Thick fog swallowed the figures of the family head and Yu Ce.
Shen Tanqi wiped the sweat from his forehead, sat back at the table, and looked up to see the two little ones staring at him blankly.
“Where did Father and Grandpa go?” Goldfish scratched his face, recalling how they had just had a fight. No one dared to speak, leaving them trembling in silence. Suddenly, Father and Grandpa had vanished in a puff of smoke.
Shen Tanqi chuckled, pulling Goldfish close and softly said, “Father and Grandpa went to visit some family. Let’s wait here for them to come back, okay?”
“Okay!” Goldfish looked at Mian Mian in Shen Tanqi’s arms, reached out, and gently patted the little dragon’s head. “Daddy, Mian Mian is so cute and pretty.”
Shen Tanqi glanced down at the white little dragon wrapped in the swaddling cloth, puzzled. “Really? How can you tell it’s pretty? It’s still a dragon cub.”
“I’ve never seen such a pretty dragon cub before. Mian Mian is even prettier than Erdan,” Goldfish replied. Being from the dragon race and growing up in the Hidden Dragon Valley, Goldfish’s sense of beauty might see Mian Mian’s form as exceptionally charming.
Taro Ball leaned in, squeezing next to Goldfish, and quietly added, “Mian Mian is prettier than my brother too.”
Shen Tanqi couldn’t help but laugh. “Aren’t you two identical?”
Goldfish scratched his little face, as if just remembering, and chuckled. “Oh right, my brother and I look the same.”
“When we get back to Hidden Dragon Valley, I’m sure my brother will be the favorite of all the wet nurses.”
At this, Shen Tanqi was momentarily stunned. He remembered Yu Ce mentioning before that the children had been raised by wet nurses.
Yu Ce had never told him much about the wet nurses from Hidden Dragon Valley. This time, when they returned, Shen Tanqi needed to properly thank the wet nurse who had cared for his children.
As time ticked by, the two little ones grew impatient and ran outside to play with their small windmills.
Shen Tanqi glanced at the mermaid pearl on the table, his own worries starting to grow.
“Why is it taking so long? What if they’re fighting in there? I should have gone in to see what’s happening.”
With someone like the family head, knowing that the mermaid was Yu Ce’s father, he would definitely have taken a swing at Yu Ce without any hesitation.
Let’s hope Yu Ce comes out in one piece…
Just as Shen Tanqi thought this, the mermaid pearl on the table suddenly emitted a faint mist. The chill made Shen Tanqi shiver. He turned his head, and the mist grew thicker. Soon, two figures came out from the fog.
Yu Ce and the family head, whose eyes were red.
“Dad,” Shen Tanqi instinctively called out.
The family head looked up, his gaze landing on Shen Tanqi, and reached out, pulling him into an embrace.
“All these years, I always thought…”
He always thought it was the death of Yuan’er that had changed Shen Tanqi’s nature, making him more willful, extravagant, and arrogant.
But to his surprise, the precious son he had carefully nurtured, afraid to let him fall or break, had already had someone else’s soul inside him.
When he sent that impostor Shen Tanqi to Rongyun Sect years ago, the boy had refused to see Yuan’er’s memorial tablet before leaving. He thought it was because Shen Tanqi didn’t want to be reminded of the past, but it was actually because he didn’t want to bow to a woman he had never met.
They had mistaken the fox for the prince, allowing that little rascal to cause chaos in Shuoxia…
If Yuan’er knew, she would surely blame him.
The family head’s throat tightened, holding Shen Tanqi even closer, as if afraid that a moment’s lapse might cause Shen Tanqi to disappear from this world and suffer outside.
He’s the only bloodline he has with Yuan’er.
“Dad, do you know everything now?” Shen Tanqi looked up at him and murmured, “Mom only used the mermaid pearl because of my illness. If there’s anyone to blame, it should be me for getting that damned soul-loss disease, forcing Mom to use the pearl…”
“Stop talking nonsense,” the family head took a deep breath, rarely showing this soft side, and sighed quietly, “If anyone is to blame, it’s me. We couldn’t get into the city because of the heavy snow in Yudong, and your mother had no choice but to resort to desperate measures. It’s all my fault…”
Yuan’er came from a wealthy family in Yudong. Although they weren’t as wealthy as the Shen family, they were well-supported by the Feiluan Sect and had never faced much hardship.
