After returning to his own courtyard, Zhen Yu found himself alone, surrounded by nothing but silence and solitude.
He stood in the center of the courtyard, his gaze distant and detached. His hands were clasped behind his back, his posture regal and imposing.
As the moments passed, the silence stretched on, stretching into what seemed like an eternity. And yet, he remained motionless, like a lone peak towering over a vast valley.
"It's almost done. In just a short while, everything will be mine." His voice was calm and collected, though the hints of an inner triumph couldn't help but seep through.
Zhen Yu glanced towards a distant direction, as if seeing beyond the boundaries of this domain and gazing into a different world. He saw a sprawling city, one full of life and energy, filled with thousands of cultivators and ordinary mortals.
With a chuckle, he turned his attention elsewhere, observing as the sun set in the sky.
The darkening of the sky marked the approach of dusk, the beginning of the end of day, and the start of the most anticipated event in the clan.
In just a few hours, everything would change once again.
"I'll go and get ready now." He muttered, a subtle anticipation apparent on his face.
As he finished speaking, Zhen Yu strode towards his room, his steps long and steady.
When he was about to enter, however, a soft voice came from behind him. It was melodious and sweet, full of charm and grace. Yet there was a subtle hint of allure lingering within, a tone that could make even the most steadfast of men feel their breath quickening.
"Yu'er, I hope you have been well?"
Zhen Yu paused mid-stride, coming to a halt. Turning around, his eyes fell on the source of the voice. He stared at a figure standing not far from him, a person who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
She was a woman of peerless beauty and elegance. Her long dark hair was like flowing water, gently drifting in the wind. Her fair skin shone with a luminous glow, as if bathed in starlight, while her graceful and majestic bearing made her appear like a divine goddess.
The moment he laid eyes on her, his heart raced with emotions he couldn't quite comprehend. They were a strange combination of desire, admiration, awe, and even a hint of reverence.
She was no one else but Hua Yi, the current head wife of the patriarch, a woman who held a profound standing in the clan. And yet, her aura and appearance were beyond dazzling.
The way she stood there, looking at him with a gaze that seemed to see through all, made her presence feel even more magnificent and exalted.
Involuntarily, Zhen Yu gulped, unable to remove his gaze from this woman. But he managed to overcome it soon, giving a smile and bowing lightly. "Mother, I've been well. I hope you're in good health."
Hua Yi let out a melodious laugh as she approached the young man, the corners of her red lips lifting up, her eyes sparkling with tenderness and love. She extended her soft hand, caressing his face with her gentle touch.
"My dear son, you look so much like your father now. You're no longer the little boy who used to come running to me and asking for my help with simple tasks. I miss those times." She said wistfully. "You've grown into a fine young man."
Her expression was soft and affectionate, and her eyes twinkled with pride and love. She gazed at him, as if wishing to capture this moment forever in her heart.
"Mother, I may have grown up, but I'm still your son, am I not?" His tone was gentle and intimate, a small smile on his face.
"Of course, you're my son. Now and forever!" Her hands lingered on his cheeks for a few more moments, then moved back to her side, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "I just wish my Yang'er was also as filial as you."
A hint of disappointment flashed across her face before vanishing the next instant. "Never mind that though; you've been away for so long, tell me how it has been for you all these years. I'm sure there are many exciting tales to tell. I want to hear it all."
Zhen Yu fell into a short silence, gazing at the woman with mixed emotions. Then, after a slight pause, he led her into his courtyard and began sharing some of his experiences with her while making tea at the same time.
A little while later, the two were enjoying a peaceful tea session, accompanied by an aroma so pleasant that it brought along a calming effect on their senses.
With every passing minute, Hua Yi became more and more captivating, her presence becoming stronger and more enchanting.
Each time her delicate fingers moved, each time her long hair fluttered in the wind, and every time she graced the young man with a smile, Zhen Yu was overwhelmed by his instincts.
However, his heart remained composed, as if a thin membrane covered it and protected him from such emotions and thoughts. He continued his tale calmly, sharing the various tales from his past five years.
But after a while, he found himself being too drawn to Hua Yi, almost lost in her eyes and intoxicated by her presence. He couldn't help but move closer to the woman, a soft smile on his face.
And as he sat beside her, the air in his courtyard became a little heavier. But soon, this feeling became too suffocating, so much so that he couldn't bear it anymore.
Thus, as if a flame was lit within him, Zhen Yu leaned in, his face closing in on the woman before him.
Hua Yi seemed to sense what was going to happen, and her eyes flickered with a mysterious light, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips.
Before long, his lips descended upon her own, pressing against them ever so lightly. A warmth spread through them, causing Zhen Yu's entire being to tingle with sensations of both heat and comfort.