110 The Mother-in-Law’s Interrogation
The dishes on the table were simple, not at all like a feast for guests, more like a family gathering, making Yan Zhen feel less like a guest and more like someone crashing a meal.
—Speaking of which, where is Instructor Yu Xuan? Didn’t they say she was out of seclusion? Why wasn’t she invited to eat with us?
Yan Zhen felt a pang of suspicion. He ate the pastry-like dishes reservedly, saying nothing.
The five women chatted occasionally, glancing at Yan Zhen from time to time. The atmosphere was quite harmonious, which only made him feel more like an outsider.
After the meal, watching his mother-in-law and the others elegantly wipe their mouths and sip tea, Yan Zhen couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Um, Mother-in-law…”
As soon as he spoke, all five women looked at him. Except for the stern Clan Head Mother-in-law, their eyes held a strange glint.
Yan Zhen felt embarrassed, his face flushing slightly, but he continued, “Is Instructor Yu Xuan out of seclusion? I’d like to see her.”
The Clan Head Mother-in-law put down her teacup, wiped the corner of her mouth with a tissue, and said indifferently, “Xuan’er is out, but if you want to see her, you’ll have to answer some of my questions first.”
—I knew it wouldn’t be that simple.
Yan Zhen’s expression remained unchanged as he said respectfully, “Please ask, Mother-in-law.”
“It’s a bit early to call me Mother-in-law.” Clan Head Yu Lu said expressionlessly, “You are indeed a promising young man, meeting our Yu family’s criteria for selecting a husband. And Xuan’er likes you. If you were willing to marry into the Yu family, it would be a joyous occasion for everyone. The prerequisite is, are you truly willing to marry in?”
—Uh… am I exposed?
Yan Zhen broke into a cold sweat, blinked, and said brazenly, “Why do you say that, Mother-in-law?”
“The Yu family has always chosen the best for our sons-in-law, but you… you’re a bit too outstanding.” The Clan Head Mother-in-law continued, “Only sixteen years old, cultivating physique, Mystic Power, and soul simultaneously, and achieving remarkable progress in all three, proves your cultivation talent is extremely high. At the same time, mastering a flying movement technique at the Mystic Master realm shows your strong comprehension skills. In actual combat, you can even defeat a four-star Mystic General, indicating considerable battle experience. Of course, the most terrifying thing is that you’ve actually refined three Extreme Flames. As a mere Mystic Master, possessing the power to intimidate even Mystic Ancestors… Such talent would shine brightly even in the Sacred Ground. Our Yu family… might not be able to keep you.”
Hearing the Clan Head Mother-in-law’s praise, Yan Zhen felt a little embarrassed and said shyly, “You flatter me, Mother-in-law. I’m not that outstanding, just… averagely outstanding, hehe~”
Seeing his smug expression, Dean Yu Qing couldn’t help but roll her eyes and let out a “tsk.”
Shui Bailan looked at her cute nephew-in-law, then at her disdainful best friend, and a bold thought occurred to her: Could Yu Qing actually have a thing for this slightly immature yet somewhat mature-looking young man?
Grand Elder Yu Yan maintained her smiling expression, showing no intention of intervening.
Cousin Yu Die curiously looked Yan Zhen up and down, secretly surprised to hear he possessed three Extreme Flames.
She didn’t know much about Extreme Flames, but a Mystic Master capable of intimidating Mystic Ancestors? Was that even possible?
Clan Head Yu Lu remained unmoved by Yan Zhen’s attempt at being cute. “Men hold a low status in our Yu family. No matter how outstanding you are, once you enter the Yu family, you are just a son-in-law who needs to dutifully serve the family, working hard without complaint… Do you think you can endure that?”
Yan Zhen fell silent.
The Yu family was matriarchal, and sons-in-law held very low status. For example, his deceased father-in-law’s status was even lower than his sister-in-law, Shui Bailan.
The Clan Head Mother-in-law had no affection for him, and he couldn’t meet Instructor Yu Xuan frequently. He spent most of his years working outside the family, needing to achieve merit to gain the Yu family’s support, little better than a vassal. This was why he ultimately died during a demon subjugation mission.
Therefore, it wasn’t uncommon for sons-in-law to leave the Yu family after becoming powerful enough, joining other factions for greater benefits.
The Yu family wasn’t surprised by this and wouldn’t hunt down traitors, because sons-in-law had no access to the family’s core secrets or power. They were basically breeding tools, largely useless after producing an heir.
But Yan Zhen couldn’t say much, because the Yu family had their reasons for doing things this way.
First, the Yu family bloodline only produced female offspring. Second, their core technique, the Timely Rain Heavenly Scripture, could only be cultivated by women. Third, and most secretively, women cultivating the Timely Rain Heavenly Scripture were best off remaining virgins. Once their virginity was lost, their vital weakness would be exposed, and during dual cultivation, they could be easily controlled by their partner, rendered powerless.
To continue the family line, they couldn’t avoid intimacy, so to protect themselves, they established this twisted family rule.
Sons-in-law only needed excellent genes. After fulfilling their duty, they were sent away to work. Loyal ones were kept; disloyal ones were kicked out.
Under such rules, an even more twisted practice emerged—alchemical gestation.
Without breaking the woman’s virginity, alchemy techniques were used to extract the man’s bloodline essence and inject it into the woman’s body to cultivate a fetus. Delivery was then performed via C-section.
This way, the woman remained a virgin, her weakness unexposed, and her cultivation intact.
This emotionally detached Clan Head Mother-in-law had given birth to Instructor Yu Xuan in this manner.
In the script, Instructor Yu Xuan herself told Yan Zhen this. She didn’t want to accept the family’s arrangement and marry someone she didn’t love, so she asked Yan Zhen to participate in the husband selection ceremony and win, buying her time until she was strong enough to break free from the family’s constraints.
Moved by her words, Yan Zhen agreed.
—Ahem, getting sidetracked.
Yan Zhen refocused, looked up at the Clan Head Mother-in-law, and said seriously, “Honestly, no normal man could endure that, unless they had ulterior motives.”
Clan Head Yu Lu stared sharply at Yan Zhen. “So, you really intend to take Xuan’er away, don’t you?”
Dean Yu Qing gasped, jumping to her feet like a startled cat, glaring at Yan Zhen. “He dares!”
Shui Bailan, sitting beside her, quickly pulled her back down. “Yu Qing, don’t get excited. Let’s hear what Yan Zhen has to say first.”
“Ahem, I didn’t say that,” Yan Zhen felt awkward, caught off guard. “I will only do my utmost to make Instructor Yu Xuan happy. Nothing else matters.”
Grand Elder Yu Yan nodded slightly, smiling. “I like the sound of that.”
Clan Head Yu Lu narrowed her eyes. “So you’re willing to wrong yourself for Xuan’er?”
“Naturally.” Yan Zhen puffed out his chest. “I’m willing to give everything for Instructor Yu Xuan.”
—Anyway, I can’t resist now. Saying more is pointless. When my fists are strong enough, words won’t be necessary.
However, the Clan Head Mother-in-law continued to stare at him, her eyes filled with suspicion. “But I still can’t rest assured. If you decide to leave, Xuan’er will definitely go with you.”
Previous sons-in-law were chosen by the Yu family, devoid of affection. Even if they left, they wouldn’t take a Yu woman with them. But Yan Zhen and Instructor Yu Xuan were different; they were in love and might elope.
Yan Zhen thought for a moment and cupped his hands. “Then please give me a reason not to leave, Mother-in-law.”
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