10. Li Siyuan's decision

The roads into Yanling Town bustled with the early market crowd—vendors setting up bamboo stalls, children chasing chickens, and distant temple bells echoing through the stone streets. Horses clopped over cobbled paths, the clamor blending into the rhythm of the town.

Li Sining, dressed simply but neatly, walked with measured steps toward the eastern district.

Behind him, Li Silan followed quietly, his slender form as composed as ever, while Li Sixue kept to his right, her cold expression as unreadable as the mist that hung over the Wu'an mountain peaks.

They were headed to the guard house where Li Siming and Li Siyuan had been staying while managing supplies and construction workers for the family's upcoming manor.

But when they arrived, what greeted them wasn't the calm order of their siblings' planning.

It was an unwelcome audience.

Inside the main room, seated with exaggerated grace, was a richly dressed middle-aged man whose thick beard and jeweled rings proclaimed his identity before anyone spoke.

Lu Chong.

Beside him sat a heavyset matchmaker woman, fanning herself with false modesty.

Across from them, Li Siyuan stood stiffly, his face a mask of controlled fury. His hands were folded too tightly behind his back, shoulders rigid, cold light flickering in his eyes.

Next to him, Li Siming leaned against a wooden pillar, arms crossed, expression thunderous.

Sining paused, surveying the room.

Without a word, he turned to Sixue and Silan. "Go," he said softly, nudging them toward their brothers. "Keep them calm."

Sixue stepped lightly across the room to Siyuan's side and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. Silan did the same with Siming, whispering something that earned a gruff nod from the elder brother.

Sining turned toward the merchant.

"I don't remember inviting you into our temporary residence, Master Lu," he said evenly.

Lu Chong raised a brow. "We're not here for tea, young man. We're here to settle what must be settled."

The matchmaker tittered, pretending politeness. "There's been a public commotion, you see. And the young Brother—Lu Yan—has been seen in a… compromising state. Naturally, it must be resolved with a proper marriage."

Sining didn't sit. His gaze sharpened.

"And naturally, you mean to resolve it with threats and slander."

Lu Chong folded his hands with a sigh. "I don't know what stories you've heard, but my son—being a Brother—is delicate. His reputation is already in tatters. If the Li family won't accept him, he'll be disgraced… perhaps even sold off. What use is he, after all?"

A sudden stillness spread through the room.

Li Siyuan clenched his fists.

He wasn't loud, but he radiated ice. Behind him, Sixue pressed gently on his arm, signaling him not to act impulsively.

Sining's tone turned cold.

"Your son was pushed into a river. He was drowning. My brother saved him. And for that, you—his father—call him dirty?"

The matchmaker tried to laugh it off, waving her fan. "Master Lu only means—"

Sining cut her off with a glance.

Lu Chong scowled. "I raised him. Fed him. Sheltered him, despite his shameful birth. He has no right to act like some noble flower. He belongs to my house, and if I say he's worth nothing, then—"

"You've said enough."

Sining's voice snapped like a whip.

"A father who calls his son dirty is dirtier than any name he gives."

Lu Chong's face darkened, and he stood abruptly. "So your family refuses? Fine. He's useless anyway. Do what you want. Sell him. Bury him. It's my blood, not yours."

He turned, the matchmaker following, already muttering curses under her breath.

But before they reached the door, a hand grabbed Sining's sleeve.

Li Siyuan.

His grip was gentle but firm. When Sining turned to him, Siyuan's expression had changed.

He nodded.

Once.

Sining frowned.

Are you sure? his eyes asked.

Siyuan's grip tightened. Then he shook his head—firm, steady. No regrets.

Sining sighed.

Then turned and called out.

"Stop."

Lu Chong turned around, triumphant smugness already creeping back.

"The Li family will agree to the marriage," Sining said flatly.

The matchmaker gasped and fumbled to open her scroll of betrothal records.

But Sining held up a hand.

"However," he added, eyes sharp, "Lu Yan will be cut off from the Lu household. He will carry no Lu title. He will receive no dowry. He will owe you nothing, and you will have no say in his life from this day on."

Lu Chong laughed bitterly. "Good! Then take the thing. He's no son of mine anyway!"

From the hallway, a small figure stepped inside.

It was Lu Yan.

His robe was simple, his hair tied hastily, and he looked paler than ever—but his steps were steady.

"I'll leave willingly," he said to Lu Chong. "I'll sign whatever you need. Just… don't call me yours again."

Lu Chong didn't even respond. He turned and stormed out.

The matchmaker lingered only long enough to grumble something about misfortune before hurrying after him.

The door slammed shut.

Silence.

Then… a sigh.

Li Siyuan stepped forward and looked at Lu Yan.

"You're free now."

Lu Yan blinked up at him, startled. Then he gave the faintest nod.

Siyuan looked away quickly, but a smile—small, rare, fleeting—tugged at the corner of his lips.

Sining saw it. So did Sixue.

The two exchanged a glance.

Sixue leaned toward Silan and muttered, "He's in love."

Silan nodded solemnly. "He's doomed."

Later that evening, the siblings gathered in the back of the guard house. Lu Yan had been given dry clothes and a warm bowl of congee, and was sitting shyly in a corner, half-hidden behind a teacup.

Siyuan sat beside him, speaking quietly.

No one disturbed them.

Sining leaned against a column, arms folded.

"Of all the people in the family," he said softly to Siming, "I never thought Siyuan would be the first to get married."

Siming grunted. "Technically forced. Still counts though."

"You think he'll regret it?"

"No," Siming said, glancing at the shy Brother who now looked at Siyuan like he was sunlight. "He's already smiling."

Sining smiled too, just a little.

Then looked toward the stars and whispered to himself.

"Another storm passed."