Chapter 105: A Waste of Space? And He Dares Despise Me?

“Wait, Ruying, slow down,” He Chen said, wiping his mouth as he studied the blushing Liu family maiden below.

He had always remembered Liu Ruying.

Back when the Liu and He families were on good terms in court, both being affiliated with the Grand Tutor’s mansion, the Liu Patriarch had come to Luocheng from Jiangnan for a long-term collaboration. He’d brought his seven-year-old daughter along to play.

At the time, He Yimo was the only child of a similar age in the He residence.

Liu Ruying, though from a scholarly family in Jiangnan, had loved swordplay since childhood. Coincidentally, He Yimo had also been learning swordsmanship from his aunt. The two quickly became inseparable.

Since He Yimo was a year older and more skilled with the sword, Liu Ruying followed him everywhere, calling him “Brother” incessantly.

Later, Luan Xinyao taught He Yimo, who in turn taught Liu Ruying. The two little rascals constantly ran back and forth between the He and Liu mansions—much to everyone’s delight.

Seeing how well the two children got along, and with the families’ partnership progressing smoothly, one day, after drinking together at the Phoenix-Tasting Pavilion, the two patriarchs impulsively arranged a betrothal between them.

At the time, Liu Ruying quite liked He Yimo. Upon hearing she was to marry into the He family, her eyes lit up with joy. She insisted He Yimo stop calling her “Little Sister” and instead address her as “Wife.”

He Yimo refused. Liu Ruying threw a tantrum, sitting on the ground and hugging his legs, crying her eyes out.

Only after He Chen scolded He Yimo did the boy, blushing, go and coax Liu Ruying into accepting the “wife” title.

But the next day, when Liu Ruying stopped crying, He Yimo was apparently dragged into his aunt’s room for a stern lecture.

Those were the old days, though. For several years, the two played together happily.

As their peers began cultivating, He Yimo’s “waste of a constitution”—due to his sealed heritage—became common knowledge. Meanwhile, Liu Ruying was discovered to be a once-in-a-century prodigy in string music.

Gradually, the gap in their cultivation widened. While He Yimo was barely at the early Qi Condensation stage, Liu Ruying was already on the verge of Foundation Establishment.

The growing disparity created a rift between the childhood friends. As they grew older, and girls matured faster than boys, Liu Ruying began to look down on He Yimo.

After all, she was a genius in string music, far surpassing him in both cultivation and talent—yet she still had to call him “Brother” and tag along behind him like a little follower.

That wouldn’t do.

So, Liu Ruying began asserting dominance. Perhaps influenced by He Yimo’s aunt, she started ordering him around—fetching tea, washing her feet, massaging her…

But He Yimo was no pushover. He already had to endure his aunt’s daily bullying; how could his childhood follower-turned-little-sister start throwing her weight around after just three or four years?

Unsurprisingly, a fight broke out between them.

But Liu Ruying was no longer the little girl who would cry and call for “Brother.” She decided to settle it with a duel.

If He Yimo lost, he would have to call her “Sister” from then on and serve her just as he served his aunt—with daily tea-fetching and foot-rubbing rituals.

He Chen thought this was excessive and tried to intervene, but to his surprise, He Yimo readily agreed.

Crossing his arms, He Yimo shot back, “And if you lose?”

Liu Ruying, ever proud, retorted, “I’ll do whatever you say.”

He Yimo then quipped, “Then you’ll have to publicly declare, ‘My dear husband~ Ning knows she was wrong~ Ning will warm your bed for life~’”

The girl was furious at his mocking tone, her face flushing red as she huffed and returned to the Liu residence.

The next day, Liu Ruying arrived with her finest sword and several medicinal pills, fully prepared to challenge He Yimo.

Since this was a duel between children of two Great Tutor mansions, both families were present, and a crowd had gathered outside the He residence.

Liu Ruying strode onto the duel stage.

In just three rounds, her flashy illusions and sword techniques were all seen through by He Yimo.