In the dead of winter, with snow falling heavily, she, a delicate woman, had to trudge through the thick snow with a child in her arms, going from one clinic to another, seeking help.
He had wronged Yuan’er and the child.
He wished he could have been the one to sacrifice his life back then so that Yuan’er and the child could have been saved!
The family head wiped away the tears from his eyes, lifting Shen Tanqi’s face to search for Yuan’er’s features in his expression, and said firmly, “Although the old matters have been clarified, I need to make things clear with you.”
Shen Tanqi was momentarily stunned and asked, “Make clear what?”
The family head released his hold, glancing reluctantly at Yu Ce behind him, and said with evident reluctance, “You… you want to marry Yu Ce, don’t you?”
At these words, Shen Tanqi’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly grasped the family head’s hand, asking, “Dad, you agree?”
He had planned to wait until Yu Ce had used the dragon ball to treat the family head’s illness before bringing up the marriage. He hadn’t expected the family head to mention it himself after their brief visit to the mermaid pearl.
“Why, do you think your old man is unreasonable?” The family head feigned a stern look, and quietly said, “It’s an old matter. Over the years, I’ve made mistakes too.”
When he first saw Yuan’er’s body, he was consumed by rage and vowed to wipe out all meramids and make the daemon race pay for their sins.
As a result, Shuoxia City had harbored animosity towards daemons for years.
In the end, he was the one whose mistakes were beyond repair.
Since Yuan’er had long wished for Yu Ce to come to the Shen family as a companion, it seemed she had tacitly approved of Yu Ce.
If that’s the case, what reason did he have to oppose the marriage? As for the mistreatment of the daemon race… he could only make amends gradually over time.
“The Shen family has a tradition,” the family head said. “For any suitor from outside Shuoxia City, they must marry into the Shen family as a son-in-law.”
At this, Shen Tanqi and Yu Ce exchanged surprised glances and asked, “Must he really marry into the Shen family?”
The family head snorted lightly and said, “I know you two don’t want to be stuck with this old man, so I’ll allow you to stay at the Shen residence for just three years. This will be a way to honor our ancestors. During this time, you’ll help manage the affairs of Shuoxia City. After three years, you can live wherever you like.”
Three years would be enough for Shen Tanqi and Yu Ce to significantly change Shuoxia City. With their example, the city’s hostility towards daemons would lessen. By then, humans and daemons could live in harmony, open up trade between the two races, and aid the impoverished.
This would surely be the Shuoxia Yuan’er wanted to see.
Hearing this, Shen Tanqi and Yu Ce quickly understood the family head’s intentions and happily agreed.
“Dad, we have other matters to discuss,” Shen Tanqi said cheerfully as he poured tea for the family head. “Yu Ce and I plan to return to Hidden Dragon Valley first. Dragon cubs are delicate and vulnerable, so we want to raise our son through the nursing period before coming back to marry.”
As soon as the family head heard it was about his precious grandson, he became impatient and said, “Why are you wasting time here? Hurry up and take the child back!”
Shen Tanqi couldn’t help but chuckle and said, “Hold on, Dad, you really can’t change your impatient ways.”
He shot Yu Ce a meaningful glance and whispered, “The betrothal gifts.”
Yu Ce immediately understood, took out a silver-encrusted treasure chest from his storage ring, placed it on the floor, and carefully presented the betrothal letter personally written by the Sect Leader. “Father-in-law, here are the betrothal gifts prepared by the Sect Leader, along with the engagement letter…”
The room fell silent.
Both men, lacking experience, felt a bit awkward.
The family head shifted his gaze, clearing his throat awkwardly. “The dragon ball you are going to use to treat my illness is enough. As for the betrothal gifts, you’ll find a use for them later. Keep them for yourselves.”
Hearing the term ‘father-in-law’ from Yu Ce’s lips made him uncomfortable, like he was sitting on pins and needles.
Yu Ce hesitated. “This isn’t quite right…”
“What’s wrong with it? I’d rather not have my son suffer later on because of you,” the family head interrupted sharply.
“…It won’t happen,” Yu Ce muttered, determined.
