Chapter 488 - 253: A True Bro Would Become a Woman for His Brother...
If You Su’s parents were ordinary people, this phenomenon might indeed occur...
He Kongyue was left utterly speechless, a blush of intrigue tinting his face: "Father, can you stop worrying so much? I’ve finally found someone I care about; how can I concern myself with so much?"
"To the Patriarch, I am an orphan, without father or mother." You Su confessed with a smile.
He Mingpei’s expression froze instantly, then turned to glare at He Kongyue, as if silently questioning:
Where did you find this treasure? Such discerning taste?
"I was abrupt, please don’t mind, Miss You. Our family never judges a person by their background, because no background is higher than that of our He Family. Miss You, reaching the Spirit Platform Upper Realm by the age of eighteen, such talent is deemed top-notch even in Henggao City. Anyone who looks down on you simply has no eye for talent."
"Indeed, Miss You is exceptionally gifted." He Kongyue echoed, offering praise.
"Thank you, Mr. Xie and Mr. He." You Su nodded slightly, showing a trace of shyness.
"It is as it should be. May I ask where Miss You learned from? With such talents, they should not go to waste." He Mingpei expressed genuine concern for You Su.
"Father, Miss You is the second disciple of the Lotus Sword Venerable from the Profound Sky Sect, a disciple of renowned origins, much stronger than I am."
"Lotus Sword Venerable?"
He Mingpei stroked his beard in recollection, having only a vague impression of the Venerable who rose to fame when he started losing his mind.
"And is Miss You a Sword Cultivator?"
"Just knows some flowery skills."
"A woman cultivating the sword..." He Mingpei slightly raised his head, his gaze seeming to reminisce about old times, sighing softly, "It’s good to cultivate the sword..."
Good to cultivate the sword?
You Su furrowed her brows silently. It seemed this old man wasn’t as opposed to women cultivating the sword as she had anticipated...
Could it be inferred that He Mingpei didn’t truly hate the daughter who left home for the sword?
You Su suddenly realized that her master’s return to the He Family might not just be an impossible dream.
"Miss You is well-versed in literature and martial arts, multifaceted and talented. Compared to her literary talents, the sword is somewhat inferior."
He Kongyue shifted the topic, not wanting to dwell on the Lotus Sword Venerable.
"Indeed! Among the anthology Yue’Er sent me last time, I was particularly impressed by the essay ’Ailin’s Story’, feeling it should only exist in the heavens. Even without learning the sword, Miss You could surely achieve the Way through literature—truly a talented woman!"
He Mingpei was generous in his praise of You Su.
He was confined here, constantly oscillating between normalcy and madness, uninterested in worldly affairs and unable to communicate well with anyone except He Kongyue, solely finding solace in reading poetry and prose.
"You flatter me, Mr. He! That poem was not my creation, unworthy of such praise!"
You Su sought merely to spread good literary works, never intending to gain false acclaim through them. Otherwise, during an examination run-in with the hostile Miss Lu, she would not have insisted on rectifying the name of Mr. Zhou Dunyi.
"Not your creation?"
He Mingpei was initially taken aback, then looked visibly appreciative:
"Indeed, the poem did not bear You Su’s name. It was just that Yue’Er told me Zhou Dunyi might be a pen name used by Miss You. Miss You is indeed forthright; such an eternal renown ahead of you, yet you are unmoved—a testament to your passion for the lotus."
"Thank you for your praise, Mr. He."
You Su didn’t linger in humility.
He Mingpei looked horizontally and vertically, becoming more satisfied with each look, seemingly having already decided she was his future daughter-in-law.
But this smile quickly turned into sorrow:
"Madam... have you seen this? Yue’Er has found a good partner..."
The old man sighed longingly to the sky, bitter tears streaming, becoming intensely agitated as he began coughing severely.
He Kongyue quickly went up to support him, only to see the old man releasing a handkerchief staining with fresh blood.
"Father, speak less..."
He Kongyue patted the old man’s emaciated back, his eyes betrayed an unwillingness.
The old man, trembling, pulled a piece of black carbon from his bosom, opened his mouth but could only whimper a few words.
"Miss You... this is Mo Lake Jade, wear it to ward off illness and misfortune. It’s our first meeting—please accept it..."
Saying this, he thrust the piece of carbon into He Kongyue’s hand. He Kongyue, seeing this, was shocked, lamenting his father’s growing confusion.
Known as the Venerable of Jade, He Mingpei’s cultivation was intimately linked with jade. Legends said he carried a hundred different types at his peak. Such a jade enthusiast now mistook a piece of charcoal from the hearth for precious Mo Lake Jade.
At this moment, it could only trouble You Su to accept it.
"Please accept it, Miss You, this is a token of my father’s intentions."
You Su indeed sensed nothing mystical from this piece of ’jade’, but still extended her hand to receive it, expressing sincere gratitude:
"You Su thanks the Patriarch."
He Mingpei slumped half over the tea table, nodding with contentment:
"I’m unwell and fear I can’t accompany you... I will have Kong Yue show you around the He Family, acquaint yourself with more people. When I feel better, I will invite you again..."
"As it should be. The Patriarch’s rest is important; it was I who disturbed you."
You Su promptly stood up, "Then I shall take my leave. Mr. He need not escort me, stay here and take care of the Patriarch."
"Madam... I miss you terribly..."
He Mingpei was already beyond hearing anyone else, lost again in his century-accumulated longing.
He Kongyue also had eyes red-rimmed but without tears dropping.
She stood up, taking a deep breath, then helped He Mingpei to the bed:
"I will see you out first."
You Su silently nodded.
They walked down the path to leave, neither speaking, only the poignant cries of He Mingpei echoing from the room.
You Su couldn’t help but be moved: "Your father truly loves your mother deeply."