Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

Master Liu strode forward and grabbed Xiao Hanxing's collar, his knuckles turning white from the force, his eyes blazing with anger.

"How dare you! You dare touch my daughter, whom I've cherished since she was little?"

Xiao Hanxing was being strangled and could hardly breathe, his voice hoarse: "Master, please calm down. This junior had no intention of offending you."

"father!"

Liu Yunshu cried out and rushed forward, grabbing the manor lord's arm tightly with both hands, her fingertips turning white from the force.

"This matter has nothing to do with Alliance Leader Xiao; it was my daughter's own choice!"

She tilted her head back, her eyes reddening, her voice trembling with urgency, her disheveled hair only highlighting the determination in her gaze.

"In the frozen wilderness, he gave me his outer robe and shielded me from falling rocks with his back. If it weren't for him, my daughter would have...would never have come back."

"master!"

Madam Liu stepped forward quickly and gently patted the back of Master Liu's hand.

"Let go first, don't frighten the child. Yunshu just survived, are you going to make her suffer again?"

Master Liu's chest heaved violently. His gaze swept over his daughter's pale face and the weariness in her eyes, and the strength in his hands involuntarily loosened a little.

He snorted loudly and abruptly shook off his hand.

Xiao Hanxing staggered for a moment, but immediately regained his balance and maintained his respectful posture.

"Father, my dear father, please say yes!"

Taking the opportunity, Liu Yunshu grabbed her father's arm and shook it gently, her reddened eyes filled with a coquettish softness.

Her shaking instantly dispelled the anger in Master Liu's heart.

He raised his hand and gently brushed away the stray hairs from his daughter's temples, his tone both helpless and indulgent: "You little rascal, you've always known how to use this trick on me since you were little."

Liu Yunshu's eyes welled up with tears, and she leaned against his arm, her voice as soft as melted honey:

"Father loves his daughter the most, he would never want her to suffer."

Master Liu turned to Shen Run, who had been standing quietly to the side, and asked, "Run, do your parents know about this?"

Shen Run stepped forward and bowed in greeting:

"Uncle Liu, my parents are unaware of this. But it's all my fault, and has nothing to do with Yun Shu or Brother Xiao."

He raised his head, his gaze open and honest.

"I lost my mind in the secret realm, but Yunling saved me by sacrificing herself. Now that we are in love, I will write a letter to my parents later to explain and request the annulment of my engagement with the Liu family."

Master Liu stared at him for a long time. Seeing his sincere expression, his tense face relaxed slightly: "You do have some sense of responsibility."

He turned to look at his daughter nestled beside him, gently stroking the top of her head, his voice filled with melancholy.

"Never mind, fate is predetermined, and you can't force it. You and Arun grew up together, and I thought..."

Before he could finish speaking, Madam Liu gently interrupted him:

"Sir, it's a blessing that the children returned safely. Now that they've each found good partners, that's a good thing too; we should be happy."

She took Liu Yunshu's hand, her gaze falling on Xiao Hanxing with a mixture of scrutiny and gentleness.

"Alliance Leader Xiao, Yun Shu is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. She may seem tough, but she is actually very affectionate. Since you have feelings for her, you should cherish and protect her from now on, and never let her suffer any grievances."

Xiao Hanxing immediately bowed respectfully and solemnly.

"Madam, rest assured, I will protect Yunshu with my life, cherish her, respect her, and never let her suffer any more hardship."

He looked up at Liu Yunshu, his eyes overflowing with deep affection.

"I, Xiao Hanxing, hereby swear that if I ever break my word today, may I be utterly disgraced and die a horrible death."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Liu Yunshu quickly reached out and covered his mouth, her eyes reddening. "I believe you, there's no need for such a solemn oath."

Looking at the two of them so affectionately, Master Liu finally sighed and waved his hand.

"Get up. We'll discuss the wedding date together once the Shen family has given their reply."

He turned to the butler and gave him instructions.

"Give the order to prepare some of the best medicine and tonics and send them to Alliance Leader Xiao's courtyard. His injuries have not yet healed and he needs to rest properly."

"Thank you, Master!" A hint of wild joy flashed in Xiao Hanxing's eyes as he bowed deeply in gratitude.

Liu Yunshu also breathed a sigh of relief, a relieved smile appearing on her face. She tugged at her father's arm and shook it, saying, "Father is so good!"

Madam Liu smiled and shook her head: "You little rascal, we've really spoiled you."

She looked at Shen Run and Mu Yunling, her tone gentle.

"Young Master Shen, Miss Mu, you must be tired from your journey. Please go back to your rooms and rest. We can talk more after you've rested."

Shen Run and Mu Yunling quickly thanked them and followed the servants to the backyard.

