With her change in attitude, Dan Fei instantly gained the sincere acceptance of Jiang Chenâs guards and followers, particularly when everyone learned sheâd sacrificed her virtue to help him in his time of need.
After sheâd learned of her pregnancy, sheâd made the resolute decision to leave Skylaurel as to not affect him. As a result, sheâd suffered countless hardships during her wanderings.
âSister Goyou, I was an ignorant little girl back then. Please forgive me if I ever offended you. Youâre my good sister, so Iâll need your help in the future if anything happens.â
Gouyu had been somewhat on her guard against Dan Fei, but she was now won over. Perhaps a girl only gained true maturity after motherhood.
âDan Fei, I was also in the wrong. Letâs forget the past. The residence is going to be livelier with you around.â Gouyu was a candid and magnanimous woman. Now that Dan Fei had softened her stance, Gouyu welcomed her with open arms. As for Nianâer, Eastern Zhiruo had already taken her away to play.
Walking side by side, Gouyu and Dan Fei strode to the rear garden. Jiang Chen knew they needed to chat privately, so he didnât butt in. Some things were best left for them to resolve alone.
âDan Fei, I admire what you did for the young lord. However, I need to say something up front.â
With a serious face, Dan Fei nodded. âSister Gouyu, I await your words.â
âThe road to happiness for you two was strewn with hardship. But allâs well that ends well. To be honest, Iâm rather envious. But, the young lord must have been previously in the dark about this matter?â
Dan Fei nodded. âYes, he didnât know. I didnât want to be a burden and I didnât want him to think of me as cheap and wanton. Thatâs why I decided to leave Skylaurel once I learned I carried his child. I only wanted to find somewhere peaceful to give birth and raise my daughter by myself.â
Gouyu nodded. She was pensive and suddenly added, âThen you must know that the young lord has had a dao partner for the past ten years. They went through fire and water together, sharing much joy and sorrow. She left a few days ago, but sheâs won everyoneâs goodwill here. Everyone loves her very much.â
Jiang Chen hadnât mentioned this, but Dan Fei had already guessed something from the crowdâs gaze. With the sharp intuition of a woman, sheâd faintly sensed a strange atmosphere.
âShe... she must be a remarkable woman?â Although Dan Fei was ready, she still felt a faint twinge of jealousy. But then, when seen from another angle, how could an exceptional genius like Jiang Chen not attract outstanding girls?
The green-eyed monster would have consumed her younger self whole, but her current self could maintain a rational point of view. For a prodigy like Jiang Chen, countless women across the world would naturally be willing to line up to await his attention.
Dan Fei knew that such a man would never belong to her alone. It wouldnât become her to be a jealous hag.
Gouyu nodded calmly. âSheâs extraordinary, more so than you and I can imagine. Even now, the young lord might not be her equal when it comes to martial cultivation. And despite being Veluriyamâs young lord, his status perhaps isnât as exalted as hers...â
âIs she that incredible?â Dan Fei didnât know anything about Huangâer. Gouyuâs description left her stumped for words.
âShe is. She comes from the legendary Myriad Abyss Island. Her beauty is out of this world and sheâs also frank and generous. She never plays off the airs of a noble lady, but thereâs an aura seeping from her every word and move. You canât but acknowledge her superior bearing.
âEveryone calls her Miss Huangâer. Those close to her also address her as younger sister Huangâer.â
âHuangâer?â Dan Fei quietly repeated. âThe name itself is so ethereal and full of artistry. I can tell how remarkable she is just from her name.â
Gouyu smiled faintly. âSheâs remarkable indeed. However, you have your advantages as well. Your feelings for him are as deep as the sea. Well, letâs change the subject. Sister Huangâer is generous and easy-mannered, Iâm sure you two will get along just fine.â
Gouyu wasnât trying to scare Dan Fei. Since sheâd accepted Dan Fei from the bottom of her heart, there was no reason to put a spoke in the new mistressâ wheel.
Women were strange creatures. If they discarded the ill-feelings between them, they could become bosom friends with a few words. The two of them came back from the back garden like long-lost friends, all giggles and laughter, making for an harmonious picture.
Since Jiang Chen had already acknowledged Dan Fei and sheâd even given birth to his daughter, he naturally had to take her to formally call on his father.
Jiang Feng was an easy-going man. Although he was single-mindedly loyal to his own wife, he was very tolerant when it came to his son.
âGood kid, youâre quite the lucky one! You have to cherish a loyal and devoted girl like her.â Jiang Feng was full of praise for his sonâs taste in women.
Both Huangâer and Dan Fei were stunning beauties with extraordinary temperament. There was no reason for Jiang Feng not to be happy with daughters-in-law like them, especially when Dan Fei had even brought him a granddaughter.
