Chapter 45

Nihao.

Su Yi was not unfamiliar with Nihao. When he became the head of the outer disciples of the Qinghe Sword Mansion, Nihao was already a prominent figure among the inner disciples of the East Courtyard.

Though they knew each other, they did not have much interaction.

Su Yi did not care about the faint trace of indifference and disdain that Nihao inadvertently revealed.

"Now that you've seen me, if there's nothing else, you and Nihao can leave."

Su Yi spoke calmly, issuing a dismissal.

Nanying felt surprised, seemingly unable to believe that such an ungracious remark came from Su Yi's mouth.

After a moment of silence, she said apologetically to Nihao, "Senior Brother, could I have a moment alone with Senior Brother Su Yi?"

"Sure, but don't take too long. Uncle Zhou is still waiting for us at the Li family's residence."

Nihao nodded, completely ignoring Su Yi, and turned to leave the courtyard.

Su Yi frowned but ultimately decided to listen to what Nanying had to say.

"Lingxue, go wait in my room."

He said softly.

Wen Lingxue also sensed the tension, nodded, and turned to enter Su Yi's room.

Under the old locust tree, only Su Yi and Nanying remained.

"If I hadn't come, how would I know that Senior Brother Su Yi has fallen to such a state?"

Nanying gazed at Su Yi, who was close by, and a hint of amusement appeared on her lips as she lifted her chin.

At that moment, she seemed like a different person.

No longer gentle and graceful, her beautiful brows now carried an unmasked disdain and smugness.

"The former head of the outer disciples of the Qinghe Sword Mansion, how glorious! But who would believe that today's Senior Brother Su Yi is a laughingstock in Guangling City, a man everyone dares to mock, a mere son-in-law?"

Nanying said with a smile, "How does it feel, surely not good, right?"

"Did you come just to mock me?"

Su Yi raised an eyebrow, inwardly wondering how he could have ever been attracted to such a fickle and capricious woman during those three years.

"Exactly, I came to mock you!"

Nanying was unreserved, her words filled with sarcasm, "Back in the Qinghe Sword Mansion, you were the head of the outer disciples, and I had to flatter and please you every time I saw you, putting on an act of admiration and respect."

"I thought that if things continued, when you smoothly became an inner disciple, you could help me and give me a chance to enter the inner circle for cultivation. But who would have thought that before you became an inner disciple... you first became a useless waste of a person!"

As she spoke, her chest heaved, and her beautiful face was filled with intense hatred, "The three years of effort I spent on you were all for nothing!"

Su Yi's furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and he said calmly, "So, you never truly cared for me back then?"

"Of course not!"

Nanying answered without hesitation, originally planning to see Su Yi's angry and heartbroken reaction.

But she found that Su Yi remained calm.

That calm demeanor made her extremely uncomfortable.

But then, Nanying regained her composure and said with a smile, "But fortunately, after you became a waste, I found an opportunity to be with Senior Brother Nihao."

"He is an inner disciple of the East Courtyard, a shining star in the Qinghe Sword Mansion. Even the former you wouldn't be worthy to tie his shoes!"

"Thanks to his help, I entered the inner circle for cultivation half a year ago. My current status is far beyond what a useless son-in-law like you can compare to."

She grew more and more smug, clearly trying to deliberately provoke and humiliate Su Yi.

But to her surprise, Su Yi's expression remained unchanged, unperturbed.

"Is there nothing you want to say?"

Nanying couldn't help but ask.

Su Yi casually replied, "I just feel a bit sorry for Nihao. He's just a tool you're using, and when you find a better opportunity, you'll kick him aside."

Nanying was taken aback, then smiled faintly, "Su Yi, Su Yi, I didn't expect you to become so clever. What you said is true, but I won't admit it now."

Su Yi nodded, "I understand."

"You understand my ass!" Nanying sneered, "If you hadn't wasted my three years, I wouldn't have become an inner disciple just half a year ago."

Su Yi sighed inwardly, those three years, he was truly blind.

This woman was not just fickle, but a complete opportunist, willing to do anything to climb the ranks!

After a moment's thought, Su Yi said seriously, "Your methods and depth of character are still lacking. A truly formidable person wouldn't reveal their inner ugliness just to vent some past grievances. Even if you act like a pure and virtuous woman, you should still put up a good front."

Nanying covered her mouth and laughed, "You finally lost your cool and started cursing me? Let me tell you, in others' eyes, I am gentle, pure, and understanding. Even some of the elders in the sect have developed feelings for me."

"Who would believe a useless son-in-law like you calling me a bitch?"

She laughed with great pleasure.

"Junior Sister, it's getting late."

From outside the courtyard, Nihao's voice came from a distance.

Immediately, Nanying's smile faded, and the hatred and malice in her eyes disappeared. Her brows carried a faint trace of sorrow, making her appear pitiable.