Mu Yunling took a few steps, then turned back to look at Liu Yunshu, her eyes filled with gratitude. Liu Yunshu smiled gently at her and nodded slightly.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next day, upon receiving the news, the Shen couple rushed to Liu's Manor.

As soon as she entered the main hall, Madam Shen walked quickly to Liu Yunshu, took her hand and examined her closely, her eyes reddening.

"Yunshu, I'm so sorry to have wronged you. That rascal Arun did something so foolish!"

Master Shen followed closely behind, his face solemn as he bowed to Master Liu in apology.

"Brother Liu, my son is unruly and has broken the engagement between our two families. It is because my Shen family has failed to discipline him properly. I apologize to you on his behalf."

After saying this, he was about to bow when Master Liu reached out and helped him up.

"Brother Shen, there's no need for that."

Master Liu sighed, "This matter is also a matter of fate. The children are all destined for each other, and we cannot force it. Although Arun made a mistake, he still took responsibility and did not shirk his duties."

Shen Run stepped out from behind the screen and knelt down in front of the two elders with remorse.

"Father, Mother, it is your unfilial son who has failed your expectations and let Yunshu down. Yunling and I have been through life and death together, and our love is unbreakable. I beg you, Father and Mother, to grant us your blessing."

Mu Yunling also knelt down, her voice trembling but firm:

"Uncle and Aunt, all of this is because of me. If it weren't for me, Brother Shen wouldn't have lost his mind. Blame me, it has nothing to do with Brother Shen."

Madam Shen looked at the two kneeling figures, then at Liu Yunshu beside her who remained calm, and finally softened.

"That's enough, it's too late to dwell on it now. Miss Yunling, since you saved Arun and are truly devoted to him, we'll accept you as our daughter-in-law. Just remember to treat him well from now on and don't betray his kindness."

"Thank you so much, Auntie!" Mu Yunling cried tears of joy and kowtowed repeatedly.

Master Shen pondered for a moment, then looked at Master Liu:

"Brother Liu, the Shen family has wronged you regarding the marriage agreement. We will cooperate fully with whatever you suggest."

Before Master Liu could speak, Xiao Hanxing stepped forward and bowed, saying:

"Uncle Shen, I have already made arrangements for this matter. Three days later, I will announce it to the martial arts world in the name of the leader of the martial arts alliance."

"This shows that the two families broke off the engagement because their children found good matches, and it was not because either party broke their promise."

"At the same time, I will formally visit the Liu family to propose marriage, and use an eight-bearer sedan chair to welcome Yun Shu. I will never let her suffer the slightest grievance."

He gazed intently at Liu Yunshu, his eyes filled with deep affection: "Yunshu, I will come to propose marriage in three days. Will you wait for me?"

Liu Yunshu blushed, nodded gently, and her eyes shone with shy joy: "I do."

Madam Liu clapped her hands with a smile: "In that case, it's double happiness! Why not strike while the iron is hot and set the wedding dates for all four of them for a month from now, and have a proper celebration?"

Master Shen and Master Liu exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.

Xiao Hanxing looked at Liu Yunshu, who was smiling sweetly beside him, and quietly held her fingertips.

The warmth of his palm seeped through the thin fabric, carrying with it burning affection.

He whispered in her ear, "Yun Shu, wait another month, and you will be my wife."

Liu Yunshu's ears turned red, and she softly hummed in agreement, but her fingers unconsciously tightened, interlocking with his.

In the courtyard, everyone sat around the wisteria trellis, with freshly brewed pre-rain Longjing tea on the bluestone table, the steam carrying the sweet scent of the petals.

Madam Liu took Mu Yunling's hand and slipped a jade bracelet onto her wrist, her smile warm and gentle.

"Yunling, now that Yunshu has acknowledged you as her younger sister, you are now a daughter of the Liu family. This jade bracelet was part of my dowry when I got married, and I now give it to you."

The jade bracelet was warm and translucent, and when it slid onto Mu Yunling's wrist, it carried the warmth of Madam Liu's palm.

Mu Yunling's eyes welled up with tears, and she quickly stood up to express her gratitude, her voice choked with emotion: "Auntie, this...this is too much, I..."

"Silly girl, still calling me 'Auntie'?"

Madam Liu smiled and patted the back of her hand, her fingertips gently tracing the cool texture of the jade bracelet.

"You should call me Mother now. From now on, you and Yunshu are both my daughters, and we'll treat each other the same."

Mu Yunling's nose tingled, and tears finally rolled down her cheeks. She choked out, "Mother..."

"Why!"

Madam Liu smiled, fine lines appearing at the corners of her eyes, and reached out to wipe away the tears on her cheeks.

"Good child, from now on we will protect you, and you will never have to suffer injustice again."

Mu Yunling embraced Madam Liu, her heart filled with emotion. In this strange world, she finally had family.