He would starve himself before letting Shen Tanqi and the children suffer.
The family head shot him a stern look and muttered, “I only have this one son. If you dare mistreat him, you’ll have to deal with me.”
At this, Yu Ce pursed his lips, brushed off his clothes, and knelt in front of the family head.
“Yu Ce swears by the way of the heavens that in this life and the next, he will never let Ah Qi suffer any wrong. Should he break this vow, may he die and never be reincarnated.”
At these words, Shen Tanqi and the family head’s eyes widened in shock.
“How dare you make such a vow!” Shen Tanqi yelled through gritted teeth. With the children around, making such statements could scare them!
Yu Ce looked up at the family head and said firmly, “What I’ve said comes from my heart, and I will not go back on it.”
The family head gazed at him for a long time, his emotions complex. He had never expected that Ah Qi’s beloved would be someone he once hated most—the daemon race.
Yet, this daemon had stirred his compassion.
Words can be false, and oaths can be broken, but the sincerity in one’s eyes is unmistakable.
Yu Ce was like his son—pure-hearted and earnest.
After a while, the family head slowly walked up to Yu Ce, helped him up, and sighed, “I’m old now. My son Shen Tanqi will be in your care from now on. I always worried that his nature would prevent him from finding a suitable partner. Seeing you now, I feel somewhat reassured.”
Yu Ce stared at him in stunned silence, his shoulder gently patted by the family head, feeling a pang of emotion in his heart.
He felt a sudden relief that he was born a dragon. He would certainly save the family head, using the dragon ball to heal Ah Qi’s father, who was also his father.
Having had the family head treated with the dragon ball, the family head then urged them to rest, and the two had no choice but to bow and leave.
Walking side by side, Shen Tanqi and Yu Ce carried the children down the long corridor.
As dusk settled, the sky was painted with hues of twilight, and the Shen family’s red lanterns shone more beautifully than the sunset, casting a warm glow over the corridor pillars adorned with golden phoenix and peony patterns. The two little ones, who had skipped their nap and played vigorously all afternoon, were now yawning and nestling into Shen Tanqi and Yu Ce’s arms, dozing off.
Yu Ce’s face was bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. Holding the children, his thick eyelashes cast a shadow over his eyes, which held a look of quiet concern.
Shen Tanqi looked up and gently tugged at Yu Ce’s sleeve.
Since they left the main hall, Yu Ce had been silent, and Shen Tanqi couldn’t figure out what was on his mind. Even though the family head had agreed to their marriage, Yu Ce still seemed unsettled.
“What’s wrong?” Shen Tanqi asked softly.
Yu Ce took Shen Tanqi’s hand and shook his head with a smile. “It’s nothing. Just thinking about a few things.”
Earlier, in the mermaid pearl, Yu Ce had met his father, whom he hadn’t seen in years.
His father was still the same—clumsy and chatty. When he saw Yu Ce, he merely smiled, as if he had expected their meeting in the pearl.
His father said he had met Ah Qi. He mentioned that Ah Qi was a good child, kind-hearted and gentle like his mother. He had used the mermaid pearl to fulfill Ah Qi’s mother’s wish at the cost of her life, and had always felt a sense of guilt.
But seeing the sickly, young boy from those years grow into the carefree, elegant young man he was today, his father suddenly felt that perhaps the choice made back then was worth it.
Daemons might not fully grasp human affection, but they do understand its essence. Daemons, having evolved from beasts, often have complex feelings towards their offspring. Most beasts, if their young are frail and unlikely to survive, will abandon them, nurturing only those strong enough to thrive in a world full of predators.
That’s why he had trouble understanding why Shen Tanqi’s mother would sacrifice her own life for a dying, weak son.
But seeing Shen Tanqi now, he suddenly understood.
If Shen Tanqi were his own child, he too would want him to live well, no matter the cost. Human affection is such that parents would rather sacrifice themselves to give their child even the smallest chance to survive.
Humans, though fragile and short-lived, pass on their boundless love from generation to generation—how magnificent that is.
His father had also said that if Yu Ce wished to repay the past kindness, he should extend that same kindness to Ah Qi and care for him deeply.