Most amusingly, He Yimo didn’t even deign to use his sword against her. sidestepping her strike, he kicked her squarely in the backside, sending her tumbling headfirst into a flower pot below the stage.

He Chen recalled the chaos that ensued—maids spent ages finally pulling the Liu family’s precious daughter out of the pot. Liu Ruying was covered in dirt, pouting with red-rimmed eyes, glaring resentfully at He Yimo above.

She seemed to be waiting for him to coax her, but He Yimo remained silent, not offering a single conciliatory word.

Liu Ruying burst into tears right then and there.

As the cherished daughter of a Great Tutor mansion, spoiled and pampered from birth, and having grown up hearing constant praise for her genius, she had developed a prideful personality.

Afterward, Liu Ruying never called He Yimo “My dear husband” as promised.

What He Chen remembered most were two things:

1. Luan Xinyao laughing her head off nearby.

2. Liu Ruying bawling her eyes out, carried home by her doting parents.

From that day on, the incident of “Liu Ruying, at Foundation Establishment, losing to He Yimo at Qi Condensation” became the talk of Luocheng.

Afterward, Liu Ruying never came to play with He Yimo again. Rumor had it she locked herself in her room for days, refusing to come out even when He Yimo tried to coax her—though she still ate the meals he brought.

Later, the He and Liu families’ partnership ended, and the Liu patriarch took his daughter back to Jiangnan.

Looking back…

Those old days were quite something.

He Chen had assumed that after the Liu family sent representatives to annul the engagement, Liu Ruying would have moved on with her life in Jiangnan, never crossing paths with He Yimo again.

Yet, ten years later, here she was, visiting the He mansion.

Even stranger—she claimed to despise He Yimo but still insisted on honoring their betrothal.

***

Inside the He Residence Main Hall

“Wait, Ruying, what did you just say?” He Chen took another sip of tea to clear his throat, studying Liu Ruying’s flushed face.

Having navigated court politics for half his life, he found her stubborn logic baffling.

Are there really women who insist on marrying a man they look down upon?

“Yes, Uncle He!” Liu Ruying stood up, her expression serious. “The betrothal contract between He Yimo and me was signed. How can it be annulled without my consent?”

“But it was annulled,” He Chen replied, confused.

“I refuse!” Liu Ruying lifted her chin, mimicking the defiant stance she’d once used against He Yimo.

He Chen wiped his brow. “But your father already agreed on your behalf.”

“Then I’m here today to reclaim the torn contract!”

“Eh?” He Chen wondered if he’d misheard.

What on earth is so special about that boy that this girl has held a grudge—and a crush—for ten years, still insisting on marrying him?

Just as He Chen was lost in thought, a voice cut in from the opposite side.

“What nonsense! Marriage isn’t child’s play! The contract was torn up years ago. Now you think you can just re-sign it? Do you take the He mansion for some matchmaking service for dogs?”

Luan Xinyao was furious.

Her face flushed red, glaring daggers at Liu Ruying—truly kindred spirits in their fiery tempers.

“Shut up, you old hag! Can’t you keep your mouth shut?” Liu Ruying snapped, completely losing her composure.

She thrust out her chest, showcasing the curves she’d developed over the years, and narrowed her eyes. “My dear He Yimo’s father is right here. When does a little aunt like you get to interfere?”

“Old hag? I may be an old hag, but I’ve been with He Yimo for sixteen years!”

Luan Xinyao didn’t seem bothered by the insult, puffing up with pride.

As a spirit crane, she was still young in her species. Only truly aging women would get upset at being called “old.”

Besides, who told you he’s even a—”

Luan Xinyao nearly blurted out the rest but caught herself, glancing at He Chen. She pursed her lips and fell silent.

“Fine, I won’t waste my breath on you. But let’s see if his father agrees to this marriage.”

With that, Luan Xinyao closed her eyes, radiating confidence.

At the same time, Liu Ruying’s heart tightened, sensing something off in her tone.

She quickly turned back to He Chen, her expression shifting from confrontational to demure.

“Uncle He, you always favored me as a child… Surely you wouldn’t mind having me as your daughter-in-law now?”

