It was a new day. I woke up, got ready, and just as I was tying the final knot on my robe, I heard the sharp, echoing voice of my mother coming from downstairs.
I quickly grabbed my outer robe and rushed down with my servant, Sima Baoxiang. As I approached the dining hall, I peeked in and saw my mother, father, and eldest sister already inside. My mother slapped my sister across the face.
"You unfilial child! Do you even realize the shame you've brought upon the Sima Clan?"
My sister stood firm, voice cold. "I don't regret it."
"She reached Initial Master Stage," my servant whispered beside me.
"What happened?" I asked, eyes wide.
"You haven't heard?" he whispered back. "Our young lady went to Heavenly Taste Hall in Changsha. While enjoying her meal, she witnessed the Second Young Lady of the Bai Clan, Bai Yueli, harassing a male waiter. No one dared intervene because of the Bai Clan's status. But our young lady stood up and beat Bai Yueli to protect the waiter."
I blinked. "She did the right thing."
"Wait," he said. "It didn't end there. Bai Xianling, the First Young Lady of the Bai Clan and your sister's rival for the title of 'Young Dragon of Hunan,' showed up. She tried to apologize on behalf of her sister, but our lady demanded justice. Even the waiter wanted to let it go, but she wouldn't back down. She cursed the Bai Clan. A fight broke out."
"And she lost?" I whispered.
"Utterly. Bai Xianling is already at Master Stage."
My stomach dropped.
"The rumors now say the Sima Clan plotted to use the incident to outshine Bai Xianling... but failed."
Inside the dining hall, my father spoke, "Let her be. She did the right thing."
"Shut up," my mother snapped. "You have no idea how hard it is to restore our clan's image. And this is your fault! You gave me a disgraceful daughter and two useless boys! The Bai Matriarch has three daughters—one is a genius!"
My sister stepped in. "Don't drag Father into this."
Slap.
"How dare you interrupt your mother!"
Just then, a guard appeared at the door.
"Matriarch, the elders await you in the main hall."
She exhaled sharply. "I'm coming. Qianlan, come with me."
They left. My father remained seated, his expression hollow.
I clenched my fists. I had to know what would happen.
I followed them to the main hall.
The hall was massive, lined with clan banners, and heavy with tradition. I wasn't allowed inside, but I slipped in, telling a servant I was summoned, then found a hidden spot where I could observe.
The six elders were already seated. My mother took the Matriarch's seat, and beside her sat my grandmother, Supreme Elder Sima Ruyan.
"Let's begin," my mother said.
ood.
"There are troubling rumors about our clan, all because of the young lady's actions," she said.
"We'll handle it," my mother replied calmly. "We'll turn the rumors against the Bai Clan. Their Second Young Lady harassed the waiter—everyone knows her nature. I'll enlist the Beggar Sect to spread the truth. As for Qianlan, I'll double her training."
Sima Jinhai frowned. "The Bai Clan is rising. Their First Young Lady is already at Master Stage, giving them nine Master-level warriors. We only have seven. Their Matriarch is at Peak Master Stage. Merchants are breaking contracts and turning to them."
The Third Elder interjected, "But we have more First-Class warriors. We can still match them."
Jinhai shook her head. "This isn't just about numbers. It's about momentum. We are declining, and they are improving. People are betting on their future, not ours."
"So what do you suggest?" my mother asked.
"We should allow our elders to learn the Supreme Crane Sword Arts," Jinhai said. "It could elevate some to Grandmaster Stage."
My mother stood abruptly. "How dare you? That art is only for the main bloodline and designated Matriarch successors!"
She released her qi—sharp and oppressive.
But Jinhai stood her ground and matched it. "The main family is failing. You reached only Mid-Master Stage after all that training. Your mother was Half-Step Grandmaster at your age."
The hall grew tense.
Then suddenly—
A wave of suffocating pressure flooded the room.
Grandmother had released her qi.
I couldn't breathe. My vision blurred. My knees buckled.
This… this is Grandmaster Stage…
"Do you intend to break the ancient rule and covet the supreme art?" Grandmother asked, her voice like thunder.
"Yes," Jinhai answered through gritted teeth, kneeling.
"You dare show such greed in the main hall?"
"I do not want to end up like my mother, who died saving you!"
Grandmother's qi faded. Her expression softened, if only for a moment.
Jinhai stood, hair disheveled, breathing hard.
"My mother was more talented than you. She reached Peak Grandmaster Stage when you were only Half-Step. If she had learned the Supreme Crane Sword Arts, she might've reached Unrestrained Stage. But she died saving you."
She motioned to a girl beside her.
"This is my daughter, Sima Moyue. She's the same age as Qianlan and already a First-Class Warrior. I've only taught her the Greater Crane Sword Technique, yet she even mastered five forms of greater Crane sword technique."
Gasps filled the hall.
"Qianlan has only mastered the first form of the supreme art. If Moyue were given the same chance, she could go even further."
Grandmother's face remained unreadable. "Rules are rules."
Jinhai sank back into her seat, defeated.
"Any other matters?" my mother asked.
The Fifth Elder spoke. "If we arrange a marriage alliance with the Bai Clan, we could end this rivalry peacefully."
"Lianzhen is already betrothed to a daughter of the Lin Clan," my mother replied.
"Then… why not Rin?" the Third Elder asked.
"He's fifteen" mother replied. We can propose an engagement, not a marriage."
"The Bai Clan is already preparing to wed their First Young Lady to the Lei Clan's young master" Mother said. "Their Third Young Lady is too young."
The First Elder raised her voice, "Then propose a marriage with their Second Young Lady."
Mother's eyes burned in rage. "You mean that 'Night Queen of Hunan'? The one who visits brothels daily? You want my son to marry her?"
"For the clan, sacrifices must be made or main family only want other member to made sacrifice," Jinhai said like fox.
The room fell silent. All eyes were on Mother.
Just as she opened her mouth to reply—
"I will never marry!" I shouted, storming from the hall.
"Rin!" Mother yelled, but I didn't stop.
I ran.
My mother put hand on her face and tell the elders let me think about it and end the meeting.
I found Grandpa near the pond, skipping stones in the moonlight.
I hugged him tightly. "Grandpa, I don't want to be married off. I want to prove I can stand on my own. I want to reach the peak myself."
He hugged me back, warm and steady.
"Don't worry, Rin," he said. "The mountain may be tall… but you are destined to climb it."