210: Jealousy and responsibility, the debate over titles and status

Madam Liu's entrustment and Lin Xuan's promise were like a massive boulder thrown into the lake of Gongsun Yu's heart, stirring up complex ripples.

Taking the heavy Purple Heaven Thunder Seal and feeling the responsibility and expectations contained within it, she did not feel the excitement she had anticipated; instead, a great sense of bewilderment and... a trace of reluctance welled up inside her.

She had been lively by nature since childhood, yearning for freedom and longing to travel the world like Big Brother Lin and the others, to see the vast expanse of the world and experience more exciting and thrilling adventures.

Becoming the head of the Family, trapped within the Thunder Roar Mountain Range, dealing with trivial Family matters, and balancing various factions—this was not what she desired in her heart.

What she wanted more was to stay by Lin Xuan's side, fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with him; even if it were dangerous, she would willingly accept it.

"Mother... Big Brother Lin... I..." Gongsun Yu held the Thunder Seal, her small face filled with struggle, her voice as low as a mosquito's buzz. "I... I don't want to be this acting family head... I want... I want to be with you all..."

Upon hearing this, Madam Liu's face paled, and her eyes revealed disappointment and anxiety: "Yu'er! You... how can you be so insensible! This was exchanged for by your father with his life! The Family is now teetering on the brink of collapse; besides you, who else can shoulder this responsibility?!"

Seeing Madam Liu's agitated emotions and her unstable Qi, Lin Xuan hurriedly stepped forward to support her, while simultaneously casting a soothing look at Gongsun Yu.

At this moment, Su Wanqing, who had been watching quietly, spoke. Her voice remained cold and aloof, yet it carried a transparency that saw through the ways of the world: "Xiaoyu, the position of Family head is not a shackle, but a source of power and responsibility. You taking over does not mean you must be trapped here forever."

Qu Feiyan also sashayed over, her waist swaying like a water snake. She gently tapped Gongsun Yu's smooth forehead with her jade finger and chided: "Silly girl, who said that just because you become the acting family head, you can't go out on adventures? Look at those Sect leaders and heads of great families; aren't they all out exploring and treasure hunting year-round? Just take this title first to stabilize the big picture. Once your mother's health recovers, or you Cultivate a suitable successor, you can just pass the burden on, right? By then, if you want to roam the world with your Big Brother Lin, who could stop you?"

She paused, her charming eyes darting toward Lin Xuan, and she smiled pointedly: "Besides, you are now the acting family head, holding the Family's supreme Legacy, the 'Nine Heavens Thunder Control Technique'. Think about it: you are following us to investigate the Guixu Cult to avenge your father and also to protect the common people of the Eastern Region. Isn't this reason legitimate enough? Who would dare say you are abandoning the Family? This is called 'upholding the greater righteousness without being bound by petty details'!"

These words from Qu Feiyan truly awakened the dreamer!

Gongsun Yu's eyes instantly lit up! That's right, she could leave on the grounds of investigating the Guixu Cult, avenging her father, and protecting the common people! This way, she would not be shirking her responsibilities and could still achieve her wish! Moreover, her mother could indeed temporarily exercise the Family head's authority on her behalf and handle daily affairs.

"Mother," Gongsun Yu looked at Madam Liu, her eyes becoming firm once again. "Sister Qu is right! I am willing to take on the position of acting family head and stabilize the Family. But investigating the Guixu Cult and avenging my father is also a responsibility I cannot shirk! Please allow me, once the Family is stable, to accompany Big Brother Lin and the others. I will definitely work hard to Cultivate our Family's Cultivation Technique and will never tarnish the reputation of the Gongsun Family!"

Madam Liu looked at the fire reignited in her daughter's eyes, then at the composed and confident Qu Feiyan and the cold and steady Su Wanqing beside her, knowing this was the best arrangement for now. She sighed and finally nodded: "Very well... I will agree to your plan. However, Yu'er, you must promise Mother that you will prioritize your own safety and listen to the opinions of Young Master Lin and your two sisters in all matters."

"Yes! Daughter will definitely do so!" Gongsun Yu nodded vigorously, the heavy stone in her heart finally falling, and a look of relief appeared on her face.

However, when Madam Liu mentioned getting married as soon as possible again, the atmosphere in the room became subtle once more.

"Once the Family is initially stable, we will hold your wedding; it will also settle one of my worries." Madam Liu looked at Lin Xuan and Gongsun Yu, a hint of gratified smile appearing on her face.

Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing, who had always appeared calm and indifferent, paused slightly with the jade finger holding her teacup. Her cold gaze lowered to look at the rippling tea in the cup, lost in thought. Although she had long since accepted her relationship with Lin Xuan and even reached a tacit understanding with Qu Feiyan, hearing the word 'marriage' still inevitably stirred an indescribable bitterness in her heart. Status, for a woman, was ultimately different.

Qu Feiyan was even more direct. She was already sitting next to Lin Xuan, and at this moment, she reached out with her slender jade fingers and pinched the soft flesh on his waist, not too lightly or too heavily. She leaned her red lips to his ear and whispered in a tone that only the two of them could hear, filled with thick jealousy and threat: "Yo~ So Young Master Lin is going to marry openly? Then what about us sisters? Do we become nameless, status-less wildflowers? Hmm?"

Lin Xuan felt pain in his waist, and while the breath near his ear was like an orchid, he felt the thick sourness in those words. He smiled bitterly in his heart, knowing that this 'life-threatening question' had to be answered properly.

He first reached back to hold Qu Feiyan's mischievous hand, squeezing it gently to soothe her, and then his gaze swept over Su Wanqing's slightly lowered eyelids and Gongsun Yu's expectant yet anxious small face. His voice was steady and sincere, clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Aunt, Wanqing, Feiyan, Xiaoyu. In my heart, you four are all people I have chosen; there is no distinction between first or last, and none of you are dispensable." He specifically included Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan in his words.

"The marriage with Xiaoyu is a necessity of the situation, and also a matter of the heart. But I, Lin Xuan, swear here that regardless of whether there is a wedding or what the status is, my heart for each and every one of you is exactly the same! If the heavens have feelings and the Dao permits, I am willing to bear witness to eternal life together with you all!"

He did not make empty promises to give everyone a wedding (which was not realistic in the world of Cultivation), but instead swore by his Dao Heart, expressing his attitude of treating everyone equally and his determination to pursue the Dao together. This both soothed Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan and gave Gongsun Yu the attention she deserved.

Su Wanqing raised her eyelids, a ripple flashing through her icy eyes, which finally turned into an almost inaudible sigh, and she nodded slightly. What she sought was not worldly empty rituals, but companionship on the path of the Dao and a meeting of hearts.

Qu Feiyan snorted. Although she was still a bit sour, she released her hand that was pinching Lin Xuan, and instead interlocked her fingers with his. She rolled her eyes at him charmingly and whispered: "You know how to talk... but you must not favor one over the other!"

Gongsun Yu also heaved a sigh of relief. She did not want her own marriage to make her two sisters unhappy, so she hurriedly said: "Senior Sister Su, Sister Qu, in my heart, you will always be my sisters!"

Madam Liu took all of this in, sighing inwardly that this Young Master Lin was truly an extraordinary person. To be able to win the hearts of three such outstanding women simultaneously and maintain a delicate balance was his own capability. She said no more; as long as her daughter was happy and the Family had support, that was enough.

Thus, the plan for Gongsun Yu to take over as the acting family head and leave with Lin Xuan under the pretext of investigating the Guixu Cult was settled. And a small wedding belonging to Gongsun Yu was also scheduled for the near future, adding a touch of brightness to this slightly heavy atmosphere.