“Girlfriend?”
Father Shen and Mother Shen exchanged a look, both seeing confusion in the other’s eyes.
“Wasn’t that Elder Li a human trafficker?” Father Shen asked, voicing his confusion.
“Actually, after that day…”
Shen Lingxi told her parents about what had happened after she left home. However, to keep them from worrying, she glossed over the details when she spoke. She made light of people like Elder Li and Senior Brother Han, simply saying she had been discovered to have Heavenly Grade Aptitude and was then highly valued by Saintess Mountain. She explained that she had been kept in a courtyard where she studied a secret manual called the Saintess Heart Scripture every day.
In reality, she had never actually practiced it.
As for why the gatekeeping disciples said they couldn’t find such a person when her parents visited, Shen Lingxi knew the reason. It was likely an attempt to sever her ties to the secular world so she would practice the Saintess Heart Scripture, without distraction, allowing her to better receive the Saintess’s inheritance later.
But when explaining it to her parents, she only said Saintess Mountain valued her too much, so they hid her information just to keep them from worrying.
When the conversation turned to Gu Ming, Shen Lingxi was full of joy. She spoke at length about his good qualities, exaggerating them slightly. She was especially radiant and proud when mentioning how he had dealt with Elder Li, Senior Brother Han, and the others in just one week, and how he had even convinced the stubborn Great Elder to let her leave the small courtyard.
After listening to Shen Lingxi’s story, Father Shen frowned, which was a rare sight, and let out a sigh.
“That Elder Li seemed like such a good person. I never expected him to be so two-faced…”
He quickly pulled Shen Lingxi into an embrace, his voice thick with guilt and apology. “I’m sorry, Lingxi. It’s all your father’s fault. I misjudged him and let you suffer.”
“It’s fine, Father. Am I not doing well now?” Shen Lingxi felt the warmth of her father’s embrace and smiled brightly. “Besides, didn’t you always say that blessings and disasters come hand in hand? If those things hadn’t happened, maybe I wouldn’t be the person most likely to receive the Saintess’s inheritance. Everyone says I have a bright future. And besides, I met… Gu Ming.”
By the time she finished, she shyly buried her face deep into Father Shen’s chest.
Father Shen, however, looked worried. His lips twitched as if he wanted to speak, and after several hesitations, he finally opened his mouth.
“Lingxi, I’m going to say some things you might not like to hear. But I am your father. Your mother and I love you deeply and want you to be happy, so I have to say it.”
“What is it, Father?”
Shen Lingxi was very happy right now. Not only had she been reunited with her parents, but she had also found a lifelong partner.
Father Shen took a moment to compose himself, using as soft a tone as possible. “Originally, I thought you had been sold to the Gu family as a child bride, and I was ready to risk my old life to buy you back. But looking at it now, that won’t be necessary.”
Shen Lingxi raised her head, looking at her father in confusion.
Father Shen took a deep breath and said seriously, “Lingxi, break up with Gu Ming.”
Eh?
Shen Lingxi’s face stiffened. She then pushed Father Shen away and took several steps back.
The thing she least wanted to hear had been said by her father.
“Father, do you also think I’m not good enough for him?”
Shen Lingxi’s heart ached terribly. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she still forced herself to speak.
“B-But I am the future Saintess! Those people said that in Saintess Mountain, the Saintess is the most supreme position. So, as long as I become the Saintess, I will be worthy of him.”
Father Shen shook his head slightly and said solemnly:
“Daughter, after hearing your story just now, I truly realized how powerful the forces behind this boy named Gu Ming are.”
“With just one word, he could take Elder Li’s life, cripple Senior Brother Han’s cultivation, and kick him and that Liu person out of Saintess Mountain.”
“With just one word, he could make the Great Elder of Saintess Mountain change how you are treated and allow you to enter and leave your courtyard freely.”
“It only took one word…”
“So, daughter.”
“He is different from ordinary local gentry. His family is powerful, so they must value status and background.”
“To put it bluntly, even if you become the Saintess, so what? That won’t change your origins. In their eyes, you will always be just a common peasant’s daughter.”
“His family and his parents will never allow him to marry you.”
“Even if he insists on marrying you, your life in the Gu family would be very difficult.”
“I don’t want to see my daughter having an unhappy marriage in the future.”
“So, while your feelings aren’t too deep yet, it’s better to separate early.”
“Daughter, you are not from the same world.”
“Father… *sob*... You… *sob*… Why would you say that… *sob*…”
After hearing her father’s earnest persuasion, Shen Lingxi could no longer suppress the pain in her heart. Large teardrops fell uncontrollably down her cheeks.
She sobbed and wailed:
“You’re so mean! You’re really so mean! I hate you, I really hate you! I finally worked up the courage to tell you… *sob*…”
Seeing this, Mother Shen’s heart ached. She pulled Shen Lingxi into her arms and began to comfort her.
“There, there. Lingxi, don’t cry. Don’t cry. No matter who you want to be with, your father and I won’t oppose it.”
“What are you saying? Everything I said is for Lingxi’s own good, for her future happiness!”
Father Shen was suddenly displeased. He had finally made up his mind to play the villain, but he hadn’t expected Mother Shen’s single sentence to make all his efforts go to waste.
However, after Mother Shen shot him a glare, he shrunk back.
“Just say less, will you? I don’t see anything wrong with Gu Ming. He’s handsome, dashing, and treats our Lingxi well.”
“You… you… this is just a woman’s short-sighted view!” Father Shen trembled with frustration.
“Woman’s view or not, I think you’re just scared stiff because of what happened with Elder Li,” Mother Shen retorted mercilessly.
“Humph,” Father Shen snorted coldly.
Mother Shen ignored him and gently stroked Shen Lingxi’s hair, saying softly:
“Lingxi, we aren’t opposing you, but your father’s words do make some sense. I hope you can think about it carefully.”
“No matter what you choose in the end, your father and I will always support you from behind. We will always be your harbor.”
Looking at Mother Shen, Shen Lingxi nodded silently. But in her heart, she made a secret resolution. Once she returned to Saintess Mountain, she had to practice that manual, the *Saintess Heart Scripture*, diligently and strive to become the Saintess as soon as possible.
—
After composing herself, Shen Lingxi walked out of the room with excitement. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw Gu Ming sitting nearby.
“I kept you waiting.”
Gu Ming had been thinking about something. Hearing Shen Lingxi’s voice, he realized she was there and looked up, shaking his head slightly.
‘She’s here.’
“It wasn’t long.” He paused for a moment before changing the subject. “By the way, Lingxi, are you free now? I want to give you something.”