TheLazyDreamer
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62. A Mother's Rejection
🕑 Added 2025-05-11 05:49:44 +0000 UTCBai Yunxi took a slow breath before beginning, her words painting a vivid tapestry of her life.
She did not spare herself from the painful details—her marriage to Li Xiao, her unexpected pregnancy that coincided with her prime cultivation years, the silent suffering within the Li family, and the crushing weight of her parents' disappearance. She spoke of the years she had endured, of watching her son grow while knowing she possessed no power to truly protect him.
Then, her tone softened, a gentle warmth infusing her voice as she spoke of Su Kang. How he had protected her son, how he had risked his life—not once, but countless times—expecting nothing in return, driven by a quiet, unwavering devotion. How he had reunited her with her mother, offering her something she had long thought lost.
With every word, Dong Yue’s expression darkened, her composure fracturing under the weight of the revelations. Her once-calm face twisted with a disbelief that bordered on dismay. She had prepared herself for surprises, for a complex past, but this was beyond anything she had imagined.
Dong Yue exhaled slowly, her grip tightening on the armrest as if to steady herself. The storm had already begun to brew within her heart. My son had entangled himself with a widow. And not just any widow, but Li Fang’s mother. If he discovered this, his fury would be boundless and even catastrophic.
Her voice came out hoarse, almost hesitant, the question laden with unspoken fear. "Why… why did you address my son as your husband?"
Bai Yunxi lowered her gaze for a fleeting moment before meeting Dong Yue’s eyes with quiet resolve, her own voice clear despite the tension. "Because we are husband and wife."
The words struck Dong Yue like a thunderclap. Bai Yunxi then explained their small, ceremonial wedding—an exchange of vows under the Heavens, witnessed only by the remote village near Rift Valley.
Dong Yue’s body tensed, her heart pounding against her ribs as the implications crashed down. "You're telling me… that you are already married?"
For a long moment, she sat frozen, struggling to process the sheer weight of the situation. This wasn’t just a fleeting attachment—it was a bond already sealed, a commitment made. Her mind raced. Li Fang will definitely seek revenge. He might even kill Su Kang.
She forced her voice to remain steady, though a tremor ran beneath it. "Do you love my son?"
Bai Yunxi nodded, her emerald eyes unwavering. There was no hesitation, no doubt in her simple affirmation. Dong Yue’s next words were cold, sharp with a mother's protective instinct. "Then tell me—how will you protect Su Kang when your own son tries to kill him?"
Bai Yunxi met her gaze, her quiet determination a stark contrast to Dong Yue's rising agitation. "I will handle Li Fang. I won't let him harm Su Kang."
Dong Yue scoffed, a bitter sound. "You think you can stop him?" Her voice was sharp, almost pitying. "Your son is no ordinary person. He is a genius, accustomed to getting his way. When he learns of this, driven by the need to protect his own reputation, he will try to kill Su Kang. He will take revenge with everything he has."
Bai Yunxi’s throat tightened, but she did not falter. Instead, she lifted her gaze, her voice unwavering—not with fear, but with something raw and unbreakable, a vow whispered from the depths of her soul. "If something happens to Su Kang," she stated, her voice soft yet absolute, "I will die with him."
Dong Yue’s eyes widened slightly. The sheer finality of Bai Yunxi’s words struck her harder than any defiance. This was not mere devotion—this was a conviction etched into the very core of her being. But Dong Yue could not, would not, accept it.
"Forget about him," she ordered, her voice cutting through the room like a blade. "Keep your relationship a secret. If you truly care for him, for his future and the future of this family, let him go."
Bai Yunxi’s fingers tightened in her lap, the fabric creasing under the pressure. She had prepared herself for rejection, for disapproval, for the weight of reality crashing down on her fragile hopes. But a small part of her had still wished for something else. It wished for a word of understanding or a blessing, even if reluctant. But reality was cruel.
Dong Yue's final words were spoken with a sigh, tinged with something softer, almost regretful, a flicker of empathy warring with her maternal duty. "If you were anyone else, I would have accepted you—widow or not. But Li Fang’s mother… that, I cannot allow. The risk is too great."
