Chapter 28: Sisters Facing Each Other

Shang Clan.

Shang Hongchen finished her cultivation and came out. She looked, and both her brother and sister were missing; neither was present, indicating a situation: her younger sister Shang Hongxue had gone to find Chen Chuyang again, and her brother definitely followed.

At this moment, Shang Hongchen's good mood vanished again, replaced by anger.

"What on earth does this girl Hongxue want? She promised me she wouldn't go looking for Chen Chuyang again, so why does she keep running off to Longshe Shan?"

Jiang Luolan happened to be passing by, heard her daughter's words, and involuntarily stopped.

She glanced at her eldest daughter without speaking; she knew full well that the younger daughter could not have run out without an accomplice—this Shang Clan was ultimately not under the eldest daughter's control, but hers.

"Mother, did you let Hongxue go out?"

Jiang Luolan was startled and quickly denied: "How could that be? Hongchen, don't speak nonsense; Mother fully supports your decision, your sister wants to go out, and we can't stop her."

This eldest daughter is really sharp; she must have guessed it long ago.

Jiang Luolan showed no panic at all; the eldest daughter's future doesn't need her worry. After entering the Heavenly Heart Sect, the precious daughter will soar to great heights, and at the same time she can look after the family, bringing the Shang Clan to another peak.

Likewise, within a major sect, competition is fierce; a little carelessness means death—even Shang Hongchen cannot be said to be safe.

After all, the Shang Clan is rooted in Longshe Cheng; no matter what, they cannot escape Longshe Cheng.

Hongxue differs from Hongchen; her health is poor, and it's rare to meet someone like Chen Chuyang who is willing to spend for his daughter. She heard from her husband that for Hongxue, that kid Chen Chuyang has used many good things, and Hongxue's health hasn't deteriorated over these years thanks to his help.

She always felt this daughter had a secret; unexpectedly it was related to Chen Chuyang. Looking at it this way, Chen Chuyang is a suitable son-in-law; the eldest daughter doesn't like him, which works out perfectly to bring the two together.

Moreover, Jiang Luolan had asked Hongxue and learned her thoughts.

The Chen Clan also sent people to say that she had long planned to, after Hongchen left, facilitate their union.

Thus, the marriage alliance between the Shang Clan and the Chen Clan poses no problem; the relationship between the two families will advance further.

It will not ruin the two families' relations because of Shang Hongchen's broken engagement.

This proposal also received Shang Yingnian's approval.

After visiting Longshe Shan, Shang Yingnian's attitude underwent a 180-degree shift, which made Jiang Luolan even happier.

The eldest daughter's idea is her own alone; it does not represent the Shang Clan, nor does it represent Hongxue.

"Hmph, best that way." Shang Hongchen warned: "Hongxue must not get too close to Chen Chuyang; this person's motives are impure, he's not suitable for Hongxue."

"You're right." Jiang Luolan tried to go along with this daughter to avoid her suspecting herself.

Shang Hongchen was also speechless toward her mother; surely she had help here, otherwise the younger sister could not have left the Shang Clan.

"How long has Hongxue been gone?"

Jiang Luolan looked elsewhere, not answering.

"She left yesterday, right?"

Right after her cultivation practice.

Jiang Luolan did not answer.

Alright, that's how it is.

Shang Hongchen rubbed her forehead; indeed, this mother is beyond help.

"I will go to Longshe Shan to find Chen Chuyang."

Hearing this, Jiang Luolan quickly grabbed the eldest daughter.

"Mother, what do you mean?"

"Cough cough, Hongchen, no need to rush; your sister and they will be back soon."

Longshe Shan, the eldest daughter cannot go.

This is the order issued by her husband Shang Yingnian, and also her own intention.

For Hongxue's sake, and to ease relations with the Chen Clan, the eldest daughter cannot go to find Chen Chuyang.

If these two meet, they will fight; whoever gets hurt, it's no good.

