298: The Secretive Arrogance of Shang

Over the years, Lin Ran had done a marvelous job. The Bridge of Helplessness ran smoothly, and she brewed the meng pos soup with meticulous care. She had even grown accustomed to the cold desolation of the Netherworld, living as if she were a part of the Underworld itself.

But in the end, she was still of the human race.

Forcing her to stay in the Underworld, suppressed by an Immortal Official's fate, was ultimately a defiance of heavenly principles.

The last time Sister Meng went into seclusion, the entire burden of the Bridge of Helplessness fell upon Lin Ran's shoulders alone, which ultimately overtaxed her life force.

"Have you ever hated me?"

Lin Ran said she hadn't.

But Shang Wan Ning knew in her heart—how could there be none at all? It was just that Lin Ran was too clear-headed, too perceptive; she knew that resentment was useless, so she chose to accept it instead.

This clarity actually made Shang Wan Ning feel even more stifled.

She, Shang Wan Ning, the Netherworld Empress, an Eighth-Rank Deity who controlled reincarnation, couldn't even keep the one person she wanted to stay.

She couldn't preserve her lifespan, nor could she even give her a perfect farewell.

"Three years..."

Shang Wan Ning murmured the number, her eyes dark and heavy. She pressed her hand firmly against the window frame, leaving behind a clear fingerprint.

"The Immortal Official said that if a woman does not damage her foundation, she can prove her path and become a god; moreover, Lin Ran's fate is already fulfilled."

"Little Four, was I too impatient?"

Little Four didn't follow Shang Wan Ning's lead in answering, but instead spoke about Assistant Lin.

"Host, human nature is complex. That Lin Ran can calmly accept death shows a state of mind that surpasses too many cultivators."

"No matter how good the Netherworld is, even ghost messengers love going to the mortal world for vacation; you know this well."

"If you regret it, the book of life and death can appropriately extend her lifespan."

Shang Wan Ning waved her hand: "Rules cannot be broken. If I open this gap, how can the Underworld maintain its credibility?"

Little Four knew she would choose this. Then, the system screen flickered with a faint light: "Lin Ran, a native of Province C..."

The data unfolded: Parents are alive, currently residing in the capital of Xia Country, No. 126 Garden Street, Cuiping Courtyard. Placed there under protective settlement by the Xia Country Special Affairs Bureau... The information stopped there, and Little Four went silent. Whether to go or not was up to the Host herself... The water clock in Jiaotai Palace ticked for eight hours.

Shang Wan Ning stood before a floor-length mercury mirror, her brows knitted into a tight knot.

In the mirror, the phoenix robe had long been swapped for a high-quality cashmere skirt set, dignified in style and well-tailored.

Her long hair was also neatly tied into a bun, fastened with an elegant peach wood hairpin.

Her entire person exuded the kind of look that elders would like.

She tugged at the slightly tight collar, feeling somewhat uncomfortable all over. For the first time, Her Majesty the Empress felt bound and restricted by mundane clothing.

Her heart was thumping hard in her chest, and her palms were slightly damp with sweat.

[It's just meeting two mortals, what is there to fear?]

Shang Wan Ning berated herself.

[When I commanded ten thousand ghosts, I didn't even blink!]

But this strange feeling was exactly like a son-in-law visiting the in-laws.

[Wait, is it a son-in-law or a daughter-in-law!!!]

Shang Wan Ning's cheeks burned at her own wandering thoughts. She then tore through the void with both hands, appearing outside Cuiping Courtyard in the blink of an eye.

A golden light overflowed from her palm, quietly sweeping past. The guards' eyes grew slightly dazed, and a new memory was added: "A colleague of Officer Lin from the Special Affairs Bureau, a familiar face who visits frequently."

"Done."

She picked up the gift boxes at her feet—two bottles of top-tier spiritual wine aged for many years, plus a basket of Spirit-Restoring Fruits nurtured by spiritual energy.

The items were temporarily "borrowed" from the Underworld's warehouse; she hoped Lin Ran's parents wouldn't be too knowledgeable about such things.

