Return to the Li Clan

"It's getting late, let's return now. You still have an engagement tomorrow remember?" Li Zhen reminded after a while of reminiscing.

"Don't tease me Brother Zhen." Li Tianyan let out a wry smile, not seeming to be very excited about his own engagement.

"Knowing Huo Lianhua I reckon tomorrow will be very... Interesting." A faint smile was etched on Li Zhen's face when he said this almost as if he was laughing at Li Tianyan's misfortune.

"Sigh..." Other than this, Li Tianyan didn't say anything else, he got up from the stone bench and supported Li Zhen up. "Let's go."

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LI CLAN

"Patriarch! Patriarch! Young Master has returned!" A flustered servant burst into the main hall of the Li Clan estate, his voice carrying excitement and urgency.

The hall, lit by glowing spirit stones and adorned with crimson banners, fell silent as all eyes turned toward Li Jianfeng. The Li Clan Patriarch, dressed in his formal robes of deep jade embroidered with gold, had been in the midst of finalizing the preparations for the engagement ceremony with Huo Yan.

Upon hearing the servant's announcement, Li Jianfeng's stoic expression softened, and a faint smile appeared on his face. "He's finally back."

Huo Yan, seated beside him and nursing a cup of wine, chuckled heartily. "Good timing! I was beginning to think Little Tianyan was avoiding his big day. He better not have cold feet!"

Li Jianfeng shook his head, rising from his chair. "Tianyan wouldn't. He's simply been... occupied. Where is he now?"

"Patriarch, Young Master has just entered the outer courtyard with Young Master Li Zhen," the servant replied, bowing low.

The mention of Li Zhen made Huo Yan's expression shift slightly, a glint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Zhen'er came too? That boy... It's good to hear he's still as determined as ever."

Li Jianfeng gave a subtle nod. "He has always been one to persevere, no matter the odds." With that, he gestured for the servant to lead the way.

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Li Tianyan and Li Zhen stood side by side at the entrance to the outer courtyard. The path ahead was lined with intricately carved lanterns, their soft glow illuminating the way to the main hall.

"Are you sure you're up for this, Brother Zhen?" Li Tianyan asked, concern evident in his tone.

Li Zhen smirked faintly, brushing off his worry. "Stop fretting over me, Brother Tianyan. I'm not as fragile as I look."

Before Li Tianyan could respond, a group of elders and clan members appeared, led by Li Jianfeng himself. His imposing figure and commanding aura filled the courtyard as he approached his son.

"Tianyan," Li Jianfeng called out, his voice steady but laced with warmth. "You've returned just in time."

"Father." Li Tianyan stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "I apologize for my delay."

"No need for apologies," Li Jianfeng said, his gaze briefly shifting to Li Zhen. "Zhen'er, it's good to see you. I trust you've been well?"

Li Zhen returned the patriarch's gaze with a faint smile, bowing slightly. "Patriarch, I've been as well as one in my situation can be. Thank you for your concern."

Huo Yan's booming laughter echoed from behind as he joined the group. "Ah, Zhen'er! It's been too long. I see your sharp tongue hasn't dulled in the slightest."

Li Zhen inclined his head. "Uncle Huo, it's good to see you too. Your vibrant energy hasn't faded either."

Li Tianyan suppressed a chuckle, finding some relief in the lighthearted exchange.

"Come, let's not linger here," Li Jianfeng said, gesturing toward the main hall. "There's much to discuss, and tomorrow will be a busy day for all of us."

As they made their way toward the hall, Li Tianyan couldn't help but glance at Li Zhen the weight of his request still hung heavy in his mind. But for now, he had to focus on the present—the engagement, the expectations of the clan.

As soon as the group walked into the hall, Li Tianyan became the center of attention, cheers rang out form people of the younger generation as one important figure after the other came to toast him and congratulate him on his engagement. Li Zhen on the other hand who was sitting beside Li Tianyan was completely ignored, it was as if he was made of air, for those who looked at him, endless scorn and contempt was evident in their gaze.

"Congratulations to Young Master Tianyan on his upcoming engagement! May your future be filled with prosperity and joy!" The well-wishers surrounded Li Tianyan, showering him with compliments and offering toasts of fine wine. Their voices blended into a harmonious chorus, but Li Tianyan couldn't help but feel detached, as though the celebrations happening around him were meant for someone else.

Li Zhen, seated quietly beside him, was mostly ignored, his presence barely acknowledged by the bustling crowd. The coldness and disdain from some of the clan members were palpable, though they kept their expressions in check. It was clear that for many, Li Zhen's fall from grace had made him a pariah, a tragic reminder of the clan's lost potential. But to Li Tianyan, his friend's worth was immeasurable, and the sting of the way others treated Li Zhen gnawed at him.

"Don't let it get to you," Li Zhen murmured quietly, as if sensing Li Tianyan's discomfort. "Let them think what they want. They don't matter."

Li Tianyan forced a smile but couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that settled in his chest. He turned his attention back to the crowd, nodding politely as he received congratulatory words from various figures. The engagement was meant to be a joyous occasion, but the shadow of his guilt over Li Zhen's sacrifice seemed to darken the moment.

As the night wore on, the festivities continued, but Li Tianyan's mind kept returning to the words Li Zhen had spoken to him earlier about the inheritance and the possibility of redemption. His resolve to help his friend remained firm, but the weight of his engagement ceremony—the expectations, the responsibilities—pressed heavily on him.

Finally, as the banquet progressed, the patriarch raised his hand for silence, his voice booming across the hall.

"Tomorrow will mark the beginning of a new chapter for our family," Li Jianfeng said, his tone commanding yet filled with pride. "The union between the Li Clan and the City Lord's Estate will bring us closer to our goals. And Tianyan, you have my utmost confidence. You are the future of our clan."

The words rang in the air, and all eyes turned to Li Tianyan. A round of applause followed, and Li Tianyan's heart clenched in response. This was his duty, his path—an unspoken responsibility passed down through generations. But even as the applause echoed around him, he couldn't shake the feeling that his future might not be as clear-cut as the clan believed.

Once the toasts and speeches died down, Li Tianyan found himself alone for a moment, staring into the distance. The sounds of the celebration faded, and his thoughts were consumed with Li Zhen, the inheritance trial, and the unspoken bond that tied them together.

"Brother Tianyan," a voice broke through his reverie. He turned to see Li Zhen standing quietly beside him, a soft smile on his lips. "You look like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."

Li Tianyan exhaled slowly, trying to shake off the sense of foreboding that lingered. "I guess I am. But I'll bear it, for all of us. Tomorrow is important, not just for me but for the Li Clan."

Li Zhen nodded, his eyes glimmering with something unreadable. "Just don't forget what's truly important, Brother Tianyan. There are things in this world that even the greatest clan cannot protect. And sometimes, the future is shaped by the choices we make in the present."

Li Tianyan met his gaze, a silent understanding passing between them. Despite the weight of his clan's expectations, despite the engagement and the role he was expected to play, he knew that he owed this friend of his a lot. And whatever it took, he would make sure that Li Zhen's path was not as dark as it once seemed.

The night wore on, but in the depths of his heart, Li Tianyan's resolve solidified. Tomorrow, his engagement might begin a new chapter in his life, but the true test of his strength would come in the choices he made for his friends, his clan, and his future. And no matter the cost, he would find a way to honor the sacrifices that had brought him here.