The only option is to prevent them from meeting; this is the safest way.

"Mother, are you hiding something from me?"

"No, how could that be?"

Jiang Luolan dared not look at her daughter's eyes; this daughter is too sharp—any tiny clue, and she can see the whole picture.

If she weren't a daughter, she would surely be the future head of the Shang Clan.

There's no room for this little son Shang Yue.

"Look, they're back."

Jiang Luolan was thinking how to explain when she saw her daughter and son return, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

She personally went to greet her precious daughter; as for the son, she sent him away.

Shang Yue watched his mother walk straight past him, treating him as air; at that moment, his heart was deeply hurt.

I had both arms open, waiting for Mother to comfort me, but the result was, you don't see me.

"Crack."

That heart, like glass, shattered into countless pieces.

"Hongxue, you're not hurt, are you?"

"Mother, take a look; as long as you're fine, that's good. This time you went away for so long, Mother was very worried about you."

"Next time, this is not allowed."

Shang Hongxue bowed: "It's my fault, daughter, that made Mother worry."

Jiang Luolan laughed repeatedly, waving her hands, comforting the daughter with all kind words.

Then she looked at her son Shang Yue; her smile vanished, and her face quickly fell.

"Shang Yue, how exactly are you acting as a brother? You took your sister out for a night and didn't come home—don't you know how dangerous the outside is? If you encounter danger, how will you face me? How will you face your older sister?"

"As a mother, am I not letting you watch your second sister, and yet you're doing exactly that?"

Shang Yue was dazed by his mother's sudden scolding; he hadn't done anything, yet for this he still had to pay out one hundred thirty spirit stones.

He also got beaten, and it was miserable; this time going out, his body and mind were struck.

Returning home, not getting comfort was bad enough, yet he was also condemned by his mother in this way.

My heart, shattered again.

"Mother, child..."

"Alright, wait and go face the wall; give me three days of facing the wall."

"Ah?"

Jiang Luolan's face turned cold again: "Three days too little, huh? Then make it five days."

"Oh." Shang Yue dared not question further; he didn't want to add more days.

Wronged and pitiful, he looked at his older sister, hoping to receive her comfort.

"Did you go to Longshe Shan?"

"Mm."

Shang Yue answered truthfully: "Older sister, I followed you to Longshe Shan, and then I——"

To put it simply, he had been tricked, and at the same time his cultivation had also broken through; Shang Yue voluntarily omitted the scene of his own beating, left out some details, and only spoke of his own grievances.

"Older sister, this time I——"

He reached out, intending to claim reimbursement.

Shang Hongchen ignored his outstretched hands and coldly said: "Hmph, Shang Yue, you still have the nerve to ask me for spirit stones? Is this how you look at your second older sister?"

"I——"

"Go face the wall."

"Oh."

Shang Yue knew that those spirit stones could not be reimbursed.

Obediently go face the wall; the older sister has decided, and there is no room for remedy in this matter.

Shang Hongchen stared at Shang Hongxue and sternly said: "Hongxue, I told you before—don't go look for Chen Chuyang, don't go to Longshe Shan—why won't you listen?"

"What's so good about Chen Chuyang? People like him are everywhere in Longshe Cheng; you could pick anyone else, yet you insist on him."

"I really don't understand—what about such an ordinary person attracts you, what makes you…… think he's good?"

You may go look for others, younger sister, but you must not seek Chen Chuyang.

This is what Shang Hongchen finds most aggravating, and also a thorn in her heart.

A man that Shang Hongchen looks down on—you, Shang Hongxue, actually took a liking to him—what is this?

She doesn't understand—what's good about Chen Chuyang? He lacks everything; the future Chen Clan won't be inherited by him; at most he'll spend his whole life on Longshe Shan, with no prospects, and in the future he won't…… have a future.

Such a man has nothing worth looking forward to.

She doesn't understand.

She truly doesn't understand.

Younger sister, why…… did you take a liking to him?