if a burden has been lifted from his heart when he heard Yun Che say that and was relieved.
"Che'er, you're back after a long time. Come, tell grandpa what you did all this time.." said Xiao Lei eager to know of his grandson.
Xiao Lei was distressed when Qingyue ditched his grandson and with him returning back with Cang Yue whose personality he seemed to like, he was content. It's been a long time since he's been all smiles.
Yun Che briefly told the events by which he met Cang Yue. He just told that his cultivation speed is a bit faster than others, in fact, much faster than others his age. That way, he wasn't lying when he said that. Xiao Lei was a little surprised to hear that but didn't question it.
According to his son, Xiao Ying, he knew that Yun Che's actual father was at a level none of them can hope for. It might be that Yun Che evoked the traits of his father, he thought.
It was afternoon, and there was no end to the conversations.
"When can I expect a great-grandson?" asked Xiao Lei a little hopeful.
"Grandpa?" Cang Yue covered her face with her hands earning a laugh from Xiao Lei.
"We'll plan for it soon..." Yun Che said resolutely.
"Eh?.. Brother Che..." Cang Yue muddled looking down and away in embarrassment.