Chapter 590: Marriage Alliance

Upon hearing Zhao Min suggest placing her in Song Qingshu’s harem, Li Mochou frowned. Although she had always been cold and aloof toward men, she was not foolish. Knowing Zhao Min’s intentions at this moment, she naturally wouldn’t expose her in public.

On the other hand, the faces of the Sun Moon Holy Cult members all changed drastically. They exchanged peculiar glances at Ren Yingying. After all, everyone knew about her relationship with Linghu Chong. Now, hearing that she had privately pledged herself to Song Qingshu was nothing short of shocking.

Even Ren Woxing gave his daughter a strange look. He had always been dissatisfied with Linghu Chong. Apart from Linghu Chong’s exceptional swordsmanship, he found him entirely unremarkable. Moreover, Linghu Chong had repeatedly rejected his offers of goodwill, which tested Ren Woxing’s patience to the limit.

Now, hearing that his beloved daughter had privately pledged herself to Song Qingshu, Ren Woxing felt both astonished and delighted. Considering Song Qingshu’s martial arts prowess and influence, he was far superior to Linghu Chong. As for Song Qingshu having many women by his side, Ren Woxing didn’t mind. To him, a real man ought to have multiple wives and concubines. If it became a problem, he could always eliminate his daughter’s rivals for her.

Feeling the gaze of the cult members and her father, Ren Yingying realized they had partially believed Zhao Min’s words. She was both angry and anxious, glaring at Zhao Min. “Nonsense! I wish I could kill that scoundrel. How could I… how could I ever have anything to do with him?”

Ren Yingying was known for her thin skin and concern for appearances. In front of so many people, she couldn’t bring herself to say the words “pledged herself to him.”

Song Qingshu was equally stunned by Zhao Min’s claims but chose to stay silent. Knowing her sharp wits, he decided to watch her performance with interest.

“Why must you deny it, sister?” Zhao Min appeared surprised by Ren Yingying’s denial. She casually remarked, “You even stole your father’s Cosmic Absorption Technique for Brother Song, yet you claim you aren’t deeply in love with him?”

Although Song Qingshu had not told Zhao Min how he obtained the Cosmic Absorption Technique, her cleverness allowed her to deduce Ren Yingying’s involvement. Unexpectedly, her guess hit the mark.

Ren Woxing turned abruptly to Ren Yingying. He had always found it strange how his daughter’s qi deviation earlier had been so suspicious. Zhao Min’s words seemed to explain everything.

The memory of catching Song Qingshu hiding in his daughter’s bath came to Ren Woxing’s mind. At the time, he thought it was an accident. Now, it appeared his daughter had already fallen into Song Qingshu’s clutches.

The realization that he had unknowingly become an easygoing father-in-law left Ren Woxing both shocked and enraged.

“Father…” Ren Yingying panicked and hurriedly tried to explain, but Ren Woxing cut her off.

With a wave of his hand, Ren Woxing ordered everyone out of the room. Once the cult members were gone, he finally sneered, “My dear daughter, have you also chosen to betray me?”

“It’s not like that! I just… I only…” Ren Yingying stammered, unable to come up with an explanation. She had indeed deceived her father to obtain the Cosmic Absorption Technique. Moreover, given her father’s increasing dissatisfaction with Linghu Chong, admitting she had done it for him would only worsen matters.

Her hesitation appeared as silent admission to Ren Woxing, who furrowed his brows deeply. Now that the situation had come to this, he couldn’t allow his daughter to be taken advantage of. Turning sharply to Song Qingshu, he demanded, “Song, how do you plan to take responsibility for my daughter?”

Both Ren Yingying and Song Qingshu were shocked, but before they could respond, Zhao Min laughed. “Master Ren, while your daughter is indeed stunning, many of us sisters in the harem rival her in beauty and status. Though she may hold a place in the harem, the position of the main wife is out of the question…”

“Silence!” Ren Woxing’s expression turned cold as he unleashed his Cosmic Absorption Technique toward Zhao Min, intending to deal a fatal blow.

Zhao Min suddenly felt her True Qi surging uncontrollably and her body being pulled toward Ren Woxing. She nearly lost her footing and was about to be drawn toward him.

Song Qingshu snorted coldly. As Zhao Min was about to be lifted off the ground, he pressed his hand lightly on her shoulder. A warm current flowed into her body, instantly neutralizing the tearing sensation.

Ren Woxing’s eyes narrowed, and his expression turned wary. “I’ve long heard of the Golden Serpent King’s unmatched martial arts. Seeing it today, the rumors are true.”

“Master Ren flatters me. Your ability to absorb a person’s power from a distance with the Cosmic Absorption Technique is truly admirable,” Song Qingshu replied, though he was secretly shocked.

Ren Woxing sneered and said coldly, “Enough pleasantries. No matter how skilled you are, I cannot let my daughter be taken advantage of. If you plan to use and discard her, I’ll risk my life to ensure none of you leave here alive.”

“Father, it’s not what you think! I…” Ren Yingying was desperate to explain.

Ren Woxing shook his head, silenced her with a pressure point strike, and declared, “Yingying, you needn’t worry. Your father will handle this.”

Ren Yingying was stunned, tears welling up in her eyes.

Song Qingshu suddenly had an idea. “Master Ren, what do you expect me to do?”

“Announce it to the world on a chosen date. Use an eight-carriage bridal sedan to marry Yingying, and she must hold the title of your official wife,” Ren Woxing demanded.

Song Qingshu nodded. “The other conditions are fine, but you must understand, Master Ren, I already have wives, and there are many women who share mutual affection with me, such as the former Ming Princess. I cannot promise the title of official wife to your daughter alone.”

Ren Woxing’s face darkened in rage. “Do you mean to make my daughter a concubine?”

“You misunderstand,” Song Qingshu explained. “In the Song family, there is no distinction between wives and concubines. Each woman is my cherished wife, and I treat them all equally.”

“Ridiculous! For thousands of years, society has adhered to the one-husband, one-wife, and multiple-concubines system. Where is there room for one man with multiple wives?” Ren Woxing retorted.

“Rules are made by men,” Song Qingshu replied firmly. “I cannot speak for others, but within my family, I make the rules.”

Seeing his resolute demeanor, Ren Woxing was momentarily stunned. “Your idea is commendable, but if you have children in the future, who will be the legitimate heir?”

“In the Song family, there will be no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Every child will have inheritance rights, determined by their abilities,” Song Qingshu stated.

Ren Woxing frowned deeply. “Wouldn’t that cause the family assets to dwindle?”

Song Qingshu’s eyes gleamed as he gazed at the distant stars. “This world is vast. How could the family’s fortunes ever run out?”

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