Kong Bailu never imagined that the country bumpkin she spoke of would actually appear dressed like this!
"You... you..."
Such attire was too shocking, too dazzling, and too eye-catching.
It rendered her speech incoherent.
If these were country bumpkins, then who was the person of high status she spoke of?
"This King joined the army at eighteen, participating in no less than fifty battles, big and small. After years of fighting, I achieved my current position.
To call me a country bumpkin is not entirely wrong, for in the end, this King knows only how to fight."
Ye Longlin spoke slowly. With one step forward, Kong Bailu felt her footing unsteady.
"This King, at twenty-five, sealed the wolf's dwelling, earned the Supreme's thrice-invited audience, and fought unrivalingly on the battlefield."
To seal the wolf's dwelling and engrave stone at Yan Ran was the highest honor and merit for a military general today.
It was also the lifelong pursuit of disciples from military families.
This...
At twenty-five, achieving such a feat, traversing mountains and rivers – what immense merit this was!
Even, the Supreme's northward gaze!
Kong Bailu felt her mind could not keep up. When did her daughter become acquainted with such a person, and more so, his girlfriend?
No wonder they all said their family had married up, not that their princess had married down.
In comparison, it truly was marrying up.
As Zhao Qian had said, Ye Longlin was not yet thirty. If given a few more decades, it was uncertain what position he might reach.
Perhaps even...
Upon thinking of this outcome, Kong Bailu's heart skipped a beat. Could it be? Could the other party reach such a position? If it were true, she dared not imagine.
"Regarding the matter between this King and Mu Hanqi, the Murong family's words do not count. The Hall of Honor has decreed that if I marry, the authority holder of the Hall of Honor shall serve as the witness."
Another statement that made Kong Bailu almost fall onto the sofa. The impact almost shattered her worldview. She never imagined her daughter's boyfriend came from such a powerful background!
The foremost of generals!
"Please remember, Auntie, Mu Hanqi can only be called Mu Hanqi, not Murong Yuhan. She has never enjoyed the resources of the Murong family, nor the status and power the Murong family brings."
In fact, it was true. Mu Hanqi had followed Mu Ye through hardships since childhood and had never stayed with the Murong family for even a day.
"General Ye is correct. Xiao Qi has never enjoyed anything from the Murong family. Why should she sacrifice her happiness for your selfish desires? Since it is the old man's order, then let the old man have another child. Can he not have more? Didn't he boast that even without my Mu Ye's family, the Murong royal lineage would still be the Murong royal lineage?
Now, why must you use family honor to threaten my daughter? Why sacrifice me, a person who is no longer a member of the Murong family, for his lust for power?"
At this moment, Mu Ye walked in from outside, speaking coldly. Clearly, he held considerable grievances against the Murong family patriarch.
Since she had never enjoyed status or prestige from the Murong family for a single day, why should her daughter be forced to marry someone she disliked?
After Mu Ye entered, he smiled at Zhao Qian and quickly stepped forward to shake her hand, saying, "My dear mother-in-law, I apologize for letting you witness our troubles. But rest assured, this matter... Longlin will handle it well."
Upon entering, he had switched identities twice within a mere two minutes.
The first was as an abandoned son of the Murong family, referring to Ye Longlin as General Ye, which also indicated his emotional intelligence.
As a soldier, calling someone "General" was a form of recognition. As he said, he knew only how to fight; he was merely a soldier.
The second was as a father, stepping forward to speak with Zhao Qian in his paternal capacity, directly addressing her as "my dear mother-in-law," which helped to ease the tension in the room and prevent it from becoming too confrontational.
This was a master.
Yuan Gang, standing behind, felt he had learned a great deal.
"The ten thousand troops of the Dragon Pavilion are ready at any moment."
Upon hearing this, not only Kong Bailu, but Mu Ye also staggered in shock, staring at Ye Longlin and almost blurting out: "A thousand sails have passed, soldiers at the city gates, are you mad?"
After speaking, he realized he shouldn't have said that, but Ye Longlin chuckled lightly.
"In my half-life of twenty-seven years, I have never lived for myself. This time, consider it living for myself."
The implication was that no one could stop him, regardless of who they were.
"Hiss."
Mu Ye and Kong Bailu both gasped, their expressions trembling with fear.
At his level of existence, even the Murong patriarch would have to consider carefully, and inviting Murong Old Ancestor, one of the Ten Elders, to intervene would require serious thought as to whether it was worth it.
Once they acted, it would signify a complete break between the Murong family and Ye Longlin.
To put it bluntly, the Dragon Pavilion had the ability and the strength to dye Jinling red overnight!
"You've grown up, and you're even more handsome. The achievements you've gained now... you must have suffered a lot, haven't you?"
Only the closest of kin would disregard his glory and see the hardships behind it.
This was family.
"Aunt Zhao, it's alright. You should be proud of me, proud that I am a soldier."
Ye Longlin was slightly smug. These humanized expressions rarely appeared on his face.
Xuan Niao and Yuan Gang, having followed Ye Longlin for so long, were most accustomed to his death-like expression and the aura of killing intent that constantly surrounded him.
Never before had they seen such a humanized expression.
"Oh, right..."
Just as Ye Longlin was about to say something, Mu Hanqi chuckled playfully, holding Mu Ye's arm and saying with a smile, "Dad, after we leave, you must take good care of your mother-in-law. If I come back and find Aunt Zhao thinner, humph, I won't talk to you."
Mu Hanqi knew what he wanted to say, but she also knew that Ye Longlin couldn't say it, nor did he know how to express it, so she spoke first.
Mu Ye rolled his eyes, "You're not even married yet, and you're already siding with outsiders. It seems this little padded jacket is letting in the wind. It's no good."
It seemed... Kong Bailu was completely ignored throughout.
"I'm going to change, let's go out for a meal. Who knows when we'll meet next."
Ye Longlin said, then went upstairs to change.
A few minutes later, Ye Longlin came down wearing a suit.
The difference between the two appearances was immense.
The former, clad in imperial robes, exuded murderous intent, appearing like a true god of war.
The latter, in a suit, was refined and elegant, like a business elite.
A group of people surrounded them and headed out. Before leaving, Mu Ye paused, "Kong Bailu, you come with us too. But control your temper, and remember, Longlin wants to resolve this matter himself, not by your persuasion.
And remember this: the reason you are being invited is not because you are the Murong family's daughter-in-law, but because you are Xiao Qi's mother. That is all."