18: Threatening to commit suicide

Su Quan spread his arms, shielding the young girl behind him.

His sword-like eyebrows furrowed as he glared coldly at the servants. "What do you think you're doing? Get out!"

"This..."

The servants were all in a difficult position.

On one side was the Family Head, and on the other was her precious pearl.

Su Xuemei felt her authority at home being challenged. She slammed her hand heavily on the table and scolded, "Presumptuous! Quan'er, this is none of your business. Go back to your room!"

"Mother, Miss Mu and I are truly in love. I hope Mother can grant us her blessing!" Su Quan pleaded.

Su Guimin couldn't stand it any longer and barked, "Brother, are you going to defy Mother for an outsider? We've raised you for all these years in vain; the older you get, the more senseless you become!"

Su Guihui grinned and said, "Brother, this woman isn't worthy of you at all. Stop making Mother angry, or you won't like the consequences!"

"Enough!"

The irritated Su Xuemei shouted. Her tone was firm and beyond question as she said, "I do not agree to this marriage. Why are you all standing there? Hurry up and seize this woman!"

Hearing this, the servants no longer hesitated.

They clenched their fists and moved aggressively toward Mu Xiyan.

A conflict was about to erupt.

The young girl's expression grew darker, and the powerful Internal Energy within her surged, ready to strike.

"I dare any of you to try!"

Su Quan's resolute voice rang out.

A dagger was unsheathed and pressed against his own neck.

Because he pressed so hard, a faint mark appeared on his snowy-white neck, and blood began to seep out.

Everyone was stunned.

"This..."

Mu Xiyan's beautiful eyes widened. She hadn't expected the boy to go to such lengths for her, willing to threaten his mother with his own life.

However, her heart was trembling violently.

How could she face such devoted affection from the boy?

"Mother, I know I may be acting willfully today, but I am willing to be willful for the sake of love!" Su Quan's eyes filled with tears, his acting reaching its peak. "If Mother doesn't want to see my corpse here today, then please agree to this marriage!"

Su Xuemei naturally couldn't watch the boy die; otherwise, her eighteen years of planning would come to nothing.

Her tone became bleak, seemingly filled with helplessness and sorrow. "Quan'er, Mother has raised you for eighteen years, giving you wealth and luxury since you were a child. Are you really going to oppose Mother today for this lowly girl of humble origins?"

"Mother, Miss Mu and I are truly in love. Even if I must strip off these fine clothes and lose my status as the Su Residence's Third Young Master, as long as I can be with Miss Mu, I would gladly endure wandering the world and tasting the hardships of the elements!"

Su Quan's every word was powerful and deafening.

No one would doubt his determination.

Mu Xiyan's delicate body was trembling. Although the dangerous situation had been overturned, her heart felt a tearing sensation like a sharp pain.

"How foolish!"

Su Xuemei slapped her thigh in frustration.

After a long silence, she seemed to have come to terms with it. She sighed and said, "Fine. A son grows up and follows his own path. Since Quan'er insists on marrying her, I have nothing more to say!"

"Mother, you can't!"

"Mother!"

Seeing this, the Eldest Sister and Second Sister both changed their expressions.

In their eyes, the one being married off wasn't their third brother, but their cultivation Cauldron.

"Say no more, both of you. Send out the word—prepare a banquet!"

Su Xuemei waved her hand, but she gave them a subtle, hidden look.

She naturally couldn't tolerate marrying Su Quan off. But seeing the boy's absolute determination and his threat of suicide, she could only stabilize him for the moment. When the time was right, she would seize them both at once.

"Great! I knew Mother was the best to me!" Su Quan breathed a long sigh of relief and tucked the dagger back into his waist. He then ran to the young girl and said excitedly, "Sister Mu, Mother has agreed to our marriage! From now on, I'll be your husband!"

"Yes..."

Mu Xiyan's expression was complicated. She forced a difficult smile, her gaze falling on the knife wound on the boy's neck, feeling an unspeakable heartache.

After hesitating for a moment, a look of resolve appeared between her brows. She pulled Su Quan to a side room and whispered, "Xiao Quan, don't use the gift I asked you to prepare for your aunt yet. Let's wait..."

"What's wrong? Isn't it just tribute wine?"

Su Quan perfectly performed a look of confusion and continued, "Don't worry, Sister Mu, I've already handled it. Mother is a lover of fine wine. Once she's happy, our marriage will go even more smoothly!"

"What?"

Mu Xiyan's face paled slightly.

When she saw the boy willing to die for her, she had the thought of stopping her plan. But who would have thought that fate would play such a trick? The boy gave her no chance to back out.

"Sister Mu, I'll go accompany Mother first and put in a good word for us!" Su Quan said with a face full of happy smiles. He didn't give Mu Xiyan a chance and ran straight out without looking back.

As soon as he turned around, his smile instantly vanished, and he began to mutter in his heart.

Mu Xiyan, oh Mu Xiyan, I hope the gift you prepared doesn't disappoint me.

If it can't take down a Celestial Realm expert, he would have to activate his backup plan!

...Soon.

The round table in the banquet hall was covered with fine wine and delicacies.

Su Xuemei sat in the seat of honor without hesitation. Her two daughters sat on either side, followed by Su Quan and Mu Xiyan.

The atmosphere had relaxed quite a bit.

Su Xuemei acted as if she really had agreed to the marriage, her tone much more kind and gentle. "Girl, let me say the harsh words first. I only have this one precious boy. If he suffers any grievances because of you, don't blame me for turning heartless!"

"Aunt, please rest assured. Xiao Quan is your precious boy, and he is also the treasure in my palm and the flesh of my heart. In the future, I will do my best to cherish him and not let him suffer even the slightest grievance!" Mu Xiyan replied very seriously.

Su Guihui and Su Guimin sat with their arms crossed, sulking. They couldn't understand why their mother's attitude had done a 180-degree turn, but they didn't dare to question her decision.

"Hahaha! With those words from you, I can rest easy. Someone, bring the wine!" Su Xuemei laughed loudly.

Before the servants could move, Su Quan excitedly jumped up from his seat.

"Mother, I'll go get it!"

"This boy, still so impulsive at his age!" Su Xuemei shook her head with a smile.

A moment later, Su Quan ran back carrying a jar of fine wine.

"This is?" Su Xuemei showed a surprised expression.

"That's right, Mother. This is the Nan'erhong you've kept for eighteen years!" Su Quan wiped the sweat from his forehead, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes for an instant.

In the Su Residence, food safety was of the utmost importance.

To prevent being poisoned by villains, only the Su sisters and Su Xuemei herself could touch the food, besides the dedicated chefs. Furthermore, every dish had to be tested for poison before being served.

One could say the safety level was extremely high, unless... there was an insider!

"Quan'er is quite thoughtful. Very well, today I shall bring out the Nan'erhong I've kept for eighteen years to drink with everyone!" Su Xuemei laughed loudly and waved her hand. "Serve the wine!"

The clear, fragrant wine was poured into goblets and placed before everyone.

Su Xuemei was the first to raise hers, saying, "Girl, Quan'er has been spoiled since he was a child and has a bit of a temper. When you live together in the future, you'll need to be patient with him!"

"Aunt, please rest assured. I will certainly be tolerant of Xiao Quan's temperament. Today, I should be the one to toast you!" Mu Xiyan raised her goblet and drained it in one gulp under everyone's gaze.

Su Xuemei had no suspicions and drank the wine with a chuckle...