Jiang Feng swept up Nianâer in his arms and laughed merrily. âChenâer, this girlâs nose and her chin are from the same mold as yours. Kid, arenât your eyes usually quite sharp? What happened this time? Your daughter was on Sacred Peafowl Mountain all along, why didnât you recognize her?â
Jiang Chen rubbed his nose, at a loss how to explain. How would he know a girl was his own with a simple glance? Was he supposed to read it in the tea leaves?
It would have required an inhuman amount of associative ability.
Listening to Jiang Feng, Dan Fei understood her father-in-law had already accepted her. A feeling as sweet as honey welled up in her.
âNianâer, greet your grandpa.â
Like the cute and obedient girl she was, Nianâer rubbed her little cheek against Jiang Feng, to the latterâs glee.
âGrandpa, youâre as handsome as daddy,â Nianâer complimented.
Jiang Feng laughed out loud. âHaha, am I? Look at how glib her tongue is. Chenâer, your daughter is smarter than you at the same age!â
Jiang Chen didnât know whether to laugh or cry. At the same age? This body hadnât been his back then, so he didnât have any memories of it. But given his predecessorâs intelligence level, no one in their right mind would have called him smart.
âEveryone says that if you have a grandpa, you must also have a grandma. Grandpa, whereâs Nianâerâs grandma?â Nianâer suddenly asked a naive question amidst of the happy atmosphere.
Jiang Chenâs face instantly turned green. âNianâer, donât spout nonsense.â
Nianâer froze. She wonder why her daddyâs reaction was so extreme.
Jiang Feng rolled his eyes at his son. âWhyâre you so harsh? Nianâer is innocent and means no harm. Is that how a father should act? I used to be quite indulgent with you.â
Jiang Feng had truly spoiled Jiang Chen so much so the latter had become a useless womanizer. However, Jiang Feng had his own difficult circumstances. He wouldnât have minded Jiang Chen spending a lifetime as a skirt-chaser, as long as his son stayed far away from certain matters.
Jiang Chen took Nianâer from his fatherâs arms and relayed to Dan Fei, âDanâer, take out Nianâer for a stroll. I have a few things I need to tell my father.â
Dan Fei made a noise of assent. She took Nianâer by the hand and led her outside.
Jiang Feng complained, âKid, why are you being so secretive? I was having a good time with my granddaughter.â
âFather, thereâs something I need to discuss with you.â
âWhat is it? Iâm listening,â Jiang Feng said, rather distracted.
âI think we should go to the Moon God Sect sometime soon. Iâm going to propose marriage in Veluriyamâs name. Iâll make them hand mother over and give both of you a triumphant reunion!â
Jiang Fengâs unconcerned expression suddenly turned to excitement. âChenâer, are you serious?â
âOf course. The preparations are almost done. We can set off as soon as some friends arrive.â This time, apart from the wandering great emperors, Jiang Chen had also invited the Great Yu Skysword Sectâs Han Qianzhan, as well as the Celestial Cicada Courtâs Su Huanzhen.
âChenâer, do you think the Moon God Sect will agree?â Jiang Feng felt some apprehension.
Heâd suffered all kinds of hardships during recent years. It wouldnât be an exaggeration to say heâd been a hairâs breadth away from losing his life, but heâd never felt fear even staring into deathâs abyss. However, he couldnât help but feel some trepidation at this moment.
Jiang Chen offered a serene smile. He proudly said, âNot agree? The Moon God Sect has received many of my favors. If they donât agree, thatâd make them ungrateful bastards. Iâm Veluriyamâs young lord now. My status is loftier than their sect. For them to refuse would be sheer idiocy. As long as they arenât mentally disabled, I promise theyâll agree.
âHowever, mother belongs to their second sectmasterâs Blue Moon faction. The second sectmaster is as stubborn as a mule. Sheâs set in her ways and will fight tooth and nail. Thatâs why Iâve made some preparations. When the time comes, theyâll have to agree whether they want to or not!â
Jiang Chen had a no-holds-barred attitude when it came to his parentsâ reunion. If the Moon God Sect truly couldnât distinguish good from bad, then he wouldnât mind having them feel the full force of his displeasure.
âChenâer, this matters has great ramifications. It doesnât only concern your mother, but also your younger sister. So if possible, itâd be better not to fall out with them. We should stay as friendly as possible and talk things over.â
Jiang Feng was more cool-headed than his son. Although he longed for his wife, his daughter was also in the same sect. So, no matter how much he used to loathe the Moon God Sect, heâd generously forgiven them for the sake of his daughter. After all, the Moon God Sect were bastards, but theyâd raised an outstanding girl for him.
Thinking about his sister Xu Qingxuan, a smile floated on Jiang Chenâs lips. âQingxuan hasnât been brainwashed by the second sectmaster after so many years. She must have been born with smarts and perception.â
Although theyâd only met a few times, he admired his sister and cherished her. Apart from her, he also had a younger brother wandering somewhere out there. Jiang Chen didnât know yet whether he was dead or alive. The worry weighed heavily on him.