She stood gracefully, beautiful and charming.

Su Yi shook his head, who would have thought all of this was just an act?

"Su Yi, we are now from two different worlds. No matter how much you may be unwilling, you can only live a meager life, dependent on others. While I will rise to the heights you can only look up to and never reach."

Nanying approached Su Yi, her eyes cold and indifferent, and said softly, "Remember, don't mention today's events to anyone. Otherwise, I'll do whatever it takes."

With that, she smiled and turned to leave, "Of course, even if you do, no one will believe a useless son-in-law like you!"

Watching her disappear, Su Yi touched his nose and laughed.

This was for the best, at least it resolved a past grudge, and he wouldn't have lingering feelings for such a woman.

As the saying goes:

The venom of a green snake and the sting of a yellow bee.

Neither is as poisonous as a deceitful heart.

"Brother-in-law."

The door to the room opened quietly, and Wen Lingxue came out, her expression not good, and her gaze on Su Yi filled with concern.

"Did you hear?" Su Yi asked.

Wen Lingxue said angrily, "I heard some of it. That woman is truly vicious; I've never seen anyone as shameless as her! If I had known her intentions were malicious, I wouldn't have brought her here."

"There are many people like her in the world; there's no need to take her seriously."

Su Yi smiled and patted Wen Lingxue's head.

He then noticed that in just seven days, the girl's aura had changed subtly.

"Have you started to strengthen your tendons?" Su Yi asked in surprise.

Wen Lingxue immediately smiled, her face bright and joyful, "Brother-in-law, the cultivation method you taught me is truly powerful. In just seven days, I feel like I've undergone a complete transformation."

Su Yi also smiled and advised, "Cultivation is a path that requires patience. Focus on building a solid foundation and don't rush for quick progress."

Wen Lingxue nodded vigorously, "Brother-in-law, I will."

"By the way, are you going to attend the Longmen Banquet?" Su Yi asked.

Wen Lingxue shook her head, lowering her head, seemingly avoiding Su Yi's gaze, "Brother-in-law, I have something else to tell you."

Su Yi was taken aback, "What is it?"

Wen Lingxue said softly, "Tomorrow morning, Uncle will take me and my parents to leave Guangling City to visit my sister at the Tianyuan Academy. This round trip will take at least half a month. Uncle said... he doesn't want you to come along..."

Her voice carried a sense of disappointment and helplessness.

"Are you worried I'll be upset? Ha, there's no need to be."

Su Yi laughed, quickly reassuring her.

If he wasn't concerned about her, would the girl be so worried about such a trivial matter?

"Brother-in-law, do you have anything you want to say to my sister? Or a letter? I can deliver it for you."

Wen Lingxue's voice was clear.

Su Yi had intended to say no, but when he saw the girl's expectant eyes, his heart softened.

He knew that the girl had always hoped that he and her sister could resolve their differences and reconcile.

Unfortunately, she didn't know that they were essentially strangers, with no real rift between them.

Their distant relationship and mutual dislike were solely due to this marriage.

Under the influence of the Su family's power in Yujing City and the cooperation of the old matriarch, she had to marry reluctantly.

But at the time, he had never wanted to become a son-in-law either.

"Alright, have her take this letter for me."

After some thought, Su Yi returned to the room, took out paper and pen, and quickly wrote a few words.

When he came back, he had a sealed letter in his hand, which he handed to Wen Lingxue, smiling, "Now you can rest easy, right?"

Wen Lingxue took the letter, carefully put it away, and said happily, "Yes!"

"Remember, don't tell your sister about the secret technique I taught you."

As Wen Lingxue was about to leave, Su Yi reminded her.

"Brother-in-law, don't worry. This is our secret, and I won't tell anyone else."

Wen Lingxue waved and left with a happy step.

"Wen Changjing seems to be so focused on visiting Wen Lingzhao at the Tianyuan Academy that he doesn't even plan to attend the Longmen Banquet. It seems that in his heart, Wen Lingzhao, as a master's disciple, has become more important..."

Su Yi stood in the courtyard, lost in thought.

"Indeed, the status of a master's disciple is enough to intimidate the major forces in Guangling City. As long as the Wen family holds onto Wen Lingzhao, they won't have to worry about the changing tides in Guangling City."

Thinking about this, Su Yi shook his head.

He had a rough idea of what Wen Lingzhao, his nominal wife, was thinking.

She had hated and resisted this marriage from the beginning, planning to become stronger and find a way to dissolve it in the future.

As for whether she hated him, Su Yi didn't care at all.

He actually hoped she would dissolve the marriage quickly, so he wouldn't have to do it himself.

At this moment, the voice of the steward Hu Quan came from outside the courtyard gate:

"Son-in-law, there's a visitor."

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PS: I have to go out today, the second update will be around 4 PM.