Chapter 269: The Battle between Aristocratic Families*
“Of course, we should agree! Although the Canglan Ye clan is not as strong as before, it was
once the leader of the top three families.
Even now, their resources and influence remain among the best.
A marriage alliance with the Canglan Ye clan would bring great benefits to our family,” one of the
senior members of the Yun clan said with a slight smile, expressing confidence that Yun
Yunyang would consider the proposal.
Hearing this, several other senior members of the Yun clan nodded in agreement.
“You’re only seeing the surface but haven’t considered the deeper implications,” Yun Yunyang
said, shaking his head with a faint smile at the conversation among his brothers and cousins.
“Cousin Yunyang, what are your thoughts?”
“This marriage alliance is impossible,” Yun Yunyang said with a sigh.
“Why not?”
The elders were puzzled, their expressions filled with confusion.
“Is it because of the concerns His Majesty and the court might have?” Yun Yunrui asked
thoughtfully.
Having spent years at Yun Yunyang’s side, learning the intricacies of managing the family and
dealing with prominent figures, Yun Yunrui had developed a keen sense of political strategy.
While others celebrated the prospect of an alliance with the Canglan Ye clan, he silently
weighed the potential risks and benefits.
“Haha! Yunrui understands me!”
Hearing Yun Yunrui’s analysis, Yun Yunyang laughed heartily.
“Indeed, the Canglan Ye clan was once the leader of the top three families. Their foundation is
solid, and a marriage alliance with them would certainly be a cause for celebration.
But have you all forgotten where our Yun family stands now?”
“Our Yun family is firmly aligned with His Majesty and the court.
For years, the emperor and the court have suppressed the Canglan Ye clan, the Wangyue Lin
clan, the Chuanyin Lu clan, and others to elevate Yun Cang Yun to prominence among the
families.
If we were to agree to a marriage alliance with the Canglan Ye clan now, how do you think His
Majesty and the court would react?
Wouldn’t it render their years of effort meaningless?”
“If we form this alliance, our Yun family will end up pleasing no one.
First, the Canglan Ye clan, Wangyue Lin clan, Chuanyin Lu clan, and others will still see us as a
threat and won’t stop targeting us.
Second, His Majesty and the court will become suspicious and may suppress us just as they
have suppressed the other clans.”
“Tell me, can our family, in its current state, withstand both the hostility of other clans and the
covert suppression of the court?”
“If that were to happen, our Yun family would face the same fate as the Tongshan Xia clan!”
Yun Yunyang calmly laid out his analysis, sending chills down the spines of the Yun clan elders.
They hadn’t realized that something as seemingly simple as a marriage alliance could have
such far-reaching consequences.
“The truth is, our Yun family is still too weak. If we were strong enough, we wouldn’t need to
worry about such things,” Yun Yunyang said, gazing out of the ancestral hall at the clear blue
sky.
“But if we refuse the alliance, the Ye clan will likely join forces with other clans to target us.
They won’t sit idly by as a family so firmly aligned with the emperor and the court grows stronger
and threatens their future,” Yun Yunrui said, voicing his concern.
“That’s unavoidable.”
“Better to face the other clans’ hostility than to be caught between two opposing forces.
Besides, the court and His Majesty won’t stand by idly.
The Ye, Lin, Lu, and other clans may seek to deal with us, but they won’t be able to act openly.”
“From now on, we must tread carefully. Our Yun family’s current position is much like the Yulin
Wang clan’s was in the past.
One misstep could lead to total ruin,” Yun Yunyang said with a deep sigh.
The family had chosen this path, and they had no choice but to press forward.
As for where it would lead, Yun Yunyang didn’t know.
He only knew that if they didn’t persevere, the Yun family would face destruction, just as the
Tongshan Xia clan and the Yulin Wang clan had before them.
“What can a little brat like you possibly do that’s so amazing?”
Yun Yanshui laughed and teased, feigning annoyance.
“Hmph! Don’t underestimate me!”
Yun Wenzhan puffed up his chest, his big black eyes darting around as he caught sight of a
large millstone in the courtyard.
