Conditional Approval

Su Kang found Bai Yunxi sitting alone in the dimly lit courtyard, her delicate figure trembling as silent tears slipped down her cheeks. His heart clenched at the sight of her tears.

"It seems my mother is just as worried about Li Fang as my father," he thought grimly.

A genius with boundless potential—how could they accept a marriage that risked making an enemy of him?

The sound of his approaching footsteps made Bai Yunxi look up. She hastily wiped her tears, straightening her posture before forcing a faint smile.

"It seems… Mother-in-law didn't find me beautiful and sweet enough," she said lightly, but the sorrow in her eyes betrayed the humor in her voice.

Su Kang didn't answer immediately. He knelt before her, his fingers brushing against her damp cheek with a deliberate gentleness. His warmth contrasted starkly with the coldness of her skin.

"Xi'er, she isn't rejecting you," he murmured. "She's afraid—afraid of what will happen when the truth comes out." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"If keeping our marriage a secret eases their fears, then so be it. As for Li Fang's reaction… that is ours to deal with."

Bai Yunxi exhaled slowly, as if some of the weight pressing on her chest had lifted.

"We will talk to them together," Su Kang continued. "Tonight, we'll settle this."

She nodded, leaning slightly into his touch. The turmoil within her hadn't fully subsided, but his presence steadied her.

Without another word, Su Kang laced his fingers with hers. A silent promise passed between them.

And so, they waited—hands entwined, unwavering.

...

In their private courtyard, Su Chen and Dong Yue sat at a wooden table, the faint aroma of spiritual tea lingering in the cool night air.

Su Chen poured her a cup, watching as she took a slow sip before finally breaking the silence.

"What do you think?" Her voice was steady, but the slight furrow in her brow betrayed her unease.

Su Chen swirled the tea in his cup, choosing his words carefully.

"Kang'er wouldn't have told us if he hadn't thought it through," he said. "He knows Li Fang better than anyone."

Dong Yue pressed her lips into a thin line. "Even so, it's a dangerous choice. If Li Fang falls in battle against the demon cultivators, none of this will matter."

"But if he survives, joins the Heavenly Sword Sect, and gains influence…" She trailed off, but the weight of her words lingered between them.

Su Chen exhaled, rubbing his temple. He had turned the same thought over in his mind countless times.

No matter how righteous a man was, discovering that his closest friend had secretly pursued his mother—while standing by his side all along—would feel like the worst kind of betrayal.

"They want to keep it a secret for now," Su Chen murmured. "But what then? Will they tell Li Fang one day? Or will they bury it forever?"

He shook his head.

"We need to talk to them—together."

Dong Yue let out a long breath. After the exhausting journey home, she hadn't expected to be thrown into such a mess.

"So, how was she?" Su Chen asked curiously.

She lifted her cup, taking another sip before replying.

"She has suffered a lot. After hearing her story, I understood why she chose this relationship—even knowing how the world would see it."

Su Chen studied her expression. "And? What do you think of her?"

Dong Yue's fingers traced the rim of her cup before she finally answered.

"She's a good woman. Her cultivation isn't high, but… she has a certain regal air about her. More than anything, she truly loves Kang'er."

A faint smile tugged at Su Chen's lips. "Then our biggest problem is her son."

Dong Yue nodded. "If not for Li Fang, I wouldn't have minded their relationship. But her past… her identity… it can never be made public."

Su Chen swirled the tea in his cup, watching the ripples settle. "Then let's see how Kang'er handles this."

Dong Yue placed her cup down with a soft clink. "I just want to end this discussion. Let's go to them and put this matter to rest."

Su Chen and Dong Yue stepped into the courtyard where Su Kang and Bai Yunxi waited.

The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension. Bai Yunxi's fingers trembled slightly, but Su Kang's firm grip steadied her.

Dong Yue's expression was unreadable, but the stiffness in her posture betrayed her emotions. She took a slow breath before speaking, her voice sharp and unwavering.

"Su Kang, if you were already married to her, why are you only telling us now?"

Her gaze darkened. "You didn't need our blessings, did you? You made your decision without us, and now that everything is said and done, you've come to inform us?"

The Su family allowed a degree of personal freedom, but Dong Yue was different. Filial respect had been ingrained in her since childhood.

Su Kang lowered his head, accepting his mother's reprimand without a single word of excuse. Stepping forward, he bowed deeply.

"Mother, I was wrong." His voice was steady.

Beside him, Bai Yunxi bowed without hesitation. "This was my decision as well. I will accept any punishment you see fit."

A flicker of emotion passed through Dong Yue's eyes—anger, frustration, perhaps even a trace of pity—but she quickly suppressed it.

She let out a long sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of it all.

"Both of you, that's enough."

As Su Kang and Bai Yunxi straightened, Dong Yue crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "Then tell me—why reveal her identity now? What was your purpose?"

Su Kang met her gaze without flinching. " This was never about making things public—I simply wanted you both to know the truth."

Su Chen's brows furrowed slightly as he exchanged a glance with Dong Yue. After a brief pause, he asked the question that had been weighing on his mind.

"Then what do you plan to do about Li Fang?"

The courtyard fell into silence once more.

Su Kang didn't answer immediately. He glanced at Bai Yunxi, as if gauging her resolve, before turning back to his father.

"I've considered many possibilities. There is no perfect solution, but I will create circumstances where Li Fang has no choice but to accept reality."

He then turned to Bai Yunxi, his tone unwavering.

"If I must deceive him, manipulate him, or mislead him, I will do so. But no matter what, the Su family will not bear the consequences of my choices."

Bai Yunxi understood his meaning. He was warning her that, if necessary, they might have to deceive Li Fang in the future.

She tightened her grip around his hand, a silent show of support.

Su Chen's expression darkened slightly. "You speak as if you have complete control over this situation. What if you're wrong?"

A faint smile touched Su Kang's lips, but it was devoid of warmth.

"Then I will not let him find out until I'm certain I can withstand the consequences."

Su Chen exchanged a glance with Dong Yue before she stepped forward, her sharp gaze locking onto Bai Yunxi.

"What will you do when Li Fang tries to harm Su Kang?"

Bai Yunxi met her gaze without flinching.

"Li Fang is my son. I raised him—I know him better than anyone." Her voice was steady, carrying quiet strength. "He will never harm his own mother."

Bai Yunxi exhaled slowly, her expression resolute. "Then I will stop him—no matter what it takes."

Su Chen studied her carefully. "You believe he will listen to you?"

"He will," Bai Yunxi said with certainty. "If he ever stands against Su Kang, I will stand before him."

A heavy silence settled over the courtyard. Su Kang's fingers tightened around Bai Yunxi's hand, but he remained silent, letting her speak for herself.

"Nothing will happen to Su Kang as long as I live," Bai Yunxi declared, her voice carrying the weight of an oath.

"If my son ever raises his sword against him, then he will have to kill me first."

Her words hung in the air, sharp as a blade.

Su Chen and Dong Yue exchanged another long look. The weight of the situation had fully settled upon them.

Finally, Dong Yue exhaled, crossing her arms. "Understood. But remember this—your relationship must remain a secret. And when the time comes for you to leave for the Central Plains…"

She met Bai Yunxi's gaze with quiet finality.

"We will discuss this again."