Bai Yunxi’s eyes stung, but she held back the tears, a wall of composure rising within her. Dong Yue rose to her feet, her decision made, her face a mask of stoic resolve. Without another word, she turned to leave. As she walked away, the faint sound of Bai Yunxi sobbing echoed behind her, the quiet rustle of fabric as she wiped her tears with her sleeves. She had dared to dream of a new life, of happiness with Su Kang. But Fate, it seemed, had played another cruel trick on her.
Dong Yue’s steps were heavy as she left the courtyard. Yet she forced herself forward. She couldn't afford to falter—not when the future of her family, her sons, was at stake.
"Don't worry, Father. Li Fang won't do something like that," Su Kang stated, his voice steady, attempting to project a confidence he didn't entirely feel but knew was necessary. "Li Fang was raised by her. He is a filial son. He will understand her decision. He won't harm her, nor will he seek to harm me because of it."
Su Chen exhaled sharply, his gaze not wavering from his son's face. "You believe that?" he asked, skepticism lacing his tone. "You truly think a man with Li Fang's pride and ambitious heart would so easily accept his mother remarrying his friend, his fellow sect brother?"
Su Kang met his father's gaze without hesitation. "I have not manipulated her. This was Bai Yunxi's decision, made with a clear mind. If Li Fang truly respects his mother, he will not stop her from pursuing her happiness. He values her well-being."
Su Chen's frown deepened, lines etching themselves around his mouth. "You're too naive, Su Kang," he said, his voice laced with a concern that was almost paternal. "In this world, a man's pride and reputation often matter more than emotions, more than filial piety. Whether he respects her or not becomes irrelevant when the weight of his name, his public face, is at stake." His father leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes locking onto Su Kang's. "How can you be so sure that Li Fang won't seek revenge?"
Su Kang did not hesitate. "Father, if Li Fang chooses to kill his own mother over this, then yes, he could very well try to kill me. But it's impossible for him to even raise a hand against her." He paused, then added, "We have time to prepare for any eventuality, but it’s not right to dwell on the worst hypotheticals now."
Su Chen’s jaw tightened, his frustration evident. "If he succeeded and joined the Heavenly Sword Sect, he could become a force to reckon with far sooner than you think. If he turns against us, the consequences could be catastrophic for the entire Su family."
Su Kang let out a slow breath, his expression unwavering. "I am aware, Father," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I have already considered the worst possible outcome. If that day comes, I will be prepared. I will not let him harm our family."
A tense silence settled between them, thick with unspoken anxieties. Su Chen studied his son carefully. There was no arrogance in his voice, no reckless bravado. Only quiet certainty, a resolve that seemed unshakeable.
"He has already thought it through," Su Chen thought. Still, the weight of the situation pressed heavily on his shoulders. "This will not be simple, Su Kang," he said at last, his tone heavy.
"Even if we set aside Li Fang's potential reaction, this is already a controversial matter. She is the mother of your friend, your sect brother. That alone will raise eyebrows and invite scorn." Su Chen sighed, rubbing his temples wearily. "I never expected you to do something like this."
"Father, we have decided to hide our relationship," Su Kang tried to assure him.
Su Chen was silent for a long moment, his gaze distant. He had raised his son to be cautious, to think before he acted. And yet, Su Kang had chosen this path with full awareness of its dangers. Su Chen let out a deep sigh. Perhaps he needed to trust his son a little more, to believe in the strength he now projected. Even so, he couldn't let this matter rest so easily.
"I will speak with your mother about Bai Yunxi," he finally said, rising to his feet, a decision reached.
Su Kang inclined his head respectfully. "I understand, Father. Thank you."
As Su Chen walked back toward the main courtyard, his steps were heavy with thought. He had barely begun to process his difficult conversation with Su Kang when he saw Dong Yue approaching from the opposite direction, her pace brisk. The moment their eyes met, he knew. Her expression was laced with a restrained frustration, a tightly controlled storm.
“So you know,” his voice was calm, a statement rather than a question, but the undercurrent of tension was unmistakable.
Dong Yue exhaled slowly, her lips pressing into a thin, firm line. “Yes."
Comments
Kumar Ashura
I'm thinking a prologue about Fate. What do you think?
§ilvringtinker
Momma bear must protecc her silly lil milf hunter 🐻 Will be interesting to see how Li Fang's character pans out as the plot furthers. There are soooo many possibilities for the plot direction I'm looking forward to it!!! 😺