With a flick of his sleeve, he channeled his spiritual energy, sending a powerful surge forward.
The millstone, weighing hundreds of pounds, was effortlessly split in two.
The spiritual aura emanating from him made Yun Yanshuang inwardly marvel.
“Zhan’er, your cultivation has advanced again?”
Kneeling down, Yun Yanshuang looked at her nephew with joy and pride.
“Hehe! I just broke through a couple of days ago. Now, I’m at the peak of the eighth level of the
Embryonic Breath stage and about to reach the ninth level!”
Yun Wenzhan grinned smugly, tilting his chin upward as if waiting for praise.
Among the younger generation of the Yun family, he was the youngest of the Wen generation
but undoubtedly the fastest in cultivation.
“Incredible! Truly your father Yantian and your mother’s child—your second-grade spiritual root
is astonishingly fast at cultivation!
When I was your age, I wasn’t nearly as talented,” Yun Yanshuang said with a beaming smile,
patting the boy’s head affectionately.
“Hehe!”
Feeling flustered but pleased by his aunt’s compliments, Yun Wenzhan scratched his head with
an embarrassed laugh.
Then, he glanced at his uncle, Yun Yanshui, and raised his small head proudly.
“So, Uncle Yanshui, won’t you take me along now? I told you—I’m very capable!”
“I could take you, but did your parents agree to this?”
“I don’t need their permission. I can decide for myself!”
“A brat who still hasn’t grown up wants to make his own decisions? If your parents don’t agree,
I’m not taking you.”
“Hmph! I’ll go talk to them right now!”
Yun Wenzhan snorted in defiance, stomped his foot, and ran off in a huff.
Half an hour later, Yun Yanshui and Yun Yanshuang saw Yun Wenzhan running back toward the
courtyard, holding Bai Li Moxue’s hand as he rushed along.
“Sister-in-law!”
Seeing Bai Li Moxue, both Yun Yanshui and Yun Yanshuang greeted her warmly with smiles.
“Zhan’er tells me you’re planning a trip to Canglan County?”
“Yes! The Ye family’s market has Linglong Grass for sale. Yanshuang needs it to refine the
Foundation Establishment Pill we worked so hard to acquire,” Yun Yanshui explained.
“Take Zhan’er with you. He’s been pestering me to let him go out and see the world, and I
simply couldn’t say no.
He’s been working hard on his cultivation lately, so this trip can be a chance for him to relax,”
Bai Li Moxue said with a helpless smile, ruffling Yun Wenzhan’s hair.
“Since you’ve said so, sister-in-law, we’ll take him along for the journey.”
“Thank you both for taking care of Zhan’er!”
“Also, while visiting the Ye family’s market, you must be cautious.
Yantian mentioned that our eldest uncle recently declined a marriage alliance with the Canglan
Ye clan. There are concerns that they might retaliate in secret to hinder our family’s
development.”
“Don’t worry, sister-in-law. With Yanshuang around, nothing will happen,” Yun Yanshui replied,
dismissing the notion of danger.
“Exactly, Mother! And I’m here too! If the Canglan Ye clan dares to cause trouble, I’ll kick them
away one by one!
Uncle Yanshui may not be very capable, but I’ll protect him!
If anyone dares hurt Uncle Yanshui, I’ll make them regret it!”
“Alright, alright, you’re the best.
Show us the results of your hard work by keeping your uncle and aunt safe. If you can
guarantee their safe return, you’ll be the most impressive!”
Bai Li Moxue smiled warmly, pinching Yun Wenzhan’s little face affectionately as she listened to
his bold words.
“Moxue, stay for lunch! Aunt Qin has made some soup,” Yun Qinshi called out from the kitchen,
smiling as she saw Bai Li Moxue.
“No need, Aunt Qin! Yantian is still busy at the spiritual fields in the back mountains. I’ll head
back soon to help him!”
“Then let me pack some Spirit Jujube Chicken Soup for you to take to the back mountains
and share with Yantian,” Yun Qinshi said kindly.
“That would be great. Thank you, Aunt Qin!”
“We’re all family—no need to be so formal!”