Chapter 177: Severing the Relationship

For people of the Central Region, being able to go to Western Extremity Shengyu is already an endlessly glorious affair, let alone entering a top‑tier power like Zhu Lu Zhi Dian, which is like a colossal mega‑force?

It is said that Lin Xueyan, in the cloud‑filled ranks of strongmen at Zhu Lu Zhi Dian, has a high status. Even the Emperor Sovereign of Zhu Lu Zhi Dian treats her with great favor. This inevitably leads one to wonder whether this eldest daughter of the Lin Family, who possesses both talent and beauty, has earned the Emperor Sovereign's favor?

When this news spread, the entire Xiliang City, and even many neighboring countries, were shaken.

Before this, the Lin Family in Xiliang City was merely a somewhat prestigious clan in the city, whose livelihood was alchemy and medicine, running clinics; though wealthy, they were not as rich as the Xiao Family, nor as powerful as the Imperial Clan.

But now?

The Lin Family's elixir clinics have opened hundreds of branches across many neighboring countries, business booming, crowds weaving like fabric, naturally filling their coffers. Out of respect for Lin Xueyan, even His Majesty grants the Lin Family a three‑point courtesy, fearing to offend them by mistake.

When one person attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven—this refers to the Lin Family.

After five years of consolidation, the Lin Family grew even more powerful, seemingly disdainful of comparing themselves with other noble houses in Xiliang City. It is precisely for this reason that the Lin Family appears modest.

"Lord Lin, the head of the Lin Family, graces this humble abode, the canopy shines. Please, come in."

In the front hall, Lin Zhishang looked arrogant, after sitting he didn't bother to exchange pleasantries with Ye Yu, getting straight to the point, "Lord Ye, I have come today to plead on behalf of my little daughter Lin Yue. His Majesty also said that my little daughter's life or death rests on a single sentence from your daughter Ye Qingran; if you tell your daughter to spare my little daughter once, the Lin Family will not wrong her."

Even when asking for a favor, it's hard to hear any trace of humility from the mouth of this Lin Family patriarch.

That self‑evident tone, the slightly lifted chin, exuding arrogance, even made Ye Yu's heart flare with anger.

All the rage, yet Ye Yu could do nothing; after all, he doesn't have such a formidable daughter.

Moreover, even the current His Majesty dares not offend that person; as a lowly minister, I dare not provoke him either, so I said, "Lord Lin, no need for courtesy. I will summon my little daughter right away."

Before long, Ye Qingran arrived; the moment she saw Lin Zhishang in the front hall, a storm brewed in her eyes.

"Qingran, this is the head of the Lin Family; his daughter is Lin Xueyan. You probably know Lin Xueyan; she is now the Emperor Sovereign's woman at Zhu Lu Zhi Dian in Western Extremity Shengyu, her status noble, beyond our comparison. The Lin Family head is here today concerning his other daughter Lin Yue. Although Lin Yue has done some unforgivable deeds, they have not caused any serious consequences. Since His Majesty has given you the authority to decide their lives, please spare Lin Yue."

Ye Yu's words sounded very gratifying to Lin Zhishang's ears. Though he himself was unclear about Lin Xueyan's exact position at Zhu Lu Zhi Dian, the title "the Emperor Sovereign's woman" was evidently a fine status.

"You are Ye Qingran, right?" Lin Zhishang raised his eyes to size up Ye Qingran. As the daughter of General Dingyuan, he had naturally heard of her, and even knew that her disappearance five years ago was linked to her daughter Lin Xueyan. When he learned of this, he was quite startled.

But times change; now the Lin Family's status is immensely noble, and they no longer regard anyone from Donglin Country.

"As long as you spare Lin Yue, ask for any benefit you desire. Even rare Third‑Grade Elixirs, the Lin Family is not short of them; we can give you ten or eight of them."

Lin Zhishang's words were certainly not because Ye Qingran sparing Lin Yue would be such a great favor to the Lin Family; he simply wanted to show off.

But when Ye Qingran and Han Xing behind her heard this, they couldn't help sneering. Especially Han Xing, who almost couldn't hold back a White Eye right in front of Lin Zhishang.

"Rare Third‑Grade Elixir?"

"Sorry, in Medicine King Valley, elixirs of this grade are used to feed chickens and pigs."

"Miss said, pigs raised on elixirs have more delicious meat."

"Not sparing." Ye Qingran sat back, pursed her lips, and stared directly at Lin Zhishang.

Lin Zhishang wondered if he had misheard.

What did Ye Qingran say?

Not sparing?

He immediately burst into a scornful laugh, but before Ye Qingran could speak, Ye Yu slapped the table first, "You Rebellious Woman, the words I just told you, you treated them like wind in your ears, right?" He was worried that this Rebellious Woman would offend Lin Zhishang, which is why he explained so much when she entered, but he didn't expect she wouldn't hear a single word!

"What a fool!"

"I heard you, but I still won't spare!"

Ye Yu's angry face was trembling. Lin Zhishang gave a cold smile, "Ye Qingran, don't refuse a toast only to drink a penalty drink. I came to your residence today to give you face; don't give me a face and take it away. I tell you, today whether you spare Lin Yue or not, you must spare her!"

Ye Yu's complexion turned pale, his pupils constricted.

Given the Lin Family's current strength, offending Lin Zhishang could even endanger the Ye Residence with a whole‑family extermination!

At this thought, Ye Yu rose abruptly, pointed at Ye Qingran's nose and shouted, "Rebellious Woman, if you don't agree, get out of the Ye Residence! From now on, I will sever the father‑daughter relationship with you!"

"Sever the father‑daughter relationship?"

Ye Qingran's eyes lit up.

"Now that's a good idea!"

Ye Qingran felt extreme contempt, yet a chill of frost surfaced in her eyes.

Ye Yu thought that even if this method couldn't threaten Ye Qingran, the worst outcome would be Ye Qingran agreeing to sever ties with him. With Lin Zhishang present, if later Lin Xueyan came with people from Zhu Lu Zhi Dian for revenge, it would have nothing to do with him or the entire Ye Residence.

Lin Zhishang sneered repeatedly, pleased with Ye Yu's attitude; he hadn't seen many people like that in recent years. Moreover, he didn't think Ye Qingran would agree to sever ties with Ye Yu, since it was said she was a discarded waste without chastity, and such a person would meet a terribly tragic end upon leaving the family.

But something he never expected happened…

"Lord Ye, if I recall correctly, this mansion was left to me by my mother; if anyone must leave, it is you who must go." Ye Qingran's tone was calm, without a ripple. Ye Yu choked on these words, his face flushing red, unable to utter a retort.

"Moreover, Lord Ye, you are at least the Prime Minister of the current court; how could you not know that severing a father‑daughter relationship has always been merely verbal without proof? If we are to sever, then do it thoroughly, record it with brush and ink, lest anyone later repent. Lord Lin, do you think my words are correct?"

Lin Zhishang stared, his expression clearly one of considerable surprise.

"Ye Qingran, are you serious?"

"Lord Ye, why are you still lingering there? Have you changed your mind?"

"Changed your mind?"

"How could he possibly change his mind?"

He had only been weighing Ye Qingran's usefulness earlier; now he has thought it through.