Before parting, his father had insisted on a lengthy talk with the family head, repeatedly referring to him as ‘in-laws,’ causing both men to blush and awkwardly endure his blunt remarks about Yu Ce’s shortcomings.
“Ce’er isn’t the sharpest, his words aren’t sweet, he’s not particularly good-looking, and Hidden Dragon Valley is quite poor. The only thing he’s good at is caring for people. I hope the family head won’t dislike him.”
His father’s relentless nagging had left the family head’s ears practically sore, and both men were eager to leave the mermaid pearl.
Fortunately, the family head not only didn’t hold those remarks against Yu Ce but also agreed to the marriage with Ah Qi.
If this were the end of a story, he would have considered it the best possible outcome.
Yet, the image of the lady in the mermaid pearl, holding Ah Qi and begging for medical help, still caused him a pang of sorrow.
Years ago, their farewell turned out to be their last meeting.
If things had been different, he and Ah Qi would have grown up together, and the people of Shuoxia would not have harbored such animosity towards daemons.
He wished repeatedly that things could have been different, that he could have done something back then.
Shen Tanqi glanced at Yu Ce and then slowly looked away, as if he knew what Yu Ce was thinking.
He forced a casual smile and said, “Yu Ce, do you know what your father said to me?”
Yu Ce pressed his lips together and replied, “If you don’t tell me, I naturally wouldn’t know.”
“…”
His ability to kill the mood was impressive.
Shen Tanqi gave him a playful pinch, not too hard, as a reminder, and continued, “Your father told me that once we leave the mermaid pearl, we shouldn’t be trapped by the past. People must look forward. Dwelling on what’s past will only hold you back.”
“Those who have passed away will remain in your heart as long as you remember them. They will never truly disappear.”
He hadn’t entered the mermaid pearl with Yu Ce and the family head precisely because of this advice from Yu Ce’s father. His mother would always live in his heart, her smile bright and radiant. Even on his darkest days, it was like a glimmer of warmth and hope.
Yu Ce smiled softly, feeling a bit lighter in heart. He lowered his voice and asked, “Did he nag you like that too?”
“Yeah,” Shen Tanqi smiled in response, “But your father’s way with words is much better than yours.” Though he seemed a bit simple-minded, perhaps he was just hiding his wisdom behind a simple facade.
Yu Ce didn’t comment, his gaze filled with Shen Tanqi’s bright, radiant smile.
In this life, how fortunate he was to hold Ah Qi’s hand and to have three children as lovely as him.
He looked up at the setting sun, which softened the sky with its gentle glow.
The sunset was so beautiful…
He had never seen such a stunning sight before.
He thought he would remember this moment and this sunset for the rest of his life.
He would never forget it.
Soft whispers echoed in the corridor:
“My father is like you, always reasoning things out.”
“Oh, are you already complaining about me being naggy before we’re even married?”
“Heaven knows I didn’t mean that, Ah Qi, you’re wronging me.”
“I don’t want to hear it. You’re banned from touching me for a month.”
“…Ah Qi, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”
“Questioning me again? That’s another month added.”
“…No!”
As the setting sun cast long shadows, two figures walked through the winding corridor, one leaning against the other. They seemed to be arguing about something, their eyes locked in a silent stare that grew weary. Eventually, they couldn’t help but break into soft laughter.
When their laughter finally subsided, the world around them fell into a serene silence, punctuated only by the soft chirping of insects and birds.
Their hands, gently touching, lingered for a long while. Eventually, one hand took the other, fingers entwining slowly, unwilling to part.
As the day turned to dusk, the ever-burning candles flickered with a reddish hue, their shadows stretching long in the golden twilight. The figures gradually moved away, disappearing around the corner of the corridor—though perhaps, at the next turn, they might meet again.
The moon rose cool and the night stretched on. The shadows faded, but the people remained. With fresh tea to come, they would meet again.1The phrase ‘With fresh tea to come, they would meet again’ suggests that, although the present moment is ending and the people are parting for now, they will have another opportunity to reunite in the future. The mention of ‘fresh tea’ symbolizes a new beginning or another meeting, implying that they will come together again to share another pleasant moment or conversation. It’s a poetic way of saying that their separation is only temporary and that they look forward to being together again.
(End of the main text)
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