Without hesitation, he enveloped the woman in his arms, burying his face into her fragrant hair and inhaling her scent. It was as if he had returned home, as if everything he had gone through had been worth it for this moment.
It had been five long years since he had seen his mother last, since he had been able to touch and hold her like this. For someone who had been used to getting everything he desired at a mere thought, these five years had felt like an eternity.
The tenderness he had missed out on during these years. The warmth and love she brought along with her existence. All of this was present at this moment, in this single embrace.
Zhen Yu savored this feeling, relishing it. But soon, this brief moment of solace had to be broken. As such, he stepped back, gazing deep into her eyes, and spoke. "I'm glad you're still well, Mother."
She chuckled, the sound echoing softly in the room, her tone amused yet gentle. "What do you mean, still well? I, Feng Yan, am not some fragile woman who cannot protect herself. As you can see, I have no problem holding my own during the conflicts that happen every once in a while."
Zhen Yu smiled and nodded. "I understand that. It's just that I worry about you."
"My dear, you shouldn't worry so much." Feng Yan lifted a hand, placing it on her son's cheek, her tone warm and loving. "Now that you're back, you should know that you'll have to take on more pressure and burdens. But you don't have to worry about anything, because I'm here with you."
"Yes, Mother." Zhen Yu's smile became brighter.
"Let's not talk about such things any longer. Come, let's go see your father. I know you would have come first to see me, but you can't make him unhappy like this. Remember, although you've achieved your goal, your position isn't stable yet, at least before announcing it in public."
"I know." He nodded, stepping back and releasing the woman from his grasp.
Following that, the two walked out of the chamber and headed for the main residence of the Patriarch. As they traveled through the numerous pavilions and bridges, many maids and butlers would greet them as they walked past.
But even then, they didn't stop or halt until they reached the main residence, and Zhen Yu stood at the entrance of a large courtyard.
There was an imposing aura around this place. One could even call it oppressive and foreboding. Every time he had come here before, he always felt like the entire courtyard was staring at him, weighing him, and evaluating his worth and ability to continue being here.
But this time, unlike in the past, he wasn't overwhelmed or pressured.
Perhaps it was because he had passed the trials of the ancestral ground. Perhaps it was because he had achieved something significant enough to warrant respect. Whatever the case may be, his eyes remained clear and steady as he looked upon the courtyard with confidence.
Soon, the large doors opened, allowing him to enter. Feng Yan entered together with her son, heading into the private residence, where she led her son towards the patriarch's study.
Knock!
A light knock sounded at the door, followed by a powerful yet dignified voice, "Come in!"
Feng Yan, followed by Zhen Yu, entered the private chamber and bowed as they approached the center of the room. "We pay our respects to the patriarch."
As they lowered themselves, a figure from behind the study, who was sitting with his eyes closed, slowly opened his eyelids and stood up. He glanced at the two who had bowed towards him and nodded.
"Yan'er and Yu'er, why are you both acting like this? Didn't we talk about it before? There's no need to be so courteous when it's just us." The patriarch, Zhen Yi, sighed in a dignified yet affectionate way, his powerful tone and the words carrying a gentle and warm feeling to them.
Feng Yan smiled, straightening herself and giving the patriarch a quick glance. "My husband, there are always eyes and ears in this clan. And your other wives might start acting up if we didn't greet you properly."
"Those other women won't do anything. I will not allow it." Zhen Yi growled, his gaze turning solemn and sharp in an instant. But just as quickly as it appeared, his expression reverted, a tender look entering his gaze as he looked upon the young man standing at the side. "My son has returned from the ancestral grounds. I hope you've succeeded there and passed all the trials, right, Yu'er?"
Zhen Yu's gaze flickered as he stepped forward. "Father, although the journey was full of difficulties and hurdles, I still succeeded in passing through them. And now, I've reached the ninth level of the Essence Refinement Realm and will soon step into the Essence Foundation Realm."
The patriarch's face couldn't help but reveal a bright smile after hearing his words. "Good, good, good. Yu'er, you've truly made me proud! And all this in just a mere five years. No one will question your qualifications once I announce you to be the next heir of the Zhen Clan!"
Hearing this, Feng Yan also smiled, nodding at her son. She was beyond pleased with how the young man had performed. To achieve all this in the past five years, when many top talents across the South region are stagnant in the Essence Expansion Realm at an even greater age, was nothing short of remarkable.
Of course, they both understood that most of these results were from his inherited talent and the inheritance he had acquired from the ancestral ground. But in any case, this did not diminish the achievement but added to it instead.
"I won't disappoint you, Father." Zhen Yu declared firmly, his eyes blazing with confidence.
"That's my son. Now go and rest; your mother and I have to discuss something in private. And in the evening, the celebration will start. It's all about you, so don't be late, understood?"
"Yes, Father." He nodded and turned around, leaving the chamber behind him.