Liu Ruying batted her eyelashes, putting on her best “obedient maiden” act.

But as she spoke, the atmosphere in the hall grew awkward.

Thinking of He Yimo’s extraordinary bloodline, He Chen sighed and shook his head gently. “Let’s not.”

“Why?” Liu Ruying’s eyes widened in shock.

Before coming to the He mansion, she’d spent countless nights plotting ways to control He Yimo.

Yet she never imagined she’d stumble at the very first step—the betrothal.

“It makes no sense! I, Liu Ruying, am a perfect match for the He family! I have the looks, the talent, the skills—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, you name it. In Jiangnan, my suitors could line up from the east gate to the west!”

“And He Yimo? He’s a nobody waste! All these years, I heard he hasn’t improved at all—instead, he’s become a playboy in Luocheng!”

“Uncle He, tell me, in this entire Great Xia Dynasty, besides me, who else would be willing to marry a waste like He Yimo?”

“Would having me as your daughter-in-law really disgrace the He family?”

The more Liu Ruying spoke, the more agitated she became, abandoning the grace of a Liu family maiden.

In her eyes, this was the truth!

It was as if she were offering a one-sided favor, expecting the He family to welcome her like some blessed gift—only to have the recipient scorn her!

“That’s true… Ruying is still young and talented. There’s no need to fixate on my nephew,” He Chen said, though as the head of the household, he sounded uncertain.

The answer was simple: He Yimo’s “biological mother” in the West Regions forbade him from marrying a human.

He Chen was only his adoptive father—what right did he have to decide?

“But… I love He Yimo!” Liu Ruying’s eyes reddened with grievance.

The stalemate deepened.

He Chen thought of a perfect way to shift the blame. “How about this? When He Yimo returns, I’ll have him speak with you directly. If he agrees, we’ll have no objections.”

“Is that true?”

Liu Ruying’s eyes lit up as if she’d found a guaranteed solution.

But then, she sensed hesitation in He Chen’s words. “What do you mean, ‘when He Yimo returns’? Is he out womanizing at the Phoenix-Tasting Pavilion again? Then I’ll wait for him here at the He mansion!”

“That’s not it—He Yimo is currently at Wuji Sect.”

“Wuji Sect—????”

Just as Liu Ruying’s face had brightened, it fell again.

She looked as stunned as when she first heard about the annulled betrothal.

At the same time, she glanced at Luan Xinyao, who’d been watching silently with a knowing smile.

“Why are you looking at me? I never said he was at the Grand Tutor’s mansion!”

“Then I’ll go to Wuji Sect and bring him back!”

Liu Ruying was thoroughly provoked, clenching her fists as if to storm out.

A bead of sweat trickled down Luan Xinyao’s forehead, but she forced a sly laugh.

“I wouldn’t bother. You’d just be humiliating yourself.”

“Why?” Liu Ruying stopped, suspicious.

Luan Xinyao scoffed. “You don’t still think He Yimo’s that same waste, do you?”

“What do you mean?”

“As far as I know, He Yimo just achieved third-merit service at Wuji Sect a few days ago. The Sect Master and even the Imperial Alliance representative are probably publicly honoring him right now!”

“Third-merit service?”

Liu Ruying’s eyes widened as if she’d heard an astronomical number.

In all her years of diligent cultivation in Jiangnan, her highest achievement was winning first place at the Profound Sound Conference—for which the Imperial Alliance branch had merely given her a medal.

Third-merit service…

She’d heard from elders that such a rank required at least key member status in major campaigns against cultists!

“A waste like He Yimo, how could he possibly achieve these status?”

Liu Ruying crossed her arms, unable to imagine how such a feat could be linked to him.

Luan Xinyao didn’t explain further, just smiled faintly with her eyes closed.

Just as the room fell silent, a hearty laugh echoed from outside.

“Lord He, your nephew He Yimo is making quite a name for himself at Wuji Sect!”

Liu Ruying turned—and locked eyes with none other than the Sect Master of Wuji Sect.