Chapter 970 - Chapter 970: Giving up on Him
Chapter 970: Giving up on Him
Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
His cold words caused Zhongyu Lingshan to regain her composure. A trace of fear flashed through her heart, and she immediately lowered her head, apologizing, “Father, I didn’t mean to. I was just in so much pain from the poison acting up again that I spoke without thinking.”
Master Zhongyu looked at Zhongyu Lingshan with no warmth in his eyes as if the one before him wasn’t his daughter. “Zhongyu Lingshan, you better understand the situation. Do you even realize how important the Frost Jade Toad is to our Zhongyu family?”
Even if it were five Nine-Cycle Soul-Returning Pills, let alone ten, they wouldn’t compare to the value of the Frost Jade Toad. Yet now, because of Zhongyu Lingshan’s stupidity, they were on the verge of giving away the family’s most precious possessions. And here she was, daring to criticize him.
“Father, that’s not what I meant.” Zhongyu Lingshan felt a pang of guilt and hurried to explain, “I didn’t mean to. I was just… Ahhh!”
Before she could finish, a slap landed on her cheek unexpectedly. Instantly, her face swelled with redness.
Covering her face, Zhongyu Lingshan looked at Master Zhongyu with a mixture of avoidance and fear, as well as a hint of underlying grievance.
“At this point, you still don’t understand where you went wrong?” Master Zhongyu’s gaze turned cold as he looked at Zhongyu Lingshan. “You’re even more brainless than that fool Zhongyu Jiarui.”
Hearing her father compare her to Zhongyu Jiarui, Zhongyu Lingshan felt a surge of indignation. But at this moment, she dared not protest.
Master Zhongyu could naturally sense Zhongyu Lingshan’s discontent. He continued, “If you want to harm Ye Leng’an, I don’t object. But you’ve been played to this extent by someone else, and now you want our Zhongyu family to give up our treasure. What else do you have to say?”
His words left Zhongyu Lingshan unable to retort. She hung her head, unsure if she was reflecting or resentful.
Master Zhongyu had no intention of considering Zhongyu Lingshan’s feelings at this point. After a glance at her, he coldly announced, “In two days, I will retrieve the antidote. Stay quietly in your courtyard. If you cause any trouble, don’t blame me for disregarding our father-daughter relationship.”
Though the next two days seemed daunting for Zhongyu Lingshan, there was still a glimmer of hope. She dared not voice any objections, fearing her father might change his mind
“Father, I understand. I’ll behave myself.”
Seeing Zhongyu Lingshan’s demeanor, Master Zhongyu showed no signs of softening. “Furthermore, starting today, give up on Huangfu Ruiling. Once your poison is neutralized, I’ll find you a suitable match for engagement.”
Upon hearing this, Zhongyu Lingshan froze. She raised her head abruptly. “No, Father!”
She had no idea where she found the courage to defy her father, but now that she had spoken, she had to continue, “Father, give me some more time. I’m certain I can win him over. In the entire Hidden World, who could compare to Huangfu Ruiling?”
She had invested so much effort, even resorting to impersonating another woman, all to marry Huangfu Ruiling. But now, her father wanted her to give up. She couldn’t accept it.
“Huangfu Ruiling is indeed powerful.” Master Zhongyu conceded. “But does he even spare you a glance? Has he ever looked at you with interest? You have no chance. Continuing to pursue him will only result in humiliation.”
Zhongyu Lingshan was deeply dissatisfied. “Father, I’m far superior to Ye Leng’an. I refuse to give up.”
“I don’t know if you’re better than Ye Leng’an, but you’re currently a defeated opponent,” Master Zhongyu ruthlessly stated. “Huangfu Ruiling doesn’t fancy you; his attention is on Ye Leng’an. You’re wasting your efforts.”
As a man, he naturally understood Huangfu Ruiling’s intentions. Therefore, he couldn’t allow Zhongyu Lingshan to continue wasting her time.
Hearing these belittling remarks, Zhongyu Lingshan’s expression darkened. “Father, I…”
“I don’t want to hear your excuses,” Master Zhongyu interrupted sternly. “This is not a discussion; it’s an instruction. If you refuse to comply, leave the Zhongyu family. Once you’re no longer a member of the Zhongyu family, you can do as you please.”
Her words choked in her throat. “Father, I understand.”
Despite her reluctance, she had no choice. She could tell her father wasn’t bluffing but speaking earnestly. If she persisted in refusing to give up on Huangfu Ruiling and follow her father’s arrangements, he would truly cast her out mercilessly.
She had been the esteemed young lady of the Zhongyu family since childhood. She couldn’t imagine how she would fare if she lost this status and had to live under the scrutiny of others. So, at this juncture, she could only compromise.
But at this moment, she harbored a deep-seated hatred for Ye Leng’an.
She believed that her current predicament was all because of Ye Leng’an. If Ye Leng’an hadn’t poisoned her, her father wouldn’t have suffered such humiliation at the Huangfu family, nor would he have forced her to give up.
Soon, Zhongyu Lingshan returned to her courtyard.
As Zhongyu Lingshan’s figure disappeared completely from view, Master Zhongyu retrieved a letter from his pocket and unfolded it. After reading it for a long time, he slowly set it aside.
After a prolonged silence, he suddenly summoned a disciple and instructed, “Go to the Ye family immediately and personally inform Old Master Ye, Ye Yikun, that our Zhongyu family agrees to his proposal.”
Upon receiving the command, the disciple promptly departed.
Left alone, Master Zhongyu wore a slightly somber expression, making it difficult to discern his thoughts.