Standing before the gate of No. 126, Shang Wan Ning tidied her hair at her temples once more before raising her hand to press the doorbell.

"Ding-dong—"

The door opened, and Lin Ran's face appeared. Seeing Shang Wan Ning standing outside, her pupils shrank and her mouth hung slightly open.

"Empre..."

Shang Wan Ning didn't give her a chance to shout it out; she stepped inside and instantly put on a proper smile.

"Hello, Uncle and Auntie. I'm Shang Wan Ning, ARan's colleague from the Special Affairs Bureau. I heard ARan finally finished her long-term mission and came back today, so I came over to see her."

As she spoke, she stuffed the gift boxes into the hands of the still-dazed Lin Ran, her manner natural and smooth as if she had practiced it a thousand times.

Her divine sense swept over the two elderly people walking over from the living room upon hearing the noise.

Father Lin was thin and wore reading glasses; Mother Lin had graying hair and a straight back, her eyes filled with scrutiny.

Father Lin pushed up his glasses, a warm smile spreading across his face: "Oh, it's ARan's colleague. Please come in, please come in."

"This young lady is truly beautiful. Why bring gifts? You're too kind."

Mother Lin also greeted her with a smile: "Exactly, come in and have a seat. ARan, why are you standing there? Pour some tea for your colleague!"

Lin Ran was completely bewildered by Shang Wan Ning's seamless performance. Holding the gift boxes, she gave a mechanical "Oh" and turned toward the kitchen.

Shang Wan Ning was invited to sit on the sofa by Father and Mother Lin, undergoing a baptism of curious yet kind gazes from the two elders.

"Little Shang, what kind of work do you do at the Special Affairs Bureau? Is it hard?" Father Lin asked with a smile.

"Uh... clerical work, file management. It's not hard." Shang Wan Ning sat upright, her palms secretly wiping sweat on her knees.

"Clerical work is good, it's stable! Unlike how ARan used to be as a criminal investigator, never coming home."

"Then she was transferred to the Special Affairs Bureau, and we've been on edge every day since~" Mother Lin rambled on.

Shang Wan Ning could only smile and nod, feeling more exhausted than if she had fought a battle with Zhu Yan.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Lin Ran coming out with teacups, giving her a look full of complex emotions.

[Your Majesty! I would rather you be heartless toward me.]

Dinner was cooked by Father Lin—a table full of dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted excellent.

The atmosphere at the table was lively, with Father and Mother Lin constantly putting food into Shang Wan Ning's and Lin Ran's bowls.

"Little Shang, try this braised pork; it's ARan's father's specialty."

"ARan, eat more fish to nourish yourself. Look at how thin you've become, like a little piece of fried dough."

Lin Ran lowered her head and shoveled rice into her mouth, responding dully.

Shang Wan Ning tried her best to play the role of a "well-behaved colleague," taking small bites of the food in her bowl. The taste was actually average, far inferior to the spiritual meals of the Underworld, but this mundane warmth inexplicably made her heart feel slightly cozy.

As they ate, Father Lin's hand suddenly paused while picking up food.

He set down his chopsticks, took off his reading glasses, and haphazardly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. His movements were hurried, his shoulders trembling slightly.

"Dad?" Lin Ran looked up, her voice a bit raspy.

Mother Lin also stopped her chopsticks and glared at Father Lin, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"You old man, here we go again. Our daughter coming back is a happy thing. Why are you crying? You're making a fool of yourself in front of Little Shang."

Father Lin sniffled, hurriedly wiped the corners of his eyes, put his glasses back on, and forced a smile.

Except that smile looked a bit bittersweet. "I'm not crying, not crying... I'm happy. Dad is just happy."

Looking at Lin Ran, his eyes were filled with a tenderness and reluctance so thick it wouldn't dissipate. "It's just... it's just been too long since we've seen our Ranran. My heart is just overwhelmed."

He paused, his voice choking for a moment before he forced it back down. He raised his wine glass toward Shang Wan Ning and Lin Ran.

"Come, eat, eat. Little Shang, don't be polite. ARan, eat more."

The tips of Shang Wan Ning's fingers tightened slightly on her chopsticks.